- What is climate responsive design?

 

What is climate responsive design?

 

Climate responsive design is the design and construction of buildings using methods that reduce or eliminate the need for artificial heating and cooling. Occupants enjoy year-round comfort with low (or even zero!) energy bills.

Considerations include:

  • Passive solar design (allowing winter sun and blocking summer sun), through window placement, orientation and shading

  • Natural light to avoid unnecessary artificial lighting

  • Materials with good thermal mass to even out temperature fluctuations

  • Insulation, air-tightness and double-glazing to keep the outside climate out

  • Ventilation for natural cooling and fresh air

Climate responsive homes often also employ additional energy efficient and eco-conscious choices to further reduce the building’s operational costs and environmental impact, including:

  • Renewable energy sources such as solar power

  • Using less energy-hungry alternatives (e.g. ceiling fans and LED lights)

  • Rainwater and greywater use

  • Use of materials with low carbon footprint

We aim to far exceed all national standards of energy usage, with a NatHERS energy rating of typically 7.5 stars or higher. A typical TS4 climate responsive home uses 4x less energy than an average Australian home and is 5x as air tight.

TS4 Living