A Framework for Designing Bioclimatic Homes in Hot Arid Climates: A Case Study of Ghadames, Libya

Since the mid twentieth century, Libya, like the rest of the Arab world, has undergone rapid development due to the discovery of oil. This has led to many significant changes in almost every aspect of life, including housing forms. In the course of all these economic and political changes, the Arab world, and Libya in particular, is still searching for a national housing identity to conform with its traditional architecture, which is rapidly changing. This is because new models developed elsewhere do not fully address the issues and challenges of Libya’s current housing requirements. This research recognises the need to provide housing that would improve indoor living conditions and to promote the outdoor environment sustainably. Therefore, through a pragmatist paradigm, the data for this empirical research were collated from both primary and secondary sources: case studies, questionnaires, interviews, observations and archival data. The data generated were analysed using statistical analysis, content analysis, simulations and calibrations. In addition, experimental research was carried out to investigate occupants’ satisfaction with existing housing designs and professionals’ opinions on future housing development. The key findings showed that bioclimatic design solutions have the capacity to enhance human living conditions and protect the environment with a minimum use of resources, land, energy and less CO2 production. Other findings from the field surveys indicated that residents of the existing naturally ventilated housing in the old town of Ghadames were satisfied with the indoor thermal conditions even at indoor temperatures of 32˚C; this suggests that the PMV model may not be applicable, taking into consideration the measurements of the physical environment. Further findings derived from a range of simulations using EnergyPlus indicated that indoor comfort conditions are achievable in the proposed design of the bioclimatic house in a free-running system, leading to a 67% reduction in energy compared to the existing case-study houses. Participants in the surveys of this research conveyed a message of understanding and addressed the socio-cultural aspects and needs in today’s housing designs. These social and environmental aspects have been successfully transformed into a framework and design for bioclimatic housing that will have an impact on future housing development in hot arid climates. This research has also contributed to knowledge by developing a housing model that would enhance sustainable housing provisions and give an identity to Libyan architecture through a structured methodology that is robustly transferable to similar contexts.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

PhD

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

Doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

De Montfort University

Year dc:date.issued

2017

Author dc:creator

• Alabid, Jamal

Licence

• https://dora.dmu.ac.uk/bitstreams/1cfaa606-0949-4c0b-a6a4-1805ec72c179/download