Passive radiative cooling has been extensively studied as a means to cool the exterior surfaces of buildings and reduce space cooling loads. This phenomenon is caused by thermal radiation that is continuously emitted from surfaces on Earth, and transmitted through the atmosphere to outer space (at approximately 3-4 Kelvin temperature scale). To gain a deeper understanding of how terrestrial objects can access this extraterrestrial cold reservoir, I use a theoretical framework derived from classical radiative heat transfer to investigate the radiative properties of surfaces and the atmosphere over a spectrum of wavelengths. In this dissertation, I demonstrate the theoretical cooling potential that can be achieved by surfaces with idealized radiative properties under various atmospheric conditions. While several researchers have optimized the optical properties of their surfaces to emit strongly in wavelength bands corresponding to high atmospheric transparency, I show that a high degree of spectral tailoring is only benefcial when humidity in the atmosphere is low or when a surface can minimize its absorption of solar radiation. Additionally, I prescribe appropriate sets of surface radiative properties that are required to achieve cooling under various solar and atmospheric loads. An evaluation of passive strategies on building envelopes would be incomplete without considering green facades. To that end, I propose a theoretical model to calculate the heat flux reduction offered by green facades. Unlike previously reported works that use the Pennman-Monteith approach to calculate evapotranspiration in a leaf canopy, my model takes a simpler approach in calculating the sensible and latent heat loss from a layer of leaves while preserving prediction accuracy. By extending the theoretical models for passive radiative cooling and green facades to building envelopes, my work provides insights into the appropriate passive strategy suitable for a particular climate. In dry conditions, surface coatings with optically-tuned radiative properties can perform better than green facades by maximizing their thermal emission through the atmosphere. However, the additional evaporative cooling benefits, insulation and aesthetic value offered by green facades may make them more favorable in cooler and more humid climates. Since the cooling performance of all passive strategies is strongly correlated to the local climate, my work indicates that variations in ambient air temperature, solar radiation and humidity must be considered when choosing an appropriate strategy for a building envelope.

Wind Energy facilities are becoming a more common occurrence among the U.S. landscape. The shift to renewable from non-renewable energy sources is an important agenda item for energy policy in the 21st century. Unlike other forms of energy, the unique visual aspects of wind energy provide opportunities to engage with and actually view the process of energy production. The sculptural element of turbines and their placement in highly visible areas, such as mountain ridges, provides opportunities of environmental interpretation and public interaction. Although existing security and safety precautions in the U.S. do not allow public use of these facilities, the integration of turbines into public places is becoming more common in other parts of the world. This creative project focuses on developing dynamic and unique cultural places that also serve as education spaces to celebrate wind and wind energy. Environmental art installations among the wind turbines serve as human-scaled interpretational guides to create meaningful, learning experiences between the user, the wind and the landscape.This project highlights the existing eleven-turbine (6MW) facility in the town of Searsburg in southern Vermont. This project includes inventory, analysis and site design of an existing wind facility. The methodology includes using GIS data and existing sight line data, as well as significant and environmental cultural points. Finally, general guidelines are included as a design foundation for other wind energy facilities. / Department of Landscape Architecture