Climate and Architecture

Since the beginning of time, man has been affected by climate and its influence

over the earth. The first humans built shelters and lived in caves to protect themselves

from the weather elements. However, the first documentation of architectural design

with climate interests in mind dates back to fourth century B.C. in Greece. The

philosopher Vitruvius is quoted as saying, “We must at the outset take note of the

countries and climates in which buildings are built (Oktay).” In Rome, architects made

note of the reduction of temperature created by the huge stonewalls and their shadows.

The walls were made of stuccoed brick and were typically twelve to twenty feet wide

which allowed for an extended area to be captured in the shadows of the walls keeping

the city cool during the midday hours (Oktay). The stuccoed walls are an example of

climate-responsive architecture, or architecture that is constructed and built with designs

that make use of the surrounding climate and its natural effects. With the help of new

climate technology, many developing countries, such as Algeria, are making use of

climate-responsive architecture and its benefits in helping to keep humans comfortable

(Bensalem). The impact in Algeria is strong because with the country’s struggling

economy and varying climate zones, it is a huge step to be able to use the country’s

natural environment as a building tool instead of expensive technology. Climateresponsive

architecture takes advantage of free energy in the form of heat and light. Each

region of the world employs its own techniques and designs in its buildings that are best

suited to that particular region and that encompass the region’s cultural patterns. This is

known more commonly as vernacular architecture, or “forms which grow out of the

practical needs of the inhabitants of a place and the constraints of the site and climate

(Oktay).” Vernacular architecture varies for regions of hot climate and regions of cold

climate. Many of the same techniques are employed, but it is the way they are used in

each respective climate that makes them unique.