Designing to account for humidity

It's a common fact that Brits love complaining about the weather. We also get a lot of laughs when we say it's too hot when the temperature is in the mid 20s. However, it isn't the temperatures that typically cause the issue; it's the humidity. As heatwaves and humid periods become more frequent here, we need to start designing properties to account for it. We want to look at that today, then you can speak to us if you want help with high end residential architecture in London.

What to think about?

One of the positives for the UK is we can learn important lessons from areas around the world that have to deal with intense humidity problems. This includes countries like Bangladesh, Singapore, Malaysia, and Costa Rica. There are a number of interesting solutions that can ensure properties are comfortable. Many can also provide other benefits such as improving sustainability, protecting against flooding, and ensuring adaptability.

Elevating foundations

In humid, monsoon-prone areas, a common strategy is to elevate buildings off the ground. You can do this with stilts, elevated podium foundations, and other methods. It means there is no contact with the surface. It tackles the problem of ground moisture, allowing air to circulate under buildings. This stops moisture seeping up into living spaces, reducing damp. The elevation also provides protection against flooding.

Effective ventilation

An absolute must when designing for humidity is to ensure there is good air movement. If you don't have it, moisture will accumulate, making it even hotter and causing condensation. In turn, it can create the perfect settings for mould and bacteria to grow. All of this is really bad for health and wellbeing.

There are many really useful ways to ensure a property has effective, natural ventilation. For example, high ceilings and narrow floor plans are a common choice in humid areas. Openings allow air to enter and then it funnels through what is essentially a wind tunnel to cool the building. Breathable perforated facades, the right windows, and passive ventilation techniques are all useful. You can use many of these ideas with residential architecture in London.

Roof designs

The roofing in humid areas can play a pivotal role in managing heat and water. The goal is to get rid of moisture as quickly as possible so it doesn't accumulate or get trapped and increase humidity. You'll often see buildings with steep pitched roofing to do this. They also create a buffer, typically by using materials that offer insulation to keep external heat out and breathability to let moisture escape.

There are some interesting innovations here that can be really helpful. Green roofs are great for absorbing moisture, providing insulation, and improving air quality. Protective coatings or linings can reflect heat. Additionally, there are even new developments like materials that can adjust the level of permeability to release more moisture if it gets humid inside a building.

Window styles

You can't have good natural ventilation without openings in the property. Windows are essential here. At the same time though, you need to ensure they provide the right balance of light and shade, as well as managing condensation. Luckily, there are some wonderful designs that really help with humidity. This includes deep set frames that reduce heat gain. Louvred windows are great too because of the adjustable slats.

There are innovations here as well, including climate responsive glazing. It can adjust to light levels to provide effective shading. There are also hydrophobic coatings that can ensure moisture does not build up, helping reduce humidity.

Would you like help with residential architecture in London?

A great design can deliver buildings that are cool, light, and comfortable without high energy bills for HVAC systems. All of the things above can really help, especially if you combine them effectively. Having semi open spaces like courtyards is a good idea too.

Coffey Architects is a fantastic company to work with if you're looking to create a beautiful high end home. We have an amazing track record, including several award winning designs. We'll work closely with you to get all the details right, including lighting and ventilation. It can account for humidity as well as any other factors that impact comfort.

So, get in touch and work with us to create residential architecture in London. We're happy to work in other parts of the UK and further afield too.