Mashrabiya in passive cooling: Integrating Concepts of Mashrabiya into an Innovative Ceramic Evaporative Screen

Designing a multifunctional outdoor evaporative cooling screen in water-scarce hot-dry regions has posed a significant challenge. In areas where temperatures reach extreme levels during the summer and access to water is limited, the need for passive cooling strategies is urgent. While shading methods are commonly used to reduce sun exposure, existing systems rarely succeed in combining evaporative cooling and shading in a single component. Most approaches prioritise one function at the expense of the other or demand excessive water use, making them impractical for outdoor applications in such climates. This research addresses this performance gap by exploring a design that balances cooling efficiency with conscious water consumption, considering its relevance for application in hot-dry regions. The research focuses on developing innovative ceramic screens that can function as both shading elements and efficient evaporative cooling systems. It integrates design principles from traditional Islamic screens, known as Mashrabiya. The design process builds on the environmental logic and spatial qualities of the Mashrabiya to propose a reinterpretation that connects cultural heritage with material innovation and functional designs, offering a passive cooling strategy that responds to the needs of contemporary hot-dry regions. A hybrid methodology was adopted. Qualitative techniques, including literature review and interviews with artisans, were used to understand the essence of Mashrabiya’s design. Quantitative methods, including environmental analysis and simulation tools, were employed to evaluate the performance. Traditional screen geometries were analysed and digitally documented to inform the design process. Alongside this, an investigation into ceramic manufacturing techniques supported the development of a screen that simultaneously achieves cooling, shading, and water efficiency. The study also tested the screen's full-scale application under realistic conditions in Riyadh, monitoring its evaporative cooling, shading performance, water consumption, and design applicability. The results show that the proposed evaporative porous ceramic screen reduces surface and surrounding air temperature while acting as a fixed self-shading element that enhances comfort without reliance on mechanical systems. The screen offers an alternative passive solution rooted in cultural knowledge while addressing contemporary environmental demands.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

Ph.D.

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

PhD thesis

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Westminster

Year dc:date.issued

2026

Author dc:creator

• Salem, Rofayda

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Schiano-Phan, R.
• Twomey, C.
• Vallejo, J.

• Mashrabiya
• Maymooni screens
• Evaporative cooling
• Ventilation
• mutual shading
• shading
• passive cooling
• Ceramic

Identifier

oai:westminsterresearch.westminster.ac.uk:x61x6

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:westminsterresearch.westminster.ac.uk:x61x6