Mid-Semester Break

Research

Today I'm searching for information on sustainable passive design techniques that i can incorporate into my future scenario and architectural possibilities. 

I googled "sustainable passive design extreme weather" and these were the results:

All though this cam from the U.S. EPA it is still relevant for my 2062 futrure scenario.

"As weather extremes increase in larger areas of the country, buildings in general and emergency

shelters in particular will have to continue to provide protection in the face of more extreme

conditions. The implication for building design and renovation is that buildings in many new locations must be able to:

• Survive strong winds, heavy rains, floods and increased wildfire risk
• Provide acceptable:  
o temperatures  
o drinking, bathing, cooking and cleaning water7
o toilets
o ventilation
o food preparation
o in a variety of emergency shelters without electric power for extended periods."

- The Impact of Increasing Severe Weather Events on Shelter, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pdfs/terry_brennan.pdf (accessed 27/09/2012

Although this is telling me a lot of what I already know, its good to revisit:
Your Home:  http://www.yourhome.gov.au/technical/fs42.html

ZONE 2 (woodford area)

Warm humid summer, mild winter

"Main characteristics:

• High humidity with a definite ‘dry season’.
• Hot to very hot summers with mild winters.
• Distinct summer/winter seasons.
• Moderate to low diurnal (day/night) temperature range. This can vary significantly between regions eg inland to coastal."

In the future scenario (2062) weather extremes will occur; storms will be fewer but larger and more intense when they occur, temperature ranges will be bigger (hotter during the day and colder at night) and seasons will be more intense (summers will be hotter  and winters will be colder).

"Key design responses:

- Use lightweight construction where diurnal (day/night) temperature range is low and include thermal mass where diurnal range is significant.(Bamboo construction??)- Maximise external wall areas (plans ideally one room deep) to encourage movement of breezes through the building (cross ventilation).
- Site for exposure to breezes. 
- Shade whole building where possible in summer. 
- Allow passive solar access in winter months only.
- Shade all east and west walls and glass year round.
- Use elevated construction with enclosed floor space, where exposed to breezes. (also use this for flash flooding)
- Provide screened and shaded outdoor living. "

The woodfordia community will grow pine and bamboo plantation forests which will be used for building materials. Pine forests are very common on the sunshine cost hinterland area and it is a perfect building material for the climate (its widely used in domestic housing). Bamboo has also been chosen as it grows incredibly quick and straight and has incredible structural strength. bamboo will be used mainly in housing construction as well as hut style festival tents and structures. Similar to that of the Bali Green School by John Hardy:

For now I think my focus is going to be on producing two main forms:

1. Sustainable housing structures.
    - easy construction
    - flexible design (can accommodate for large or small refugee families
    - robust structure (can withstand super storms and other weather extremes)

    - life span 5 -10 years

2. Central Community center that includes:
     - Refugee Admin/Registration/Processing Facilities
     - Double as Festival Entry/Tickets/Camping Admin
     - Offices for Woodfordia staff/permanent residents
     - Education Facilities
     - Lecture Theatres
     - Class Rooms
     - Outdoor teaching spaces ( for farming/agriculture/construction)

The Community Center will need to be:

     - a robust super structure so that if a bamboo housing flops it can at least shelter and temporarily protect the people of Woodfordia

     - life span of 50+ years