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UNIT 5: THE SUSTAINABLE SITING, DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF TOURISM FACILITIES
For example, it takes more time for heat to move through brick than fibreboard.
So a brick house with more thermal mass will yield more moderate changes in
indoor temperature compared to the outside air, thus remaining cooler during the
daytime and warmer at night, than a lightweight structure of fibreboard, which
heats up and cools down more quickly.
Thermal mass materials have the ability to conduct, store and release energy
back into the living space when it is needed. Ideal mass materials for floors and
walls include clay, adobe, concrete, brick, and rock. The ideal thickness for mass
materials is 10-12cm.
Heat always moves from a point of high temperature to a point of low temperature.
During winter, sunlight first heats up the air. Since the mass floors and walls are
cooler, the heat is absorbed and conducted into these materials. Later, when the
sun has set and the room air temperature falls, the mass materials will be warmer
than the room air temperature and stored heat will return to the room.
During warmer periods it is important to reduce heat gain and increase ventilation.
This can be done by employing various techniques such as:
• Installing insulating curtains, moveable insulation , shutters and
curtains in glass areas;
• Landscaping with deciduous trees and vegetation to provide shading
• Using light coloured low mass constructions such as ceilings and
partition walls;
• Installing overhangings on the south or north side (according to
latitudes).
3.1.2 Daylighting
Daylighting is a combination of energy conservation and passive solar design.
It means making the best use of natural daylight to illuminate interiors. While
all forms of vernacular architecture incorporate daylighting, most modern office
buildings are deep-planned and rely heavily on electricity which can account for
30-40% of total delivered energy used. Although in winter heat from artificial
lighting can contribute towards space heating, in summer it can cause overheating
and increase the demand for air conditioning.
Traditional daylighting techniques include:
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• Shallow plan design which allows light to penetrate all rooms
and corridors;
• Light wells in the centre of the building;
• Roof lights;
• Courtyards;
• Tall windows which allow light to penetrate deep inside rooms;
• The use of task lighting directly over the workplace instead of lighting
the entire interior;
• Deep window reveals and light room surfaces to decrease glare.