Browsing by Author "Taki, Ahmad"

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    Examining Energy Efficiency and Retrofit in Historic Buildings in the UK
    (MDPI, 2025-03-27) Sevim, Yasemin Erol; Taki, Ahmad; Abuzeinab, Amal
    The energy efficiency potential of a considerable number of Europe’s historical buildings is noteworthy. However, policymakers often express concerns about energy retrofits that may compromise the integrity of these structures and their surroundings. On the contrary, various strategies exist for enhancing energy efficiency in historic buildings without compromising their architectural constraints. The main aim of this study is to examine energy efficiency and retrofit strategies for historic commercial buildings in the UK. The case study that was selected is a historical building constructed in 1865 for the Water Works Company in the UK, whose function has changed through the years. The research methodology employed a combination of techniques that incorporated literature reviews, a case study, semi-structured interviews, and dynamic thermal simulations. For the purpose of obtaining reductions in emissions of greenhouse gases and consumption of energy, the energy performance of five different retrofit treatment methods that have the smallest damaging effect on historical significance was examined. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of integrating advanced building performance strategies, including wall enhancements, the optimisation of HVAC systems, and the implementation of minimally intrusive photovoltaic solutions. These interventions collectively contributed to achieving remarkable reductions in energy consumption, with electricity usage reduced by 100% and natural gas consumption decreased by 88.2%. Applying retrofit strategies reduced CO2 emissions by approximately 95% from 20,493.51 kg to 1274.76 kg per year. The findings underscore that, despite the considerable potential for enhancing energy efficiency in historic structures, there exists an extensive absence of understanding among homeowners concerning accessible regulations, grants, and practical energy-saving measures.
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    Examining the Impact of Multilevel Courtyards in Hot-Dry and Humid Climates
    (MDPI, 2025-05-08) Chidiadi, Eleazar; Taki, Ahmad
    Urbanisation has significantly transformed human settlements, presenting sustainability challenges, particularly in hot-dry and humid climates. The urban heat island effect and increased energy consumption exacerbate reliance on mechanical cooling and fossil fuels. As climate change escalates, developing sustainable architectural solutions that improve thermal performance and energy efficiency becomes crucial. This study examines the effects of various multilevel courtyard designs on building performance in Abuja, Nigeria, highlighting gaps in applying traditional principles to these models. A mixed-method approach, combining quantitative and qualitative techniques, assesses user perceptions, thermal performance, energy efficiency, and daylighting in multilevel courtyards. Findings indicate that optimised multilevel courtyard configurations yield a 2.15 °C reduction in temperature, enhancing indoor thermal comfort and improving natural ventilation. Users favour multilevel courtyard housing; however, challenges include inadequate daylighting on lower levels and the need for shading solutions. Compressed earth blocks exhibit better thermal performance, reducing peak temperatures by 1.19 °C compared to hollow concrete blocks. Guidelines for architects and urban planners are provided, as well as recommendations for future research on policy incentives to promote multilevel courtyard models.