A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
A platform for research: civil engineering, architecture and urbanism
Vernacular climate control in desert architecture
AbstractArchitects today have at their disposal a rich variety of mechanical means to control the climatic environment in buildings they design. Consequently, it has become a common tendency to rely entirely on engineers and their equipment to achieve comfortable climatic conditions in building spaces. Yet, this attitude appears to carry along unwelcome side-effects: not only has a building's initial cost risen considerably, but smooth functioning of artificial systems requires periodical and costly maintenance, in addition to the need for energy over the life of the building, and all this accompanied by other environmental drawbacks such as noise, pollution and various hazards.It is an unrealistic standpoint to reject what modern technology can provide to ensure a better building climatic environment. However, instead of relying wholly on mechanical means, the architect should, through a meaningful design, direct his efforts to achieve the best possible natural climatic control which, then, may be supplemented by artificial processes.The paper discusses how vernacular architecture, sited in the extremely harsh conditions of the desert context, has tackled the issue of climatic regulation and efficiency relying only on natural means.
Vernacular climate control in desert architecture
AbstractArchitects today have at their disposal a rich variety of mechanical means to control the climatic environment in buildings they design. Consequently, it has become a common tendency to rely entirely on engineers and their equipment to achieve comfortable climatic conditions in building spaces. Yet, this attitude appears to carry along unwelcome side-effects: not only has a building's initial cost risen considerably, but smooth functioning of artificial systems requires periodical and costly maintenance, in addition to the need for energy over the life of the building, and all this accompanied by other environmental drawbacks such as noise, pollution and various hazards.It is an unrealistic standpoint to reject what modern technology can provide to ensure a better building climatic environment. However, instead of relying wholly on mechanical means, the architect should, through a meaningful design, direct his efforts to achieve the best possible natural climatic control which, then, may be supplemented by artificial processes.The paper discusses how vernacular architecture, sited in the extremely harsh conditions of the desert context, has tackled the issue of climatic regulation and efficiency relying only on natural means.
Vernacular climate control in desert architecture
Vefik Alp, Ahmet (author)
Energy and Buildings ; 16 ; 809-815
1991-01-01
7 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
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