In hot dry or warm humid climates, more than half of the urban peak load of energy consumption is used to satisfy air-conditioning demands alone. Since the urbanization rate in developing countries is extreme, the pressure placed on energy resources to satisfy the future requirements of the built environment will be great, unless new, more cost-effective measures can be introduced. Stay Cool is an essential guide for planning and design using active design principles and passive means to satisfy human comfort requirements specifically in these climate zones, based on examples of traditional and modern constructions. The book demonstrates how a design strategy for urban environments and individual buildings, incorporating naturally occurring resources and specific energy-efficient technologies, can create a location, form and structure that promote significant energy-savings. Such strategies can be applied to low cost housing, or indeed to any other buildings, in order to improve comfort with passive means and low energy budgets. Following an outline of climatic issues, characteristics and thermal comfort requirements, the book details the available techniques and technologies that can be used to shape both built and external environments, the building envelope, material selections and natural ventilation and cooling methods to satisfy both human requirements and the need for energy efficiency. It also includes an active design checklist and summary of available design checking tools, a rehabilitation guide for existing urban, building and external environments, and solar charts. Planners, architects, engineers, technicians and building designers will find Stay Cool an inspirational guide and an essential reference when working with planning and design of the built environment in hot dry and warm humid climate zones. It will also be of benefit to students, academics and researchers with an interest in sustainable and energy-efficient architecture techniques and practice.

The practical design guide for tropical resorts.

Follows a strict pedagogical structure and content sequence tested over fifteen years of teaching. Starts by coverings the most up-to-date calculation procedures and standards from ASHRAE and other organizations relevant to building loads, then provides a detailed treatment of primary, traditional secondary and hybrid/emerging secondary equipment and systems. Addresses contemporary issues such as emerging green building design technologies, alternative energy sources, and uncertainties in simulation. Discusses drivers for efficiency such as codes and standards, building rating systems, design guides, and the green building movement Offers a complete Solutions Manual, chapter outcomes, free HCB software download along with associated resources, and detailed and tested slides of individual chapters for classroom projection for qualified instructors adopting the text, with access through author's website