development of clay material as an ancient inspiration for cooling enclosed space for contemporary sri lanka

Abstract

Huge energy demand can identify in the contemporary world not only in Sri Lanka. Environment cooling is a most considerable aspect in energy consumption. The research discovers the possibility of using ancient techniques with clay material for maintain indoor thermal comfort. Clay is a material which has remote history and numerous qualities. The research is based on the ‘clay’ material which creates a cooling condition. When concern on the properties of clay, evaporative cooling and low heat conductivity are pair of main important properties. Clay and mud were used in civilizations which were in hot climatic regions. Sri Lanka also used clay material in various methods for traditional houses as wattle, roofing tiles and floor and domestic usage as Guruleththuwa, pinthaliya etc on maintain a cooling condition. The research investigates condition of cooling indoor space in traditional houses. It analyses data from quantitative and qualitative methods based on interviews and observations in traditional houses which were made from clay material under three climatic regions. According to investigation clay material maintain cool space in afternoon comparatively outdoor. It was a positive behaviour of clay material that contradictory adapts in indoor temperature comparatively outdoor temperature. The research investigates how effect clay properties in house envelopes for enhancing cooling effect. It reveals that the clay body can develop as a product for cooling enclosed space with value additions. This study is the initial step of the innovation to identify clay properties in building envelops as a traditional inspiration.