Energy Efficient Houses Meeting both Bioclimatic Architecture Principles and Moroccan Thermal Regulation

Abstract

The building sector is an activity where the potential for saving energy is important and Morocco is now placing the housing sector and energy efficiency and renewable energies among the national priorities in order to combine security of supply and reduction of dependence on energy, environmental preservation, reduction of energy consumption and thermal comfort. As part of the national energy strategy, several actions have been initiated, the Energy Efficiency Code in the building, including the Thermal Regulation of Construction in Morocco, through the Decree of Urbanism approving the General Construction Regulation setting the Energy Performance Rules for buildings. This paper presents the good practice of the control of the energy by using the principles of the passive architecture, solar architecture and bioclimatic architecture, and by adopting the passive energy efficiency for two house building case studies (Villa in Marrakech and modern Moroccan house in Midelt), both situated in severe climate conditions. The approach method analysis covers 3 thematic subjects: 1) the architecture and building relationship with the climate; 2) the usage and the thermal comfort; 3) the energy management and the performance according to the Moroccan thermal regulation. Investigation and methodological tools were based on the documentation, technical information including numerical modeling, plans, sections, photos, and survey of architects, occupants and building users to describe the process, from design to completion, technique and materials used, lessons learned in terms of the energy needs and the design of the indoor thermal comfort.