The Application of Traditional Architecture as Passive Design Strategies for Modern Architecture in Hot Dry Climate

Abstract

Traditional Architecture in Cairo is noticeable to give a great respond to climatic conditions in hot dry climates. This paper aims to analyse the application of traditional architecture elements as passive design strategies in modern architecture of Cairo. The methodology of this research is based on a computer simulation. As a case study of one building mass was design and simulated in this study. Building design was based on the application of traditional residential building in Cairo. Then, the performance of building design was simulated in terms of solar simulation, wind direction, and also heating and cooling loads. From the result, the application of traditional element was relatively effective as passive design strategies to reduce solar heat gains and applying natural ventilation because it has less opening in the south, catch the breeze air from south-west and north-east axis, while consumed less heating load. However, the cooling load was relatively the same with the conventional building, this might be lowered by using another passive design strategies.