International Conference on Renewable Energies and Power Quality (ICREPQ’16) Madrid (Spain), 4 th to 6 th May, 2016 Renewable Energy and Power Quality Journal (RE&PQJ) ISSN 2172-038 X, No.14 May 2016 Environmental behaviour of semi-open spaces in Mediterranean vernacular architecture. The case of rural traditional dwellings of Cyprus E. Malaktou 1 , M. Philokyprou 1 , A. Michael 1 and A. Savvides 1 1 Department of Architecture University of Cyprus Phone number: + 357 22895412, e-mail: meleni@ucy.ac.cy, mphiloky@ucy.ac.cy, aimilios@ucy.ac.cy, als@ucy.ac.cy Abstract. The environmental advantages of semi-open spaces have long been recognized. Such spaces have the ability to mediate outdoor temperatures through the reduction of solar heat gains. Nevertheless, such claims lack quantitative validation since the majority of researches on semi-open spaces have been based on qualitative assessments. In order to address this issue, the present study focuses on the environmental study of traditional semi-open spaces of Cyprus through onsite air temperature, relative humidity and solar radiation measurements during different seasons of the year. Drawing from the onsite measurements, the environmental behaviour of semi-open spaces in relation to different orientations and architectural layouts is discussed, while the environmental effect of outdoor climatic variables is additionally investigated. The above mentioned parameters are considered to be the determining factors affecting the thermal behaviour of a semi-open space. The findings of this study indicate that semi-open spaces may result in a variety of microclimatic conditions which can create more thermally adaptive environments. The assessment of the microclimate of traditional semi-open spaces could help towards the evaluation of such spaces as authentic bioclimatic elements and contribute to their proper conservation in the rehabilitation of traditional buildings. Key words Semi-open spaces, Mediterranean climate, vernacular architecture, environmental behaviour, onsite measurements 1. Introduction Semi-open spaces are significant features of Mediterranean dwellings that respond to the mild climatic conditions and the lifestyle of the locals. Such structures can be found in several public and domestic buildings in different historic periods. In the ruins of the ancient Greek settlement of Olynthos, many dwellings of the Classical period incorporate a colonnade semi-open area bordering the courtyard, called pastas, usually south oriented to offer protection from intense solar radiation [1]. Moreover, in the domestic architecture of the Cycladic island of Delos several peristyle courts were excavated dating back to the Late Hellenistic period. Peristyle courts were open to light and air, assuring natural daylight penetration and ventilation to the indoor spaces. The Hellenistic peristyle court later became a distinctive feature of dwellings during the Roman period, and comprised a vital element of Roman villas, such as those in Pompeii [2]. Over the centuries, semi-open spaces took various forms and were applied extensively in the vernacular architecture of the Mediterranean. Located in the Eastern Mediterranean region, Cyprus itself has a long tradition of semi-open spaces —namely the remains of peristyle courts of Roman villas, the Medieval (Latin) pass-through vaulted semi-open spaces which provided direct access from the street to the internal courtyard, as well as a number of pointed-arches defining semi-open spaces— in one or more internal elevations of dwellings. Similar design solutions for semi-open spaces had, until recently, been followed in the vernacular architecture of Cyprus since such spaces respond well to the hot and semi-arid type of climate of the island. As a transitional zone between indoors and outdoors, semi-open spaces have the ability of mediating outdoor temperatures and improving the thermal comfort of the interior —by reducing solar heat gains— while, at the same time, contributing to filtering intense daylight and providing protection from rain [3]. Apart from their essential bioclimatic contribution, semi-open spaces serve as circulation spaces and have been extensively exploited for household and agricultural activities, as well as, for social gatherings. Although they respond well to a series of social, climatic and functional design concerns, semi- open spaces have been underestimated in contemporary domestic architecture mainly due to the limited consideration of the local context in the design process. Up until now, the study of semi-open spaces from an environmental perspective has not been very extensive and past studies have mainly concentrated on typological aspects [4]. This study attempts to investigate the interrelation between semi-open space orientation and architectural layout with microclimatic conditions and the effect of outdoor climatic variables and season shifts with regards to the thermal behavior of semi-open spaces. The aim of this research is to help towards the proper https://doi.org/10.24084/repqj14.406 599 RE&PQJ, No.14, May 2016