- Thermal comfort (Proposed, intervention) and historic buildings in Mediterranean zone
In Cyprus: Michael analyses the impact of different natural ventilation strategies on indoor thermal environment in traditional residential buildings. The building is located in settlement Kapedes which has a Mediterranean climate. The research aims to use quantitative method in order to emphasis on the positive role of natural ventilation for cooling purpose in residential buildings in eastern Mediterranean region. For achieving that goal, the author tested the natural ventilation through field study during hot summer period of 2015. Three devices are used; Lastem Heat Shield, base model ELR610M is for indoor temperature measurements; Vaisala WINDCAP Ultrasonic Wind Sensor WMT700 is for air velocity measurements; Vantage Pro 2 Plus weather station is for air temperature measurements outside the building. Three different natural ventilation strategies are examined. They are full day ventilation, day time ventilation, and night ventilation. Thermal indoor comfort assessment depends on comparing with ASHRAE 55. The result indicates that the night ventilation strategy during the summer is the best option \citep{Michael_2017}.
- Thermal comfort (Proposed, intervention) and historic buildings in Hot zones
In Italy: Evola analyses transient behavior of building envelope of historic residential building in Catania (Southern Italy) from 19th century by observing thermal comfort during summer period. The building is built from lava stones. The research aims at showing that the thermal comfort can be improved through mixing different techniques such as understanding thermal capacity of the building envelop, adding insulation layer, using light color material for external walls, and adopting appropriate ventilation strategy. The author uses Energy Plus software to understand the effectiveness of each technique on the thermal comfort of the building. The simulation is used to calculate mainly the Intensity of Thermal Discomfort (ITD) as well as the operative temperature. The result shows that understanding thermal capacity of building envelop and considering appropriate ventilation strategy should be combined to improve the thermal comfort. In addition, adding small layer of insulation can improve the thermal comfort too. Taking into consideration that much increasing the insulation layer can enhance the energy saving in winter but can cause overheating and thermal discomfort in summer. Finally, the author mentions that night ventilation strategy is more effective than other passive cooling techniques such as reflective coatings for improving thermal comfort in the residential buildings in that region \citep{Evola_2015}.
- Energy performance (proposed, intervention) and historic buildings in Mediterranean zone
In Spain: Gálvez suggests alternatives to restore historic residential building from 18th and 19th century in the historic city centre of Sevilla, Spain. Three alternatives are developed. First one (Model-A) represents the original state of the building. Second alternative (Model-B) examines the building materials that are used in the last intervention. These materials compliance with the preservation regulations in Sevilla. Third one (Model-C) suggests building materials that are needed for restoration from sustainability and eco-efficiency perspectives. This examination takes into consideration seven parameters for sustainability such as; if the materials are recycled, reused, their impact on production and transport, solid waste generation during construction and building lifespan. The energy efficiency analysis to compare between model B&C is done by official computer applications; LIDER, and CALENER VYP. The results show that Model C distinguishes by; better heat loss in winter and cooling in summer, better reducing CO2 emissions by more than 50% during the life of the building. The overall aim of this research is dealing with the restoration projects from sustainable point of view. This concept should be seen as an opportunity to the historical city centres \citep{P_rez_G_lvez_2013}.
In Italy: Moschella recommends using the solar technologies in historic buildings. In the first place, the author discusses the current debates about the impact of physical conformation of the plant (photovoltaic tiles) on the cultural values of the building itself. Afterwards, the case study of (typical) historical building in Catania historical centre is selected to discuss. The discussion includes the following items; energy analyzing; retrofitting energy suggestion according to building cultural value; proposal for architectural integration of solar technology system such as Building Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) systems and Building Integrated Solar Thermal (BIST). Software Autodesk Ecotect Analysis 2011 is used as a tool to calculate maximum energy absorbed by BIPV and percentage of energy saving using BIPV. The results show reduction of the energy consumption of 19% during winter period and of 32% during the summer one due to applying the energy retrofit interventions. In addition, using BIPV & BIST in historic building will promote the technological innovation in solar technologies field \citep{Moschella_2013}.
- Energy performance (Proposed, intervention) and Ottoman historic building in different regions
In Greece: Antsonios analyses historic residential building from ottoman period (18th century). This building is located in Athena. Field measurements, monitoring (indoor and outdoor), and heat flux value of building components are used as qualitative and quantities method for analysing this building. The main aim of this article is to evaluate the passive thermal behaviour of the building envelope this building, as well as to indicate the thermal properties of the various components such as construction material and wall system. The result indicates the effect of building orientation, configuration on the passive system of this building \citep{Atsonios2013large}.
- Environmental, Energy, thermal comfort aspects: learning from the past experiences and historic buildings in Mediterranean Zone
In Turkey: Koruman compares between energy performance of traditional houses and modern houses in Gaziantep area that has transition climate between Mediterranean and terrestrial. This climate characterized by hot and dry in summers and cold and rainy in winter. Gaziantep traditional houses are built from stone masonry. They are quite similar to typical Turkish house. So, for example, they have massive solid walls, and lattices of the windows. Four traditional houses and three modern houses are selected for the research. The comparison items of these houses include; First, S/V ratio annual energy needs and heat loss of all selected houses; Second, heating energy need and maximum heat energy that can be used in houses according to Turkish Standards (TS 825). The result indicates that in winter the traditional Gaziantep houses need 47% less energy comparing with the modern houses. Furthermore, he traditional Gaziantep houses have 18% less energy loss during the year. The study aims at encouraging the designer to use traditional architectural concepts to improve energy performance in the modern architecture \citep{korumazevaluation}.
- Environmental, Energy, thermal comfort aspects: learning from the past experiences and historic buildings in hot arid Zones
In Iran: Khalili & Amindeldar attempt to analysis the traditional houses of Iran in dry and hot regions. These houses are located in four cities; Yazd, Kashan, Zavare and Isfahan. The authors select twenty traditional houses. The article aims at; clarifying how these houses have solutions to improve thermal comfort level. These solutions present in two main issues; First is construction pattern that relies on the climate condition (such as exiting of wind-catcher, courtyard, basement); Second is behavioural patterns that means past life style of inhabitants. This research aims to inspire these solutions to reduce the energy consumption in the contemporary architecture \citep{Khalili_2014}.