With around 300 sunny days per year, Portugal offers ideal conditions to apply the principles of bioclimatic architecture.
Throughout this page, discover the fundamental rules and essential strategies to build your bioclimatic house in Portugal.
Fundamental principles for designing a bioclimatic house in Portugal
Bioclimatic architecture is primarily based on the integration of the building with the environment, adapting the building to its natural context rather than modifying it.
During the design phase, it is essential to consider the following parameters:
- Environmental factors: climate, solar orientation, dominant winds, and site disposition;
- Maximization of passive solar gains through glazed openings oriented south;
- Prevention of overheating in summer by using shades, adjustable blinds, and appropriate vegetation (such as deciduous trees);
- Preference for compact shapes to reduce thermal losses;
- Maximizing natural light;
- Openings in opposite walls to favor cross ventilation.
Bioclimatic architecture: a concept with ancient roots
Although the term is recent, the concept of bioclimatic architecture dates back to Ancient times. For a long time, humans adapted their constructions to the climate and local environment.
Before the widespread use of fossil fuels for heating, it was common to use solar energy to heat spaces in winter, while in summer the neighboring buildings acted as a natural barrier against excessive heat.
Historical examples of bioclimatic solutions:
- Natufians (10,000 BC): dug their dwellings about 1.40 m below ground to maintain a stable and pleasant indoor temperature.
- Mureibatans (8,500 BC): protected their houses from the sun by covering roofs with thick layers of reeds (between 60 and 80 cm) and oriented the constructions to the south, using horizontal covers of 2.20 m as solar protection.
- Egyptians of the New Kingdom (1,800 BC): built underground storerooms under the houses, where the cool night air was stored and later released during the day to cool the spaces.
Orientation and ideal distribution of a bioclimatic house
The correct orientation of the house on the site is essential to maximize solar gains in winter and reduce excessive heating in summer.
It is recommended to position the least used rooms — such as bathrooms, garage, laundry, hallways, and stairs — to the north, as these serve as a thermal buffer zone, reducing up to 30% of heat loss in walls in contact with these areas.
On the other hand, the living areas (living room and dining room) should be oriented to the southwest, while the bedrooms benefit from an orientation to the east, allowing for morning natural light and better thermal comfort throughout the day.
The creation of solar barriers is another fundamental element in the bioclimatic design. These barriers can be formed by neighboring buildings or vegetation, which act as natural obstacles to direct solar radiation.
During the summer, elements such as canopies, deciduous trees, and shading structures oriented to the south and west help to reduce excessive heat entry, providing natural thermal protection.
In terms of glazed openings, it is recommended that the total window area does not exceed 20% of the usable area of the dwelling, with the following ideal distribution:
- 50% of the windows facing south
- 20–30% facing east
- 15% facing west
- 0–20% facing north