Climate Responsive Architecture in Warm Humid Climate - A Case of South Kanara Manor houses

Abstract

Thermal comfort is of utmost importance in an indoor environment. If people are living or working in unfavourable environments, the work efficiency is considerably affected. Hence it is the job of an Architect to design comfortable indoors. Warm humid climatic zones are prevalent within 15⁰ to 30⁰ north and south of equator. The main characteristic of this climatic zone is there is very little seasonal variation, humidity is more than 50% (RH) and precipitation is also very high. South Kanara is along the Konkan coast in the state of Karnataka, under the warm humid climatic zone. The main challenge in designing in warm humid climatic zone is the temperature and humidity are high throughout the year and people indoors are not comfortable most part of the year. Hence, they have to depend on active cooling systems. Vernacular structures which are specific to a climatic zone have come up after lot of experimentation with the use of locally available materials and techniques. Vernacular structures which are climate responsive architecture incorporate passive design strategies. Thermal comfort is achieved by appropriate orientation of the building, optimum size and orientation of the fenestration, adapt design of surrounding landscape feature, appropriate use of materials in construction of the building, enhanced wind movement in the interior by good planning, cutting down solar radiation entering into the interiors. This article explains in detail the passive strategies to be adopted in warm humid climatic zone Giving an insight into the climate responsive design strategies adopted in the vernacular structures of south Kanara manor houses.