Expert: Richard Taylor, AIA - 12/10/2006

Question
MR. TAYLOR
I read the answers to the various queries sent to you. The way you have clarified the doubts & the explanation you have provided are really very impressive.

well regarding my question- i will be moving to an area with a hot & humid climate. what i want to know is what should be the way to go about the architectural openings & air conditioning along with the lighting in the house. it is expected to be a bungalow -1 storey high.
is it a good idea to have water bodies around the house
what type of landscaping( if desired) would you suggest?

i would be highly obliged if you can answer these queries as soon as possible
thank you
shilpa


Answer
Shilpa - thanks for your question!

I assume you're asking about maintaining indoor air comfort in this context - you want to keep things relatively cool and dry without relying too much on air conditioning alone.

There are "passive" strategies you can use to do this.  The first is to create a quality envelope; good insulation, tight construction, and lighter colors (to reflect the sun's heat).

The second passive strategy is to keep direct sunlight out of the house - a major source of heat gain.  Do this by properly sizing overhangs to shield the windows from direct sunlight.  If possible, locate windows on the North and East sides of the house rather than on the South and West sides.  Shade trees can also help if properly placed to block the sun.

In such climates it's common to use deep porches for window shading and as a cooling device.  The porch allows the air to cool - which can then be invited into the house through convection.  Convection simply means giving the hot air at the top of the house a place to escape - drawing the cooler air in from below.

Regarding water near the house, it can work both ways.  Larger bodies of water can help create a cooling breeze, but the surface of the water can reflect sunlight towards the house.

Done properly, good design can have a very large impact on the indoor comfort of your home and your energy bills.  I'd recommend you contact an experienced local Architect to help you with the details!

Hope this helps!

Richard Taylor, AIA
www.rtastudio.com
www.rtaplans.com