The Importance of Vegetation in the Design of a Bioclimatic House
Vegetation is an essential element to consider in the design of a bioclimatic habitat, as it acts as a natural protector against climatic variations and contributes to the thermal comfort of the building.
Plants and trees perform several fundamental functions:
- Protection against strong winds — the presence of dense and evergreen vegetation reduces the intensity of cold winds in winter and improves outdoor thermal comfort.
- Regulation of solar radiation — deciduous trees allow for the entry of sunlight in winter (when they lose their leaves) and provide shade in summer, reducing overheating.
- Additional natural insulation — they help to reduce the temperature range around the building and improve the local microclimate.
Another effective solution is the use of climbing plants, which can be installed on facades, pergolas, or walls.
These climbing plants offer direct thermal protection, creating a vegetation layer that filters solar radiation, lowers the surface temperature of the walls, and increases local humidity.
Did you know…
Wooded areas have lower temperatures and less temperature variation in summer compared to paved or concrete urban areas? With about 300 days of sunshine per year, Portugal offers ideal conditions to apply the principles of bioclimatic architecture.
Throughout this page, discover the fundamental rules and essential strategies for building your bioclimatic house in Portugal.