Disconnection with nature and history as a result of modernist approaches occurred in the early twentieth century has led to great consequences. Climate change, environmental problems and energy and resources crises have posed numerous challenges to contemporary architects across the globe. The present paper focuses on the issue of passive thermoregulation strategies in vernacular and biomimetic architecture two approaches in architecture that connect architecture to nature and history -which can offer solutions for environmental crisis. The main objective of this study is to highlight the similarities and differences between vernacular and biomimetic architecture based on passive thermoregulation criterion. So the main question is: what are the common features of biomimetic and vernacular architecture in their use of passive thermoregulatory mechanisms. In this study, the comparative method is used to point out the similarities and differences that can be found between some case studies of vernacular and biomimetic architecture. First, some examples of biomimetic architecture are selected using desk studies and, then, their approach to heat regulation are analyzed using descriptive-analytical research methodology. The results show that while vernacular architecture has a static nature and is depended on low-tech and biomimetic architecture has a dynamic (kinetic), intelligence and interactive nature which relies on high-tech and new materials, their approaches to thermoregulation are similar in some ways. While different in form, they are both based on controlling solar radiation through shading, dissipating heat through convective and evaporative cooling systems, and using the sun as a renewable source of energy.

Passive Thermoregulation in Vernacular and Biomimetic Architecture in Hot and Arid Climate

Publisher Summary The energy consumed in residential and commercial structures is associated with the maintenance of comfortable ambient conditions and, depending on the type of structure involved, the energy consumed in specialized appliances and equipment. Residential structures are divided into two broad categories: (1) centrally supplied heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and (2) dwelling units that have individual heating and air conditioning systems. This chapter describes the manner in which energy is consumed in residential and commercial systems and the areas in which research is required to reduce such consumption. The research items recommended are long-lead items and do not reflect the many energy-conservative measures possible today at relatively low cost. The major difference between residential and commercial structures is the internal load. The chapter presents the distribution of energy consumption by function for the commercial sector. The internal loads in such structures are so high that air conditioning is the primary space conditioning requirement.

Residential and commercial systems

Thermal refurbishment and retrofitting building envelopes with passive measures such as the optimisation of opaque and transparent fabric performance may play a key role in reducing cooling and heating load and promoting building energy efficiency. Furthermore, to reduce the embodied carbon impact of the building, the refurbishment measures need to consider the use of low-carbon building materials. This paper investigates ways to thermally future-proof typical Libyan houses using biobased materials. Several typical Libyan houses were monitored for one year to investigate the heating and cooling energy use and to thermally retrofit the building envelope. A digital twin was created in the DesignBuilder software using the real building data of one building for digital model calibration. Finally, multi-objective optimisation was carried out with low-impact biobased materials for insulation, including camel hair, sheep wool, and date palm fibre as well as using other optimisation variables such as shading and glazing types. The study reveals that thermally upgrading the building roof and wall with insulation materials and upgrading the windows with energy-efficient glazing and local shadings can achieve a reduction in cooling load from 53.51 kWh/m2/y to 40.8 kWh/m2/y. Furthermore, the heating load reduces from 19.4 kW/m2/y to 15 kW/m2/y without compromising the standard annual discomfort hours.

Thermally Future-Proofing Existing Libyan Housing Stock with Biobased Insulation Materials and Passive Measures: An Empirical and Numerical Study Using a Digital Twin

Natural ventilation is constantly present in buildings but it is difficult
to measure. Prefabricated buildings play an important part in the study
of natural ventilation, as they constitute approximately 15% of Hungary´s
total stock of buildings. Consequently, if we can find a solution for their
economical operation, for instance by controlling the heat lost through
natural ventilation, we will take an important step towards substantial
savings for the national economy as well. We can do more than
apply new materials and use modern technology. We have to study the effect
of the limitation of filtration, and the probability of the appearance of
moulding. (The train of thought outlined in the article is part of my future
PhD. thesis being prepared with the help of Dr. Szell, Maria, my
supervisor at the department.)

The importance of natural ventilation for the climate of dwelling houses

This study investigates the impact of the intense usage of air-conditioning systems on the thermal comfort requirements of building occupants. It compares the thermal comfort requirements of building occupants in Iraq and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Iraqis have limited usage of air-conditioning units, whilst people in GCC countries intensely operate these systems. Research work underpinning this article involved undertaking a year-long thermal comfort survey in Iraq, and an intensive analysis of thermal comfort studies conducted in GCC countries. Results show that, in Iraq, people experience a 2–50 °C annual indoor temperature range, and their annual comfort range is 14–35 °C. In GCC countries, due to the intense usage of air-conditioning systems, the widest recorded annual indoor temperature range is 17.2–31.0 °C, and the widest annual comfort range is 20.0–27.8 °C. These results demonstrate the significant impact of air-conditioning systems on narrowing the thermal comfort limits of building occupants leading to high energy consumption. This study presents a novel comparison between two cases highlighting the impact of air-conditioning systems on the thermal comfort requirements of building occupants. The results of this study can be used to inform the development of thermal comfort standards that better consider people’s adaptation capabilities to help reduce energy consumption for heating and cooling purposes.

Impact of Energy-Consuming Air Conditioning Systems on People's Thermal Comfort and Preferences: Comparative Study of Iraq and Gulf Cooperation Council Countries

The study aims to understand the passive design strategies of domestic vernacular buildings in hot dry climate and to apply design techniques which can utilize the favourable and at the same time can minimize the unfavourable elements of the local climate on a modern building. This aim was led to evaluate and propose application of design solutions of passive cooling techniques for improving the indoor thermal environment condition. However, this study was considering thermal performance of building envelope in naturally ventilated buildings toward reducing energy loads in hot arid zone of Libya and Ghadames city in particular in terms of using passive cooling techniques, which has the most profound effect on a building’s indoor environment.

The Efficient Strategy of Passive Cooling Design in Desert Housing: A Case Study in Ghadames, Libya

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The Efficient Strategy of Passive Cooling Design in Desert Housing: A Case Study in Ghadames, Libya