Kristina Orehounig

Performance evaluation of traditional bath buildings via empirically tested simulation models

In a recent research effort, we studied the performance of a certain class of traditional buildings in Egypt, Turkey, Morocco, Syria, and Algeria, namely public baths (‘hammams’). Over a period of 1 year, indoor and outdoor climate data as well as visual and acoustical performance information was collected for a selected number of these buildings. To further explore indoor environmental conditions, the monitored data were used to calibrate digital performance simulation models of a number of the objects studied. Specifically, thermal performance simulation models were generated for three hammams in Egypt, Turkey, and Algeria. Likewise, acoustical performance simulation models were generated for three baths in Algeria. These calibrated thermal and acoustical simulation models were shown to reliably reproduce measurements. Thus, they could be parametrically applied to evaluate alternative options for the renovation, restoration, reuse, and adaptation of these buildings.