Parametric Study and Comparative Efficiency of Islamic Geometric Patterns as a Retrofit Strategy in Mid-Rise Buildings of Al Ain City, Abu Dhabi, Uae

Abstract

The city of Al Ain (Abu Dhabi, UAE) has a significant amount of mixed-use mid-rise buildings, especially in the city's central district. Because of the harsh arid climate of Al Ain, many of these buildings have high energy demands to accommodate the cooling load. By taking inspiration from the traditional Islamic architectural element, Mashrabiya, this study is concerned with exploring and identifying various, optimal Islamic geometric pattern (IGP) configurations used in cladding systems, with respect to energy consumption, daylighting, and quality views. The main objective of this study is to formulate a repertoire of IGPs that can be used in façade cladding systems that achieve significant reductions in energy consumption, while also providing sufficient daylighting and quality views. After a comprehensive literature review and local climate analysis, ten commonly-used IGPs will be modelled using the parametric software language Grasshopper and applied to the selected building modelled in Rhinoceros 3D, a 3D modelling program. Next, energy, daylight, and view quality simulations will be conducted using different orientations and during different seasons. The modelling process and simulations, along with the obtained results should give stakeholders a catalogue of optimal IGPs to refer to when selecting a passive exterior perforated cladding system. The study should also add to the knowledge of employing vernacular patterns to façade cladding systems in the hopes of strengthening the link to local culture.

Sustainability Implications of Utilizing Islamic Geometric Patterns in Contemporary Designs, a Systematic Analysis

“…Mohammadi et al [18] study analyzed IGPs in Persian architecture to be able to apply complex and irregular patterns to meet the modern design requirements in generating new patterns or recreating traditional designs. The most recent 2022 had in total four publications; two were about the effective role of IGPs in achieving significant reductions in energy consumption (i.e., [19,20]), and two about the aesthetic phenomenology of Islamic geometry within the context of interior design [21] and use of computational aided technology to classify IGPs [5].…”

“…It is observed that the dominant aspect is the combination of environmental and economic aspects of sustainability. This is because of the use of computeraided technologies and computational methods to either perform analysis or develop new The most recent 2022 had in total four publications; two were about the effective role of IGPs in achieving significant reductions in energy consumption (i.e., [19,20]), and two about the aesthetic phenomenology of Islamic geometry within the context of interior design [21] and use of computational aided technology to classify IGPs [5].…”

“…Emami et al [32] employed geometric patterns in ornaments of shading screens to be used as a daylight control system. Mohamed and Bande [19] formulated a repertoire of IGPs that can be used in façade cladding systems that achieve significant reductions in energy consumption while also providing sufficient daylighting and quality views. Selim [20] designed a shading device based on the Girih fractal geometry inspired by tree concepts and then employed the Islamic Girih fractal geometric patterns through their repeated units in a contemporary design with advanced tools, thus achieving significant contrast of solids and shapes against light and shade in contemporary designs.…”