Impact of Traditional Architecture on the Thermal Performances of Building in South Morocco

Abstract

Traditional housing is an essential source for studying the climate adaptation of buildings, in comparison with contemporary housing, which consumes more than 25% of national energy consumption. The study aims at examining, on the one hand, the thermal behavior of traditional buildings in southern Morocco while evaluating the impact of using traditional architecture and natural building materials on the thermal performances inside buildings in order to meet its energy needs with a lower cost, on the other hand, to design residential buildings with better thermal performance and energy efficiency, moreover, to valorize the use of traditional architecture in sustainable buildings. The proposed methodology makes it possible to examine the energy performance of a typical building under the arid climatic conditions of Rissani City, with the aim of controlling naturally the summer and winter comfort without using any heating or cooling system. The research focuses on investigating the influence of the external enclosure and building orientation facades on reducing energy requirements and ensuring the required thermal comfort according to the external climate conditions. This study includes an experimental study and dynamic thermal simulation that evaluated the thermal behavior of the residential complex studied during summer and winter periods.