Passive cooling strategies of residential buildings in human friendly architectural and construction design - example of experimental results

Design of human and environmentally friendly buildings is an important aspect of contemporary, sustainable architecture. New buildings designed in accordance with current regulations for thermal protection of envelope should also take into account not only energy demand and greenhouse gases emissions issues, but also those related to the interior microclimate.Extreme heat waves, caused by global warming, are also increasingly common in temperate countries such as Poland. They have a negative impact on the health and well-being of residents. Structures with low heat capacity cause buildings overheating. Passive cooling strategies are one way to prevent this phenomenon.The article presents case studies with key results of experimental research carried out with the author contribution in experimental buildings located in the Science and Technology Park of the University of Zielona Gora in Nowy Kisielin in Poland: in two one-storey full size residential laboratory buildings and in the building of Centre of Sustainable Building and Energy. Passive cooling methods such as heat storage in the building envelope made of traditional materials and PCMs, heat storage in the ground, use of external blinds in windows and increased night ventilation were applied. The results suggest that most of these methods are effective in maintaining required temperatures inside the building during heat wave, leading to a significant improvement in the well-being and comfort of inhabitants.