This paper investigates the adaptations that have been made to traditional courtyard houses (TCH) in Bagdad, Iraq. The aim is to develop an understanding of various factors in the adaptation of these buildings to suit contemporary lifestyles, which will contribute to the wider field of building adaptability. Design/methodology Empirical evidence was collected through case studies of 12 TCHs in the Al-Kadhimiya area of Baghdad, which involved a physical survey of buildings and semi-structured interviews with 24 occupants. Findings Case study analysis show that building adaptability involves both a change to physical spaces and also to lifestyles; with the latter being more likely when there are limitations in how much change can be made to the physical structure. Research limitations/implications The focus of this research is mainly on users' adaptation of spaces and therefore does not consider the full range of stakeholders involved in the adaptation process. The findings also only apply to the cases considered and may not be applicable to other house types or locations. Originality/value Studies on building adaptability mostly focus on the ease of change to the building fabric, although the role of users is acknowledged. This study provides insights into the complexity and variety of changes that users can make, which are influenced by lifestyles and driven by the need for comfort. These insights are represented in an adaptation model, which can serve as a basis for further research.

The traditional courtyard house in Iraq generally and Baghdad in particular has distinct characteristics. However, there are several reasons underlying the decline of the environmental performance of this type of house. Focusing on this decline, the main objective of this study is to explore how active systems can enhance the existing environmental performance of the traditional courtyard house. The framework of this investigation focuses on two points: first, it seeks to clarify the existing system and, second, it investigates the existing need to add new systems. To achieve these objectives, interviews with 25 architects and 24 occupants of traditional courtyard houses, alongside 12 physical surveys in the Al-Kadhimiya historical area as a case study, are discussed, based on a qualitative method. The research revealed the interplay between the passive and active systems, and the efficiency of technology in enhancing the traditional environmental performance through improving the level of comfort and increasing the response to the environment.

PurposeThis paper aims to shed light on adaptive reuse in traditional architecture (TA) in Erbil, Iraq.Design/methodology/approachAn inductive approach and qualitative method were used in this study. The inductive research approach was used because there was no clear image of adaptive reuse in traditional cafés (TCs) in Erbil. Besides, there are no studies of TCs in Erbil particularly. Thus, there is a lack of knowledge about what adaptations took place in TCs in Erbil. The qualitative method extracted themes and issues from case studies of four TCs in Erbil citadel's buffer zone. This included a physical survey and observation of the TCs in Erbil and 18 semi-structured interviews with the owners, servers and visitors.FindingsThe analysis shows the flexibility of the TCs in Erbil as a face of adaptive re-use (AR) which is explained through the capacity linked to space modifications, the addition of modern devices, the function linked to space modifications, service addition, the condition linked to space modifications and the addition of modern devices. Also, TCs in Erbil has a spatial identity and architectural value that proves it is worthy enough to be preserved through unique spirituality linked to preserving the place.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings are limited to the cases of TCs in mountain regain and may not be applicable or appropriate to other cafés in other different countries.Originality/valueThere are three aspects of authenticity in the current research. Firstly, the TCs in Erbil have not been studied before. Secondly, TCs that have been discovered have made AR of themselves whilst maintaining their original function-serving beverages, to stimulate creativity. Thirdly, most of the studies of AR have dealt with historical and heritage architecture, whilst the current research paper is dealing with TA.

The focus on the Intelligent System (IS) in our existing types of building is a question of suitability, rather than creativity to enhance the building performance. This research explores the possible application of IS in improving the performance of courtyard houses in Baghdad, Iraq by answering the research two questions which are Q1: What does the traditional courtyard house (TCH) contain that should enhanced its performance? Q2: How (IS) could be added to the TCH in Iraq? The investigation which was done through literature review of courtyard houses type as seen beside intelligent building is supported by case studies investigation 12 (TCH) in Al-Kadhimiya through physical survey, observation, and documentation, in addition to 24 semi structure interviews with occupants of the same houses, and then using the qualitative method to analyse the data collection. The key findings highlight the need for adding new systems and architectural values to such TCH which is the basis of adding intelligence systems in such houses to enhance their performance. This could be improving the partial control of the environment related to structure and materials; decreasing the environmental challenges related to the ease of making modifications, the role of government regulations, and modernization requirements. Minimizing social struggles related to the idea of place psychology. Therefore, the current study concludes that the TCH could be as a contender of IS to enhance its performance through retrofit of such houses that contain high architectural value and re-build these houses with low architectural value and slum structure.

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