An Investigation on Climate Responsive Design Strategies of Coastal Region Vernacular Housing in Oman

Facing the challenges of global warming and fossil fuels depletion, while reduction energy consumption and securing a sustainable development, are among the top priorities for Oman nowadays. The building sector in represents about half of the total energy consumption in the country. Reducing energy consumption in the building sector through climate responsive strategies, without compromising human comfort, is an essential research topic for the Omani sustainable development agenda. Hundreds of years of empirical expertise resulted in the development of vernacular dwellings adapted to the local climate and geomorphology in order to accommodate the daily needs of the occupants. There are many lessons to be learned from Omani vernacular architecture in terms of environmentally responsive design. This research combines literature study along with findings from field research to investigate the environmental design dimensions of vernacular dwellings from different regions of Oman. Special attention is given to the interrelation of the building typology, space configuration, materials, constructions techniques and openings (size and position) with aspects of environmental design. Diverse bioclimatic design features related to outdoor microclimatic control, passive cooling techniques and recorded for coastal region of Oman and thermal simulation models are developed for different houses in the region. Vernacular houses from coastal region in Oman will be chosen and thoroughly investigated to understand the climatic design strategies employed and their effectiveness in maintaining human comfort and health. To review architectural strategies comprehensively and systematically in Oman, both in scientific and social context. Based on this study a taxonomy of effective passive techniques is established to be implemented on modern Omani dwelling thermal simulation model and their impact on indoor thermal comfort is recorded. The findings of this study would provide guideline for designing climate responsive modern houses in coastal region of Oman.