Fig 15 - uploaded by Hossam Hassan Elborombaly
Content may be subject to copyright.
Source publication
Abstract
The vernacular architecture in Middle East is the product of land, the local climate, and culture. The human needs and the environment represented the most essential factors to be considered in their designs. The traditional and vernacular architecture of this region introduced many realistic solutions and devices to the local environmenta...
Similar publications
![Figure 1: Catalhoyuk proto-city [4]](profile/D-Ben-Guida/publication/307995450/figure/fig1/AS:490202398498817@1493884767908/Catalhoyuk-proto-city-4_Q320.jpg)
![Figure 2: Earthen construction around the world [5]](profile/D-Ben-Guida/publication/307995450/figure/fig2/AS:490202398498818@1493884767927/Earthen-construction-around-the-world-5_Q320.jpg)
![Figure 3: Economakis refugee housing floor plan proposal [8]](profile/D-Ben-Guida/publication/307995450/figure/fig3/AS:490202398498819@1493884767943/Economakis-refugee-housing-floor-plan-proposal-8_Q320.jpg)
![Figure 4: Hassan Fathy air temperature fluctuation experiment [10]](profile/D-Ben-Guida/publication/307995450/figure/fig4/AS:490202398498820@1493884768876/Hassan-Fathy-air-temperature-fluctuation-experiment-10_Q320.jpg)
![Figure 9: Aerecura Rammed Earth Home Revisited [17].](profile/D-Ben-Guida/publication/307995450/figure/fig5/AS:490202406887424@1493884769319/Aerecura-Rammed-Earth-Home-Revisited-17_Q320.jpg)
Sun-dried clay is one of the oldest building materials that has been used for more than 10.000 years to build houses, mosques, churches, palaces and cities. Currently one-third of the global population lives in this vernacular architecture made with the man-made stone-like construction material. This building material, commonly made from a mix of c...
Inspired by the vernacular architecture - MalayKampung House, this chapter presents a new typology of affordable housing design, which is not only able to adapt to the changes of a household over its life cycle, but also enable retrofit and reconfiguration to be made quickly, economically, and repeatedly without involving excessive site labour, tim...
Algeria as one of the Islamic biggest countries in Africa has three different climate zones: Mediterranean, semi-arid and arid; in three different regions: Northern, Central and Southern. Each region developed its typical vernacular tradition; one that responded to climate, topography and life style. Following modernization, westernization of the c...
The history of Persian architecture is the story of a magnificent culture with thousands years of practice in traditional arts and sciences. This architecture beyond the evident typology is formed through a conceptual framework, which has a great deal of importance to show an ideal climate-responsive design. In fact, the evolution of Persian archit...
Sustainability and Vernacular Architecture: Rethinking What Identity is
Dr. Maha Salman, PhD, M.Sc., B.Sc. Arch, LEED AP (BD+C)
Professor of Theory and Sustainable Architecture
Yorkville University, Canada
msalman@yorkvilleu.ca
Abstract
Sustainability has often been a fundamental part of the composition of both tangible and intangible cultural...
Citations
... the mausoleum, which has large windows looking to the street, and a skylight on the roof, in addition to the ducts [19]. To capture the ideal air volume and direct it downward, a windcatcher was installed in the northern Iwan [8] at Qã'a of Muhibb al-Din Ash-Shãf i Al-Muwaqqi. The windcatcher on this building is the oldest example of a windcatcher made of stone that has survived for more than 500 years [12]. ...
... The air movement in the building is illustrated in Figure 5, which shows the windcatcher supplementing the building with cool air while the skylight extracts the hot air. To capture the ideal air volume and direct it downward, a windcatcher was installed in the northern Iwan [8] at Qã'a of Muhibb al-Din Ash-Shãf'i Al-Muwaqqi. The windcatcher on this building is the oldest example of a windcatcher made of stone that has survived for more than 500 years [12]. ...
... The main components of wind towers (modified by the authors; adapted from[8]). ...
Throughout history, vernacular architecture has sought to provide inhabitants with comfort, using local materials and techniques while drawing inspiration from the local culture. This goal has helped natural and passive environmental building techniques to emerge, evolve, and develop. Even though we are increasingly dependent on mechanical ventilation and cooling solutions, passive techniques are in favor due to global climate challenges and the drive toward sustainable construction. One of the most well-known passive cooling techniques is the windcatcher, or wind tower, as it is known in the Middle East (also known as a malqaf in Egypt). Windcatchers, which appeared in Egypt during the Pharaonic era, were also present in other vernacular Middle Eastern countries such as Iran and Iraq, and they differed in design and materials. This research aims to extract, analyze, and compare windcatchers throughout historical eras in Egypt and other Middle Eastern countries across three main eras: ancient, medieval, and modern. This study thus provides a timeline for developing these passive cooling systems, demonstrating how they were integrated into architecture over millennia. This study also investigates the design differences in these vernacular models, including their shapes, number of sides, and orientation, and correlates them to climatic and architectural conditions. The results highlight that the vernacular wind towers corresponded to the prevailing wind directions and the ventilation needs of the connected spaces. Furthermore, the findings question the effectiveness and appropriateness of some of the modern incorporations of wind towers, which borrow their design from local precedents.
... In the larger buildings, like mosques, the 'maqlaf' and a higher tower on the other side of the building for hot air escape work in conjunction, just like termite mounds and the EDH. 'Modern' buildings from the 1960s to today ignore the vernacular 'maqlaf', demanding large cooling and energy-intensive systems [91]. The CGR adopts the 'malqaf' in the format of nine large chimneys, called 'megatrees', that guide the airflow in three directions: downward using direct wind entry, upward using a wind-assisted temperature gradient, and upward using a solar-assisted temperature gradient [90,92]. ...
... While a 'vernomimetic' approach still entails challenges, vernacular architecture provides examples that are easier to understand by architects [45]. The Cairo Gate Residence uses these principles by employing regional knowledge via the 'maqtab' and a biomimicry-based approach for meeting the 21st Century's demands in terms of the environmentally friendly use of energy [90,91]. ...
Biomimicry, as a field of science, is mainly defined as a solution for design problems inspired by natural models, systems, and elements. For the built environment, using nature as a guide can enhance sustainability or even go beyond that and generate a regenerative approach. This is important in the building sector to evolve towards a sustainable and circular economy and reduce CO2 emissions in terms of energy-use. While several biomimicry-related keywords exist, scholars and practitioners in architecture have given varying interpretations to the term biomimicry depending on the use and goal. There has been increasing interest in biomimicry in architecture (BIA), yet the field has become more fragmented. This study aims to highlight differences and similarities through an extended literature survey and analysis that explores case studies, classification systems, and methodological frameworks related to biomimicry in architecture as a way to contribute to reduce the fragmentation in the field. To provide the necessary context and avoid confusion regarding the many concepts and terms that refer to nature-based design, biomimicry-related keywords and interpretations of the word biomimicry are first clarified. Ultimately, the discussion is an integrative effort at defining the field, and highlights the significance and impact of employing BIA in terms of sustainability and usability, as well as showcasing the opportunities for further research.
... Similarly, the Circularity Gap Report 2022 emphasizes the importance of "repair" as part of the strategy of "slow/long-term use" and suggests "building maintenance and reuse" to close the loops [33]. In addition, there is a growing body of research on the contribution of historic buildings and their traditional, local solutions to green building technologies [14,[51][52][53][54][55]. Although the circular economy and architectural conservation differ in definition, it is clear in practice that they share a commonality in the intent to protect, restore, and/or recover values, so the concept of conservation has been reconsidered in the 21st century [34]. ...
... There are studies showing the potential for adapting "traditional architectural features" of historic buildings to new technologies and energy-efficient new designs, as well as their contribution to sustainability [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14]53,55,58,59]. For example, Yang et al. [14] studied traditional vernacular houses in China and proposed a new prototype with optimal energy-saving capabilities, and Elborombaly and Prieto [54] examined various architectural design solutions in vernacular buildings and presented their revival in modern architecture. Similarly, Sangdeh and Nasrollahi [53] in their study found that the traditional ventilation technique of historic windcatchers has the potential to be applicable to modern buildings and Nasrollahi et al. [59] studied the courtyards of traditional houses in Shiraz to obtain data on the most desirable level of thermal comfort that could be used as microclimatic optimizers for new courtyard designs. ...
The construction and building sectors are responsible for a large part of the consumption of energy and natural resources. The concept of the circular economy, a closed-loop system that uses waste as a resource, can be used as a strategy to mitigate this consumption by preserving and reusing historic buildings rather than demolishing and rebuilding them. In this paper, a quantitative analysis of the application of the circular economy to existing buildings and their preservation is conducted by examining the extensive literature on the circular economy approach and field studies to define and determine the degree of circular economy and contribution to environmental benefits. The study showed the importance of restoration, continuous use, rehabilitation, and renovation of historic buildings. It also showed that the most important parameter that determines the proximity to the circular economy is a constant use that adapts over time. In addition, the use of the building and its old traditional systems in multiple functions and by different users also increases and promotes the circular economy. The conclusions also highlight the need for concrete assessment parameters and appropriate indicators of the degree of circular economy in historic buildings, so that it might be possible to learn from these structures for contemporary buildings.
... Based on their design and function, wind catchers have various types, such as one directional, two directional, four directional, hexagonal and octagonal wind catchers. However, the monumental and prominent examples of traditional wind catchers are present in Dowlat Abad garden, Iran [29], the Amir Chakhmaq Mosque, Iran and Alzubair's historical city [30][31][32]. In addition, new designs of wind catchers are evolving to best fit contemporary lifestyle and architecture; although classical wind catchers are beneficial, contemporary architecture and lifestyle have brought about new customized designs of modern wind catchers [33][34][35][36]. ...
This review study circumscribes wind catchers as vernacular zero-energy systems of passive ventilation. The research reviews various types of wind catchers and analyses their design, effectiveness and utility in building design. Furthermore, the study documented some of the technological transformations of wind catchers and their adaptation (functional and symbolic) in various regions. In this context, the complex design data of various wind catchers were appraised, and adaptable design data is compiled in “Geographical and Regional Influences on Wind Catcher Design “ and “Performance Evaluation of Wind Catchers” of study. The design analysis uncovered interesting facts about the effectiveness of various types of wind catchers; for example, a wind catcher with one side could be employed only as a wind scoop, whereas a multi-sided wind catcher can work simultaneously as a wind scoop and a heat sink (exhaust). The study also revealed that, in the near past, wind catchers were extensively used for ventilation. However, in modern times they are being adapted as an element of urban and architectural (identity) rather than a functional element. Finally, the end results of this study present candid suggestions for using wind catchers in modern buildings and chalks out blueprints (design guidelines) to adapt wind catchers. Towards the adaptation of wind catchers in modern buildings, this study has worked out 14 key design modifications in different types of wind catcher. Most of these findings are related to improving wind intake, preventing dust and rain penetration, the size of a wind catcher’s opening and shaft.
... Other researchers examined energy-saving methods that affect the overall yearly consumption rate of a residential building in climates that are hot, humid, and arid [31][32][33][34]. These studies suggested that energy consumption lowered through passive cooling strategies. ...
Vernacular measures, such as courtyard, wind catcher “Malqaf”, wooden lattice “Mashrabia”, and lantern—which can help buildings to depend on natural energy from the sun and the wind—have started to be abandoned in the last decades. However, wind pressure and stack effects are becoming more popular in modern buildings design and the primary method in most domestic buildings to achieve the desired cross ventilation and minimize the air temperature to reach the required cooling loads. This paper aims to revive one of the vernacular measures “the windcatcher”, quantifying the effectiveness of the inward/outward opening properties on the air temperature and airflow inside the buildings. Analytical literature review, context analysis, and numerical simulations are performed. The computer fluid dynamics (CFD) is utilized to simulate both the temperature distribution and the flow field within the windcatcher model. Simulations are carried out in the fluent environment, which uses the control volume method for solving the conservation law. The Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) and energy equation with the realizable k-ϵ turbulent model are employed. The research uses a parametric analysis to test different scenarios of windcatcher designs in terms of dimensions, proportions, and opening ratios. The results of this study confirm that windcatcher has a significant effect in lowering the air temperature inside the different floors. However, it is recommended to use a wind-catcher for not more than two floors, increase the area of the outward opening to 200% relative to the inward opening and apply side opening in the upper floors.
... 3. What are the possible threats to such operations, and what are the appropriate solutions to alleviate them? 4. What are the effects of these operations on the regeneration and transformation of these traditional settlements? Naima Built Heritage (2021) 5:21 2010; El-Borombaly and Molina-Prieto 2015;Lenik 2013;Klinger 2020, 112, 484), but the situation is still unchanged in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states. Research has shown that a heavily centralised, top-down management system is one of the main hindrances to optimal investment in vernacular heritage for urban and economic development (De Filippi 2005;Lenik 2013;Salazar 2012;Davis et al. 2010). ...
Once abandoned for more than three decades, vernacular settlements in Oman are now being progressively reinvested in to foster the country’s heritage tourism sector. The present research focuses on the emerging phenomenon of community-led initiatives for vernacular heritage rehabilitation and adaptive reuse in Oman. Through an examination of three case studies, its aim is to describe this process and its modes of action and discuss its effects on vernacular settlement transformations. A mixed research methodology was designed to include (A) analyses of relevant primary and secondary data, (B) documented onsite observations, (C) interviews with local community representatives and key players in the operations of rehabilitation, and (D) extractions and analyses of quantitative data from a hotel booking website.
The research sheds light on unsuspected interrelations within and between the projects being implemented in these settlements and their operating modes. It reveals the focal role of a local community in a kind of ‘bottom-up’ management of its built heritage, coupled with a ‘horizontal cooperation’ between the three initiatives studied in this research. Moreover, it shows that a heavily centralised and top-down policy for the field of heritage conservation and management is among the main obstacles that hinder such initiatives. Furthermore, community-led operations of vernacular heritage rehabilitation are being undertaken under insufficient regulations in terms of land use, building restoration and adaptive reuse. In this context, the paper discusses some of the serious threats and concerns faced by such initiatives and proposes actionable solutions to mitigate these hindrances.
... Nowadays, the use of ancient architectural technologies in modern buildings develops constantly across the world [11]. In the Middle East, El-Borombaly and Molina-Prieto [12] figured out that vernacular architecture introduced many practical solutions to local environmental issues, such as the wind tower. Al-Sallal et al. [13] proposed a design of sustainable houses in the arid and hot climates of the U.A.E. ...
Underground buildings are one of the most effective old and modern techniques, at the same time to meet the trade-off between thermal comfort and low energy consumption in hot and arid climates, through the soil thermal properties, which can be applied as a heat capacitor for moderating indoor temperatures. This research aims to improve the thermal comfort and energy efficiency of underground buildings compared to aboveground buildings in hot and arid climates based on yearly energy consumption. The experimental measurements of soil temperatures at different depths were compared to the numerical results of the Kasuda equation. Furthermore, TRNSYS software simulation findings were validated by monitoring the temperature of an underground room in Ouargla, Algeria, using digital temperature sensors. The findings revealed that an underground structure with a depth of 2.34 m decreases cooling energy demand considerably during the summer season. Furthermore, with and without state support, the investment return time was predicted from 6.5 to 3.25 years, respectively.
... Section of a vernacular house in Cairo showing how the wind catchers "Malqaf" and the wind escape vents produce internal air movement (Source: El-Borombaly, andMolina-Prieto, 2015) ...
Biomimicry or learning from nature in architecture is a method that aims to develop a sustainable design solution for modern world challenges by mimicking models, systems, and elements of nature. However, developing biomimetic solutions is not a problem-free approach due to the fact that both, biology and architecture are different. Therefore, the vernacular architecture being the human form of natural construction can be used to help bridge the gap between nature and architecture. There are certain potentials and limitations of using both, biomimicry and vernacular architecture in modern day architecture. However, several methods and the process can be used to develop solutions for these issues. A fusion between both approaches in the form of “Vernomimicry” be used to apply nature based and nature like solutions in architecture successfully.
... Traditional building techniques, such as earth construction, have withstood the test of time; their effectiveness and intelligence, in responding to the socio-cultural and climatic context of many regions, has been well demonstrated (Mohamed, 2010). Recent architecture approaches are aiming to adapt traditional techniques from the past (Patel and Rajan, 2015;El-Borombaly, 2015;Okasha. et al., 2016). ...
Jeddah City is a hot, arid zone and is characterized by high air temperatures and humidity. New architecture shall be undertaken by attempting to achieve the paradigm of natural ventilation and initiatives should be aimed at minimizing the harmful effects of a harsh environment on city inhabitants (Mohamed, M. and Fekry, M. 2018). This paper focuses on finding reasons behind the negligence of wind catcher use, in contemporary residential buildings, in the city of Jeddah– it employs both semi-structured interviews and questionnaires with residents and professionals, to illustrate their opinions. Results show a relative lack of awareness among residents regarding passive strategies overall and wind catchers, in particular. Results also show, however, tangible potential among professionals to adapt passive strategies and tools. Most importantly, this paper attempts to illustrate how the survey’s results are contrary to conventional belief: that high levels of humidity, temperature, dust and safety issues are primary reasons for the negligence of natural ventilation strategies in Jeddah.
... The Malqaf has been used in Egypt since Pharaonic times. (El-Borombaly and Fernando, 2015) It exists behind the wall of the main Iwan and connects at roof level with a sloping vent (BehrensAbouseif, 1989). The Malqaf is oriented to the north to face the preferable wind so that it captures the wind and cool air inside the building. ...
Architectural identity reflects the characteristics of a country's people, environment, and society. Owing to recent globalization, the unique architectural identity of countries has faded so that it has become difficult to identify each country's unique local and regional identity. In particular, traditional houses in Cairo, which are known as Cairene houses, are considered an iconic style of the city's architectural history. Cairo has a unique local identity as well as spatial quality mainly found in the region. On the other hand, many of the values and qualities of the houses have been disappearing due to western influences. The objectives of this paper are threefold. First, the Egyptian cultural and environmental influences on Egyptian housing designs are discussed. Second, the spatial composition of traditional Cairene courtyard houses is analyzed. Finally, the underlying principles of spatial compositions are extracted to explain the unique spatial characteristics of the houses. Through the analysis, the distinct spatial quality of traditional Cairene courtyard houses in Cairo will be analyzed, revealing their identity and values.
