12/28/2017 Architect Uses Ancient Techniques To Cool Modern Building in India : TreeHugger

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very well, without burning a lot of energy or needing a lot of fancy technology.
by Katherine Martinko in Cleaning &
TreeHugger has shown quite a few projects in temperate climates that use old tricks, Organizing

but Jaipur, India is HOT, like 45 degrees C or 113 F.

Co-living apartment
designed as "social
Architect Manit Rastogi or Morphogenesis designed the Pearl Academy of Fashion in
overlapping"
Jaipur using a number of old technologies to create "an environmentally responsive experiment for
passive habitat." students
This experimental co-living design scheme aims to
foster communication, responsibility and human
relationships.

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© Morphogenesis

The exterior is clad in a perforated screen, described by the architect:

The building is protected from the environment by a double skin which is derived
from a traditional building element called the ‘Jaali’ which is prevalent in Rajasthani

architecture. The double skin acts as a thermal bu er between the building and the
surroundings. The density of the perforated outer skin has been derived using
computational shadow analysis based on orientation. The outer skin sits 4 feet

away from the building and reduces the direct heat gain through fenestrations, yet
allowing for di used daylight. The jaali thus, serves the function of 3 lters- air, light,

and privacy.

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12/28/2017 Architect Uses Ancient Techniques To Cool Modern Building in India : TreeHugger

© Morphogenesis

A traditional way of cooling in India was the Stepwell, a pond dug into the ground or
surrounded by walls above ground so that the air is cooled by evaporating water in an
enclosed, shaded zone. Rastogi tells CNN:

"How did they think up something so elaborate and yet so simple in its basic

philosophy? "How do you begin to think that you can dig into the ground and use
the earth as a heat sink, have access to water, put a pavilion into it so that its

comfortable through the year? It takes a lot of technology for us to think up

something that simple now."

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Wikipedia/CC BY 2.0

Not quite as impressive as the Chand Baori stepwell.

© Morphogenesis

The architect writes:

The entire building is raised above the ground and a scooped out under belly forms

a natural thermal sink which is cooled by water bodies through evaporative cooling.

These water bodies are fed by the recycled water from the sewage treatment plant
and help in the creation of a microclimate through evaporative cooling.

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© Morphogenesis

The materials used for construction are a mix of local stone, steel, glass, and

concrete chosen keeping in mind the climatic needs of the region while retaining

the progressive design intent. Energy e ciency is a prime concern and the institute
is 100% self su cient in terms of captive power and water supply and promotes

rain water harvesting and waste water re-cycling.

Before air conditioning was invented, people living in hot climates developed many

di erent strategies for coping with heat, many of which have been forgotten or ignored.

But what Rastogi says about the Pearl Academy holds true anywhere in the world:

We've been able to demonstrate that good green building is not only cheaper to

run; it's not only more comfortable to live in -- it's also cheaper to build.

More at Morphogenesis

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Tags: Big Steps In Building | Green Building | India

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yrag01 • 6 years ago

Does Architect Manit Rastogi resurrecting of India's ancient techniques help to reduce the
uncomfortably for those within the building versus the outside environment? I'm sure they
do. But come on Lloyd, let's stay grounded in reality—there is NO WAY that as laudable
as those techniques are, that 45 degrees C or 113 F and 90 percent humidity (which you
don't mention) is going to be fully ameliorated—especially if Western dress codes are in
force.

Every little bit helps, but I think you're trying to oversell these good ideas as total
solutions, which I don't think they are.
△ ▽ • Reply • Share ›

Sanjeev B > yrag01 • 4 years ago

The humidity in Jaipur or any other Indian city is never 90% when the temperature
is 45C. 45C usually occurs with 55% humidity, and when humidity does hit 90%
the temperature is never more than 30C. Passive design will work in reducing
temperatures when humidity is low and temperature is high, which is mostly how it
is during summers in north India.
2△ ▽ • Reply • Share ›

Luciano • 6 years ago

Are those air conditioning units in the second photo?
2△ ▽ • Reply • Share ›

lindasfoss • 6 years ago

Yes. Passive design is the way to go. And shade does more than expensive windows
and insulation or anything else you do to seal yourself up indoors.
1△ ▽ • Reply • Share ›

pres68y • 6 years ago

talk about forgotten technology, caves or underground structures provide winter heat and
summer cooling.. free.
2△ ▽ • Reply • Share ›

ARCHEFFECT • 6 years ago

I love reading about passive cooling strategies. I think it is time we begin to implement the
simple building techniques with integration of local materials worldwide. The ideas of
harvesting rain water, or water recycling, are needed in many countries today. This
building serves as another example of energy efficiency.

Thanks for the post.

1△ ▽ • Reply • Share ›

Deborah Dietz > ARCHEFFECT • 6 years ago

I am interested in designs to retrofit our amazingly dim construction white
elephants....
△ ▽ • Reply • Share ›

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lindasfoss > Deborah Dietz • 6 years ago

Me too. I think that we should look to many Mid-century modern designs
for ways. Many of our lame inappropriate boxes could be mid-centuried up
with the deep over hangs and strategically slanted shed roof lines. Coated
with white, light or reflective coatings of course. I would love to do that for a
living.

My Grandmother had a house like that and it only had a rarely used window
AC in the bedroom and I don't recall it being too miserable in the brutal hot
and humid Beaumont Texas summer.
2△ ▽ • Reply • Share ›

Anumakonda Jagadeesh • 6 years ago

Excellent. Traditional housing designs,domed structures etc., offer comfort and climate
friendly. There is the need to revive ancient wisdom in housing design.

MODERNISE THE TRADITIONAL - TRADITIONALISE THE MODERN.

Dr.A.Jagadeesh Nellore
(AP), India

E-mail: anumakonda.jagadeesh@gmail.com

2△ ▽ • Reply • Share ›

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