Course

Module 1: Natural Environment, Ecology & Resources

Natural resources; concepts of ecosystems, biodiversity and balance; coexistence of natural and built environments; resource use in the built environment

Module 2: Climatology and Macro-Micro Climate

Global climate types and classification; macro and micro-climate; site planning for climate responsiveness; solar geometry; solar radiation; earth-sun relationship; energy flow in buildings – gain, loss and balance

Module 3: Human Comfort and Thermal Environment

Human thermal comfort and factors impacting it – temperature, humidity, air movement, radiation etc; bioclimatic chart and comfort zones; traditional methods for comfort across Indian regions; airflow patterns, orientation, layout of comfort

Module 4: Passive Design and Resource Conservation

Passive cooling, heating, daylighting and ventilation techniques; natural ventilation – stack, cross, induced; shading, orientation, insulation, thermal mass; conservation strategies – water harvesting, renewable energy, energy-efficient layouts.

Course Objectives

§ To develop an understanding of the natural environment, ecology, ecosystems, biodiversity, and their relevance to architecture and human settlements.

§ To analyze the impact of architecture on the environment with respect to the use of natural resources such as water, land, forests, minerals, and energy.

§ To introduce students to the principles of climatology, micro/macro climate, and their role in determining human thermal comfort in buildings.

§ To equip students with knowledge of passive design strategies and traditional environmental responses for achieving comfort through architecture.

Course Outcomes

After completing this course, students will be able to:

CO1 : Interpret the relationship between built and natural environments and the impact of architectural interventions on ecological systems.

CO2 : Apply basic climatological concepts, human comfort criteria and passive design techniques in architectural design decisions.

CO3 :  Understand the relevance of traditional knowledge systems and sustainable practices in contemporary environmental design.

Evaluation Pattern

Reading Material

1. Koenigsberger, O.H., Ingersoll, T.G., Mayhew, A., Manual of Tropical Housing and Building, First Edition, Orient Blackswan, 1974.
2. Givoni, B., Climate Considerations in Building and Urban Design, First Edition, Van Nostrand Reinhold (now Wiley), 1998.
3. Olgyay, Victor, Design with Climate: Bioclimatic Approach to Architectural Regionalism, Updated Edition, Princeton University Press, 2015 (original 1963).
4. Arvind Krishan, S.V. Szokolay, Shirish Beri, et al., Climate Responsive Architecture: A Design Handbook for Energy Efficient Buildings, Second Edition, TERI Press, 2017.
5. Edward Ng (Editor), Designing for Daylight, First Edition, Earthscan (Routledge), 2010.
6. UNEP, Reports on Sustainable Architecture and Natural Resource Use, Various Reports, United Nations Environment Programme, Latest Editions (Accessed 2025), www.unep.org.
7. TERI, CEPT University, IGBC, WRI, Building Science Articles and Reports on Sustainable Architecture, Various Publications