Investigation of Buildings in Alacati in Terms of Energy Efficiency in Architecture

Abstract

Purpose Due to the depletion of natural resources, energy efficiency in buildings has increasingly gained a major priority. As vernacular houses contain accumulated knowledge to adapt to the climate, they have been crucial examples of energy-efficient architecture for the designers. In this manner, the study focuses on Alacati vernacular houses. The purpose of the study is to investigate and compare the energy-efficient architecture properties of different types of tourism accommodation buildings. Design/Methodology/Approach The accommodation buildings are grouped into three categories, namely Accommodation buildings converted from vernacular houses of the area, New accommodation buildings designed in the style of vernacular houses, and Accommodation buildings that have different architectural styles. Selected three sample buildings from each group are evaluated by energy efficiency principles. Building energy simulation models of the nine case buildings in total are developed to determine the building components' contribution to energy consumption by heating and cooling. The values from energy modeling are used to compare the buildings according to the checklist. Findings According to the results of the study, the density of space, natural ventilation, shading elements, and pitched roof type specialties of vernacular buildings reduce heating and cooling load. However, traditional stone load-bearing walls and bay windows, which are the most significant element of the building form, increase the annual energy demand. At the end of the study, Alacati Energy-Efficient Architecture Database Schema is presented in Table 10 as the outcome of the study. Research Limitations/Implications The evaluation of the case buildings merely depends on the annual cooling and heating energy loads of nine randomly selected buildings. Practical and Social Implications The assessment method used in the study provides the opportunity to identify the proportion of the effect of energy efficiency properties on the total heating and cooling load. Furthermore, the Alacati Energy-Efficient Architecture Schema presented as the ultimate product of this study is expected to guide the architects to design energy-efficient accommodation buildings, without compromising the vernacular architectural appearance of Alacati. Originality/Value The study focuses on the separate effects of the properties of Alacati vernacular architecture, instead of focusing on one property, or comparing case buildings on the energy consumption.