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Model of house design responsive to hot-dry climate

By: M.H. Al Jawadi1
1(1) Department of Architecture, University of Technology, Baghdad, Iraq

Abstract

The presented model here represents one of a series of our applied research, aimed at providing easy and very simple design formulation to be a model for architects to illustrate to them the possibility of linking results of applied research with aesthetic and occupation human needs if adopted in large housing projects to be harmonious with our climate and environment. This model won a prize of the Iraqi Energy Consultative Committee in a competition for the best environmental design, and in retrospect evaluation after implementation, thermal, economical, and utilization measurements were performed on the model 20 years after its construction. The results were in agreement with initial design expectations, to verify the success of the bases on which the model was designed. The design style for this model was applied on a 2-storey house, construction area 380 m2, land plot area 288 m2, with eastern frontage. The house consists of 5 bed-rooms, reception, living area, office, kitchen, store-room, 4 bathrooms, and interior garden, proved that: 1- The internal temperatures for most days of the year were within thermal comfort limits for dry-hot climate areas; 2- During summer days, use of low-load air-conditioning appliances is sufficient to bring the house temperature to thermal comfort limits; 3- Day-time, since sunrise, the house enjoyed good natural lighting for most rooms; 4- With the introduction of more advanced wind catchers than traditional ones, the design provided natural air circulation, to cool people and building day- and nighttime during temperate months, and provided cooling for the night, and early hours of the morning during summer-time; 5- The design facilitated interior space (garden) of temperate temperature during summer and winter, where summer temperature was nearly 13 degrees less than for the outer garden; 6- Electrical power consumption for lighting, heating and cooling about 7500 KiloWatt for one year. Copyright © 2011 IAHS.