Biophilic and Bioclimatic Architecture


Book Description

Biophilic and Bioclimatic Architecture is a guide to innovative architectural design for architects, engineers and other specialists who are working with biophilic and bioclimatic architectural concepts. Biophilic and Bioclimatic Architecture has three parts: • Part I focuses on the relationship between architecture and human needs and the creation process, demonstrating the meaning of architectural value in architectural hypothesis. • Part II opens the way towards a new understanding of biophilic architecture as a response to the negative actions of humans and the negative effects of using natural resources. • Part III shows the benefits of combining the effects of the climate with the notion of human comfort in bioclimatic architecture.




Climate Adaptability of Buildings


Book Description

This book examines bioclimatic design with a focus on the application of climate adaptability in the design of future buildings and renovation of existing energy-efficient buildings. It addresses the challenge of how to construct and renovate buildings so that they maintain desired performance even as the climate changes in future decades. The book is divided into six chapters that guide the reader from basic concepts to discussions on specific aspects of bioclimatic design, including: Why do we construct buildings and why do they matter? Where should we get started with bioclimatic design? The opportunities and potential held by climate for the by bioclimatic architecture and design. How and why should we design bioclimatic buildings to accommodate future climatic conditions? Climatic changes and implications for the bioclimatic design of buildings. The author presents an overview of effective bioclimatic design strategies that enable climate-adaptable buildings. He also addresses the problems of designing with climate, which are relevant for all types of building design—in particular, the implications for bioclimatic buildings that are intrinsically connected to the climate they were adapted to. The book combines representative examples, diagrams, and illustrations, and concludes each chapter by reviewing the most important findings and concepts discussed. The book offers a valuable source of information for researchers and architectural engineers, who will gain essential insights into the process of using the available tools and data to design buildings that can respond to future climate challenges, as well as a general introduction into the field of bioclimatic building design. The book will also be of interest to graduate students and architects, as it approaches bioclimatic design with a particular focus on the analytical design process for such buildings.




Nature by Design


Book Description

A gorgeously illustrated, accessible book that provides a holistic summary of the key elements for good biophilic design




Bioclimatic Architecture in Warm Climates


Book Description

This book provides a comprehensive, hands-on approach to bioclimatic building design in Africa. Bioclimatic design is at the core of urban sustainability, and is a critical issue in Africa, where “imported” building typologies are being used at an increasing pace, disregarding the local context and consequently causing damage to the environment, to the economy, and to the culture itself. This book provides a concise set of sustainable design guidelines to be applied in both new buildings and the refurbishment of old buildings, and integrates bioclimatic design strategies with other sustainability issues such as: cultural aspects, affordability, and urban planning. Chapters are fully illustrated with photographs and drawings and include best-practice examples and strategies making it accessible to engineers, architects, students and a broad range of professionals in the building industry. Encompasses all climatic regions in Africa; Integrates bioclimatic design strategies with other sustainability issues; Discusses new design to refurbishment, from urban to rural, including office buildings, residential, tourism, social housing and self building.




Regenerative and Positive Impact Architecture


Book Description

This book is a guide to energy efficiency and environmental impact assessment in high-performance buildings projects. It compares four state-of-the-art buildings to examine the steps needed for a transition from negative impact reduction architecture to positive impact regenerative architecture, utilizing life cycle analysis. The book provides a solid grounding in the areas of energy-efficient building and building materials life-cycle assessment, discussing carbon efficiency within a wider context that includes its technical, socio-cultural and environmental dimensions and covers the key areas for green buildings performance (operational and embodied energy). The analysis and comparison of four case studies of state-of-art modern building projects in Europe and North America serve as inspiring examples for architects and building professionals in the fields of high performance buildings, ecological materials and carbon efficiency.




Creating Biophilic Buildings


Book Description




The Routledge Companion to Ecological Design Thinking


Book Description

This companion investigates the ways in which designers, architects, and planners address ecology through the built environment by integrating ecological ideas and ecological thinking into discussions of urbanism, society, culture, and design. Exploring the innovation of materials, habitats, landscapes, and infrastructures, it furthers novel ecotopian ideas and ways of living, including human-made settings on water, in outer space, and in extreme environments and climatic conditions. Chapters of this extensive collection on ecotopian design are grouped under five different ecological perspectives: design manifestos and ecological theories, anthropocentric transformative design concepts, design connectivity, climatic design, and social design. Contributors provide plausible, sustainable design ideas that promote resiliency, health, and well-being for all living things, while taking our changing lifestyles into consideration. This volume encourages creative thinking in the face of ongoing environmental damage, with a view to making design decisions in the interest of the planet and its inhabitants. With contributions from over 79 expert practitioners, educators, scientists, researchers, and theoreticians, as well as planners, architects, and engineers from the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Asia, this book engages theory, history, technology, engineering, and science, as well as the human aspects of ecotopian design thinking and its implications for the outlook of the planet.




Urban Structure in Hot Arid Environments


Book Description

This essential reference guide to strategies and solutions for urban planning in hot arid environments reflects the journey toward many cities, towns and villages in Iran, which are documented and presented in the form of case studies and comparative analysis. It is the outcome of extensive research on the influence of historical, cultural and climatic factors on urban spatial forms and rural complexes in Iran’s Hot Arid Zone. The environment of the Hot Arid Zone offers valuable insights into how to overcome historical difficulties, how to endure harsh climatic conditions, how to be innovative and creative in responding to problems in new ways, and how to utilize natural energy sources. Considerable attention is given to the recognition of values, current problems and the renewal of traditional fabrics, urban blocks and traditional buildings. Important aspects in both academic education and in the urban design profession include traditional urban structures and traditional approaches to using natural energy as a creative process that is continuously changing and renews itself over time – a dynamic characteristic from which we can glean many lessons for the future. This book is based on a book previously published by the author in Persian. This version is an extensively revised version.




Biomimetics for Architecture


Book Description

Nature has always been a source of inspiration for the design of the human environment. The analysis of biological constructions can not only lead to astonishing technical solutions but can also inspire the design of architecture. Bionics is a fascinating border area between pure research and practical application: biologists, chemists, physicists, mineralogists, and paleontologists meet up with material scientists, engineers, and architects and transfer their knowledge to architecture and construction. Using numerous practical examples, this richly illustrated introduction traces the process from the understanding of how something functions, to abstraction—for example in computer models—and the construction of initial prototypes, through to fully functional manufacture and production.




Sustainable Housing


Book Description

Sustainable housing is generally used to describe housing that is environmentally friendly and resource-efficient over the lifetime of the building. Homes are designed to have the least possible negative impact on the environment. This means energy efficiency, avoiding environmental toxins, and responsibly using materials and resources while having positive physical and psychological effects on inhabitants. This book presents a comprehensive overview of sustainable housing, starting from legislation and ending with the design and configuration of homes.