101 Rules of Thumb for Low-Energy Architecture

Buildings and construction are a major contributor to the climate and biodiversity emergency. They account for nearly 40% of energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. It is more important than ever for architects to design responsibly and create low-carbon, low-energy buildings for a sustainable future. 101 Rules of Thumb sets out the essential elements of low-energy architecture in a fresh, intuitive way. Where ever-changing technology and complex legislation can cloud the designer’s thought-process, this book equips you with the fundamentals you need to minimise CO2 emissions, design for low-energy use and work with, not against, the forces of nature. With reliable, simple rules of thumb, each page focuses on a single piece of guidance along with a clear hand-drawn illustration. The emphasis is on passive low-energy principles, and the rules of thumb cover all the design fundamentals from site and location to orientation and form, peppered with ideas to help the designer think outside the box, drawing inspiration from traditional methods, photoperiodic plants, and the black-tailed prairie dog. An extended, fully updated narrative bibliography explores the sources in detail and provides a valuable springboard for further study. Applicable throughout the world in any climate region, 101 Rules of Thumb is a global primer to be dipped into at any time as a quick means of re-focusing on what’s important when designing a new or retrofitted low-energy building. The rules cover: Site and location Orientation and form The low-energy building envelope Carbon free heating, cooling and lighting Passive low-energy principles.

Introduction 1. Working with site and location Sun and shade Climate and micro-climate Shelter from wind and rain 2. Manipulating orientation and form The relationship between sun and wind The impact of building form 3. The low-energy building envelope Heavy and lightweight construction The timing of heating needs Reducing heat loss 4. Energy and the internal environment Carbon free heating – direct, isolated and indirect solar gain Carbon free cooling: using earth, wind and water Carbon free lighting: daylight Colour 5. Rules and strategies for different climatic regions Hot–dry climate Hot–humid climate Cold climate Cold-winter/hot-summer climate Temperate climate

Huw Heywood is an architect with over 30 years’ experience in practice and teaching internationally. His specialist teaching and research is in environmental & sustainable design and technology and he has taught as Principal Lecturer at the University of Portsmouth School of Architecture, as Adjunct Associate Professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and as a guest tutor/lecturer in the UK, Hong Kong, China and Germany.