Modular house design for hot climates
October 16, 2016 3:11 PM Subscribe
I have an idea for a house I might someday build, and I was wondering if it is a pre-existing Concept that I can discuss with builders.
I used to live on a boat, and the best part of it was that I felt so much more connected to the outside weather. Storms would roll over, breezes would start and stop, birds would sing, etc. I live in Houston Freaking Texas, though, so the weather wasn't always conducive to things like a good night's sleep when it is greater than 90/90 degrees/humidity.
The idea, then, is to apply pre-airconditioning design to a house that also takes advantage of modern a/c by dividing things into zones.
Zone 1 is areas that I'd want full air conditioning, like 70 degrees and pleasant even on one of those 90/90 nights. This would basically be the bedrooms and storage closets (since mildewed clothes are no fun). I'd think these would be in the center of the building with thick walls and a double layer roof, and all the other kinds of energy efficiency that are too expensive to do to a full house. Energy spent on climate control would be minimized, ideally to a point where it could be offset by solar/wind.
Zone 2 is areas that maximize air flow with fans and are screened to keep out bugs, but are otherwise open to the outside environment. This is most of the house. It can be closed against rain but is basically outdoors, so outdoor furniture and such would be used.
Zone 3 is a wrap-around porch, with fans but no screens. Fully open to the weather.
Overall, the idea is to live pre-a/c where possible and fully climate controlled when that's needed. Does this concept have a name? Is there something that a builder would hear it and say "Oh yeah, I know what that is"?
Thanks.
I used to live on a boat, and the best part of it was that I felt so much more connected to the outside weather. Storms would roll over, breezes would start and stop, birds would sing, etc. I live in Houston Freaking Texas, though, so the weather wasn't always conducive to things like a good night's sleep when it is greater than 90/90 degrees/humidity.
The idea, then, is to apply pre-airconditioning design to a house that also takes advantage of modern a/c by dividing things into zones.
Zone 1 is areas that I'd want full air conditioning, like 70 degrees and pleasant even on one of those 90/90 nights. This would basically be the bedrooms and storage closets (since mildewed clothes are no fun). I'd think these would be in the center of the building with thick walls and a double layer roof, and all the other kinds of energy efficiency that are too expensive to do to a full house. Energy spent on climate control would be minimized, ideally to a point where it could be offset by solar/wind.
Zone 2 is areas that maximize air flow with fans and are screened to keep out bugs, but are otherwise open to the outside environment. This is most of the house. It can be closed against rain but is basically outdoors, so outdoor furniture and such would be used.
Zone 3 is a wrap-around porch, with fans but no screens. Fully open to the weather.
Overall, the idea is to live pre-a/c where possible and fully climate controlled when that's needed. Does this concept have a name? Is there something that a builder would hear it and say "Oh yeah, I know what that is"?
Thanks.
It is an interesting idea, you'd find broadly similar ideas in hotter parts of Australia too, especially Darwin where buildings require a reinforced core for cyclone protection but where it's often >40°C.
IMO you may be better off seeking a designer first - I like to keep design and build separate as builders can (at least in my country) tend to look at design and planning as an overhead. Have you already purchased a lot? What is it's area?
Do you have to store water? I think these are called cold-storage-systems.
Do you get useful breezes - think about using these in design, e.g. set operable windows low down so cool air enters house low (and doesn't blow paper off desks).
posted by unearthed at 4:15 PM on October 16, 2016
IMO you may be better off seeking a designer first - I like to keep design and build separate as builders can (at least in my country) tend to look at design and planning as an overhead. Have you already purchased a lot? What is it's area?
Do you have to store water? I think these are called cold-storage-systems.
Do you get useful breezes - think about using these in design, e.g. set operable windows low down so cool air enters house low (and doesn't blow paper off desks).
posted by unearthed at 4:15 PM on October 16, 2016
Well, in many places, central air conditioning is uncommon.People who have air conditioning make "zones" by only using AC units in certain rooms, while leaving the rest open to the outdoors. I'm living in West Africa right now, and this is pretty usual where I am.
If you're rich enough to have AC you probably have glass in your windows, which is nice when it gets cold--which it can even in tropical climates. Okay, maybe not cold, but "chilly." But you leave them open most of the time. In a smartly designed house this means a good breeze.
People who don't have glass still don't use outdoor furniture. If you live in a climate where you have to use outdoor furniture in rooms open to the outside air, what about things like books, televisions, and so on. Do people have to keep all of those things in their bedrooms? How does that mesh with a modern lifestyle?
There are also a couple of major drawbacks to putting bedrooms in the middle--unless you are imagining them being in the middle, but still having outside walls somehow. First, most people like their bedrooms to have windows, for the natural light and the view. And second, there are going to be times when it's actually nice out and you would like your bedroom to be open to the outdoors, too. If they're sealed off you can't cool them by opening the windows at night, for example, and the lack of air movement will make them uncomfortable at lower temperatures. You don't want to make your "cool" rooms more reliant on air conditioning; that costs you your energy savings.
You can accomplish a lot with just smart placement of rooms and shade. Extra insulation is a good idea, but I don't think bunker-like bedrooms is.
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 5:12 PM on October 16, 2016 [2 favorites]
If you're rich enough to have AC you probably have glass in your windows, which is nice when it gets cold--which it can even in tropical climates. Okay, maybe not cold, but "chilly." But you leave them open most of the time. In a smartly designed house this means a good breeze.
People who don't have glass still don't use outdoor furniture. If you live in a climate where you have to use outdoor furniture in rooms open to the outside air, what about things like books, televisions, and so on. Do people have to keep all of those things in their bedrooms? How does that mesh with a modern lifestyle?
There are also a couple of major drawbacks to putting bedrooms in the middle--unless you are imagining them being in the middle, but still having outside walls somehow. First, most people like their bedrooms to have windows, for the natural light and the view. And second, there are going to be times when it's actually nice out and you would like your bedroom to be open to the outdoors, too. If they're sealed off you can't cool them by opening the windows at night, for example, and the lack of air movement will make them uncomfortable at lower temperatures. You don't want to make your "cool" rooms more reliant on air conditioning; that costs you your energy savings.
You can accomplish a lot with just smart placement of rooms and shade. Extra insulation is a good idea, but I don't think bunker-like bedrooms is.
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 5:12 PM on October 16, 2016 [2 favorites]
The general idea of accepting and using the environment around you is called a few things, bioclimatic architecture might be a good term to start with.
I'll second unearthed in that a builder is not where you start this conversation, at least where I'm from. I'd look for a designer or architect that has a good track record in this area and understands orientation and ventilation. You don't have to engage them to design a house for you to have an initial conversation about it and they can help with the grounding of your ideas in the sense of "no you can't do that because building code, but have you considered x, y and z?"
A very good Australian resource is Your Home. Flip south for north because you are in the northern hemisphere and determine an equivalent climate zone and it will still be quite useful for you. It's very practical.
posted by deadwax at 5:47 PM on October 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
I'll second unearthed in that a builder is not where you start this conversation, at least where I'm from. I'd look for a designer or architect that has a good track record in this area and understands orientation and ventilation. You don't have to engage them to design a house for you to have an initial conversation about it and they can help with the grounding of your ideas in the sense of "no you can't do that because building code, but have you considered x, y and z?"
A very good Australian resource is Your Home. Flip south for north because you are in the northern hemisphere and determine an equivalent climate zone and it will still be quite useful for you. It's very practical.
posted by deadwax at 5:47 PM on October 16, 2016 [1 favorite]
Sounds like you'd want to talk to architects and designers who are into permaculture, green building, and other alternative techniques. The Center for Maximum Potential Building Systems in Austen might be a good resource that's in your general vicinity.
posted by sibilatorix at 6:56 PM on October 16, 2016
posted by sibilatorix at 6:56 PM on October 16, 2016
Kutsuwamushi: " First, most people like their bedrooms to have windows, for the natural light and the view."
It is required by law. Both a natural light mandate and a requirement for a second egress.
BeeDo: "Does this concept have a name?"
I'd describe it as climatically appropriate building/architecture.
Look into earth sheltered homes. While the basic design isn't for most people earth sheltering is far and away the easiest way to moderate high (and low) temperatures with minimal air conditioning. It's fairly simple to transition from 100% conditioned space to 100% outdoors in as many fluid steps as you'd like and your budget allows.
posted by Mitheral at 1:13 AM on October 17, 2016
It is required by law. Both a natural light mandate and a requirement for a second egress.
BeeDo: "Does this concept have a name?"
I'd describe it as climatically appropriate building/architecture.
Look into earth sheltered homes. While the basic design isn't for most people earth sheltering is far and away the easiest way to moderate high (and low) temperatures with minimal air conditioning. It's fairly simple to transition from 100% conditioned space to 100% outdoors in as many fluid steps as you'd like and your budget allows.
posted by Mitheral at 1:13 AM on October 17, 2016
The more custom the house is, the more extra expense. And an experimental house may be had to re-sell and therefore hard to get a mortgage on. Visit the library. Go look at lots of houses, talk to anybody who knows about building, and try to develop a plan that will suit you. You can install a standard AC unit, but set it up well-zoned for your preferences. Insulation is critical for cooling as well as heating. Awnings help keep the heat out. You can use standard framing so that windows could be added easily.
posted by theora55 at 10:12 AM on October 17, 2016
posted by theora55 at 10:12 AM on October 17, 2016
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by rhizome at 3:53 PM on October 16, 2016 [1 favorite]