Sanaz Litkouhi, Sanaz Esmaeili,
Volume 23, Issue 2 (12-2013)
Abstract
Abstract Climate has an important effect on operation of the traditional building architecture and its energy consumption in desert area of Iran. Absence of water and unpleasant climate of these regions compelled people to build their houses with some strategies based on effective energy expenditure. Therefore, builders try to use natural climatic strategies for confronting hard situations. Narrow and droughty streets, much lofty air traps, upland walls, big water reservoirs, and vaulted roofed chambers are the distinguished features of desert towns in Iran. Techniques and principles used in this architecture obviously have many new notions in themselves in sustainable architecture arena. Techniques and principles of this architecture show that considering the experiment in traditional architecture of desert regions is conceivable to create an ecological and sustainable architecture. The sustainable architecture that advances to a point in order to be permitted to attain its aims deems necessary the design of any building with the least detrimental effect on environment as well as the design compatible with nature. This study uses qualitative content analyzemethod and tries to extract features that have been used in Iranian traditional architecture in two different categories: urban texture and architecture. Iranian’s Hot-Arid zones architecture includes numerous unique features which comprehend aesthetic exigencies and environmental capacity.
M. Kazemi Shishavan, F. Sadat Mirakbari, F. Nicol,
Volume 29, Issue 2 (12-2019)
Abstract
Thermal mass is the material's ability to store heat and release it after an amount of time and concrete is considered one of the best thermal mass material. Since concrete has been used widely in many building constructions, by considering the capability of concrete in terms of thermal mass, it is worthwhile to use this ability of concrete in order to build buildings more healthy and comfortable for an increase in the occupants’ performance. Ventilated Hollow Core Slab (VHCS) is one of the efficient ways to provide adequate thermal mass within buildings. The present study aimed to assess the thermal performance of VHCS; and its effect on the occupant's thermal comfort of a college building located in Luton, England, using a VHCS system as the exposed thermal mass. Various techniques have been used over two weeks and the recorded data were analyzed. Based on the findings from the review of existing literature in the field and the integrated approach outlined in this paper, results indicate that the application of VHCS as a thermal mass in university buildings decrease not only the daily temperature fluctuation but also the number of times with extreme heat or colds. Results also show the influence of the system on the level of habitants’ thermal comfort; though, this influence could be varied hinge on physical and psychological factors.
