-Climate+Analysis

** LOCATION: Houston D W Hooks, TX, USA ** ** Latitude/Longitude: ** 30.07˚North, 95.55˚West, **Time Zone from Greenwich -6**

**Data**

**Temperature Range**  The temperature chart of Houston shows that the mean temperature is higher than the comfort zone (70-75) during six months of the year (May-October). Mechanical air conditioning is certainly required during these times of the year. Passive cooling is not an easy task in this weather but can be possibly used by adopting passive cooling strategies during cooler months.

** Sun Shading Chart ** 

**Wind Speed 3D Chart Relative Humidity 3D Chart**

**Psychrometric Chart** **Comfort Dry**

**Dry-Bulb Temp**

**Wind Wheel**

 This chart shows the wind velocity, direction, temperature and Relative. Houston receives wind throughout the summer from the Southeast - the Gulf of Mexico. During winter, Houston receives cold air from the North. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 140%;">** Weather Data Summary **


 * Climate Consultant Design Guidelines **
 * Balance Point **

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">** Low balance point- ** building needs constant cooling <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">** internal load= ** high internal gains, low skin loss

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">** High balance point- ** building desires heating as main concern <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">** skin loaded= ** heat transfer through the envelope

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">In my project I would like to design the building envelope performance and the lighting strategies to reach to an appropriate balance point (?-55) so that the buildings do not need constant cooling during the summer and to consider the passive cooling through the most possible time of the year.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 120%;">** How does balance point temperature influence the lighting and thermal strategies of my project? ** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">To control the balance point lighting design is important. Lights, as shown in the diagram above, is one of three major factors through which buildings gain heat. Accordingly, the number, distribution and wattage of the used light fixtures determine the heat gain and consequently affect the balance point. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Because of the hot weather of Houston, I would like to design mechanical lighting with least possible heat gain. this requires the use of minimal number and wattage of light fixture that can perform adequately. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">The balance point is also determine the used heating and cooling strategies and when ventilation, cooling or heating are required. I aim to adjust the building design to reach a balance point that allow natural ventilation during the possible periods of the day.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">** Passive design priorities: **

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Passive cooling is a challenging task in Houston hot humid weather. The main passive design priorities are to:

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">1-Prevent heat gain by: <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">2-Maximize heat dissipation <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> 3-Raising the indoor comfort temperature limit

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">The above mentioned tasks can be accomplished through:

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">-The right orientation: minimize or eliminate west facing glazing to reduce summer and fall afternoon heat gain; orient most of the glass to the north, shaded by vertical fins <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">-The use of vegetations <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">-The choice of materials that reflect heat <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">-The use of light colors <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">- Reduce heat gain from equipment, lights, and occupants <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">-Design of thermal mass <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">- Manipulation of sun shading <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">-The good insulation <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">-Locate doors and windows so that can allow cross ventelation <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">** Innovative passive cooling strategies: ** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> I also searched for passive cooling strategies that suitable for the hot humid climate of Houston. I found a technique that use water in copper pipes below the ceiling and in underground tanks.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">** Daylight design ** <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">The light entering a building may be considered as comprising three separate components: <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
 * 1) <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Direct sunlight
 * 2) <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Light from the diffuse sky
 * 3) <span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Diffusely reflected light from the ground and other buildings



<span style="color: #000000; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">As shown in the charts the day light length and sky brightness are uniform most of the year. I would like to use flexible sun shadings to control the exposed surface of glazing to satisfy the slight seasonal variations; and use mechanical lighting just when is needed.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">**Climate** is a very crucial factor in building design because it affects the building envelope, the material selection, performance specifications (lighting, heating and cooling strategies) and consequently the performance targets. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">As my intention is to create an urban node, an architecture that interact with context and the surrounding urban fabric and not an isolated objects, it is very important to consider <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">In this regard it is also important to consider the geographical contextual precedents because they can offer a base for climate control design.