ABSTRACT
This chapter sets out early foundations for zero carbon design by making early design decisions about building geometry. It explains that natural daylight also has physiological effects on human body through suppression of the secretion of hormone called melatonin. Volume to surface ratio is another important consideration to make at an early design stage. The context for this consideration is that heat is generated and stored within the volume of building and exchanged through its surface. The former building needed to retain heat, and the latter needed to dissipate heat. Most of the buildings in Western civilisation are in between these two extremes and resemble the shape of cube and various variations of it. Buildings will require less heating energy and will generate fewer emissions if main activity is positioned towards the sun-facing side. Buildings that are predominantly cooled will require less cooling energy and will generate fewer emissions if main activity is positioned to face away from the sun.
