Low energy building methods, and the corresponding economic and environmental aspects, are an important area of consideration in many developed countries. Saudi Arabia characterized by its hot climates and geographical location in a global region renowned for its high energy consumption and carbon emission rates. Consequently, this research aims to foster the development of low energy housing in Saudi Arabia and establish a low carbon domestic design framework for Saudi Arabia that takes into account the local climatic conditions, context and socio-cultural challenges. In order to fulfil the above stated aims, this research establishes a definition system for low energy consumption in kWh/m² for the Saudi Arabian climate. To achieve the aims stated above, a comprehensive, four stage study has been performed. This investigation has attempted to: (a) identify factors resulting in high energy consumption in domestic buildings in Saudi Arabia; (b) identify the weaknesses of housing design in terms of architectural layouts and mass, house envelope design and construction materials used, and on-site renewable energy strategies; (c) establish and develop a low carbon domestic design framework that supports architects, civil engineers and building professionals in the design of sustainable homes for the Saudi Arabian climate, context and cultural requirements; and (d) propose three different, viable housing prototypes employing the established framework, thereby validating that framework through the identification of their energy consumption levels. Each stage of this research utilizes a specific methodology: public survey analysis; site visits and modeling analysis; expert consultation, using the Delphi technique approach; and the validation analysis approach. This study contributes to the body of knowledge within this field by offering a low carbon domestic framework for the design of low energy homes in Saudi Arabia. These findings are broadly applicable to other regions with similar climatic conditions and cultural requirements, such as those in the Middle East and GCC countries. The findings suggest that an energy reduction of up to 71.6 % is possible. Therefore, the system for low energy consumption level standards is suggested as a range between 77 kWh/m² and 98 kWh/m². The comprehensive economic and environmental benefits of these reductions have been analysed and benchmarked against the current situation in selected developed countries.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:637158 |
| Date | January 2015 |
| Creators | Aldossary, Naief |
| Publisher | Cardiff University |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Source | http://orca.cf.ac.uk/70748/ |
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