Analysis of Atrium Design Parameters with Emphasize on the Functional Similarities with the Central Courtyard of the Central Plateau of Iran; Case Study: Traditional Houses of Yazd

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 PhD Candidate, Department of Architecture Borujerd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Borujerd, Iran, Islamic Azad University, Iran.

2 PhD, Assistant Professor of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Iran University of Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran.

3 PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Architecture, Faculty of Art and Architecture, South Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

10.22034/ias.2021.311415.1777

Abstract

Despite the significant role of natural air ventilation in the atrium, internal thermal conditions and reducing the load of energy use such as the central courtyard system show the weaknesses of how different design parameters affect the thermal conditions. The complexity of the natural air ventilation design of the atrium, which also has a structural similarity with the central courtyard of the hot and dry climate of Iran, cannot be limited to its simulation design alone. In the past few years, researchers proposed various methods, such as model presentation, research and configuration calculations, to identify the heating and ventilation functions of the atrium. However, the diversity in the presentation of modeling, considering all the common parameters in the atrium design, makes it difficult to achieve the desired result. This research was carried out using quantitative and qualitative method and relying on library data. With a brief review of previous studies, regarding the role of natural air ventilation in atrium buildings in different climates, it provides effective design parameters and their application to improve thermal performance and reduce energy consumption. These parameters include the configuration of different atriums and its different components such as geometry, features of the opening, roof, materials and its interior. The size of the external seams is the most influential parameter that affects the internal heating conditions and the air ventilation functions of the atrium and as a result reducing the energy consumption.

Research objectives:
1. Investigating the central courtyard in the existing architecture in the central plateau of Iran.
2. Investigating the role of the atrium in natural ventilation and the similarity of its functions and components with the central courtyard.

Research questions:
1. What role did the central courtyard play in the building's internal air ventilation and how did it function?
2. What parameters can be effective in the design of the atrium in the optimal functioning of the ventilation of the building?

Keywords


Acred, A., & Hunt, G. R. (2014). A simplified mathematical approach for modelling stack ventilation in multi-compartment buildings. Building and Environment71, pp. 121-130.

Aldawoud, A. (2008). Thermal performance of courtyard buildings. Energy and Buildings40(5), pp. 906-910.

Ahmad, M. H., & Rasdi, M. T. H. M. (2000). Design principles of atrium buildings for the tropics. Penerbit UTM.

Baqaei, P.; Ansari, M.; Bamanian, M. R. & Fayaz, R. (2014). Thermal comfort range in open residential space of Yazd city, Bagh Nazar, No. 45, pp. 22. [In Persian]

Bryn, I. (1993). Atrium buildings environmental design and energy use.

Chan, H. Y., Riffat, S. B., & Zhu, J. (2010). Review of passive solar heating and cooling technologies. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews14(2), pp. 781-789.

Harris, Cyril M. (2002). Descriptive culture of architecture and building. Translated by Mohammad Reza Afzali and Mehrdad Hashemzadeh Homayoni. Tehran: Associate Professor. [In Persian]

Muhaisen, A. S., & Gadi, M. B. (2006). Effect of courtyard proportions on solar heat gain and energy requirement in the temperate climate of Rome. Building and Environment41(3), pp. 245-253.

Sefalai, F. (2006). Environmental impact of the central courtyard in the architecture of sustainable residential areas in hot and dry regions of Iran, Ph.D., Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Islamic Azad University, Department of Science and Research. [In Persian]

Wang, F., & Abdullah, A. H. (2011). Investigating thermal conditions in a tropic atrium employing CFD and DTM techniques. International Journal of Low-Carbon Technologies6(3), pp. 171-186.

Zainlian, N. & Akhot, H. (2014). "Structural analysis of courtyards in hot and dry and hot and humid Qajar houses with a focus on the "central courtyard" type, case study: Yazd and Dezful houses", Master of Architecture student, Farabi Campus assistant professor, University of Tehran. [In Persian]

بقایی، پرهام؛ انصاری، مجتبی؛ بمانیان، محمدرضا و فیاض، ریما. (1394). «محدوده آسایش حرارتی در فضای باز مسکونی شهر یزد»، نشریه باغ نظر، شماره45، صص. 22.
سفلایی، فرزانه. (1385). «تأثیر محیطی حیاط مرکزی در معماری مناطق مسکونی پایدار مناطق گرم و خشک ایران، دکتری، رشته معماری، دانشکده معماری و شهرسازی، دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی واحد علوم و تحقیقات.
زینلیان، نفیسه و اخوت، هانیه. (1394). «ساختارشناسی حیاط در خانه ­های قجری اقلیم گرم و خشک و گرم و مرطوب با تمرکز بر گونه «حیاط مرکزی»، مطالعه موردی: خانه­ های یزد و دزفول»، دانشجوی کارشناسی ارشد معماری، استادیار پردیس فارابی، دانشگاه تهران.
هریس، سیریل ام. (1381).  فرهنگ تشریحی معماری و ساختمان. ترجمه محمدرضا افضلی و مهرداد هاشم‌زاده همایونی. تهران: دانشیار.
Acred, A., & Hunt, G. R. (2014). A simplified mathematical approach for modelling stack ventilation in multi-compartment buildings. Building and Environment71, pp. 121-130.
Aldawoud, A. (2008). Thermal performance of courtyard buildings. Energy and Buildings40(5), pp. 906-910.
Ahmad, M. H., & Rasdi, M. T. H. M. (2000). Design principles of atrium buildings for the tropics. Penerbit UTM.
Bryn, I. (1993). Atrium buildings environmental design and energy use.
Chan, H. Y., Riffat, S. B., & Zhu, J. (2010). Review of passive solar heating and cooling technologies. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews14(2), pp. 781-789.
Muhaisen, A. S., & Gadi, M. B. (2006). Effect of courtyard proportions on solar heat gain and energy requirement in the temperate climate of Rome. Building and Environment41(3), pp. 245-253.
Wang, F., & Abdullah, A. H. (2011). Investigating thermal conditions in a tropic atrium employing CFD and DTM techniques. International Journal of Low-Carbon Technologies6(3), pp. 171-186.