Climatic modeling in traditional Arab houses:
An approach in design strategies for energy- efficient houses
Loai M. Dabbour 1, Aziz I. Abid 1, Omar K. Alghazawi 1
1 Alzaytoonah University of Jordan
Department of Architectural Engineering and building systems
11733, Amman, Jordan
loai_dabbour@hotmail.com, azizalabid@yahoo.com, omaralghazawi@yahoo.com
ABSTRACT
This study focuses on the ecological design of traditional Arab houses and their physical environment (climate), and structural environment (building form, spatial structure, and building materials, and technical infrastructure). The basic principle is to identify the criteria that would use natural energy sources and provide the most benefit to the inhabitant’s microenvironment. The influence of different materials on thermal perception and the average temperature differences between the outdoor and indoor environment of the houses is investigated. Consequently, this paper discusses ecological design solutions used in traditional houses and their applicability to contemporary buildings and recognizes that architecture should coexist and maintain harmony with nature.
In order to improve the microclimate in houses, the requirements and recommendations are defined in this study for houses based on using the recommended construction methods, planning principles and principles of microclimate formation, which is determined by their space-planning (order and structure) and architectural-constructive decisions. The study is based on design criteria formulated on the basis of quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the environment, environmental factors affecting the climate, climate-ecological structure and space planning layout of the climate and environmental zonings of house spaces.
The results of the research form a basis for general scientific, methodological, architectural, and planning principles of designing houses.