ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN WITH CLIMATE

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gülsu ULUKAVAK HARPUTLUGÄ°L

“We must begin by taking note of the countries and climates in which homes are to be built if our designs for them are to be correct. One type of house seems appropriate for Egypt, another for Spain . . . one still different for Rome. . . . It is obvious that design for homes ought to conform to diversities of climate.”

The Ten Books on Architecture, Vitruvius Architect, first century b.c.

As the quote by Vitruvius, designing buildings in harmony with their climates is an age-old idea. To design in conformity with climate, the designer needs to understand the microclimate of the site, since all climatic experience of both people and buildings is at this level.

It is too late to stop climate change from starting, but we still have the opportunity to limit the degree of change. Indeed, we have the duty to do everything possible to minimize the amount of change. Climateresponsive buildings are gentle on the climate because they consume less energy, use less source, produce less waste. However, to design them, we first need to understand the basics of climate.