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Cool roofs are designed to reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat than a standard roof.

Natural ventilation is a passive strategy that uses the natural forces of wind and buoyancy to deliver fresh air into buildings.

Daylighting spaces from multiple sides ensure an even distribution of light while reducing the probability of glare.

Direct gain is the simplest form of passive solar heating.

A thermal storage system (masonry floors, walls and/or ceilings) is required to absorb and store the heat during the daytime and release it back at night for space heating.

Earth-protected design uses earth as the main component of a building’s thermal control system.

East and west facing windows should be protected to reduce heat gains into the building in the morning and afternoon.

The shape and volume of buildings should be compact and elongated along the east-west axis to reduce heat gain in the summer while maximizing solar exposure in the winter.

In many cases, an optimal floor plan runs east to west, maximizing the glazing area on the north and south facades to allow daylight to penetrate deeper into the interior spaces.

Buildings with large south facing walls and glazing areas exposed to the south (in the northern hemisphere) can benefit from passive heating in the winter.

Green roofs provide a rainwater buffer, purify the air, provide roof insulation, regulate indoor temperature, reduce energy consumption, encourage biodiversity in the city and help moderate the heat island effect.

A sunspace is an equatorial-facing area/room in a building with glass roof and walls intended to maximize solar heat gain.

A light shelf is a high-reflecting horizontal surface that allows daylight to penetrate deep into a building.

Shading devices, such as overhangs and vertical fins, are necessary to decrease heat gain from solar radiation during the summer.

Windows and wall openings allow daylight and solar energy along the perimeter of a building.

Horizontal louvers and light shelves are very useful for daylighting since they can block direct sunlight and reflect light up to the ceiling optimizing daylight and views without glare.

Solar greenhouses are designed to capture heat from the sun’s rays and are typically used to keep plants warm during cold weather.

Solar shading refers to the shading systems used to control the amount of solar radiation and sunlight admitted from the sun into a building.

Stack ventilation can be used to increase ventilation when the breeze is not sufficient.

A thermal storage wall is a masonry wall placed behind the glazing facing the equator that will absorb and store sunlight (heat) during the daytime and release it back at night for space heating.

Skylights and clerestories are a source of top daylighting which admit additional daylight and solar energy inside a building.

When top daylighting, it is important to integrate shading elements, such as louvers and baffles, to diffuse the direct sunlight, reduce glare and create uniform daylighting inside the space.

Climate-responsive building façades filter solar radiation, daylight, and fresh air from the exterior as appropriate based on climate/seasonal variations to improve indoor comfort.

Clerestories and skylights are effective strategies for admitting daylight deeper into the building while reducing direct sunlight and glare and maintaining a high level of privacy.