(Institution of engineers: Colombo, 1999) Jayasinghe, M.T.R; Attalage, R. A
The role of passive techniques, which utilises a
certain number of passive elements to maintain the
thermal comfort within the built environments of
residential buildings at low atlitudes of Sri Lanka, has
been highlighted. The possibility of defining a unique
neutral temperature of 26°C for low altitutes of Sri
Lanka has been utilised in a rational way in presenting simplified set of rules of thumb, that can be used
by the designers at early stages. The effects of orientation, shading devices, window sizes, roofing materials, insulation, colour of the exterior and interior
walls, use of courtyards to maximise natural ventilation, and arrangement of roof to minimise structural
cooling are shown with suitable examples.
