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Sustainable Building Design for Tropical Climates: Principles and Applications for Eastern Africa

Summary

Building envelope design, which aims to achieve the maximum comfort with the minimum primary energy consumption (and thus to minimise GHG emissions), requires that the parameters of comfort and energy be integrated into each of the critical steps of the design process. Factors such as climate, master plan, building shape, façade design, the thermo-physical characteristics of the materials, and finally the building plan, must play a role in decisions. The report provides practical guidance relevant to tropical climates with particular reference to Eastern Africa.