Thermal performance of passive envelope systems in liwan typology: case of Mid-Mountains regions in Lebanon

Abstract

Vernacular architecture (VA) can be a model for sustainable architecture (Mirahmadi and Altan, 2017), while maintaining harmony with the context, environment, climatic conditions, and uses local available materials. Vernacular practices vary by the use of techniques, materials, and methods of construction in order to minimize the negative impact on the environment (Al Tawayha et al., 2019). It bears a cultural identity that is often lost in some rural areas and has developed strategies that are considered as climatic responsive, minimize the energy consumption, and assure the indoor thermal comfort and quality. In Lebanon, different architectural typologies exist starting with the Rectangle House, Gallery House, Liwan, to Central Hall Houses. This thesis will focus on the Liwan House Typology. This typology mainly exists in coastal and mid-mountain regions. The study emphasizes on building envelope construction with respect to climatic conditions and investigates the thermal performance of the envelope system; i.e. heating/cooling performance and thermal indoor comfort values. The system evolution of walls, roofs, and floors play a marginal role when studying the building’s envelope. Finally, this thesis aims to study the adaptability of the Liwan typology to the needs of contemporary housing and operational energy consumption within an environmental sustainable viewpoint, and proposes guidelines for contemporary housing that are applicable within the rules and regulations in the studied location.