Response of Domestic Damascene Architectural Elements to the Climatic Factors between the Traditional and Modern Times

Abstract

The climatic factors (temperature, humidity, earth geology, wind speed and direction, solar radiance) are considered one of the most important effects on any site prepared for construction. Thus, these factors are studied before suggesting any schematic regulations and plans for its influence on the building form, allocation, materials options, and suitable green cover, and the functional distribution between parts. This study is trying to analyze the effects of climatic and regional factors on the design elements of the domestic architecture of Damascus. We are going to select different cases of traditional houses that evolved and transformed through several transitions of history. Then we will analyze these transformations and the extent of the response and maintenance of respecting climatic conditions. Research method is descriptive and interpretative. For literature review the descriptive method is used and analyzing of cases is done by interpretative method. Samples are selected from saurian traditional and modern hoses. Building materials, shape of spaces and opening are studied variables in this study. Comparative method is used for comparison of mentioned variables in related to climate factors. The result of study shows that the traditional house in Damascus is considered a reflection of serious attempts in the environmental design which is compatible with regional climate. New buildings completely ignored climate closed central space, called (the sofa) replaced the interior courtyard within the traditional dwelling, with a deficit of this space to insuring sufficient light and air inside the building. Also it relied on those structural materials of medium or high energy content, such as cement, glass and aluminum, which are widely used today in constructing modern residential buildings, despite the lack of suitability of climate in the region. This was accompanied by the excessive use of heaters and air-conditioners to achieve the thermal comfort inside the building, without considering the amount of energy consumed.