نیلوفر نیک قدم

Escalating urban heat island effects and rising energy demands in Iran's hot, dry climate pose a serious challenge for educational buildings, where high occupant density intensifies cooling needs and operational costs. This research addresses the urgency of adopting cool roof technologies—such as reflective coatings, green roofs, high-albedo materials, and radiative cooling roofs—to mitigate extreme indoor temperatures, reduce carbon footprints, and enhance student and staff well-being. Drawing on empirical data, simulation models, and a comprehensive literature review, we employ a weighted-scoring framework that evaluates each technology's thermal performance, energy savings, cost factors, durability, and environmental impact. Findings reveal that while radiative cooling roofs offer the greatest potential for reducing cooling loads (up to 30–40%) and maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures, they demand more advanced materials and higher initial investment. Green roofs yield substantial insulation and environmental benefits, but are limited by water scarcity and elevated setup costs. Conversely, reflective coatings and high-albedo materials strike a balance between effectiveness and affordability, making them viable for retrofits in budget-constrained educational facilities. The results underscore the need for context-specific solutions that consider local climate, water resources, building typology, and policy incentives. By clarifying the strengths and trade-offs of each cool roof approach, this study provides actionable guidance for architects, policymakers, and school administrators seeking sustainable and cost-effective interventions. Future research should focus on long-term performance monitoring, integrating complementary passive strategies (e.g., shading, natural ventilation), and developing localized materials tailored to resource-limited contexts.

Today, the necessity and importance of paying attention to climatic conditions in architecture as an effective factor on the environmental quality of buildings is not hidden from architects. In the country of Iran, the cold climate zone requires special attention in the climatic design of buildings due to its difficulties and considerable extent. Semi-open spaces have been a crucial element in architecture, significantly influencing the spatial arrangement of vernacular buildings in Iranian architecture. However, in contemporary housing, these spaces lack the necessary efficiency, and one of the factors contributing to this, especially in cold climates, is the failure to consider climatic conditions. Modeling climatic design solutions for these spaces in vernacular architecture and applying them in contemporary housing design will enhance the efficiency of these spaces. Intending to investigate the effect of mesoclimate on the structure of semi-open spaces in Qajar-era houses in cold climates, this article examined and compared the climatic conditions in the two cold cities of Ardabil and Tabriz. It identified the physical characteristics of semi-open spaces in the case studies and analyzed the impact of mesoclimatic conditions on the differences in the features of semi-open spaces between the two cities. This research is applied and has a qualitative nature, utilizing the grounded theory method. Comparing the physical attributes of the semi-open spaces in the vernacular houses of the two cities and matching them with the differences in climatic conditions reveals significant differences based on the influence of the mesoclimate on the physical structure of the semi-open spaces.

Global challenges, including climate change and rising energy consumption, necessitate sustainable architectural solutions. Optimizing architectural design for passive natural ventilation enhances energy efficiency and reduces reliance on mechanical systems. An investigation was conducted to examine how channel dimensions impact thermal comfort in connected, enclosed atria in Yazd and Tabriz. The objective is to determine channel configurations that maximize year-round thermal comfort while minimizing mechanical heating and cooling. With Rhino software and Honeybee and Ladybug plugins, simulation models were developed. A variety of channel dimensions were tested to determine the optimum PMV values throughout seasonal changes. A variety of channel widths were evaluated for thermal comfort. The atrium and adjoining spaces were improved by enhancing airflow and temperature regulation. In both cities, a 1-meter channel width consistently provided optimal thermal comfort. During winter, PMV should be -3.43, in autumn -0.66, in summer 2.41, and in spring 0.0041. As in Tabriz, the winter PMV is -4.94, the autumn PMV is -0.62, the summer PMV is 0.72, and the spring PMV is -1.13. One-meter channel widths maintain comfort through seasonal temperature variations and environmental conditions, eliminating the need for supplemental heating or cooling. The study highlights the importance of climate-responsive design and optimizing passive ventilation systems to enhance building energy efficiency. As a result, buildings can be designed for both hot and cold climates. Energy-efficient and comfortable architectural solutions are supported. A focus on channel dimensions for optimal natural ventilation is recommended for future building designs in similar climates.