Cooling new buildings

Recommendation 84
Measures against incoming solar heat

Chapter (theme)
Architectural spaces (temperature)

Because of
sensory sensitivity (warmth), stereotypical patterns: rigidity

In order to
help prevent overheating.

Elaboration
It won’t be an everyday occurrence that parents of an autistic child have the opportunity to have a new house built. When this is the case, a unique chance arises to have it attuned to the special needs of their child. One of these needs may be thermal comfort. The theme temperature explains how many youths with autism lack the ability to respond adequately to deviating ambient temperatures. This concerns (semi-)conscious behavior, such as a change of clothes, opening a window, going outside or inside.
The aim, therefore, should be to try and keep the ambient temperature between the narrow limits of 96 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
An important contribution to this end is the prevention of overheating by solar heat.
An architect who has done much work for the Kannerhuis makes the following three suggestions: “Heat that penetrates the building one can remove at an early stage though mass (concrete, Sedum roof), roof pitch and a second roof (air layer).”

Measures don’t have to be limited to the roof. Dual-glazed windows also keep much solar heat out.

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