BEN BURROWS

BRIEF:

Design two complete cabins for two different locations, one located in Townsville (hot & humid climate) and the other in Toronto (cold climate).  The designs should demonstrate a thorough understanding of passive design strategies for different climates with a solution that exemplifies the principles of climatic responsive design.

 

RESPONSE:

Townsville Cabin:

Using climate consultant software I was able to identify that the annual comfort zone could be expanded from 13% of the year to 65% purely by implementing passive strategies to naturally cool the cabin. Natural Ventilation was the primary strategy of the cabin design.

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The building was oriented to North and positioned on an E-W axis, with a narrow width to maximise the prevailing NE summer breezes. Being elevated on stilts on the windward side of a hill allowed for higher wind velocity to be captured and to circulate air under the structure. Sleeping areas were separated from the kitchen to avoid radiant heat from cooking. Vegetation placed to the West, provides shading from hot afternoon summer sun but still provides filtered natural light annually. 

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Louvered clerestory windows oriented N provide natural light in the winter and also promote hot air circulation with the assistance for ceiling fans.

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The skillion and lean-to roof overhang shades all clerestory windows and is positioned to maximise efficiency of solar panels.

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Toronto Cabin:

Internal heat gain through solar radiation was the primary objective of the Toronto cabin. The cabin is located on the E side of a hill approximately half way up the slope. This falls in the wind shadow of the prevailing sub-zero W winter winds and also avoids the cool patch forming at the bottom of the valley; whilst maintaining the ability to capture solar radiation from the E and S. Buried into the earth, the building naturally maintains a temperature of 5 degrees above the surface temperature in the winter months. 

 

A triple pane glass conservatory located to the S of the cabin maximises the amount of internal heat gain from solar radiation and heats the house through the greenhouse effect. A trombe wall with operable vents absorbs and release heat, with the vents enabling the occupier to open or close to circulate air.

 

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