Glare in different regions
One of the problems in hot climates is to exclude not only radiant heat but also glare, while at the same time admitting sufficient daylight. There is a fundamental difference between the problem in the arid and humid regions. In the arid regions, glare is caused by sunlight being reflected from the surface of the ground and light colored walls of other buildings. A traditional way of overcoming this problem is by keeping windows on the external elevations small and few in number, with the larger, low level windows overlooking the shaded internal courtyard. Too sharp contrast between a bright opening and the surface of surrounding inside wall results in glare. For this reason, when small windows are used on the external walls, they must be designed with care. One traditional method of overcoming this problem is to use vertical slit windows which are usually located in the corners of the rooms. Another method is to locate the windows between the ceiling and eye level, or alternatively filters can be used in the form of lattices, screens or shutters. High humidity and typically overcast conditions in the warm-humid regions result in a high proportion of the radiation being diffused so that the sky is the main source of glare. Because large openings are needed for cross ventilation, low overhanging eaves or wide verandahs are used to obstruct the view of most of the sky. In traditional houses thin external walls of coarsely woven mats, which in some cases can be rolled up, allow full advantage to be taken of every breeze. Text-based assignments: I. General understanding. Answer the questions: 1. What is the problem that occurs in arid regions? 2. What is the common way of solving the problem of light? 3. What causes glare in hot–dry regions? warm-humid regions?
II. Choose a title for the paragraph: Give reasons for your choice by saying which of the titles is too general, too specific, or not sufficiently accurate. 1. The difference between arid and humid regions. 2. Glare and daylight. 3. Methods of overcoming glare from the sky. 4. Problem of admitting sufficient daylight.
III. Draw diagrams to illustrate the following: a) Five methods of overcoming glare in hot-dry regions. b) Three methods of overcoming glare in warm-humid regions.
Text 2 Words and word combinations to be remembered:
Read the text carefully so as to be ready to discuss it:
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