microclimate analysis

Microclimate analyses involve analyzing the effects of architectural interventions on local wind flow and radiative fluxes at high spatial and temporal resolutions [6].

What is an example of a microclimate?

A microclimate is a small area within a climate zone where the climate is slightly different from the zones predictions. A good example of a microclimate that is fairly large would be a valley where cold air settles. ... Large bodies of water or urban area temperatures may also provide causes of a microclimate to form.

What is microclimate in architecture?

The spaces in a building microclimate are connected for particular building functions in one building. The spaces are connected either directly or by building components such as walls, roofs and beams. Sometimes, the area of an urban canyon or building block is similar in size to one big single building.

What factors can affect microclimates?

There are five main factors that affect microclimates.

Topography. The shape of the land is a significant influence on microclimates. ...
Soil. The composition of the soil affects microclimates primarily through how much water it retains or which evaporates from it. ...
Water. ...
Vegetation. ...
Artificial Structures.

What is a microclimate and what causes these?

Microclimates are caused by local differences in the amount of heat or water received or trapped near the surface. A microclimate may differ from its surroundings by receiving more energy, so it is a little warmer than its surroundings. ... All these influences go into "making" the microclimate.

What are three microclimates?

What are the different types of microclimates?

Upland regions. Upland areas have a specific type of climate that is notably different from the surrounding lower levels. ...
Coastal regions. ...
Forests. ...
Urban regions. ...
What is an urban microclimate? ...
Urban heat islands. ...
Urban precipitation. ...
Smog.

What does Mesoclimate mean?

A mesoclimate is the climate at an intermediate geographic scale, such as a downtown district, neighborhood, large park, farm, or wooded area.

What does a site analysis consist of?

The typical site analysis includes the site location and size, neighborhood context, zoning, legal aspects, geology, physiography (natural and man-made features), hydrology, soils, vegetation, wildlife, climate, culture, pedestrian and vehicular circulation, access, utilities, historic factors, density, sensory stimuli ...

Why is it important to study microclimates?

Micro-climates are atmospheric zones pertaining to a limited geographical area, and constitute an essential part of climate science. Effective management of micro-climates can help create a buffer against the larger threat of climate change and help the geographical region to cope with and adapt to climate change.

How does water affect microclimate?

Water has an exceptional ability to receive and maintain heat. Much like concrete sidewalks or roadways, the heat absorbed by backyard ponds can help maintain a warmer microclimate in the surrounding area. In addition to providing radiant warmth in the garden, ponds can also produce heat through reflection.

What factors contribute to humidity?

Humidity depends on the temperature and pressure of the system of interest. The same amount of water vapor results in higher humidity in cool air than warm air. A related parameter is the dew point. The amount of water vapor needed to achieve saturation increases as the temperature increases.

What are the 3 main factors that affect climate?

Introduction: Climate is determined by the temperature and precipitation characteristics of a region over time. The temperature characteristics of a region are influenced by natural factors such as latitude, elevation, and the presence of ocean currents.

How do you identify a microclimate?

The conditions of microclimates are determined by plant orientation and exposure to heat, light, water, and wind. For example, inland urban areas are typically warmer than surrounding rural areas since the buildings and pavement reflect and generate additional heat.

Why are microclimates important for human activity?

Microclimates are significant within deserts because they offer less arid conditions for plants, animals, and humans. ... The single most important microclimate is provided by mountains, which offer the maximum modifications with respect to overall climatic variables.

How do microclimates work?

The microclimates of a region are defined by the moisture, temperature, and winds of the atmosphere near the ground, the vegetation, soil, and the latitude, elevation, and season. Weather is also influenced by microclimatic conditions. Wet ground, for example, promotes evaporation and increases atmospheric humidity.

Is a large city a microclimate?

Microclimates occur naturally and can be quite small. They can also be quite large. For instance, a city creates its own climatic patterns, and the larger the urban area, the more significant these will be. A large urban microclimate can not only affect temperatures, but also rainfall, snowfall, air pressure, and wind.

What is a macro climate?

: the overall climate of a region usually a large geographic area —distinguished from microclimate.

What is the difference between Macroclimate and microclimate?

What is the difference between macroclimate and microclimate? Macroclimate consists of patterns on the global, regional, and landscape level while microclimate consists of very fine patterns (climate of community of organisms under a fallen log).

What is macro and micro climate?

Macro-climate the climate of a larger area such as a region or a country. Micro-climate the variations in localised climate around a building. The macro and micro climate has a very important effect on both the energy performance and environmental performance of buildings, both in the heating season and in summer.

What is a local climate?

(or mesoclimate), the climate of comparatively small regions with fairly uniform natural conditions—for example, a particular wooded area, seashore, part of a river valley, intermontane basin, small city, or urban district. It is intermediate in scale between the macroclimate and the micro-climate.

What is the importance of site analysis?

Good site analysis allows the designer to improve the project, ensuring that the building makes the best use of the resources, such as light, access, views, on the site as possible. It should also allow the designer to anticipate any potential issues which may cause problems to the project.

What is included in architectural site analysis?

What to look for

01 - General. Geographic location. Site boundary. ...
02 - Neighbouring buildings. Distances. Heights. ...
03 - Legal Restrictions. Conservation areas. Covenants and easements. ...
04 - Access. Public routes. ...
05 - Typography. Levels. ...
06 - Views. Private views out. ...
07 - Sun paths. Sun paths. ...
08 - Wind patterns. Prevailing direction.

What is architectural analysis?

Architectural analysis focuses on defining a candidate architecture and constraining the architectural techniques to be used in the system. It relies on gathering experienced gained in similar systems or problem domains to constrain and focus the architecture so that effort is not wasted in 'architectural rediscovery'.