Natural Energy and Vernacular Architecture: Principles and Examples with Reference to Hot Arid Climates (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Walter Shearer (Editor), Abd-el-rahman Ahmed Sultan (Editor)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 196 pages
• Publisher: University Of Chicago Press (August 15, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0226239179
• ISBN-13: 978-0226239170
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,189,700 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Traditional and philosophic view without a scientific view to the effects of environment on man and his architecture, May 18, 2006

By	Jamal Khodakarami (Cardiff UK) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book has a traditional and philosophic view to the effects of environment on man and his architecture; this view could be affected by its authors, especially Hassan Fathy.

Although "Natural Energy and Vernacular Architecture: Principles and Examples with Reference to Hot Arid Climates" give you a wide range of environmental idea, but, Almost without any clear referring to done study or established researches, this book try to explain the some thermal techniques for thermal comfort achievement.

This book includes two parts. In the first part we can see the relationship between Man, Natural Environment and Architecture as three impressible factors. This part of book is in tow chapters. In chapter one, we become familiar with relationship between environment and architecture, the effect of climate on architectural form, environment, conscious modification of microclimate and finally trends in international architecture. Chapter tow includes architectural thermodynamics and human comfort in hot climates, temperature, thermal conduction and resistance, radiation, emissive, absorptive, and reflectivity transparency. In other sections of this chapter we learn about thermal convection, atmospheric pressure, water vapour, cooling by evaporation, thermal gain, thermal loss, dynamic thermal equilibrium, heat-regulating mechanisms of human body, and measurement of conditions of human comfort.
The second part tents to natural energy and vernacular architecture. This part includes four chapters. In first chapter of this part - the third chapter of book - we can learn about architecture and comfort, architectural design for a comfortable microclimate, and building materials. Chapter four assigns to the sun factor, orientation, shading, facades, openings and the roof. Chapter five is in the wind factor in air movement, air movement by pressure differential, the Claustrum, the wind-escape, the Malquf, and the Badgir. As the sixth chapter we can know in the sun factor in air movement, air movement by convection, the courtyard house, the Takhtabush and traditional city layout and climate. For chapter seventh the humidity factor, the fountain and the Salsabil have been seen.

Although there are some good ideas in terms of using the passive systems techniques, but this book is not recommended for research students whom must refer their studies to acceptable references.