The bioclimatic (sustainable) architecture of ancient Greece

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.