Karnataka - Bangalore   

The coolest building in town

Raghava M.

Intelligent use of direction and masonry obviates the use of fans and ACs in TERI's building

BANGALORE: This institute practises what it preaches. The Tata Energy Research Institute (TERI) has shown the way for buildings to be kept cool without relying on air-conditioners and fans.

Located near the Domlur bus stand, the structure has been built using simple techniques to keep off the heat transmitted through the wall and the roof. It has also devised a natural method to channel the cool air blowing from southeast to the northeast and vice versa.

The southern and western walls of the building, which face the sun during the day, have been built using a type of masonry called the rat-trap bond.

Popularised by the iconic architect Laurie Baker who died last week, this is a special arrangement of bricks that leaves air gaps between walls. The two-layered construction prevents transmission of heat from the outer to the inner wall. It also saves on the use of bricks.

Solar chimney

The southern solar chimney wall draws fresh air from the opposite direction and keeps the building cool all the time without using electricity. Hence fans and air-conditioners are hardly used in this building. The solar chimney is nothing but a big shallow wall constructed using special bricks.

The air in the chimney is heated up as the southern side of it is exposed to sun.

As hot air moves up in the chimney the northern part of the wall functions like an exhaust fan and draws the air from within the building. This keeps the building cool.

On the rooftop, TERI has opted for landscaping to keep the building's interior cool. This was done by first treating the roof to prevent leakage. Then mud was spread across the roof which is maintained wet.

TERI officials said growing plants in pots and keeping them on top of the roof could be an alternative solution to prevent heat radiating from the roof.

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