The Impact of the Ancient Egypt Hypostyle Halls on Thermal Environments

Abstract

The impact of ancient Egyptian hypostyle hall columns on thermal environment was quantitatively evaluated. A simulation model was developed to predict the annual indoor temperature change. The thermal environment was found to greatly improved when the columns were installed, as the fluctuations caused by daily temperature variations were minimized and indoor temperature reduced even during summers. Sensitivity analysis shows that such a reduction in temperature variation cannot be achieved by simply increasing the thermal capacity of the wall, but must be achieved by simultaneously expanding the thermal capacity and surface area by increasing the number of columns.