The city of Al Ain (Abu Dhabi, UAE) has a significant amount of mixed-use mid-rise buildings, especially in the city's central district. Because of the harsh arid climate of Al Ain, many of these buildings have high energy demands to accommodate the cooling load. By taking inspiration from the traditional Islamic architectural element, Mashrabiya, this study is concerned with exploring and identifying various, optimal Islamic geometric pattern (IGP) configurations used in cladding systems, with respect to energy consumption, daylighting, and quality views. The main objective of this study is to formulate a repertoire of IGPs that can be used in façade cladding systems that achieve significant reductions in energy consumption, while also providing sufficient daylighting and quality views. After a comprehensive literature review and local climate analysis, ten commonly-used IGPs will be modelled using the parametric software language Grasshopper and applied to the selected building modelled in Rhinoceros 3D, a 3D modelling program. Next, energy, daylight, and view quality simulations will be conducted using different orientations and during different seasons. The modelling process and simulations, along with the obtained results should give stakeholders a catalogue of optimal IGPs to refer to when selecting a passive exterior perforated cladding system. The study should also add to the knowledge of employing vernacular patterns to façade cladding systems in the hopes of strengthening the link to local culture.
Al Ain is an important city that has gone through major urban transformation over the last 50 years. These changes impact the development of neighborhoods, especially residential neighborhoods. The morphology of the urban blocks also impacted the heat island effect (UHI). UHI is one of the contributors to climate change. Therefore, having sustainable neighborhoods' means reducing the UHI and making cities more livable. The methodology to be followed in this study is as residential blocks in Al Ain for analysis of current conditions and proposal for UHI reduction through different strategies, modelling and simulations to create and analyze the models in Rhino Grasshopper and discussing the findings and results. The aim is to divide the work for the two cities and then analyze the current conditions of the neighborhoods. Based on the findings, different strategies can be applied in the residential blocks to reduce the surface temperature of the streets and buildings, therefore reducing the UHI effect. Having sustainable neighborhoods has a direct impact in making cities more livable and improving the climate change. The main tools to be used are Rhino/Grasshopper. Through advanced software, the findings can be optimized and contribute to more sustainable neighborhoods.
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