1. Environmental Controls
Lecture 10
Passive Thermal Systems

2. Passive Thermal Systems
Genius Loci +
Microclimate +
Vernacular Precedent =
Architectural form as an
environmental control system

3. Passive Thermal Systems
Genius Loci
Environmental Forces
Earth
Wind
Fire
Water
Mesa Verde: vernacular, passive solar, sun angles, thermal mass

4. Passive Thermal Systems
Earth Contact
Thermal mass
Wind shelter
Solar exposure
BH061

5. Passive Thermal Systems
Earthlike forms
Thermal mass
Wind shelter
Solar “canyons”
Marriot Library
Salt Lake City, Utah

6. Passive Thermal Systems
Earth-based materials
Adobe, Brick, Stone
Natural material source
Thermal mass
Locally available
Traditional and modern uses

7. Passive Thermal Systems
Earthscaping
Natural materials
Shelter/screening
Locally available

8. Passive Thermal Systems
Wind
Wind Tower
Wind scoop
Evaporative cooling
Thermal mass cooling
BH092

9. Passive Thermal Systems
Wind
Warm air rises
Attic ventilation
Solar chimneys
BH080

10. Passive Thermal Systems
Fire
Solar chimney
Morse-Libby Mansion
Portland, Maine
Interior View:2019 ContentDM
Exterior 332 ContentDM

11. Passive Thermal Systems
Wind
Air movement
affects comfort
Cross ventilation
provides cooling
BH002

12. Passive Thermal Systems
Fire
Solar Angles
Summer & Winter
solstices
Verdant and Autumnal equinoxes
BH008

13. Passive Thermal Systems
Fire
Skin Surface
Effects
Color
Reflectivity
Position
BH040

14. Passive Thermal Systems
Fire
Skin Thermal Mass
Increasing thermal
mass delays heat penetration
BH039

15. Passive Thermal Systems
Fire
Interior Solar
Control
Interior shading
reduces depth of
solar penetration
but still admits heat
BH024

16. Passive Thermal Systems
Fire
Site Solar Control
Evergreen trees
fairly constant
Deciduous trees
vary seasonally
BH049

17. Passive Thermal Systems
Fire
Exterior Solar Control
Sheltered openings
(apertures)
BH015

18. Passive Thermal Systems
Water
Evapotranspiration
Landscaping elements provide moisture
BH046

19. Passive Thermal Systems
Water
Interior plantings
can give off/trap moisture
Use according to local climate
BH013

20. Passive Thermal Systems
Water
Evaporative cooling
Water features add to evaporative cooling (but increase humidity)
BH056

21. Passive Thermal Systems
Water
Air directed over or through water can provide cooling
Use according to local climate
BH050

22. Passive Thermal Systems
Microclimate
Exist naturally
Building and landscaping can create micro-climates both indoors and outdoors
BH051

23. Passive Thermal Systems
Microclimate
Fountain, recesses,
and channeled breezes provide cooling
Building controls exposure to onshore winds
SF School of Design
San Francisco, CA
BH056

24. Passive Thermal Systems
Microclimate
Evaporative cooling
Building exposed to surrounding landscape
Pool, overhangs,
and channeled breezes provide cooling
Taliesin West
Phoenix, AZ
BH102

25. Passive Thermal Systems
Vernacular Precedents
Drawn from Genius Loci
Can be adapted to contemporary design
BH001

26. Passive Thermal Systems
Genius Loci +
Microclimate +
Vernacular Precedent =
Architectural form as an
environmental control system