Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Engineering - Department of Architectural Engineering

Poor or no application of passive design principles in many arising buildings today has led to excessive reliance on technology and active systems to provide comfort. Early architecture in the different regions provide excellent examples for passive design solutions.This research highlights the importance of the passive design principles as the real foundation for the bioclimatic architecture.The research will deal with the hot-arid climate that covers most of northern-Africa and south-west Asia. It will review the traditional architecture of these regions and analyze their passive cooling and lighting principles, to provide guidelines for future bioclimatic developments. Moreover,contemporary solutions for the analyzed principles will be displayed, as well as the analysis of very recent projects that lie in the studied climate; selected based on their claim for traditional-inspired designs and passive principles application.The research will specifically benefit the developing countries to establish comfortable buildings at much lower costs

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