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Figure
17.
Apartment layout showing
cross ventilation |
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Introduction: |
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| Because the complex is open from April
to October and the buildings are well-insulated and have a high thermal
mass, the space heating requirements can be satisfied entirely by direct
solar gains through the windows. The critical issue is cooling. The main
objective, therefore, has been to incorporate various passive cooling
strategies into the design so that the buildings are comfortable most
of the time without the use of mechanical cooling systems. All windows
are equipped with exterior shutters. Deciduous planting on the pergolas
also contributes to solar control. Natural cross ventilation is created
in all buildings by placing openings on opposite facades. For times when
this is not sufficient, a ventilation chimney has been placed in the
centre of each unit. The well-insulated roofs have radiant barriers and
the vertical walls have a high thermal mass which smooths out internal
temperature variations. The natural vegetation and water in the centre
space of the complex provides evaporative cooling. |
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Passive Solar
Cooling Features: |
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Pergolas: |
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| In the Aegean islands during April to October, people
usually spend most of their time outdoors. Therefore a vine-covered
pergola has been placed in front of the living room balcony door
of each apartment to create a fully-shaded extension to the living
space. Because the vine is deciduous, it does not inhibit penetration
of solar radiation into the building in winter when direct solar
gains are required for heating. |
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Cross Ventilation: |
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| Because the apartments are divided into small
units and steady breezes are always present, natural cross ventilation
is an effective cooling strategy. This has been created in all
the apartments by placing openings on opposite facades (see Figure
17). Where the layout of the apartment allows it, these openings
are on the north and south (i.e. the windward) sides. Where possible,
the principle has been applied to both the living rooms and the
bedrooms. The distribution and sizing of the windows have been
optimized to increase airflow within the building but reduce excess
solar gains. |
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