[Invited Papers] Khedari Roof: New Sustainable Multipurpose Bio-climatic Roofs

This paper reports on the design concepts of new sustainable bio-climatic roofs, called Khedari Sustainable Roofs and referred to as K-SR, which are aimed to ensure different functions to respond to the prevailing climatic conditions in residential and building site. For instance, for hot and humid climates, K-SR can reduce heat gain, admit sufficient daylighting without glare and induce significant air change, provide hot water whereas at night, it acts as a roof radiator for nocturnal cooling. For cold climates K-SR can provide space heating, daylighting and indoor air motion. For countries with four distinguished seasons, the K-SR can be operated at various modes to ensure the desired conditions according to the seasonal change with the help of controlled set of dampers located at the openings. Field performance are reported and discussed for tropical climate (Bangkok, Thailand). A comparison to a conventional roof solar collector is also reported which confirmed the high performance of the K-SR. Due to its simplicity, applicability and wide range of materials available, K-SR penetration into the commercial market, namely as part of a residential building design, is therefore promising.