Aimilios Michael

Lighting performance of urban vernacular architecture in the East-Mediterranean area: Field study and simulation analysis

This study aims to investigate the natural lighting performance in indoor and semi-open spaces of urban vernacular architecture in the Mediterranean region. In vernacular architecture, natural lighting was the main source of light available and was largely achieved through the central courtyard. In this framework, an in-depth lighting performance analysis was carried out in a typical and representative traditional urban complex in the walled city of Nicosia, Cyprus. In-situ lighting measurements, as well as software simulations, were employed in order to assess the lighting performance of the building complex. The study has shown that lighting levels of semi-open and indoor spaces on the first floor are sufficient; whereas, the dense urban fabric, and the introverted character of vernacular architecture, create certain limitations to the lighting levels in indoor spaces of the ground floor. On the other hand, the positive impact of the inner courtyard to the lighting levels of semi-open and indoor spaces has been verified.

Documentation and Evaluation of the Positive Contribution of Natural Ventilation in the Rural Vernacular Architecture of Cyprus

In traditional buildings thermal comfort has been accomplished through the exploitation of passive strategies, i.e. natural ventilation and shading. This paper focuses on the investigation of natural ventilation in the vernacular architecture of Cyprus and on the documentation of the positive contribution of this strategy to the thermal comfort of the interior spaces of traditional shells. A typical traditional dwelling in the core of the semi-mountainous settlement of Kapedes was selected as a case study. For this purpose, a procedure of documenting the environmental data of the dwelling under study in different types of ventilation has been carried out, i.e. without any ventilation, with cross ventilation and with single-sided ventilation. This procedure was repeated in two different periods of the year (summer and autumn). The research indicates cross ventilation as the most effective type of natural ventilation, compared to the single-sided ventilation. Cross ventilation gives positive results in the improvement of the interior conditions during the summer (cooling period) and also contributes to the extension of the period of thermal comfort in the interior spaces of traditional dwellings.

Thermal performance assessment of vernacular residential semi-open spaces in Mediterranean climate:

This paper investigates the overall thermal performance of vernacular buildings in Nicosia, Cyprus and highlights the role of semi-open spaces in improving the thermal comfort of the aforementioned structures. The novelty of the study lies in the fact that it presents, in a comparative way, field measurements carried out in five traditional buildings, discussing at the same time the impact of authentic architectural features, as well as of contemporary interventions, on the bioclimatic function of the original building envelope, taking into account the daily use of the premises under investigation. The research outcomes highlight the positive contribution of semi-open spaces to the thermal comfort of vernacular buildings, especially during the cooling period (summer). Contemporary architectural interventions, such as the conversion of semi-open spaces into closed indoor spaces, as well as the behaviour of occupants, are also found to affect the thermal performance of the traditional building envelope.

The impact of window control on thermal performance. Investigating adaptable interventions in vernacular Mediterranean heritage

ABSTRACT The present paper correlates aspects of built heritage conservation, occupant’s behaviour and thermal comfort. The research focuses on the contemporary architectural intervention of converting original semi-open spaces, that have been acting as such during all periods of the year, into indoor spaces by adding movable glass dividers. A representative building that reflects the typical arrangement of rural vernacular earth architecture in Cyprus is selected for detailed investigation. In situ measurements and simulation tools are used to investigate the adjustment of airflow through the operation of windows when the dividers are open (heating period) and closed (cooling period). Computational Fluid Dynamics are employed in order to illustrate the temperature distribution of various window operation patterns that are evaluated according to the adaptive thermal comfort. The results argue on the climatic adaptability of vernacular buildings and indicate that the examined window control patterns have a more prominent impact during the heating period. Conclusions confirm the cooling potential of night ventilation and highlight the benefit of having energy-aware and engaged occupants. Key directions regarding conservation practices and occupant’s behaviour are brought forth, bringing energy efficiency and comfort into the discussion about cultural heritage.