Climate Zone

Csc_Cold-summer Mediterranean

The cold-summer subtype of the Mediterranean climate (Csc) is rare and predominately found at scattered high-altitude locations along the west coasts of North and South America. This type is characterized by cool summers, with fewer than four months with a mean temperature at or above 10 °C (50 °F), as well as with mild winters, with no winter month having a mean temperature below 0 °C (32 °F) (or −3 °C [27 °F]), depending on the isotherm used). Regions with this climate are influenced by the dry-summer trend that extends considerably poleward along the west coast of the Americas, as well as the moderating influences of high altitude and relative proximity to the Pacific Ocean.

Begin by selecting Design Strategies below
WINTER WINTER E W SUMMER N E W N WINTER WINTER WINTER
Design Strategies for Csc_Cold-summer Mediterranean
Cross Ventilation

Natural ventilation is a passive strategy that uses the natural forces of wind and buoyancy to deliver fresh air into buildings.

Daylighting from Multiple Sides

Daylighting spaces from multiple sides ensure an even distribution of light while reducing the probability of glare.

Direct Gain: Glazing

Direct gain is the simplest form of passive solar heating.

Direct Gain: Heat Storage

A thermal storage system (masonry floors, walls and/or ceilings) is required to absorb and store the heat during the daytime and release it back at night for space heating.

Earth Sheltering

Earth-protected design uses earth as the main component of a building’s thermal control system.

East/West Shading

East and west facing windows should be protected to reduce heat gains into the building in the morning and afternoon.

Form for Cooling

The shape and volume of buildings should be compact and elongated along the east-west axis to reduce heat gain in the summer while maximizing solar exposure in the winter.

Form for Daylighting

In many cases, an optimal floor plan runs east to west, maximizing the glazing area on the north and south facades to allow daylight to penetrate deeper into the interior spaces.

Form for Heating

Buildings with large south facing walls and glazing areas exposed to the south (in the northern hemisphere) can benefit from passive heating in the winter.

Green Roof

Green roofs provide a rainwater buffer, purify the air, provide roof insulation, regulate indoor temperature, reduce energy consumption, encourage biodiversity in the city and help moderate the heat island effect.

Indirect Gain: Sunspace

A sunspace is an equatorial-facing area/room in a building with glass roof and walls intended to maximize solar heat gain.

Intermediate Light Shelves

A light shelf is a high-reflecting horizontal surface that allows daylight to penetrate deep into a building.

Night Vent Cooling

Night ventilation is a passive cooling strategy that uses outdoor diurnal temperature swings during the summer and the building’s thermal mass to cool down the interior space through increased outdoor airflow at night, providing cool indoor surfaces and temperatures during the day.

Shading Devices

Shading devices, such as overhangs and vertical fins, are necessary to decrease heat gain from solar radiation during the summer.

Side Daylighting

Windows and wall openings allow daylight and solar energy along the perimeter of a building.

Side Daylighting Controls

Horizontal louvers and light shelves are very useful for daylighting since they can block direct sunlight and reflect light up to the ceiling optimizing daylight and views without glare.

Solar Greenhouse

Solar greenhouses are designed to capture heat from the sun’s rays and are typically used to keep plants warm during cold weather.

Solar Shading

Solar shading refers to the shading systems used to control the amount of solar radiation and sunlight admitted from the sun into a building.

Stack Ventilation

Stack ventilation can be used to increase ventilation when the breeze is not sufficient.

Thermal Storage Wall

A thermal storage wall is a masonry wall placed behind the glazing facing the equator that will absorb and store sunlight (heat) during the daytime and release it back at night for space heating.

Top Daylighting

Skylights and clerestories are a source of top daylighting which admit additional daylight and solar energy inside a building.

Top Daylighting Controls

When top daylighting, it is important to integrate shading elements, such as louvers and baffles, to diffuse the direct sunlight, reduce glare and create uniform daylighting inside the space.

Building Facades

Climate-responsive building façades filter solar radiation, daylight, and fresh air from the exterior as appropriate based on climate/seasonal variations to improve indoor comfort.

Clerestories and Skylights

Clerestories and skylights are effective strategies for admitting daylight deeper into the building while reducing direct sunlight and glare and maintaining a high level of privacy.