Reassessing climate classification for buildings under climate change : Indian context

Climate classification is essential for buildings because it influences the planning and design of a building, its orientation, building geometry and design of building envelopes such as walls, roofs and openings. In the event of climate change, the existing classifications must be revised or updated to provide both proper guidelines for the design and construction of buildings and adaptation strategies for the existing buildings. The study attempted a comprehensive review of the existing global and Indian classification of climates on buildings. The paper analysed the existing Indian climate classification to include the climate change scenarios by studying 310 locations. The warming trend observed in the locations establishes a need for revision in classification.