Case Study: Passive Solar Concepts Adapted to In-Fill Housing in a Hot, Humid Climate

Abstract

In-fill housing for central city areas appears to be an answer to the continuing need for compact, affordable dwelling unite that will improve the neighborhood environment. There exist many central city areas in Louisiana where lots are unusually narrow but zoned for residential use. As a result of current building code improvement programs, there are numerous vacant lots in the prime downtown locations. Owners and builders seem to be poorly equipped to deal with the design constraints inherent in architectural proposals for contemporary housing design in these areas. Thin investigation considers the development of a case study that involves the planning and design of a compact, solar multi-family residential unit for a central city site condition. Emphasis will be placed on developing units that are highly energy conserving and have potential for one of three levels of passive solar technology--from a sun-tempered unit to a dominant passive solar system. The case study also focuses on the optional mix relationship between conservation options and passive system size. The site study area, a neighborhood in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is distinctive in that narrow 40 x 100 feet lots predominate. Many are vacant.