Environmental Control of Urban Covered Courtyards in Mediterranean Climates – Comparison between different strategies

Covering urban courtyards allows the creation of pleasing public or semipublic spaces, sheltered from bad weather and possibly with a controlled climate. The use of transparent or semi-transparent roofs, that allow daylighting, is a common solution in central and northern Europe, but not in Mediterranean climates, where it would cause overheating for a good part of the year in the absence of appropriate solar control strategies. The case study examined in this work is the courtyard of a former Venetian convent. With reference to it, by means of computer simulations, some types of partially transparent roofing and some solar control strategies were compared from the points of view of energy demand, thermal and visual comfort. Given the diffusion of this type of courtyards in the Italian territory, the simulations were also performed using the climate data of the warmer climate of Palermo. The better solutions appear to be those based on the use of dynamic solar control devices.

Keywords. Covered courtyard; Temperate Climates; Environmental control; Thermal and visual comfort

References

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M. Taleghani, M. Tenpierik and A. Van Den Dobbelsteen, “Indoor thermal comfort in urban courtyard block dwellings in the Netherlands”. Building and Environment, 82, pp. 566-579. Dec. 2014, doi: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2014.09.028
F. Mendez Plaza, “Memoria e senso di un luogo storico dimenticato – Progetto architettonico di conservazione e restauro dell’ex palazzo di San Pietro di Castello”. Degree thesis. Dept. Arch., Construction and Conservation, Univ. IUAV di Venezia, Venice, Italy, 2021.
A. Carbonari and M. Scarpa, “Optimal Arrangement of Photovoltaic Panels Depending on Climate and Building's Intended Use” in Proc. PLEA 2016 - 32th Conference, Cities, Buildings, People: Towards Regenerative Environments, PLEA 2016 Los Angeles, Eds. Jul. 2016, pp. 493-499.
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A. Carbonari, “Solar control of extensively glazed facades: a computer method for predicting the effects of various devices and building’s thermal inertia”. In Proc. SET 2017 – 16th International Conference on Sustainable Energy Technologies, WSSET and Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, Eds. Jul. 2017, pp.
A. Buonomano, G. De Luca, U. Montanaro and A. Palombo, “Innovative technologies for NZEBs: An energy and economic analysis tool and a case study of a non-residential building for the Mediterranean climate”. Energy and Buildings, vol. 121, pp. 318–343, Jun. 2016, doi: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2015.08.037
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A. Carbonari, A. Fanchiotti, G. Rossi and C. Trevisan, Sistemi Solari Passivi 2 – Raccolta ed elaborazione dati dalla stazione di prova di muri di Trombe. Venezia, Italy: Istituto Universitario di Architettura di Venezia, 1986.
P. O. Fanger, Thermal Comfort. New York, USA: Mc Graw-Hill, 1970.
UNI Moderate thermal environments - Determination of the PMV and PPD indices and specification of the conditions for thermal comfort, UNI EN ISO 7730, 1997.
M. Collares-Pereira and A. Rabl, “The average distribution of solar radiation. Correlations between diffuse and hemispherical and between daily and hourly insolation values“. Solar Energy, vol. 22, no 2, pp. 155-164, 1979.
R. Lazzarin, Sistemi solari attivi, manuale di calcolo. (Solar passive systems, a calculation handbook). Padova, Italy: F.Muzzio & C, 1981.
A. Carbonari and G. Rossi, “Metodologia per l’ottimizzazione energetica ed illuminotecnica degli elementi ombreggianti applicati alle facciate degli edifici (Methodology for energy and lighting optimization of shading elements applied to building facades)”, in Proc. ATI 1999 - The 54rd Conference, SGE editoriali Eds. Sep. 1999, pp. 597 - 608
M. Cucumo, D. Kaliakatzos, V. Marinelli and M.D. Vivacqua, “Metodi di calcolo della luminanza del cielo e dell’illuminamento naturale su superfici esterne (Calculation methods of sky luminance and daylighting of external surfaces)“, Condizionamento dell’Aria Riscaldamento Refrigerazione, vol. 5, pp. 485-496, 1997.
H. M. Traquair,. An introduction to clinical perimetry. Edinburgh, UK: sby, 1938.
M. Luckiesh and S. K. Guth, “Brightness in visual field at borderline between comfort and discomfort (BCD)“. Illuminating Engineering, vol. 44, no. 11, pp. 650 – 670, 1949.
P. Peterbridge and J. Longmore, “Solid Angles Applied to Visual Comfort Problems“. Light and Lighting, pp. 173 – 177, June 1954.
P. Chauvel, J. B. Collins, R. Dogniaux and J. Longmore, “Glare from Windows: current views of the problem“. Lighting Research & Technology, vol. 14, no.1, pp. 31-46, Mar. 1982.
UNI Luce e illuminazione Locali scolastici: criteri generali per l’illuminazione naturale e artificiale, UNI Standard 10840, 2000.
CIE Discomfort Glare in interior lighting. CIE Technical report 117, 1995.
Z. Hamedania, E. Solgia, H. Skatesa, T. Hineb, R. Fernandoa, J. Lyonsa and K. Duprea, “Visual discomfort and glare assessment in office environments: A review of light-induced physiological and perceptual responses“. Building and Environment, vol. 153, pp. 267-280, Apr. 2019, doi: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2019.02.035
DIN Innenraumbeleuchtung mit künstlichem licht. DIN Standard 5035, 1979.
C. L. Robbins, Daylighting, design and analysis. New York, USA: Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, 1986.
R. Hopkinson, P. Peterbridge and J. Longmore, Daylighting. London, UK: Heinemann, 1963

Energy Catalyst

Volume 1, 2025, Article 2025.002

Technical Article

Environmental Control of Urban Covered Courtyards in Mediterranean Climates – Comparison between different strategies

, ,

¹University IUAV of Venice, Cannaregio 4030, 30121 Venezia, Italy

²University IUAV of Venice, Dorsoduro 2206, 30123 Venezia, Italy

³Freelance Architect, Las Condes, Santiago, Chile

Published: 2 May 2025
Pages: 22-34
Received: 18 March 2025
Revised: 20 April 2025
Accepted: 2 May 2025
DOI: 10.61552/EC.2025.002
Access: Open access, CC BY 4.0

Published 2 May 2025Pages 22-34doi.org/10.61552/EC.2025.002

Received 18 Mar 2025Revised 20 Apr 2025Accepted 2 May 2025Open accessunder CC BY 4.0

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Abstract

Keywords. Covered courtyard; Temperate Climates; Environmental control; Thermal and visual comfort

References

U. Berardi and T. Wang, “Daylighting in an atrium- type high performance house”. Building and Environment, vol. 76, pp. 92-104, Jun. 2014, doi: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2014.02.008
A. Rymarov, “Energy saving in the formation of covered courtyards”. In Proc. EO-DOK 2019 - 11th Conference on Interdisciplinary Problems in Environmental Protection and Engineering. Polanica-Zdroj, Poland 8th - 10th April 2019. A. Carbonari [Online]. Available: doi: 10.1051/e3sconf/201910000072
A. Aldawoud, “The influence of the atrium geometry on the building energy performance“. Energy and Buildings, vol. 57, pp. 1–5, Feb. 2013, doi: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2015.11.023
R. Aram and H. Z. Alibaba, “Thermal Comfort and Energy Performance of Atrium in Mediterranean Climate“. Sustainability, vol. 11, no. 4, pp. 1184- 1213, Feb. 2019, doi: 10.3390/su11041213
F. Wang, K. Pichatwatana, S. Roaf, L. Zhao, K. Zhu and L. Jingyan, 2014. “Developing a weather responsive internal shading system for atrium spaces of a commercial building in tropical climates“. Building and Environment, vol. 71, pp. 259-274, Jan. 2014, doi: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2013.10.003
M. Taleghani, M. Tenpierik and A. Van Den Dobbelsteen, “Indoor thermal comfort in urban courtyard block dwellings in the Netherlands”. Building and Environment, 82, pp. 566-579. Dec. 2014, doi: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2014.09.028
F. Mendez Plaza, “Memoria e senso di un luogo storico dimenticato – Progetto architettonico di conservazione e restauro dell’ex palazzo di San Pietro di Castello”. Degree thesis. Dept. Arch., Construction and Conservation, Univ. IUAV di Venezia, Venice, Italy, 2021.
A. Carbonari and M. Scarpa, “Optimal Arrangement of Photovoltaic Panels Depending on Climate and Building's Intended Use” in Proc. PLEA 2016 - 32th Conference, Cities, Buildings, People: Towards Regenerative Environments, PLEA 2016 Los Angeles, Eds. Jul. 2016, pp. 493-499.
A. Carbonari, “Thermal and luminous comfort in classrooms: a computer method to evaluate different solar control devices and its operating logics” in Proc.PLEA 2012 - The 28rd Conference, Opportunities, Limits & Needs Towards an environmentally responsible architecture, PUCP, Eds. Nov. 2012.
A. Carbonari, “Solar control of extensively glazed facades: a computer method for predicting the effects of various devices and building’s thermal inertia”. In Proc. SET 2017 – 16th International Conference on Sustainable Energy Technologies, WSSET and Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna, Eds. Jul. 2017, pp.
A. Buonomano, G. De Luca, U. Montanaro and A. Palombo, “Innovative technologies for NZEBs: An energy and economic analysis tool and a case study of a non-residential building for the Mediterranean climate”. Energy and Buildings, vol. 121, pp. 318–343, Jun. 2016, doi: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2015.08.037
G. Fraisse, C. Viardot, O. Lafabrie and G. Achard, “Development of a simplified and accurate building model based on electrical analogy“. Energy and Buildings, vol. 34, no. 10, pp. 1017– 1031, Nov. 2002, doi: 10.1016/S03787788(02)00019-1
J. H. Kämpf and D. Robinson, “A simplified thermal model to support analysis of urban resource flows“. Energy and Buildings, vol. 39, no. 4, pp. 445–453, Apr. 2007, doi: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2006.09.002
C. P. Underwood, “An improved lumped parameter method for building thermal modelling“. Energy and Buildings, vol. 79, pp. 191-201, Aug. 2014, doi: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2014.05.001
A. Fanchiotti, G. Rossi, C. Trevisan and M. Vio, Sistemi Solari Passivi – Progettazione e realizzazione di una stazione di prova di muri trombe modello di simulazione numerica confronto tra dati sperimentali e risultati numerici. Venezia, Italy: Istituto Universitario di Architettura di Venezia, 1983.
A. Carbonari, A. Fanchiotti, G. Rossi and C. Trevisan, Sistemi Solari Passivi 2 – Raccolta ed elaborazione dati dalla stazione di prova di muri di Trombe. Venezia, Italy: Istituto Universitario di Architettura di Venezia, 1986.
P. O. Fanger, Thermal Comfort. New York, USA: Mc Graw-Hill, 1970.
UNI Moderate thermal environments - Determination of the PMV and PPD indices and specification of the conditions for thermal comfort, UNI EN ISO 7730, 1997.
M. Collares-Pereira and A. Rabl, “The average distribution of solar radiation. Correlations between diffuse and hemispherical and between daily and hourly insolation values“. Solar Energy, vol. 22, no 2, pp. 155-164, 1979.
R. Lazzarin, Sistemi solari attivi, manuale di calcolo. (Solar passive systems, a calculation handbook). Padova, Italy: F.Muzzio & C, 1981.
A. Carbonari and G. Rossi, “Metodologia per l’ottimizzazione energetica ed illuminotecnica degli elementi ombreggianti applicati alle facciate degli edifici (Methodology for energy and lighting optimization of shading elements applied to building facades)”, in Proc. ATI 1999 - The 54rd Conference, SGE editoriali Eds. Sep. 1999, pp. 597 - 608
M. Cucumo, D. Kaliakatzos, V. Marinelli and M.D. Vivacqua, “Metodi di calcolo della luminanza del cielo e dell’illuminamento naturale su superfici esterne (Calculation methods of sky luminance and daylighting of external surfaces)“, Condizionamento dell’Aria Riscaldamento Refrigerazione, vol. 5, pp. 485-496, 1997.
H. M. Traquair,. An introduction to clinical perimetry. Edinburgh, UK: sby, 1938.
M. Luckiesh and S. K. Guth, “Brightness in visual field at borderline between comfort and discomfort (BCD)“. Illuminating Engineering, vol. 44, no. 11, pp. 650 – 670, 1949.
P. Peterbridge and J. Longmore, “Solid Angles Applied to Visual Comfort Problems“. Light and Lighting, pp. 173 – 177, June 1954.
P. Chauvel, J. B. Collins, R. Dogniaux and J. Longmore, “Glare from Windows: current views of the problem“. Lighting Research & Technology, vol. 14, no.1, pp. 31-46, Mar. 1982.
UNI Luce e illuminazione Locali scolastici: criteri generali per l’illuminazione naturale e artificiale, UNI Standard 10840, 2000.
CIE Discomfort Glare in interior lighting. CIE Technical report 117, 1995.
Z. Hamedania, E. Solgia, H. Skatesa, T. Hineb, R. Fernandoa, J. Lyonsa and K. Duprea, “Visual discomfort and glare assessment in office environments: A review of light-induced physiological and perceptual responses“. Building and Environment, vol. 153, pp. 267-280, Apr. 2019, doi: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2019.02.035
DIN Innenraumbeleuchtung mit künstlichem licht. DIN Standard 5035, 1979.
C. L. Robbins, Daylighting, design and analysis. New York, USA: Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, 1986.
R. Hopkinson, P. Peterbridge and J. Longmore, Daylighting. London, UK: Heinemann, 1963

Environmental Control of Urban Covered Courtyards in Mediterranean Climates – Comparison between different strategies

Abstract

References

How to cite this article

Environmental Control of Urban Covered Courtyards in Mediterranean Climates – Comparison between different strategies

Abstract

References

How to cite this article