Sustainability in architecture between the past and the future
Submitted By:
Dr. Zeinab Feisal Abd El Kader
Department of Architecture
Faculty of Engineering – MTI University
Dr. Reham Ibrahim Momtaz
Department of Architecture
Modern Academy for engineering and technology
Abstract: 1-Sustainable development Sustainable development is development which From the end of the last century, the environment became the chief of all research meets human needs while preserving the topics and studies in different fields. environment so that these needs can be met not Architecture, for example, is one of these fields only in the present, but also for future generations and a lot of titles were born in architecture to to meet their own needs also(United Nations,7891) connect between architecture and environment such as, green architecture, sustainable There are no dividing lines between the architecture and environmental design. All of environment and the economy since the emergence these titles are moving around the same orbit and spread the concept of sustainable development which is how to create a friendship between the which confirmed beyond any doubt that ensure the built environment and the natural environment. continuity of economic growth cannot be achieved Sustainable architecture, which is the topic of under the threat of environmental pollutants, this research, seeks to minimize the negative environmental impact of buildings by waste, the destruction of vital systems and the enhancing efficiency and moderation in the use depletion of natural resources. of materials, energy, and development space. 2-Sustainable architecture If we go back to the traditional architecture, we Sustainable architecture is a general term that will find many examples that achieved describes environmentally conscious design sustainability with traditional tools and tried to realize a friendship with the natural techniques in the field of architecture. environment. So, sustainability isn't a recent Sustainable Architecture promotes and adopts idea but it was born in traditional architecture. close link between environment and economy, and So the research will demonstrate sustainability the reason for this is the effects of urban activities in traditional and modern architecture and and buildings on the environment which has discuss the difference in application of economic dimensions ,as in Figure (1). sustainability in architecture between past and present.
The research will focus on Islamic architecture which is simultaneously an example of traditional architecture and it is a paradigm of sustainable architecture, starting from the urban planning scale reaching to the scale of building. The sustainability realization in the urban planning scale can be shown in the compact urban tissue and narrow anfractuous streets. The sustainability recognition in the building scale can be shown in the Islamic building in some elements such as, building material, proportions of openings, using courts, roofing and other environmental treatments Figure (1), the main aim is to create that intend to diminish the thermal load. Friendly environment for human beings In addition, the research will spot the light on recent sustainable architecture and introduce some examples which illustrate using new In the broad context, Sustainable architecture technology in achieving sustainability minimizes the negative environmental impact of buildings by enhancing efficiency and moderation The research will be summarized as follow: in the use of materials, energy, development pace, and also it has to involve a combination of values: Sustainable development aesthetic, environmental, social, political, and Sustainable architecture moral. Sustainability in Islamic Architecture Sustainability in contemporary Architecture Analytical case studies and applied projects .
Major Principles of Sustainable Architecture (Fan Roofing: domed ceilings in the form of a Shu-Yang, 2004): hemisphere or half of the cylinder (vault) always be used to increase the speed of air passing over Understanding Place the curved surface, which helps to reduce the Connecting with Nature temperature of the ceilings (Mustafa Ibrahim, Understanding Environmental Impact 1992). Embracing Co-creative Design Processes Understanding People(community needs). Sahn: which is an interior open space in the middle of the building (a courtyard). 3-Sustainability in Islamic Architecture It is usually a rectangular or square shape and used to gain fresh air in the building. in the Islamic architecture and urban planning coped with morning some simple activities once took place in environmental constraints in various areas and the sahn (E. Richard,2003) as in Figure (2). different climates and turned them into constructive design tools. The Islamic architecture has many faces of achieving sustainability ranging in scale from the region, the city, the house, the garden, and to the single architectural element. Although the environmental approaches used in the construction of Islamic buildings were quite relevant contemporary design but seem to have
been lost.
Before the age of air conditioning, open plan and curtain wall, buildings in this region were constructed of the simplest materials that were locally available and spaces were created cool in hot weather and warm in cool weather. Figure (2), Illustrates the form and function of 3-1 Sustainable elements in Islamic architecture sahn The environmental respect came from ethical Iwan: It is a room with three closed walls, and the practices in the Islamic architecture which being fourth one is fully opened, and looking at the Sahn. the source of building materials that reflect the Its main function is to increase natural ventilation architectural elements and also the social, cultural, and to gain fresh air to the Iwan. (Doris. ,1996) as symbolic, and psychological dimensions of in Figure (3). environmental design were developed over time to enrich, modify, or even obscure their functional origins. The Islamic cities environment generally characterized by drought, low rainfall, high intensity of solar radiation, high radiation losses at night and steadily in relative wind in the types of daily and seasonal so they found methods of building in harmony with climate data such as:
Salsabil: which is a marble plaque inspired by the
undulating movement of wind or water is placed
inside a niche or a hole from the opposite wall of
the Iwan or sitting position to allow water to drip
over the surface to facilitate the process of Figure (3), Great Mosque of Esfahan, View of evaporation and to increase air moisture there. the north iwan from the sahn Sirdab (crypt): which is an opening aims to light Fountain: usually placed in the centre of the Sahn. on the patio, allowing a passage of cold air to It is intended to give the sahn aesthetic appearance displace the recreation yard for constructive hot in addition to mix air with water to be wet air and and light into space and believe that the continuity then move into interior spaces, (Kamal , 1970) of natural ventilation ( Mustafa & Ibrahim , 1992). Al Malqaf (wind catcher): is a fanned rises above Al-Takhtabush: which is a wooden floor located the building and has a slot corresponding the upper the basement to benefit from low- direction of pavilion wind to pick up the air temperature air which come from the basement. Its passing over the building which usually cooler and entrance consists of a wooden frame with metal pushed into the building (Doris.,1996)as in Fig (6). mesh.
Al-Shokhshikha: It is usually used to cover main spaces to provide ventilation and indirect lighting. It also works with Almalqaf (wind catcher) to temper air temperature, it ejects hot air which usually found at the top of the room and Almalqaf gets cold air instead to the inner space. (Kamal ,
1970), as in Figure (4).
Figure (6), Illustrates the function of malqaf and the direction of the pavilion wind in the build
4- Sustainability in contemporary Architecture Figure (4), Illustrates how Al-Shokhshikha provides ventilation and indirect lighting Contemporary architecture concerned with sustainable design (also called environmental Al-Mashrabeya: A grid of circular wooden design) is a philosophy of designing physical section units separated by specific distances and objects, built environment, and services to comply regular decorative geometrically precise. It is with the principles of economic, social and extremely complex, it works to control the air and ecological sustainability. light in addition to provide privacy, as in Fig (5). Major aims of contemporary sustainable architecture are (W. , Terry ,2002): Resource Efficiency Energy Efficiency Pollution Prevention (including Indoor Air Quality and Noise Abatement) Harmonisation with Environment (including Environmental Assessment) Integrated and Systemic Approaches (including Environmental Management System)
Figure (5), Illustrates How Al-Mashrabia controls air and natural light in addition to provide privacy. 4-1 Methods for achieving sustainable design in contemporary architecture The ultimate goal and challenge of sustainable design is to find solutions that provide quantitative, qualitative, physical and psychological benefits to building users. There are many approaches to achieve this supposedly difficult goal such as: Energy Conservation Figure(10) Cold winter air is preheated using the Energy conservation is an input-reduction method. solar energy collector on the roof and the Buildings consume energy not only in their subterranean air duct system operation, for heating, lighting and cooling, but Low-emissive (low-E) glass: is designed to admit also in their construction. There are several techniques for reducing energy needs of building: reduced amount of light and heat for the sun into the building interior (Drake , 2007). - Photovoltaic (PV): is a method of generating electrical power by converting solar radiation into Low-E glass works, year round, to save energy in direct current electricity using semiconductors that two ways: exhibit the photovoltaic effect (Mark Z. - During a summer day, The Low-E coating Jacobson,2008), as in Figure (7,8). manages the sun's heat by reducing the amount of heat transferred through the window. It filters the sun's short-wave radiation, which cuts down on the amount of solar heat gain into the building. - During winter heating season, the sun energy is "SHORT WAVE RADIATION" which passes through the window .The energy is then transformed into long wave radiation. The long wave radiation wants to flow from warm to cool. Naturally, it will try to escape from the glass. The Low-E coating prevents this when the radiant room-side heat is reflected back into the building. Fig (7), Solar cells Figure (8), Photovoltaic produce electricity system ' tree ' in Austria This results in a lower winter U-value, as in Fig11. directly from sunlight
- Passive Heating and Cooling Solar radiation incident on building surfaces is the most significant energy input to buildings. It provides heat, light, and ultraviolet radiation necessary for photosynthesis, as in Figure (9,10).
Fig(9) In summer, external air is conditioned using a subterranean air duct system. Heat from the roof Figure (11) Low-E glass is a type of insulating is used to heat water glass - Sun shading Water Conservation Sun shading, or the process of controlling the Methods for water conservation may reduce input, sunlight entering a building, can be accomplished output, or both. This is because, conventionally, through a number of different methods. the water that is supplied to a building and the water that leaves the building as sewage (grey The techniques employed generally depend on the water) is all treated by municipal water treatment climate and the use of the space, (Benjamin plants, as in Figure (14). H.,1981) as in Figure (12). Therefore, a reduction in use also produces a reduction in waste.
Figure(14): grey water treatment and reuse in Figure (12), Passive solar diagram showing proper watering gardens and flush toilets. sun shading
There are three basic categories of shading devices Materials Conservation – landscaping, roof overhangs, and exterior or The production and consumption of building interior shading devices. Although each has its materials has diverse implications on the local and benefits, a combination of strategies usually works global environments. best, because different strategies may be Extraction, processing, manufacturing, and appropriate for each orientation of the building. transporting building materials all of them cause ecological damage to some extent. - Green space The reduction in use of new materials creates a Plant selection and placement around buildings can corresponding reduction in embodied energy (R. help to benefit from sunlight and airflow while minimizing negative impacts of those forces. Axel, 2007), (energy used in the production of materials), as in Figure (15). Plants provide economical means of modifying microclimate and are ainvestment in future energy savings.
They can complement design features of buildings that are intended to conserve energy or provide passive solar heating, daylighting, and natural ventilation ,(Gregg D,2003) as in Figure (13).
Figure (13), showing naturally ventilated courtyard Figure(15) Recycling items for building
5- Analytical case studies and applied projects
A number of sustainable architecture concepts were discussed previously starting with trials of sustainability achievement in the past (Islamic architecture) to the present (Sustainability in contemporary architecture) which considered as the way leading to future sustainability. In the following part, the research will analyze four case studies from Islamic architecture and contemporary architecture and compare between them.
Beit al-suhaimi , 1648 The Khanqah and Mausoleum of Sultan Faraj Yellow path ,cairo ,Egypt Ibn Barquq , 1398-1411, Cairo Beit al-suhaimi is a khanqah architecture traditional Arabic house in generally adopted an the city of Cairo. it is introverted scheme to Ottoman architecture ensure the necessary
building. seclusion for the Sufis. Building Building
Iwans open to the courtyard There is sahn surrounded and head towards the north with four Iwans and to take over the cold sea air Fountain placed in the in summer. maq'ad is called middle of the sahn , it used the seat with a wooden to mix the air with the water ceiling. The Board is used in to be wet air and then move winter and the Maqad is into interior places. used in summer. From the vestibule into the Shokhshikha allowed hot air corridor that leads to the to rise and then to be swept courtyard ,The shafts that away by the north facing pierce the ceiling of this
maq'ad (wind scoops) in the long corridor provide both upper walls, which caught light and air circulation the prevailing breezes and They used mashrabeya to circulated the cool air control air and to provide
entilation throughout the house . seclusion for the Sufis V mashrabeya can be seen all The outside domes are the around the sahn on the upper largest and earliest mamluk floors which guarantee the stone domes in Cairo, with a continuous renewal of the air diameter of over fourteen and retaining also a nice wet meters, the domes were air all the time. used to increase the speed of Most of the spaces within air passing over the curved the house are not designed surface , which helps to around functionality, as reduce the temperature of houses are today, but around the ceilings. climatic considerations
Shokhshikha is used to The shafts that pierce the
provide indirect lighting ceiling of this long corridor Mashrabia : is used to provide light. control light in addition to Mashrabia and Four Iwans
provide privacy. are used to control light. Lighting
Sahn is used to gain fresh Sahn is used to gain fresh air in Beit, and in the air in The Khanqah. morning some simple In the middle of the Sahn , activities took place into it. there is Fountain and small In the middle of this open garden full of small trees hall, there is a small and and palms.
Green Space Green very healthy garden full of small trees and palms. Veterinary Laboratory One Peking Location: Lin Tong Mei, Shueng Shui Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui Architect: Architectural Service Department Architect: Rocco Design Limited The buildings are laid in The Building's curved accordance to the facade is facing south orientation which allow while the flat side is access of solar exposure in facing north so as to terms of the sun path and maximize harbour view prevailing wind Linear with minimal east and block with least openings west facing facade. As a is deliberately shielding off result, solar heat gain can all accommodation from be reduced, while light the west-sided solar transmission can be
Building Orientation Building exposure increased at the same time Openable windows It features a triple-glazed allowed the natural active wall system which ventilation to reduce the are made of low-E clear operation period of A/C glass. the cavity between System during the mild the 2nd and the 3rd layer season. are ventilated by cool air A concealed exhaust exhausted from inside of system equipped with the Building. The cool air High Efficiency Particulate passes through the bottom
Air (HEPA) Filter was of the cavity and heat is entilation
V installed for the safety shunt upwards for cabinets and the fume dissipation. Thus, the cupboards to reduce facade can be cooled and pollutant emission of the this cavity acts as good exhaust air by 99% heat insulator.
An open corridor around a Aluminium sun shading central courtyard linking fins are located outside the all functional areas allows window to act as reflectors penetration of daylight and bouncing light up onto the shades the functional areas angled ceiling to transmit from direct sunlight more natural light inside Balcony approach allows the building while limiting natural lighting for major the entry of direct sunlight circulations to minimize at the same time. Building
the general lightings Integrated PhotoVoltaic Linear shape with depth of panels (BIPV panels) maximum 9m for all module was employed for accommodation to enhance the Building. The BIPV Lighting daylight penetration. panels are connected with Application of Low-E the grid electricity and are laminated glass and used to absorb the solar incorporation of Sunshades energy then converted into &Canopy for glazing to electricity and supply to minimize the solar the building exposure OTTV Calculation
Incorporation of roof The podium is built with
garden and landscaped green vegetation for better terrace enables the natural evaporation and
building to blend in with solar insulation Green Green Space its surrounding natural environment Conclusion
Finally the research illustrated that sustainability was applied in different periods with variety of tools and this table conclude the difference in application of sustainability between historical and Contemporary examples which were analyzed previously.
Beit al-suhaimi The Khanqah and Veterinary Laboratory One Mausoleum of Sultan Peking Faraj Ibn Barquq
The historical examples provide many clues as how Contemporary examples include methods to increase to passively modify the environment to create the efficiency of the building envelope, reduce the comfortable accommodation. energy needs of buildings and increase their ability to The historic elements create a successful generate their own energy environmental architecture ethically and aesthetically. Research concludes also that sustainable buildings involve a combination of values: aesthetic ,environmental, social, political, and moral, finding the balance between them to realize the community needs. The vision of the future and possibilities for Architecture that lie ahead must seriously consider the lessons of historic architecture that honed over countries passive means of modifying the environment for comfort. The principles of historical architecture present new flexible opportunities of use , this should be the vision for the future ,one where the past isn’t forgotten but is used as inspiration for new innovations in the service of creating comfortable accommodation That don’t harm the environment but passively work with it.
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