The bioclimatic greenhouse

The bioclimatic greenhouse: benefits, regulations and technical specifications

The bioclimatic greenhouse is an intelligent solution, aimed at the thermal improvement of the building system to which it is applied. This component represents one of the most common interventions in the design conducted according to the principles of sustainability. During the design process, in fact, one of the primary objectives is to contain energy consumption, through the conscious management of environmental resources, with a view to ensuring a high level of home comfort for users. In fact, thanks to this system, residential environments are heated in a natural way, ensuring significant savings in economic and energy terms.

Contents

• What does the bioclimatic greenhouse consist of and why choose it
• How to extricate oneself from the regulations to install a bioclimatic greenhouse
• The most common types of bioclimatic greenhouse
• Solar City in Linz: a village shaped on the bioclimatic greenhouse

Yet, even if they represent widespread practices, the choice and installation of a solar greenhouse requires technical knowledge and professional awareness. For this reason, it is good to consult an expert in the sector and, in any case, be aware of the properties and characteristics of this solution, in order to opt for the most suitable type for the building to which it is to be anchored. In addition, it is necessary to act in accordance with the regulations in force in the area in which it operates, so as not to encounter problems in the installation and free use of the captive greenhouse.
A brief guide will be provided below to implement the most appropriate choices and an illustration of some examples that demonstrate how the bioclimatic greenhouse can prove to be a highly performing solution.
 

What does the bioclimatic greenhouse consist of and why choose it.

The architectural design sector is showing growing interest in energy efficiency issues. The current design solutions have as primary objective the containment of consumption and management costs of the building. The use of traditional air conditioning systems, considered too expensive, is gradually being replaced by solutions that maximize the use of renewable resources and are able to provide tangible benefits. Among the measures designed to improve the performance of the property, one of the most popular is represented by the bioclimatic greenhouse which consists of an enclosed space, also called buffer space, equipped with glass walls.

This component contributes significantly to the heating of the house, thanks to its ability to accumulate the heat coming from the sun's rays incident on its glass surface. The solar greenhouse can consist entirely of transparent walls but often the roof is characterized by opaque materials, in order to avoid excessive overheating during the summer season. Its operation is typical of passive solar systems which store solar heat and subsequently transmit it to the internal neighboring rooms. Thanks to its versatility, the greenhouse can be inserted in correspondence with buildings for residential, school, commercial and tertiary use. One of the indispensable conditions for its correct functioning is represented by the orientation, preferably towards the south. In fact, this front is the one most exposed to sunlight and for this reason it offers the right conditions to ensure a greater level of living comfort throughout the year.

In fact, with the change of seasons it is necessary to know how to use the greenhouse system, optimizing its properties. If in winter it is preferable to keep the windows closed to facilitate the accumulation of heat and reduce heat losses, in the course of the summer season, in order to avoid excessive overheating, it is good to be able to open them and provide additional shading systems, such as curtains and plant elements. Furthermore, it is important to remember that the shields must not be fixed but mobile, so that they can be moved according to the seasonal need. As regards the optimization of internal temperatures, it is also necessary to carefully choose the colors of the finishes, as elements that can affect thermal comfort. For example, a light-colored flooring can guarantee the containment of excessive heat thanks to the high reflective capacities.
Among the peculiarities that distinguish the bioclimatic greenhouse, it is good to remember that at least three of its sides must be in glass and inside there must not be any type of air conditioning system.
From the point of view of materials, they must be chosen with care in order to ensure versatility, functionality and long-lasting resistance. To this end, PVC, aluminum and wood will be perfect for the profiles, while for the actual panels it will be good to opt for low-emissivity glass crystals that exclude the dispersion of heat to the outside.

   
Example of Roman blinds                                                                    Example of finishes with nautral and reflective colors

Among the numerous advantages provided by the captive greenhouse, there is the reduction of the building's energy needs which can reach 25% with a consequent economic saving. Furthermore, operating as a solar gain system, this component significantly raises the level of internal thermal comfort. Another aspect not to be underestimated is the fact that the greenhouse is considered a technical room and for this reason its size is not decisive for the volumetric consistency of the building, although it can be used as an additional environment to those of the home. In addition, in addition to being a very bright space that can be functionalized as a living room or study, it also represents an element of connection between context and building, creating a sort of continuum between the natural and the confined environment. From this perspective, the solution must be conceived as an active element that contributes to the organization of the rooms in the home, enriching them. For these reasons, the habitable bioclimatic greenhouse contributes to significantly increase the economic value of the apartment, giving an image strongly connoted to the entire building.