ZEMCH 2015 - International Conference Proceedings | Page 412

The second strategy was to run analysis on the Majlis with exposed large windows toward the
sun. The surface directed and exposed to the sun was enhanced with decorative passive solar
walls that are semi-integrated with the facade. These will act as a shading, buffer, and design. The
passive walls were created according to the overhead of the window and the depth of the room.
It had to be greater in length in contrast to the windows to minimize any direct solar radiation for
entering the interior of the house specifically for the chosen zone, Al Majlis. The passive wall, as
shown below in Figure 17, is made out of wood, emphasizing the cultural values, which will reduce
the direct sun arrays from heating the house surface and punctuating through the windows and
doors causing temperature increase.

Figure 17: Before and after sketch placement of wall
When the daylight analysis was conducted on the selected zone in summer, the temperature
reached 43°C. After placing the passive walls to diffuse the direct sunlight exposure, the temperature dropped to 25°C. This result indicated that because of the location of the house and windows
considering the sun path movement during summer, there will be increased cooling loads due
to the heat gained through the sun. Having a wall that allows entrance of both wind and sun
through its small openings will satisfy the need for light and the need to have the same view access to the neighboring houses as shown below in Figure 18.

Figure 18: Al Majlis before and after wall placement

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ZEMCH 2015 | International Conference | Bari - Lecce, Italy