Available online at www.CivileJournal.org
Civil Engineering Journal
(E-ISSN: 2476-3055; ISSN: 2676-6957)
Vol. 10, No. 03, March, 2024
928
Integrating Technology and Heritage Design for Climate
Resilient Courtyard House in Arid Region
Afaq H. Chohan
1*
, Jihad Awad
1
, Muhammad A. Ismail
1, 2
, Mohammad S. Arar
1
1
Department of Architecture, College of Architecture, Art and Design, Ajman University, Ajman, UAE.
2
Department of Architecture, Faculty of Built Environment, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Received 23 December 2023; Revised 12 February 2024; Accepted 18 February 2024; Published 01 March 2024
Abstract
This research has investigated the sustainability and climate resilience of courtyard houses of adobe architecture in the
UAE. It analyzed design effectiveness in terms of power consumption, CO2 emissions, thermal comfort, and daylight use,
employing simulations to assess building structures and construction systems. Adopting a three-phase mixed-methods
approach, the study began with a literature review on courtyard house design, construction, and environmental performance,
emphasizing sustainable design and passive ventilation. The second phase involved a case study of a UAE courtyard house
(Al Midfa), including site visits, interviews, and energy consumption and CO2 emission data collection. The final phase
used building energy simulation software to model energy performance and evaluate passive ventilation's role in reducing
energy consumption and CO2 emissions, with simulation results validated against real-world data. Advanced Sefaira
simulations with the Energy Plus Engine identified one out of seven modified models (M5) as exceptionally thermally
efficient, influencing the architectural design of the Al Midfa house. To transform the Al Midfa house into a sustainable
climate-resistant structure, the research suggested retrofitting with new glazing and insulation on the inside of external
walls and on the roof surface at a combined U-value of 0.4 W/m
2
to enhance energy efficiency without altering the exterior.
A notable innovation was the use of injected cellulose insulation in wall systems, combining efficient insulation with
architectural aesthetics, signifying a shift towards energy-efficient interior modifications. The study's findings contribute
to the evolution of traditional house designs toward climate change resilience and a sustainable future.
Keywords: Adobe Architecture; CO2 Emission; Energy Consumption; Thermal Condition; Traditional Construction; Courtyard House in
Hot & Dry Climate.
1. Introduction
This study emerges as a scholarly response to the escalating concerns over climate change and the resultant impact
of constructed environments on greenhouse gas emissions, precipitating a heightened emphasis on environmentally
sustainable design and energy preservation approaches. The principle of climate resilience underpins the development
of architectural structures and infrastructural systems robust enough to endure climate change impacts [1]. While
traditional courtyard dwellings are architecturally tailored to the specific climatic challenges of their locations, the
integration of climate resilience with these vernacular structures has become a focal area within architectural and
environmental design scholarship. Recent trends indicate an increasing inclination to merge these two domains, aiming
to establish structures that are both environmentally sustainable and resilient, aligning seamlessly with local ecological
contexts.
* Corresponding author: a.chohan@ajman.ac.ae
http://dx.doi.org/10.28991/CEJ-2024-010-03-018
© 2024 by the authors. Licensee C.E.J, Tehran, Iran. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and
conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC-BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).