NORBERT LECHNER, LEED AP (Chapel Hill, NC) Architect and Professor Emeritus of Architecture in the Building Science Department at Auburn University, is an expert in energy responsive architectural design with an emphasis on solar responsive design, including daylighting. He is a consultant for designing sustainable, low energy, and solar responsive buildings, and is the inventor of new types of heliodons that are invaluable for teaching and designing solar responsive buildings.

PATRICIA ANDRASIK, NCARB, AIA, IIDA, LEED BD+C, LEED O+M (Washington, D.C.) Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies and Assistant Professor in the School of Architecture and Planning at The Catholic University of America, is a licensed architect in Washington, D.C. and is internationally recognized for her research in informing design through performance metrics and using performance metrics to inform O&M.

Foreword to The Fifth Edition xiii
Edward Mazria

Foreword to The First Edition xv
James Marston Fitch

Preface xvii

Acknowledgements xix

Part I Fundamentals 1

1 Background: Architecture In A Warming World 3

1.1 Introduction 4

1.2 Indigenous and Vernacular Architecture 5

1.3 Formal Architecture 6

1.4 Architecture and Energy 8

1.5 The Architectural Approach to Low-Energy Design 11

1.6 Climate and Architecture 14

1.7 Dynamic Versus Static Buildings 15

1.8 Form, Color and Ornamentation 15

1.9 Biophilic Design 18

1.10 Resilient Design 18

1.11 Sustainability Codes and Voluntary Programs 20

1.12 The Moral Imperative 20

1.13 Conclusion 21

Executive Summary 21

Resources 22

2 Climate Change: The Key Sustainability Issue 23

2.1 Easter Island: Learning From the Past 24

2.2 Sustainable Design and Climate Change 24

2.3 Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Regenerate by Design 25

2.4 The Sustainability Movement 27

2.5 The Basic Causes of Environmental Problems 28

2.6 Growth 31

2.7 Exponential Growth 31

2.8 The Amoeba Analogy 32

2.9 Supply Versus Efficiency 33

2.10 Sustainable-Design Issues 33

2.11 Embodied Energy 34

2.12 Climate Change 35

2.13 The Ozone Hole 37

2.14 Efficiency Versus Renewable Energy 37

2.15 Energy Sources 37

2.16 Energy Use in Ancient Greece 38

2.17 Nonrenewable Fossil Energy Sources 39

2.18 Nuclear Energy 40

2.19 Renewable Energy Sources 41

2.20 Conclusion 48

Executive Summary 49

Resources 50

3 Basic Principles: The Physics Of Heat Flow For Heating And Cooling Buildings 51

3.1 Introduction 52

3.2 Heat 52

3.3 Sensible Heat 52

3.4 Latent Heat 53

3.5 Evaporative Cooling 53

3.6 Convection 54

3.7 Transport 54

3.8 Energy-Transfer Mediums 55

3.9 Radiation 55

3.10 Greenhouse Effect 57

3.11 Equilibrium Temperature of a Surface 58

3.12 Mean Radiant Temperature 59

3.13 Heat Flow 59

3.14 Heat Sink 60

3.15 Heat Capacity 60

3.16 Thermal Resistance 60

3.17 Heat-Flow Coefficient 61

3.18 Time Lag 61

3.19 Insulating Effect of Mass 62

3.20 Energy Conversion 63

3.21 Combined Heat and Power 63

3.22 Off-Site Versus On-Site Renewable Energy 64

3.23 The Game Changers: Heat Pumps and Batteries 64

3.24 Net-Zero Buildings 65

3.25 Conclusion 65

Executive Summary 66

4 Climate: Its Significant Impact On Buildings 67

4.1 Introduction 68

4.2 Climate 68

4.3 Microclimate 70

4.4 Climatic Anomalies 73

4.5 Climate Regions in a Time of Climate Change 74

4.6 Explanations of the Climatic Data Tables 75

4.7 Relative Heating and Cooling Loads 80

4.8 Climatic Data Tables 84

4.9 Design Strategies 119

Executive Summary 125

Resources 126

5 Psychometrics: Thermal Comfort 127

5.1 Biological Machine 128

5.2 Thermal Barriers 129

5.3 Metabolic Rate 131

5.4 Thermal Conditions of the Environment 131

5.5 The Psychrometric Chart 133

5.6 Dew Point and Wet-Bulb Temperatures 135

5.7 Heat Content of Air 136

5.8 Thermal Comfort 138

5.9 Shifting of the Comfort Zone 139

5.10 Adaptive Comfort 141

5.11 Clothing and Comfort 141

5.12 Strategies 142

5.13 Conclusion 142

Executive Summary 143

Resources 143

6 Solar Geometry: The Most Powerful Element Of Design 145

6.1 Introduction 146

6.2 The Sun 146

6.3 Elliptical Orbit 146

6.4 Tilt of the Earth's Axis 147

6.5 Consequences of the Altitude Angle 147

6.6 Winter 148

6.7 The Sun Revolves Around the Earth! 149

6.8 The Sky Dome 149

6.9 Determining Altitude and Azimuth Angles 150

6.10 Solar Time 152

6.11 Horizontal Sun-Path Diagrams 152

6.12 Vertical Sun-Path Diagrams 154

6.13 Drawing Sunbeams 155

6.14 Sun-Path Models 159

6.15 Solar Heat Gain 160

6.16 Solar Site-Evaluation tools 165

6.17 Heliodons 165

6.18 Sundials for Model Testing 166

6.19 Conceptually Clear Heliodons 167

6.20 Solar Responsive Design Strategies 168

6.20 Conclusion 170

Executive Summary 170

Resources 171

Part II Passive Design Strategies 173

7 Passive Heating Systems: The Solar Potential Of Natural Heating 175

7.1 History 176

7.2 Solar in America 177

7.3 Solar Hemicycle 178

7.4 Latest Rediscovery of Passive Solar 179

7.5 Passive Solar 180

7.6 Direct-Gain Systems 181

7.7 Design Guidelines for Direct-Gain Systems 183

7.8 Example 186

7.9 Trombe Wall Systems 186

7.10 Design Guidelines for Trombe Wall Systems 190

7.11 Example 190

7.12 Sunspaces 190

7.13 Balcomb House 193

7.14 Sunspace Design Guidelines 194

7.15 Comparison of the Three Main Passive Heating Systems 195

7.16 General Considerations for Passive Solar Systems 196

7.17 Heat-Storage Materials 201

7.18 Other Passive Heating Systems 203

7.19 Maximizing Passive Solar 204

7.20 Conclusion 204

Executive Summary 205

Resources 205

8 Solar Rejection: Shading and Light Colors 207

8.1 Introduction to Solar Rejection 208

8.2 History of Shading and Light Colors 208

8.3 Shading Myths 213

8.4 Shading Basics 215

8.5 Fixed Exterior Shading Devices 217

8.6 Dynamic (Movable) Shading Devices 220

8.7 Shading Periods of the Year 229

8.8 Overhangs 232

8.9 Design of Horizontal Overhangs: Basic Graphical Method 233

8.10 Shading Design Strategies for South Windows 235

8.11 Shading Design Strategies for East and West Windows 236

8.12 Design of Fins on North Windows 240

8.13 Design Guidelines for Eggcrate Shading Devices 241

8.14 Special Shading Strategies 241

8.15 Shading Outdoor Spaces 245

8.16 Using Physical Models for Shading Design 247

8.17 Glazing as the Shading Element 253

8.18 Interior Shading Devices 259

8.19 Solar Heat Gain Coefficient 260

8.20 Roof and Wall Reflectivity 260

8.21 Conclusion 263

Executive Summary 267

Resources 267

9 Passive Cooling: Natural Cooling, Raising the Comfort Zone, And Heat Avoidance 269

9.1 Introduction to Cooling 270

9.2 Historical and Indigenous Use of Passive Cooling 270

9.3 Passive Cooling Systems 276

9.4 Comfort Ventilation Versus Night- Flush Cooling 277

9.5 Basic Principles of Airflow 277

9.6 Airflow Through Buildings 281

9.7 Example of Ventilation Design 291

9.8 Comfort Ventilation 293

9.9 Night-Flush Cooling 295

9.10 Double-Skin Facades and Operable Roofs 298

9.11 Radiant Cooling 299

9.12 Evaporative Cooling 304

9.13 Cool Towers 307

9.14 Earth Cooling 308

9.15 Dehumidification with a Desiccant 311

9.16 Solar Chimney 311

9.17 Conclusion 313

Executive Summary 313

Resources 313

10 Site Analysis: Orientation, Landscape and Context In Net-Zero Design 315

10.1 Introduction 316

10.2 Analysis 317

10.3 Site Selection 319

10.4 Solar Access 320

10.5 Shadow Patterns 322

10.6 Site Planning 326

10.7 Solar Zoning 328

10.8 Physical Models 332

10.9 Wind and Site Design 334

10.10 Plants and Vegetation 338

10.11 Vegetated Roofs 347

10.12 Lawns 350

10.13 Landscaping 350

10.14 Community Design 356

10.15 Cooling Our Communities 358

10.16 Conclusion 359

Executive Summary 360

Resources 360

11 Light: Color, Vision, and Perception 363

11.1 Introduction 364

11.2 Light 365

11.3 Reflectance/Transmittance 368

11.4 Color 369

11.5 Vision 372

11.6 Perception 374

11.7 Performance of a Visual Task 377

11.8 Characteristics of the Visual Task 377

11.9 Illumination Level 379

11.10 Brightness Ratios 380

11.11 Glare 382

11.12 Equivalent Spherical Illumination 385

11.13 Activity Needs 387

11.14 Biological Needs 390

11.15 Light and Health 393

11.16 The Poetry of Light 393

11.17 Rules for Lighting Design 394

11.18 Career Possibilities 395

11.19 Conclusion 395

Executive Summary 396

Resources 397

12 Daylighting: Architectural Control for Natural Beauty, Comfort, and Energy Reduction 399

12.1 History of Daylighting 400

12.2 Why Daylighting? 402

12.3 The Nature of Daylight 404

12.4 Conceptual Model 407

12.5 Illumination and the Daylight Factor 408

12.6 Light Without Heat? 411

12.7 Cool Daylight 411

12.8 Goals of Daylighting 413

12.9 Basic Daylighting Strategies 414

12.10 Basic Window Strategies 417

12.11 Advanced Window Strategies 420

12.12 Window Glazing Materials 425

12.13 Top Lighting 428

12.14 Skylight Strategies 429

12.15 Clerestories, Monitors, and Light Scoops 433

12.16 Special Daylighting Techniques 437

12.17 Translucent Walls and Roofs 439

12.18 Electric Lighting as a Supplement to Daylighting 443

12.19 Physical Modeling 445

12.20 Guidelines for Daylighting 450

12.21 Conclusion 451

Executive Summary 451

Resources 452

13 The Thermal Envelope: Keeping Warm...