Evaluation of summer thermal comfort in arid desert areas. Case study: Old adobe building in Adrar (South of Algeria)

Abstract

The ASHRAE-55 adaptive model is considered one of the best-known thermal comfort assessment methods in naturally ventilated buildings. This type of building reflects the climatic architecture and is not based on energy consumption as in modern conceptions, especially in hot and dry regions. To study the thermal comfort in old buildings naturally ventilated, built in adobe with a compacted urban tissue known as the Ksar, we carried out a field study to evaluate the thermal comfort and climatic adaptation on the population of a hot and arid region in southern Algeria. This study was based on the adaptive model of ASHRAE-55. The results showed that the old building constructed in adobe is characterized by a bioclimatic architecture built with local materials, allowing high thermal insulation from the severe outdoor environment. As a result, the building offers thermal and humidity comfort to the inhabitants during a period of extreme heat, compared to modern concrete buildings. We registered a neutral temperature of 31.52 °C with a neutral humidity of around 20%. We also proved significant climate adaptation according to the residence time in traditional dwellings built in adobe, representing the best urban planning solution in the desert environment.