Technological advancement in Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) has converted the building ... more Technological advancement in Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) has converted the building façade into a renewable energy-based generator. The BIPV façade is designed to provide energy generation along with conventional design objectives such as aesthetics and environmental control. The challenge however, is that architectural design objectives sometimes conflict with energy performance, such as the provision of view and daylight versus maximum power output. In innovative cases, the characteristics of conventional BIPV façades have been modified by researchers to address such conflicts through customization as an emerging trend in BIPV façade design. Although extensive reviews exist on BIPV product types, design integration, adoption barriers and performance issues, research on BIPV customization has not been reviewed as a solution to BIPV adoption. This paper seeks to review the potential of BIPV façade customization as a means of enhancing BIPV adoption. The current paper identifies customization parameters ranging from the customization category, level, and strategies, and related architectural potential along with an assessment of their impact. The findings reflect that elemental and compositional level customization using combined customization strategies provide enhanced BIPV products. These products are well integrated for both energy generation and aesthetic applications with a power output increase of up to 80% in some cases. The paper concludes that a wide range of BIPV adoption barriers such as aesthetics, architectural integration, and performance can be overcome by appropriate BIPV customization.
Smart buildings deploying 5G and the Internet of Things (IoT) are viewed as the next sustainable ... more Smart buildings deploying 5G and the Internet of Things (IoT) are viewed as the next sustainable solution that can be seamlessly integrated in all sectors of the built environment. The benefits are well advertised and range from inducing wellness and monitoring health, amplifying productivity, to energy savings. Comparatively, potential negative risks are less known and mostly relate to cyber-security threats and radiation effects. This meta-integrative qualitative synthesis research sought to determine the possible underlying demerits from developing smart buildings, and whether they outweigh the possible benefits. The study identified five master themes as threats of smart buildings: a surfeit of data centers, the proliferation of undersea cables, the consternation of cyber-security threats, electromagnetic pollution, and E-waste accumulation. Further, the paper discusses the rebound impacts on humans and the environment as smart buildings' actualization becomes a reality. The study reveals that, although some aspects of smart buildings do have their tangible benefits, the potential repercussions from these not-so-discussed threats could undermine the former when all perspectives and interactions are analyzed collectively rather than in isolation.
Similar to many fast growing countries, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) witnessed fast population ... more Similar to many fast growing countries, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) witnessed fast population and urbanization growth. The building sector accounts for a major share of its electricity consumption, reaching up to 70%. To encourage sustainable development and reduce energy consumption and emissions, the government introduced a sustainability initiative called "Estidama", which employs the use of the Pearl Building Rating System (PBRS). Government buildings, which constitute 20% of the built environment, aim to lead the way, and are therefore required to attain a high level of achievement, based on their PBRS ranking (minimum of two out of five pearls). Schools, led by Abu Dhabi Educational Council (ADEC), are governmental buildings and aim to attain a higher level of achievement (three out of five pearls). The ADEC plans to build one hundred schools to be built by 2020, through its Future Schools Program. Over half of the schools have been completed, but only 20% reached the targeted rating (of three out of five pearls). The Renewable Energy (RE) application in the UAE is minimal, although it represents 25% of the local rating code. The objective of this paper is to explore the sustainable performance of one representative school that did not reach the desired green rating level, with the objective to assess opportunities for an enhanced performance. This is done through testing the performance and the application of three RE systems comprising of photovoltaics (PV) array, an absorption cooling system and a geothermal cooling system through Transient Systems Simulation (TRNSYS) software. Cumulatively, implementation of these options results in RE potentially contributing to 19% of the school's annual energy consumption, enhancing the school's performance by up to 14 additional credit points, and reaching the target level of achievement (a three pearl rating). Furthermore, system integration of RE into the existing school were also considered. Results indicate the significant potential of integrating RE systems in future schools in hot climatic contexts, for an improved energy performance.
The current article evaluates a method of cooling low concentration photovoltaic (CPV) through th... more The current article evaluates a method of cooling low concentration photovoltaic (CPV) through the solid-liquid phase change material (PCM) to mitigate temperature-based power losses and utilize the recovered heat. The heat stored in the melted PCM is exchanged with domestic supply water, thus developing a novel CPV-PCM thermal (CPV-PCM/T) system. The CPV-PCM/T system is evaluated outdoors in the extreme hot weather conditions of Al Ain, United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the three consecutive days. The energy performance of CPV-PCM/T system is compared to the ordinary flat plate collector (FPC) and the experiments run simultaneously at the same site. Although the CPV-PCM/T produces lesser net energy (1527 kWh/m 2 -day) compared to FPC (1803 kWh/m 2 -day) yet the cost of production is 28% lower than the FPC.
As a result of an increasing demand for energy-efficient buildings with a better experience of us... more As a result of an increasing demand for energy-efficient buildings with a better experience of user comfort, the built environment sector needs to consider the prediction of building energy performance, which during the design phase, is achieved when a building is handed over and used. There is, however, significant evidence that shows that buildings do not perform as anticipated. This discrepancy is commonly described as the 'energy performance gap'. Building energy audit and post occupancy evaluation (POE) are among the most efficient processes to identify and reduce the energy performance gap and improve indoor environmental quality by observing, monitoring, and the documentation of in-use buildings' operating performance. In this study, a case study of UAE university buildings' energy audit, POE, and dynamic simulation were carried out to first, www.videleaf.com identify factors of the dynamic energy performance gap, and then to identify the utility of the strategy for reducing the gap. Furthermore, the building energy audit data and POE were applied in order to validate and calibrate a dynamic simulation model. This research demonstrated that the case study building's systems were not operating as designed and almost a quarter of the cooling energy was wasted due to the fault of the building facility management of the mechanical systems. The more research findings were discussed in the paper.
2018 5th International Conference on Renewable Energy: Generation and Applications (ICREGA), 2018
The electricity consumption per capita in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is one of the highest in... more The electricity consumption per capita in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is one of the highest in the world. The built environment accounts for 70% of the energy consumption, with the residential sector leading the way. Most of the energy is used in cooling to mitigate the local extreme hot climate. A condition further exacerbated by the lack of an energy building code until 2010. Hence, the existing building stock of which the residential sector is a major component is a prime target for an energy efficient retrofit. Hence, this paper explores the opportunities for building energy efficiency retrofitting in an existing representative residential unit in Al Ain city, UAE. First, thermal leakage through the building envelope is audited through infrared thermography. Then, building envelope upgrades are tested through simulation. The results indicate potential annual electricity savings up to 48.6% through building envelope insulation primarily leading to a 50% reduction of CO2 emissi...
Sustainable Development and Social Responsibility—Volume 1, 2020
Existing buildings in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) account for over 65% of the total energy con... more Existing buildings in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) account for over 65% of the total energy consumption, with the residential sector leading the way with around 40%. Further, the energy demand trend is expected to keep rising, confirming its threefold increase from 2000 to 2012. Factors such as population growth, economic development, the physical building characteristics, climate differentials, and occupants’ behavior have resulted in high-electricity demand, ranking the UAE as one of the highest energy consumptions per capita in the world. As a result, the UAE government has taken far-reaching actions to curb energy consumption. As such, building regulations and codes emerged as well as energy-saving media campaigns. While actions and studies are flourishing in terms of building energy efficiency, very little is known about occupants’ behavior and energy usage in their home, despite the vast body of literature acknowledging that occupants’ behavior is a driving factor in determining building energy consumption. Particularly in the UAE, there is evidence that the local Emirati population carries higher home energy usage than the expatriates. This paper reports on an exploratory qualitative study aimed to investigate first, nationals’ behavioral patterns and second, its consequent impact on energy consumption in their detached houses (villas) in the city of Al Ain (Abu Dhabi Emirate). The methodology is based on semi-structured interviews, addressing occupants’ daily energy usage patterns, cultural aspects and their awareness level of energy consumption in their homes. Housing data and electricity bills have also been considered. An exploratory pilot study with a small number of units was carried out in the month of June. This paper presents preliminary results of this investigation, expected to contribute to a better understanding of Emirati energy consumption patterns in relation to their culture, way of life, and potentially established appropriate venues to address energy use reduction in the residential sector of the UAE.
In the last 50 years a fifth of the planet’s inhabitants had a strong development that deeply cha... more In the last 50 years a fifth of the planet’s inhabitants had a strong development that deeply changed their habits and their life quality. For this enhancement, the people of the developed areas paid a high price. A large use of energy, produced from non-renewable sources as fossil fuels, increased the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions into the atmosphere with several problems and a huge impact on the nature. As a consequence, there is a need to rethink the design of buildings, cities and their organizations. The challenge for the new sustainable cities is to grow according to the lifestyles of today and tomorrow, while implementing a better relation between the nature and the mankind and restoring the lost human contacts. An option for doing this is to design and develop Zero Energy Homes (ZEH) reducing to the minimum the impact of pollution and the exploitation of non-renewable sources. In particular, the following aspects should be considered: to use of renewable and recycled materials; to improve the energy efficiency of buildings; to introduce more efficient energy systems that use alternative and clean sources; and to introduce building automation systems (to optimize the energy consumption). In this lecture the following topics will be presented: definition of ZEH, including a review of definitions, parameters influencing the definition and examples, criteria to build or refurbish to a ZEH standard and some questions and examples related with the design, construction and operation of new Zero Carbon Homes.
In a world of increasing global population and constant transformation, where climate change and ... more In a world of increasing global population and constant transformation, where climate change and limited natural resources have become undeniable facts, there is a growing demand for housing that efficiently and adequately responds to the needs of the masses, while limiting environmental impacts. Given this setting, the objective of this introductory chapter is multi-fold and intends to carry a holistic review of mass housing paradigms, trends, challenges and production in order to uncover its future potentials. Henceforth, the generic challenges and the complex and inter-related driving forces shaping the mass housing production are first underlined. Following, mass housing is explored through its conceptual and sometimes shifting paradigms; from social egalitarian state, welfare state, to the market driven context and the participatory concepts. In each pattern, the various policies and processes are discussed, while representative case studies from different contexts are presented and critically reviewed to uncover both their achievements and drawbacks. This chapter ends with an exploration of the anticipated approaches for mass housing in both developed and developing countries. This encompasses the predicted environmental, economic and social sustainability as well as the technical challenges and the expected, or rather recommended, scenarios for confronting such challenges. In this regard, the perceived future mass housing approaches, decision-making processes, forms and technical opportunities are briefly discussed.
Solar thermal-powered desiccant dehumidification systems are attracting attention for cooling loa... more Solar thermal-powered desiccant dehumidification systems are attracting attention for cooling load-dominated climates. However, their performance varies substantially from place to place depending on climatic conditions, which therefore warrants a tailored design and specification at each geographical location. The current article attempted to investigate the feasibility of extending an existing solar thermal system in a school building in Abu Dhabi to provide dehumidification for the existing air condition system through a desiccant system. The system performance was predicted through a Transient System (TRNSYS) Simulation model to determine the energy savings achieved by the solar-assisted dehumidification system. The current articles determined the effect of fluid flow rate, solar radiation concentration, and heat exchanger effectiveness at the dehumidification of the fresh air as well as energy saved by the proposed system. It was concluded that the system can remove 35% moisture from the air, simultaneously saving 10% of the building's energy. The system cost and benefit analysis revealed a payback period of 7.5 years, considered slightly higher for an attractive investment in such systems.
In the vernacular housing, the courtyard is the main structural space, whether by its location, f... more In the vernacular housing, the courtyard is the main structural space, whether by its location, function, or symbolism. The experience of El Miniawy brothers in their project "124 logements CNEP" at Biskra with its typology was promoted as "the alternative" to the conventional and traditional "courtyard house." It was reformulated as a new multi-housing typology. Their approach is based on the conversion of the traditional house’s organisation around the "courtyard" from a horizontal to a vertical one in the contemporary house. This vision is argued by its designers as being inspired by local life way, to reformulate the "courtyard" space in a contemporary living environment. The present paper is an investigation that aims to evaluate this experimental project and see if it succeeded in convincing its residents as an alternative to both conventional contemporary housing and vernacular one. The study is based on two approaches. A lite...
The study and research described in this paper aims to reveal the unexplored aesthetical role of ... more The study and research described in this paper aims to reveal the unexplored aesthetical role of colors used for the ceramics in a mosque from the Marinid dynasty in Tlemcen, Algeria. The methodological approach consists firstly, of a formal analysis of the mosque’s artwork by describing its elements and composition and related principles. Secondly, the patterns and geometries are analyzed in-depth using artistic color concepts and laws of color contrast. The analysis demonstrates that the contrasts between bright, pure and dynamic colors provide luminosity, dynamism, rhythm, brightness and an optical mix. The color contrasts are also found to provide visual illusions of mass, volume or movement, as well as depth and relief that ultimately result in influencing the overall ambience of the mosque. The study thus enables the chromatic authenticity of this architectural heritage to be preserved by providing the necessary data for potential conservation, as well as providing a basis for...
Under clear sunny skies, a building requires more knowledge in terms of architectural daylighting... more Under clear sunny skies, a building requires more knowledge in terms of architectural daylighting design because of the complexity of the phenomenon and the wide variety of its parameters and impacts. This study focuses on office employees' behaviour in relation to natural and/or artificial lighting and investigates the relationship between: i) the natural/artifical lighting use, ii) the perceptual views induced/generated by the related internal luminous environment, iii) the impact of the external natural luminous environment on the recourse to natural and/or artifical lighting, iv) the office conformation, v) the internal movable shading devices use, and vi) the users' characteristics. This POE investigates an office building located in the city of Biskra in Algeria, where a clear and sunny sky combined with a hot arid climate prevails. The study results revealed that: i) the office employees perceive daylight somehow differently from the attitude towards it, ii) the windo...
Architecture bridges between art and science, calling for a harmonious balance of multiple needs ... more Architecture bridges between art and science, calling for a harmonious balance of multiple needs and complex issues. Considering that architecture is a man’s creation for men, this research explores it from the relationship of human factors in architecture. It specifically focuses on the relationships between users and natural light (both sunlight and daylight) in the architectural production of the 20th century. A critical review is undertaken for the case of the 20th century most famous modern architects in terms of architectural daylighting and its relationships to the users' perception and behaviour. The investigative approach relies on a literature review, in situ observations and some interviews with the current buildings’ managers. Six contemporary architects’ work composed the study corpus. The results highlight first that i) users did not perceive natural light as architects did, ii) users’ feelings could not replace the other factors contributing to the generation of t...
Global interest in Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) has grown following forecasts of a co... more Global interest in Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) has grown following forecasts of a compound annual growth rate of 18.7% and a total of 5.4 GW installed worldwide from 2013 to 2019. Although the BIPV technology has been in the public domain for the last three decades, its adoption has been hindered. Existing literature asserts that proper information and education at the proposal or early design stage is an important way of addressing adoption barriers. However, there is a lack of BIPV communication approaches for research, and market proposals that focus on clear information about its benefits. This has limited the adoption of BIPV.. Based on this, the present study aims to develop a conceptual framework for an educative-communication approach for presenting BIPV proposals to encourage its adoption. This is aimed at developing holistic research and market proposals which justify scholarly investigation and financial investment. Using a multiple case study investigation a...
Technological advancement in Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) has converted the building ... more Technological advancement in Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) has converted the building façade into a renewable energy-based generator. The BIPV façade is designed to provide energy generation along with conventional design objectives such as aesthetics and environmental control. The challenge however, is that architectural design objectives sometimes conflict with energy performance, such as the provision of view and daylight versus maximum power output. In innovative cases, the characteristics of conventional BIPV façades have been modified by researchers to address such conflicts through customization as an emerging trend in BIPV façade design. Although extensive reviews exist on BIPV product types, design integration, adoption barriers and performance issues, research on BIPV customization has not been reviewed as a solution to BIPV adoption. This paper seeks to review the potential of BIPV façade customization as a means of enhancing BIPV adoption. The current paper identifies customization parameters ranging from the customization category, level, and strategies, and related architectural potential along with an assessment of their impact. The findings reflect that elemental and compositional level customization using combined customization strategies provide enhanced BIPV products. These products are well integrated for both energy generation and aesthetic applications with a power output increase of up to 80% in some cases. The paper concludes that a wide range of BIPV adoption barriers such as aesthetics, architectural integration, and performance can be overcome by appropriate BIPV customization.
Smart buildings deploying 5G and the Internet of Things (IoT) are viewed as the next sustainable ... more Smart buildings deploying 5G and the Internet of Things (IoT) are viewed as the next sustainable solution that can be seamlessly integrated in all sectors of the built environment. The benefits are well advertised and range from inducing wellness and monitoring health, amplifying productivity, to energy savings. Comparatively, potential negative risks are less known and mostly relate to cyber-security threats and radiation effects. This meta-integrative qualitative synthesis research sought to determine the possible underlying demerits from developing smart buildings, and whether they outweigh the possible benefits. The study identified five master themes as threats of smart buildings: a surfeit of data centers, the proliferation of undersea cables, the consternation of cyber-security threats, electromagnetic pollution, and E-waste accumulation. Further, the paper discusses the rebound impacts on humans and the environment as smart buildings' actualization becomes a reality. The study reveals that, although some aspects of smart buildings do have their tangible benefits, the potential repercussions from these not-so-discussed threats could undermine the former when all perspectives and interactions are analyzed collectively rather than in isolation.
Similar to many fast growing countries, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) witnessed fast population ... more Similar to many fast growing countries, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) witnessed fast population and urbanization growth. The building sector accounts for a major share of its electricity consumption, reaching up to 70%. To encourage sustainable development and reduce energy consumption and emissions, the government introduced a sustainability initiative called "Estidama", which employs the use of the Pearl Building Rating System (PBRS). Government buildings, which constitute 20% of the built environment, aim to lead the way, and are therefore required to attain a high level of achievement, based on their PBRS ranking (minimum of two out of five pearls). Schools, led by Abu Dhabi Educational Council (ADEC), are governmental buildings and aim to attain a higher level of achievement (three out of five pearls). The ADEC plans to build one hundred schools to be built by 2020, through its Future Schools Program. Over half of the schools have been completed, but only 20% reached the targeted rating (of three out of five pearls). The Renewable Energy (RE) application in the UAE is minimal, although it represents 25% of the local rating code. The objective of this paper is to explore the sustainable performance of one representative school that did not reach the desired green rating level, with the objective to assess opportunities for an enhanced performance. This is done through testing the performance and the application of three RE systems comprising of photovoltaics (PV) array, an absorption cooling system and a geothermal cooling system through Transient Systems Simulation (TRNSYS) software. Cumulatively, implementation of these options results in RE potentially contributing to 19% of the school's annual energy consumption, enhancing the school's performance by up to 14 additional credit points, and reaching the target level of achievement (a three pearl rating). Furthermore, system integration of RE into the existing school were also considered. Results indicate the significant potential of integrating RE systems in future schools in hot climatic contexts, for an improved energy performance.
The current article evaluates a method of cooling low concentration photovoltaic (CPV) through th... more The current article evaluates a method of cooling low concentration photovoltaic (CPV) through the solid-liquid phase change material (PCM) to mitigate temperature-based power losses and utilize the recovered heat. The heat stored in the melted PCM is exchanged with domestic supply water, thus developing a novel CPV-PCM thermal (CPV-PCM/T) system. The CPV-PCM/T system is evaluated outdoors in the extreme hot weather conditions of Al Ain, United Arab Emirates (UAE) for the three consecutive days. The energy performance of CPV-PCM/T system is compared to the ordinary flat plate collector (FPC) and the experiments run simultaneously at the same site. Although the CPV-PCM/T produces lesser net energy (1527 kWh/m 2 -day) compared to FPC (1803 kWh/m 2 -day) yet the cost of production is 28% lower than the FPC.
As a result of an increasing demand for energy-efficient buildings with a better experience of us... more As a result of an increasing demand for energy-efficient buildings with a better experience of user comfort, the built environment sector needs to consider the prediction of building energy performance, which during the design phase, is achieved when a building is handed over and used. There is, however, significant evidence that shows that buildings do not perform as anticipated. This discrepancy is commonly described as the 'energy performance gap'. Building energy audit and post occupancy evaluation (POE) are among the most efficient processes to identify and reduce the energy performance gap and improve indoor environmental quality by observing, monitoring, and the documentation of in-use buildings' operating performance. In this study, a case study of UAE university buildings' energy audit, POE, and dynamic simulation were carried out to first, www.videleaf.com identify factors of the dynamic energy performance gap, and then to identify the utility of the strategy for reducing the gap. Furthermore, the building energy audit data and POE were applied in order to validate and calibrate a dynamic simulation model. This research demonstrated that the case study building's systems were not operating as designed and almost a quarter of the cooling energy was wasted due to the fault of the building facility management of the mechanical systems. The more research findings were discussed in the paper.
2018 5th International Conference on Renewable Energy: Generation and Applications (ICREGA), 2018
The electricity consumption per capita in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is one of the highest in... more The electricity consumption per capita in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is one of the highest in the world. The built environment accounts for 70% of the energy consumption, with the residential sector leading the way. Most of the energy is used in cooling to mitigate the local extreme hot climate. A condition further exacerbated by the lack of an energy building code until 2010. Hence, the existing building stock of which the residential sector is a major component is a prime target for an energy efficient retrofit. Hence, this paper explores the opportunities for building energy efficiency retrofitting in an existing representative residential unit in Al Ain city, UAE. First, thermal leakage through the building envelope is audited through infrared thermography. Then, building envelope upgrades are tested through simulation. The results indicate potential annual electricity savings up to 48.6% through building envelope insulation primarily leading to a 50% reduction of CO2 emissi...
Sustainable Development and Social Responsibility—Volume 1, 2020
Existing buildings in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) account for over 65% of the total energy con... more Existing buildings in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) account for over 65% of the total energy consumption, with the residential sector leading the way with around 40%. Further, the energy demand trend is expected to keep rising, confirming its threefold increase from 2000 to 2012. Factors such as population growth, economic development, the physical building characteristics, climate differentials, and occupants’ behavior have resulted in high-electricity demand, ranking the UAE as one of the highest energy consumptions per capita in the world. As a result, the UAE government has taken far-reaching actions to curb energy consumption. As such, building regulations and codes emerged as well as energy-saving media campaigns. While actions and studies are flourishing in terms of building energy efficiency, very little is known about occupants’ behavior and energy usage in their home, despite the vast body of literature acknowledging that occupants’ behavior is a driving factor in determining building energy consumption. Particularly in the UAE, there is evidence that the local Emirati population carries higher home energy usage than the expatriates. This paper reports on an exploratory qualitative study aimed to investigate first, nationals’ behavioral patterns and second, its consequent impact on energy consumption in their detached houses (villas) in the city of Al Ain (Abu Dhabi Emirate). The methodology is based on semi-structured interviews, addressing occupants’ daily energy usage patterns, cultural aspects and their awareness level of energy consumption in their homes. Housing data and electricity bills have also been considered. An exploratory pilot study with a small number of units was carried out in the month of June. This paper presents preliminary results of this investigation, expected to contribute to a better understanding of Emirati energy consumption patterns in relation to their culture, way of life, and potentially established appropriate venues to address energy use reduction in the residential sector of the UAE.
In the last 50 years a fifth of the planet’s inhabitants had a strong development that deeply cha... more In the last 50 years a fifth of the planet’s inhabitants had a strong development that deeply changed their habits and their life quality. For this enhancement, the people of the developed areas paid a high price. A large use of energy, produced from non-renewable sources as fossil fuels, increased the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions into the atmosphere with several problems and a huge impact on the nature. As a consequence, there is a need to rethink the design of buildings, cities and their organizations. The challenge for the new sustainable cities is to grow according to the lifestyles of today and tomorrow, while implementing a better relation between the nature and the mankind and restoring the lost human contacts. An option for doing this is to design and develop Zero Energy Homes (ZEH) reducing to the minimum the impact of pollution and the exploitation of non-renewable sources. In particular, the following aspects should be considered: to use of renewable and recycled materials; to improve the energy efficiency of buildings; to introduce more efficient energy systems that use alternative and clean sources; and to introduce building automation systems (to optimize the energy consumption). In this lecture the following topics will be presented: definition of ZEH, including a review of definitions, parameters influencing the definition and examples, criteria to build or refurbish to a ZEH standard and some questions and examples related with the design, construction and operation of new Zero Carbon Homes.
In a world of increasing global population and constant transformation, where climate change and ... more In a world of increasing global population and constant transformation, where climate change and limited natural resources have become undeniable facts, there is a growing demand for housing that efficiently and adequately responds to the needs of the masses, while limiting environmental impacts. Given this setting, the objective of this introductory chapter is multi-fold and intends to carry a holistic review of mass housing paradigms, trends, challenges and production in order to uncover its future potentials. Henceforth, the generic challenges and the complex and inter-related driving forces shaping the mass housing production are first underlined. Following, mass housing is explored through its conceptual and sometimes shifting paradigms; from social egalitarian state, welfare state, to the market driven context and the participatory concepts. In each pattern, the various policies and processes are discussed, while representative case studies from different contexts are presented and critically reviewed to uncover both their achievements and drawbacks. This chapter ends with an exploration of the anticipated approaches for mass housing in both developed and developing countries. This encompasses the predicted environmental, economic and social sustainability as well as the technical challenges and the expected, or rather recommended, scenarios for confronting such challenges. In this regard, the perceived future mass housing approaches, decision-making processes, forms and technical opportunities are briefly discussed.
Solar thermal-powered desiccant dehumidification systems are attracting attention for cooling loa... more Solar thermal-powered desiccant dehumidification systems are attracting attention for cooling load-dominated climates. However, their performance varies substantially from place to place depending on climatic conditions, which therefore warrants a tailored design and specification at each geographical location. The current article attempted to investigate the feasibility of extending an existing solar thermal system in a school building in Abu Dhabi to provide dehumidification for the existing air condition system through a desiccant system. The system performance was predicted through a Transient System (TRNSYS) Simulation model to determine the energy savings achieved by the solar-assisted dehumidification system. The current articles determined the effect of fluid flow rate, solar radiation concentration, and heat exchanger effectiveness at the dehumidification of the fresh air as well as energy saved by the proposed system. It was concluded that the system can remove 35% moisture from the air, simultaneously saving 10% of the building's energy. The system cost and benefit analysis revealed a payback period of 7.5 years, considered slightly higher for an attractive investment in such systems.
In the vernacular housing, the courtyard is the main structural space, whether by its location, f... more In the vernacular housing, the courtyard is the main structural space, whether by its location, function, or symbolism. The experience of El Miniawy brothers in their project "124 logements CNEP" at Biskra with its typology was promoted as "the alternative" to the conventional and traditional "courtyard house." It was reformulated as a new multi-housing typology. Their approach is based on the conversion of the traditional house’s organisation around the "courtyard" from a horizontal to a vertical one in the contemporary house. This vision is argued by its designers as being inspired by local life way, to reformulate the "courtyard" space in a contemporary living environment. The present paper is an investigation that aims to evaluate this experimental project and see if it succeeded in convincing its residents as an alternative to both conventional contemporary housing and vernacular one. The study is based on two approaches. A lite...
The study and research described in this paper aims to reveal the unexplored aesthetical role of ... more The study and research described in this paper aims to reveal the unexplored aesthetical role of colors used for the ceramics in a mosque from the Marinid dynasty in Tlemcen, Algeria. The methodological approach consists firstly, of a formal analysis of the mosque’s artwork by describing its elements and composition and related principles. Secondly, the patterns and geometries are analyzed in-depth using artistic color concepts and laws of color contrast. The analysis demonstrates that the contrasts between bright, pure and dynamic colors provide luminosity, dynamism, rhythm, brightness and an optical mix. The color contrasts are also found to provide visual illusions of mass, volume or movement, as well as depth and relief that ultimately result in influencing the overall ambience of the mosque. The study thus enables the chromatic authenticity of this architectural heritage to be preserved by providing the necessary data for potential conservation, as well as providing a basis for...
Under clear sunny skies, a building requires more knowledge in terms of architectural daylighting... more Under clear sunny skies, a building requires more knowledge in terms of architectural daylighting design because of the complexity of the phenomenon and the wide variety of its parameters and impacts. This study focuses on office employees' behaviour in relation to natural and/or artificial lighting and investigates the relationship between: i) the natural/artifical lighting use, ii) the perceptual views induced/generated by the related internal luminous environment, iii) the impact of the external natural luminous environment on the recourse to natural and/or artifical lighting, iv) the office conformation, v) the internal movable shading devices use, and vi) the users' characteristics. This POE investigates an office building located in the city of Biskra in Algeria, where a clear and sunny sky combined with a hot arid climate prevails. The study results revealed that: i) the office employees perceive daylight somehow differently from the attitude towards it, ii) the windo...
Architecture bridges between art and science, calling for a harmonious balance of multiple needs ... more Architecture bridges between art and science, calling for a harmonious balance of multiple needs and complex issues. Considering that architecture is a man’s creation for men, this research explores it from the relationship of human factors in architecture. It specifically focuses on the relationships between users and natural light (both sunlight and daylight) in the architectural production of the 20th century. A critical review is undertaken for the case of the 20th century most famous modern architects in terms of architectural daylighting and its relationships to the users' perception and behaviour. The investigative approach relies on a literature review, in situ observations and some interviews with the current buildings’ managers. Six contemporary architects’ work composed the study corpus. The results highlight first that i) users did not perceive natural light as architects did, ii) users’ feelings could not replace the other factors contributing to the generation of t...
Global interest in Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) has grown following forecasts of a co... more Global interest in Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) has grown following forecasts of a compound annual growth rate of 18.7% and a total of 5.4 GW installed worldwide from 2013 to 2019. Although the BIPV technology has been in the public domain for the last three decades, its adoption has been hindered. Existing literature asserts that proper information and education at the proposal or early design stage is an important way of addressing adoption barriers. However, there is a lack of BIPV communication approaches for research, and market proposals that focus on clear information about its benefits. This has limited the adoption of BIPV.. Based on this, the present study aims to develop a conceptual framework for an educative-communication approach for presenting BIPV proposals to encourage its adoption. This is aimed at developing holistic research and market proposals which justify scholarly investigation and financial investment. Using a multiple case study investigation a...
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Papers by A. Tabet