Designing to the Climates

By Shane Healey

Primitive Responses to Climatic Zones

Throughout history, Eskimo and Native American tribes have adapted their lives and shelters to fit the zone in which they lived. The Pueblo tribes in the Southwest, used adobe as a construction material to delay the heat impact on the interior spaces during the hottest hours of the day. In addition, to limit the sun exposure to the entire tribe, the Pueblo Indians placed their structures back to back, limiting the surface area. In the Southeast, the Seminoles had wall less shelters with high grass roofs, allow for maximum air flow. To deal with the South’s high precipitation, the shelters have elevated floors, and steep roof overhangs. In the North, the Eskimos have adapted to extreme cold temperatures. An igloo’s ability to deflect wind, the insulation value of snow, and locating the entrance away from the prevailing winds create an interior temperature of 60 degrees while the exterior temperature is -50 degrees. Combining aspects of all previous zones, the plain dwelling Indians had to design for harsh winters as well as hot summers. In the Midwest, the wigwam’s pole and skin structure gave protection from the wind and rain, as well as created a shelter that was “easily heated from a central source” (Olgyay 5).

Modern Responses to Climatic Zones

These days, there are more modern techniques to achieve adapting a structure to the built environment. In a hot-dry climate, two things must be achieved when designing a structure, minimalization of isolation and the collection of participation. To minimize isolation on a shelter, thick walls are used to absorb the sun’s energy during the day and release the heat during a cool desert night. In addition, “courtyards are used to trap pools of cool night air for use” during the day (McClure 61). However, in hot-humid climates, some techniques are much different. The most critical elements when designing in a hot-humid environment is air movement and shade. To optimize air movement, a structure is elevated from the ground, allowing air to move under the structure. The predominate technique to provide shelter, is the use of overhangs. Due to harsh temperatures during the day and night, structures are generally made from light materials; therefore, not retaining heat. On the other end of the spectrum, exposure to the sun is mandatory in a cold climate. To compliment the large amount of insulation, heat absorbing materials are used to warm the interior during the cold night. One technique often used, is placing a building near large hills, to both block the winter winds and the sun in the summer. In a temperate climate, buildings would be exposed to climate extremes. Due to coming from different directions, cold winter winds should be blocked, while the cool summer breezes are beneficial. Another way to design to various climates is utilizing vegetation. Deciduous trees, located on the west side of a building, can block the sun in the summer and allowing sun in during the winter; however, evergreen trees can be placed strategically to block cold winter winds.