Climatic Adaptation of the Dome Body Based on Solar Radiation Received; Case Study: The Domes of Shah Mosque, Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, Al-Nabi Mosque of Qazvin and Jameh Mosque of Urmia

Abstract

The dome has long been an essential element of Iranian mosque architecture. The majority of research has so far focused on the form and symbol of the dome rather than the effect of the dome form on climatic comfort. The climatic diversity of Iran’s various regions necessitates identifying and implementing strategies for thermal comfort conditions inside the building. Based on a study of the domes of Shah Mosque, Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, Al-Nabi Mosque of Qazvin, and Jameh Mosque of Urmia, this study aimed to examine solar radiation received and shading on the dome surfaces in hot and arid and cold climates, using solar radiation simulation in the Honeybee and Ladybug plugins with the Radiance Simulation Engine. The first step was to model the domes of the selected mosques in the Revit 2017 software. Then, the annual solar radiation received by each at 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m., and 6:00 p.m. on the hottest day of the year was determined using the Honeybee and Ladybug plugins. Analyses indicate that as the dome surface increases, the amount of heat absorbed by them increases in both solar radiation-exposed and shadowed areas. High-rise domes of considerable height can survive in hot and arid climates as they produce appropriate shading, while high-rise domes with great contact surfaces can survive in cold and arid climates as they receive a large amount of solar radiation. Constructing a dome on the tambour increases the amount of shading on the dome surfaces. Thus, in both hot-arid and cold climates of Iran, the dome’s form, rise, and arch type can be said to have been designed based on thermal conditions and the amount of solar radiation absorbed throughout the year.