Low-tech flood-resistant housing that lower the energy demand for cooling through passive cooling methods and amphibious structures in Tropical Climates

Abstract

Global warming is causing more extreme weathers leading to floods, inundation, high temperatures and increasing of cooling demands. More resilient homes and mitigation of CO2 emissions are needed. This thesis aims to investigate the integration of passive cooling to adaptive flood-resistant homes. The popular stilts houses located in the Mekong Delta are being analyzed: a vernacular home developed by the inhabitants that aims to cope with the local climate and floods. Multiple researchers concluded that improvements need to be made to cope with overheating in homes and for more dangerous floods in the future. According to literature review designs that incorporate insulation, natural ventilation, (moveable) shading and operable windows are the best methods for passive cooling of buildings in humid climates. Amphibious structures enable buildings to adapt to the changing water levels but staying fixed to one place. Simulations demonstrate that transforming a traditional stilt house into a flood-resistant amphibious home can reduce the operative temperature by a maximum of 1 degree Celsius. Integrating insulation in the walls and roof, along with an insulated tropical roof and floor vents, can lead to a maximum temperature reduction of 4 degrees Celsius. As a result; lower indoor temperature, adaptive flood-resistance and reduced energy demand for cooling. Further research and attention is needed to make designing for homes related to flood circumstances more accurate and find more of an approach that lives with water instead of fleeing from it.