Abstract

There has been a renewed conversation on thermal performance and thermal efficiency of buildings lately as
a means of addressing the current energy crisis and series of environmental problems, this is because the building
sector constitutes a substantial percentage of overall global consumption and demand for energy. Buildings generally,
and residential buildings in particular consume a lot of energy for ventilation, heating, and air conditioning. Reducing
energy consumption in buildings can help protect the environment against excessive carbon dioxide emission thereby
mitigating the effects of changes in global warming and climate. The task of Architects, therefore, is to design building
envelopes with high thermal performance in order to reduce the energy required to achieve thermal comfort through
passive heating and cooling techniques. This paper reviews the concept of passive building design and critically
analyzes the various passive design principles and techniques which adaptable to improving thermal performance in
residential building envelopes in tropical climates. A detailed study of available research material on this subject matter
was carried out with the purpose of providing relevant information as well as guidelines to professionals in the building
sector on the most effective ways of achieving passive design techniques in residential buildings in other to reduce
energy demands for thermal comfort.