NATURAL COOLING SYSTEMS OF JAISALMER

AYUSHI JANGALWA 111110208 IV Sem, B. Arch, 2011-2016

JAISALMER
Era of influence of -water and electricity supply, -mechanised transport -modern building technology, Builders of the medieval Indian town of Jaisalmer -creating an urban environment that is in tune with nature - provides for more than just the basic needs of the inhabitants.

The town of Jaisalmer is located Thar desert of Rajasthan. Its climates is hot and arid. The town and buildings in it overcome the problem of the severe desert summer by special passive design features.

ARCHITECTURE OF JAISALMER

The Golden Fort

Havelis

Mud Houses

TOWN LAYOUT
The fort was built on the hilltop, called Trikut because of its triangular plan.
Residences on the leeward side of the hill.

Heat wave in the lower town is protected by the fort on hill.

ORIENTATION

Major streets oriented East-West. Help against the dustorms which blow from the south-west.

STREETS
The streets are narrow while the building s are 2-3 floors high.

Helps provide mutual shading Eliminates high velocity hot winds.

 The houses are on a high plinth and it is used as outer sitting space. Floor are cantilevered to further provide shade to the streets. They have uneven built form to deflect the wind as much as possible.

THERMAL LAG
Thick plastered walls of sandstone are used. Roofs are as thick as 45 cm. and consist of earth fill over timber beams.

 The purpose is to increase the the time for the heat to reach the interiors of the building. The main living area are surrounded by buffer spaces like verandah.

 Courtyard inside the house is a major element. Helps achieve temperature difference between the interior and exterior of the building.

 Openings like Jharokhas are provided.

Cross ventilation around the house is thus achieved.

VENTILATION

Narrow vertical ducts or staircase shafts are used. They deflect the wind blowing down into the house.

SHADING
Chajjas or projecting eave provide shade to the carved jharokhas. Supported on large carved brackets. Carved textured surfaces provide shade to the walls and windows. Minimize the heat gain.

SURFACE AREA
Textured surfaces increase the surface area of the building. Increased convective transfer of heat. Carved surfaces cooler than plain ones.

CONCLUSION
The natural cooling systems used at Jaisalmer include: 1. Dense clustering of buildings. 2. Sun control through orientation and structural projections. 3. Cooling of sunlit surfaces by use of fins. 4. Massive construction for roofs and walls. 5. Courtyards and other air ducts for ventilation.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Architecture of the Indian desert
by Kulbhushan & Minakshi Jain.

Natural cooling Systems of Jaisalmer by Vinod Gupta

(http://www.space-design.com/upload/rs0007.pdf)

Ecohouse- A Design Guide by Sue Roaf

Climatic considerations in planning- inferences from past
by Sheeba Valsson and Alka Bharat (http://www.coa.gov.in/mag/feb08/Climatic%20Consideration-%2842-48%29.pdf)

Natural cooling of buildings

(www.space-design.com/upload/rs0004.pdf)