Mech/Elec ALS Lesson Two - Comfort, Climate and Solar Design: Direct Gain Space & Mass Wall

Direct gain space = A room in which the structure and thermal mass are in direct sunlight. Typically uncovered high mass floors are placed in southern rooms with large amounts of glass to allow solar heat gain from direct sunlight.

Materials = Concrete, stone, terrazzo, tile or other materials which conduct and store heat.

Mass wall = specially thickened walls directly in the sunlight at south facade behind a large window or sometimes in an entire glass skin. They store the incoming solar energy without increasing the temp. rapidly. Able to store a great deal of heat. Can be tuned in thickness to match the expected temp. cycles.

Two types = Trombe walls and Water walls