Basics Basics Much of the material within this web site by Emilis Prelgauskas architect presupposes that the reader has some prior understanding of energy efficiency and environmental matters. This aproach was satisfactory when this web site first began, and while it was predominantly a specialist site on the subject. Webmaster records show that increasingly, this site is being browsed for general interest. To assist those only just beginning in these subjects, this file below is added here as a quick 'primer' on the basics of building energy efficiency and ecologically sustainable development. This background provides a framework which is relevant to the detail contained within this site's 4mb space and its 70 plus files.
North is sunward, south is downsun.
For readers in the northern hemisphere, or other climate zones, appropriate adjustments should be made. This requires large windows, and rooms with windows on several sides, and large rooms with windows in the centre ceiling above - see the 'clerestorey' section of this web site 2. In cold climates face the windows toward the sun, in hot desert climates face the windows away from the sun. Together these approaches form the basis of 'passive solar' building design. By these combined means the building passively moderates day and night hot and cold extremes, and maintains comfort internally generally without supplementary heating or cooling.