Passive solar architectural buildings in Mombassa (Kenya)

Abstract

In this work climatic data for various regions in Kenya have been analyzed to obtain physical architectural design specifications for use by the building industry. It aims to provide a general and appropriate information at strategic pre-design stages to make better use of passive solar energy-efficient technique in urban planning and building design for better indoor comfort climate. It utilizes a computer program, ARCHIPAK (developed by Szokolay in 1985), together with climatic data (for 8 year period) to get comfort zones, and control potential zones. The use of the control potential zones (CPZ) in buildings and the objectives of the pre-design guidelines are discussed for the coastal city of Mombassa. Opportunities and limitations of the pre-design guidelines are also discussed.