The architectural design of a house depends on multiple elements amongst which the climate of the region stands as the most important one. Building a house after understanding the climatic environment of the region will help the architect suggest a practical and efficient design that responds to its geographical conditions. The purpose is to ensure that the house is sustainable by responding adaptively to the surroundings. Different climate conditions demand different kinds of architectural designs be built. The countries that fall in the hot climatic ones need specifically tailored house designs to make sure that the summers don’t get to them or their homes. Hot and dry areas experience low humidity, high temperatures, and very little rainfall. To successfully cater to these severe climatic conditions through their designs, the top architecture companies in Pakistan use the following tips:
Angular Orientation
The angular positioning of a house is very important to consider when building it in a hot and dry climatic zone. The orientation of the structure decides how much sun exposure the house receives, the light glare through the windows and glass doors, etc. Sun is the main source of light and heat simultaneously. The rule of thumb in this regard suggests that if the design of the house is such that its longer walls face the north and south, avoiding the west orientation then the positioning of the sun will be such that the house will remain cool in the summers and warm in the winters. Having windows facing the southward direction will help avoid direct heat from the sun and exposure to the light when it’s at its peak because they receive minimal sun. Architects are well aware of this fact and that is why when houses are built in hot areas, their angular orientation is North-South.
Thick Exterior Walls
Another important feature that is taken into account when building houses in warm dry zones is the structure of the walls that cover up the house. It is not just the material used in the walls that is important but also the design of the walls. A common practice with architecture companies in Pakistan is to have thick exterior walls to ensure that the architecture of the house will be successfully able to respond adaptively to severe weather conditions. The walls are designed in such a manner that there are two sides of concrete walls with a layer of insulation material in between. This helps in keeping the house cool in the summers, as the heat absorbed by the exterior layer of the wall is not transferred inside. This strategy has been used in Iranian architecture for centuries, prominently seen in the architectural structure of the houses of Kashan. The structure of the walls helps them to provide maximum protection from heat and also provide shade.
Verandahs and Courtyards
Courtyards and verandahs come under the extended architecture of the house. Verandahs are usually roofed structures, like balconies but they are partly closed. On the other hand, courtyards are areas that are open to the sky with sometimes walls surrounding them partially and sometimes wholly. Both these areas act as specifically designed spaces that are constructed to help in the mechanism of cross ventilation and heat reduction. These structures are very commonly seen in south Asian architecture and Arabic houses. In this design, there is a central patio, around which the verandahs and courtyards are placed to help in cross ventilation. Also, when these spaces are covered with fresh green plants and pergola, they act as natural cooling systems, helping to reduce heat and maintain a cool enjoinment inside the house.
Roofing
One structure of the house that suffers the maximum exposure to direct heat and sunlight, throughout the year, is the roof. The amount of solar radiation received and absorbed by the roof impacts the internal ambient temperature of the house. Therefore designing the roof and selecting the material to use are two points of concern. Usually, the Construction companies in Lahore opt for a design of double roof insulation or a single white roof. In the double roof insulation design, there are two layers of baked clay bricks with an insulation layer in between. This helps to ensure that the heat experienced by the roof does not impact the internal temperature. In the case of a single white roof, the design and color help reflect heat to the maximum extent along with keeping the house cool in the summers. However, if you already have a house built that does not support either of the roof designs then no need to worry because another great way to avoid the extra heat coming in from the roof is by building a terrace garden or a roof pool. They help add aesthetic appeal to your house and also come in handy while battling this predicament.
Windows and airflow
As simple as it might seem to place windows around the house to maintain airflow and ventilation, it is a pretty tricky decision. The architects have to ensure that the house receives an uninterrupted airflow and a complete system of cross ventilation while avoiding excessive heat from entering in. The solution for this is found in the placement and sizing of the windows. To maintain a cool environment inside the house, there are very few windows placed in the design with the size of them kept small, which helps in reducing heat and ensuring continuous airflow. Bungha homes are the best depiction of this design as it incorporates only two windows and a door, to help provide ventilation and reduce the solar radiation effect.
Living in extreme weather conditions can be very challenging. But if the house is built right, has thick exterior walls, the correct angular orientation, and the appropriate roof design, then the internal temperature of the house can be maintained at the cooler end, making it comfortable and weather adaptive.
