The design should incorporate those positive elements the environment has to offer and protect against those that are detrimental to comfort. Wind has the ability to remove heat, therefore, it should be considered differently in summer than in winter. Basically, the concern is with summer use and winter protection. Microclimate wind patterns of an existing site will change once the building is constructed. These wind patterns can be manipulated by creating earth mounds, wing walls, plantings, pools, and building forms among other elements.
Natural ventilation can considerably reduce the cooling needed for comfort during much of the year.
The time when ventilation is most beneficial is during the spring and fall. In fact, most standard homes built in the last 10 to 30 years should be able to stay comfortable for 5 to 10 percent of the year without a mechanical system. However, if the home is designed for natural ventilation, it can extend this comfort period from 30 to 80 percent of the year. Some commercial buildings have this capacity, also. Many school buildings were built during the 1940s and 1950s using natural ventilation and daylight principles.