Bioclimatic architecture is defined as the building design
which uses solar energy and other environmental resources to provide thermal
and visual comfort to the residents. This design takes into account the local
climate (sun, wind, vegetation, water etc.) and adds the necessary systems,
onto the buildings, such as passive solar systems, for cooling, lighting and
heating. The main principles of a bioclimatic building may include; heat protection
in winter or adequate cooling in summer, daylight all year round achieved with
proper orientation, proper shading, natural ventilation and microclimate
improvement with vegetation (CRES, 2004).
Bioclimatic architecture minimizes the energy
needs so nowadays is commonly called sustainable architecture. Ancient Greeks pioneered in many
fields, among others is the bioclimatic architecture. Examples of these
technology, are the cities of Olynthus and Priene. The first is located in
Chalcidice and the second one on the east coast of the Aegean, in ancient
Ionia. Both cities share some characteristics; All homes had the same south
orientation to capture the winter sun, both cities are backed up to the
mountain providing protection from the northern wind and adequate vegetation or
water reservoirs increasing the relative humidity. Furthermore, the city blocks
were in parallel and streets were running in a checkerboard pattern, from east
to west or from north to south, which provided new supply of fresh air into the
city, creating a natural ventilation phenomenon. These cities are considered
one of the first examples of city planning on a sophisticated grid (Cahill,
2002; Haverfield, 2004).
Picture 1.
On the left, the city plan of Olynthus and on the right the city plan of
Priene
The architectural knowledge of ancient Greeks
is registered at philosopher Socrates quota: “... in houses with a south
aspect, the sun’s rays penetrate into the porticos in winter, but in the summer
the path of the sun is right over our heads and above the roof, so that there
is shade. If, then, this is the best arrangement, we should build the south
side loftier to get the winter sun and the north side lower to keep out the
winter winds...” and the ancient
playwright Aeschylus pointed more bluntly that: “Only primitives &
barbarians lack knowledge of houses turned to face the winter sun.” (Xenophon,
1979).
Moreover, Mofidi (2015) compared the
sustainable architecture strategies implemented in various cities with
different climates and in different eras. The cities participated in this study
were Knossos, Priene, Pompeii, Silchester, Port Sunlight and Village Home; the
first three were originated Before Christ. These settlements were then
compared, in different parameters of bioclimatic elements such as, solar
orientation, insulation, shading etc. The results showed a high-quality harmony
of the buildings with the surrounding features and climate at the cities of
Priene, Pompeii and Village Home; while Port Sunlight, Silchester and Knossos
had a medium level of bioclimatic architecture implemented. Nonetheless,
Knossos had the greatest uncertainty factor with three out of eight
characteristics, unknown. In conclusion,
irrespective the settlement or the city, bioclimatic architecture is born from
the different environmental and climate conditions.
References
Cahill Nicholas. (2002) Household
and City Organization at Olynthus. Yale University Press.
CRES-Center for
Renewable Energy Sources and Saving. (2004). Bioclimatic Design and
Passive Solar Systems. ( Accessed: 22/12/ 2017 from: http://www.cres.gr/kape/energeia_politis/energeia_politis_bioclimatic_eng.htm
)
Haverfield F.
(2004) Ancient Town-Planning. Oxford University Press - Gutenberg.
Mofidi S.M.
(2005) Responsive and sustainable architectural strategies for temperate
regions. International Conference “Passive and Low Energy Cooling for the
Built Environment", p. 1091-96.
Xenophon (1979) The
memorabilia ( Book III, VIII ed.). New Rochelle, NY: Caratzas Bros.
