Abstract:
One of the main operating costs of residential buildings is the energy used for
providing thermal comfort. The use of passive buildings consisting of three storeys with
properly arranged functional spaces and courtyards is an answer to minimize this energy
cost in hot humid climatic conditions prevailing in Sri Lanka. For these three stoery
houses, loadbearing brickwork is an economical alternative instead of costly reinforced
concrete framed structures. The use of passive three storey loadbearing brickwork houses
for the minimization of the life time cost of residential buildings is presented with
suitable examples and cost studies.
