BIOCLIMATIC ARCHITECTURE IN CRETE

In recent years, in the field of construction, we hear more and more often words like "green building, passive building, sustainability, green architecture" etc. Within these words he also meets "bioclimatic design". What does bioclimatic design mean? How is it achieved? Is it really something new? Is it easily applicable today in Crete by an architect?

Curated by:Dimitris Koudounakis, Evelina Koutsoupaki, Eleni Yova

Zeropixel Architects

WHAT IS BIOCLIMATIC DESIGN

In this sense, the architectural design of a building is defined that takes into account the topographical characteristics and the local climatic data (ground relief, orientation, solar radiation, wind, temperature, relative humidity, rain, etc.), which aim at the rational use of energy in order to save it.

The goal of bioclimatic design is to ensure acceptable indoor climate conditions for the correct thermal behavior of the building in winter and summer and therefore to limit energy consumption, with all the benefits this entails.

It is achieved with purely design manipulations, or with various techniques in the construction of the building, such as the orientation, the appropriate choice of openings, the study of the shell, but also the correct choice of materials, thus limiting the dependence on mechanical equipment for the heating or cooling of buildings. The provisions differ according to the microclimate of each region.

DESIGN MANIPULATIONS

The geographical relief of the area, the location and orientation of the building on the plot are some of the parameters that play a decisive role in bioclimatic architecture. Specifically in Crete, the view is usually oriented to the North or the South, with the result that the buildings are "convenient" to have the ideal North-South orientation as well as transparency.

SUNSHINE & NATURAL

AIR CONDITIONING

In Southern Greece, in summer, the sun reaches them at noon at an angle of 75.5 degrees and in winter at 28.5 degrees. Therefore, the large southern openings in the winter will put the sun inside the building, warming the space, and at the same time will create shade in the northern courtyard. These diametrically placed openings with the help of the cool summer winds, will also offer natural air conditioning as well as removal of moisture from the space. Openings to the east and west should be avoided.

SHADING

Shading control offers significant benefits in building heating and cooling. The sun protection of the openings should ensure the minimum incoming radiation in the summer, but combining the possibility of natural lighting, ventilation and views, but also not prevent the necessary sun exposure during the winter. A particularly effective method of sun protection for the building and its openings is also suitable planting. For example, deciduous trees provide shade in the summer, while not blocking the sun in the winter months. In addition, the planted roof offers protection from the heat in the summer, while it acts as a means of thermal insulation in the winter. It also positively affects the microclimate, especially in areas with atmospheric pollution.

MATERIAL &

HEAT CAPACITY

The use of stone from the respective study area is often chosen, both for the integration of the building into the environment and the achievement of low energy costs, as well as for its high thermal capacity. By using light colors on the surfaces of the building, the adequate thermal insulation of the shell and the selection of suitable materials, a reduction of external thermal gains is achieved in the summer months or, conversely, losses in the winter. In cases where we have a strongly sloping relief, the building enters the ground. Cave buildings have a low energy consumption due to the constant temperature (around 18 degrees) of the ground that surrounds them.

IS BIOCLIMATIC DESIGN

SOMETHING NEW?

The configuration of semi-outdoor spaces, appropriate tree planting (arbora) and the use of friendly materials are features that are often found in Cretan traditional architecture. The same principles and ideology that people applied out of necessity to build their homes, bioclimatic design utilizes in order to create a comfortable living environment. These principles were quickly forgotten, as the easy solution now was to burn oil and turn on the air conditioning. But now, it is not only a matter of conscience but also of legislation - taxation to have buildings with low energy consumption. To achieve this, we start by designing bioclimates.