Enhancing the façade efficiency of contemporary houses of Mashhad, using the lessons from traditional buildings

Abstract

An increase in the world population has led to a sharp decrease in fossil fuel sources; and, therefore, substituting them with renewable sources as well as optimizing energy consumption could be considered ideal solutions. One of the major problems is the excessive use of energy in residential buildings, with Iran's consumption rate in this field being five times the global average. Building facades play a fundamental role in optimizing energy consumption. This paper aims to study the factors affecting the performance of coherent facades in terms of climatic conditions, using a comparative study between traditional-indigenous and modern building facades in the city of Mashhad. In addition, it employs an analytical descriptive method and applies case analysis by numerical calculations as well as software simulations using the DesignBuilder software tool. Other researchers have conducted similar studies, but no comprehensive research has yet been done by making a comparison between traditional-indigenous buildings and modern buildings in Mashhad, Iran, with existing climatic conditions considered. By studying and comparing the window-to-wall ratio, building materials, and facade thickness, it was concluded that the ratio of openings to walls was 20–35% and 30–42% in traditional-indigenous houses and in modern houses, respectively. Similarly, the range of the thermal resistance of facades in traditional buildings was 0.56–0.87 (m2C/W), and it was 0.38–0.48 m2C/W in modern buildings. The analysis of the simulated models showed less thermal dissipation in traditional models than in modern ones. Thus, traditional-indigenous models are more optimized when it comes to energy consumption, apart from creating thermal comfort for building residents. By referring to past architecture and gaining inspiration from the features of traditional building facades in constructing modern buildings, we will be able to help reduce energy consumption in these buildings.