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![Ibn Tulun Masjid [4]](publication/366538353/figure/fig3/AS:11431281109217890@1671801447294/bn-Tulun-Masjid-4.png)
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![Figure 3. Ibn Tulun Masjid [4]](publication/366538353/figure/fig3/AS:11431281109217890@1671801447294/bn-Tulun-Masjid-4_Q320.jpg)
![Figure 4.Al-Hakim Masjid [4]](publication/366538353/figure/fig4/AS:11431281109208018@1671801447324/Al-Hakim-Masjid-4_Q320.jpg)
The architecture of Masjids has spread in areas with harsh climates and natural conditions. In previous decades, the Masjid's design was a large flat area with an inner courtyard in the middle. This architectural design of the Masjid was appropriate to the nature of the hot climate. Recently, the design of Masjids became closed and flat areas that...
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Context 1
... increased urbanization in the Tulunid and Fatimid eras, and while cities were building, a new urban formation for mosques appeared, which took from urbanized cities, with the desert environment affecting the design. Masjids in this era expressed welcoming and openness toward the sky through their uncovered courtyard area, and lighting spread fluidly through the mosque, which was present in the mosque of Ibn-Tulun in Cairo (Figure 3), the mosque of AlHakim (Figure 4), and Al Aqmar Mosque ( Figure 5). It is noticed that there are three main patterns of horizontal plans. ...
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... 2 -Water elements: when used in the garden, the variety resulting from the reflections of the sky and the surrounding buildings makes the space pulsate with movement, and functionally, it is used to achieve enclosure or separation and honestly express a group of feelings that the designer wants to show in the space [18]. Furthermore, the presence of water surfaces and their aesthetic value contribute significantly to controlling the surrounding area's temperature, assisting in creating a small climate region within and outside the structure [19]. For example, water fountains give a sense of vitality, and movement is visible. ...
Reviving Islamic urban heritage while enhancing contemporary identity is an important goal in all Islamic countries. Historical places can be an important part of society instead of being a burden, and they can be redeemed as cultural assets that can be used for their original function. Accordingly, this study focuses on the Al-Azhar Park project, considered one of the pioneering sustainable urban development projects recently opened in Cairo, Egypt. It is a promising restoration attempt to establish public parks by improving the cultural, social, and economic aspects of the adjacent Islamic historical area. Hence, this study aims to highlight a potential approach for designing sustainable parks by documenting one of the leading Islamic contemporary urban development projects. The study follows a descriptive and analytical research method by analyzing the integrity between architectural features in Al-Azhar Islamic Park and the historic Islamic urban around it. The aim is to show how landscape design can be used as a tool to enhance behavioral responses and activities. The results show that the bottom-up development method is the most effective strategy that prioritizes the local community's needs while restoring the Islamic historical sites and creating new functions suitable to generate the necessary income for the buildings and respond to the local community needs.
... Mud and limestone, historically used in the region, were selected due to their local availability, low embodied energy, and thermal performance, making them well-suited for the harsh climate of Saudi Arabia. These materials also align with the traditional building techniques [61] of the Najdi architecture, maintaining the cultural authenticity of the site [2,[62][63][64]. However, while traditional materials like mud and limestone offer significant environmental advantages in terms of energy and water use, their frequent maintenance requirements can lead to higher cumulative impacts over time. ...
This paper presents a comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) of the traditional and modern materials used in heritage building restoration, focusing on mud, limestone, decorative plaster, blended hydraulic cement, and ready-mix concrete. The analysis examines key environmental impact categories, including global warming potential (GWP), ozone depletion potential (ODP), acidification potential (AP), eutrophication potential (EP), and water use across multiple life cycle stages. The results reveal that mud and limestone, while having lower initial environmental impacts in production, contribute significantly to ODP and GWP during transportation due to their heavy weight. Modern materials like blended hydraulic cement and ready-mix concrete exhibit the highest overall environmental impacts, particularly in GWP, AP, and water use, due to their energy-intensive production processes. Decorative plaster, while lower in initial impacts, gains higher environmental burdens over time due to its frequent replacement. This study highlights the need to optimize transportation and improve recycling practices for traditional materials, while also encouraging the exploration of alternative materials for reducing the environmental footprint of heritage restoration.
... The data collection process incorporated both document analysis and field surveys to capture the full spectrum of Ushaiger's heritage conservation [19,[58][59][60][61]. Primary documents, such as historical maps and photographs, were reviewed to establish a baseline understanding of the village's original urban fabric and its subsequent This research relied on both primary and secondary sources, including archival documents, maps, photographs, and articles from governmental and private institutions. ...
... The data collection process incorporated both document analysis and field surveys to capture the full spectrum of Ushaiger's heritage conservation [19,[58][59][60][61]. Primary documents, such as historical maps and photographs, were reviewed to establish a baseline understanding of the village's original urban fabric and its subsequent deterioration over time. ...
As the Middle East experiences rapid growth due to its oil wealth, there is a pressing need to balance contemporary development with the preservation of its rich cultural heritage. This study focuses on Ushaiger Village in Saudi Arabia, an example of traditional Najid architecture that was once abandoned and has now been brought back to life through restoration. This research tracks the restoration steps, looks at how old buildings are being reused today, and assesses the effectiveness of these efforts through a survey of 80 local residents and tourists. The results show significant improvements in preserving the village, with over 100 buildings restored using traditional, environmentally friendly materials like mud and limestone. This restoration has won strong support from the community and has boosted the local economy by increasing tourism and supporting local businesses, aligning well with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals. This study illustrates that caring for heritage sites can promote economic and environmental health, providing a model for integrating cultural heritage into national development plans. Ushaiger Village’s story highlights the benefits of thoughtful conservation, showing that it can enhance community life and keep cultural identities alive within the Saudi Vision 2030.
... However, the preservation of heritage buildings presents a distinct set of challenges, compounded by the structures' age, the variability in construction materials, and long-term exposure to environmental factors [6]. Aging materials, susceptibility to weathering, and changes in structural stability can compromise the buildings' integrity over time, necessitating specialized conservation strategies that balance preservation with sustainability [5,[7][8][9][10]. tailored specifically to the challenges of heritage conservation. ...
This study presents a framework for integrating digital twins and knowledge graphs to enhance heritage building conservation, addressing challenges in environmental stress management, material degradation, and structural integrity while preserving historical authenticity. Using validated synthetic data, the framework enables real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and emergency response through a digital twin connected to a knowledge graph. Four scenarios were simulated to evaluate system performance: high humidity exceeding a 75% threshold triggered alerts for limestone maintenance; temperature fluctuations caused strain levels up to 0.009 units in load-bearing components at 35 °C, necessitating structural inspection; cumulative degradation monitoring projected re-plastering needs by month eight as the plaster degradation index approached 85%; and sudden impact events simulated emergency responses, with strain spikes over 0.004 units prompting real-time alerts within 2.5 s. Response times averaged 50 ms under normal conditions, peaking at 150 ms during high-frequency updates, showing robust Application Programming Interface (API) performance and data synchronization. SPARQL (SPARQL Protocol and RDF Query Language) queries within the knowledge graph facilitated proactive maintenance scheduling, reducing reactive interventions and supporting sustainable heritage conservation, especially suited to humid–temperate climates. This framework offers a novel, structured approach that bridges modern technology with heritage preservation needs, addressing both urgent conservation challenges and long-term sustainability to ensure the resilience of heritage buildings.
... The courtyard has a dual function: it is the fulcrum of family life in the house and acts as a light well and airshaft to reduce the temperature during the hot hours of the day and cool the rooms to make spaces more livable and comfortable. The courtyard, therefore, represents an important typology for bringing nature into the Najd houses ( Figure 2) [14,15]. ...
... The courtyard has a dual function: it is the fulcrum of family life in the house and acts as a light well and airshaft to reduce the temperature during the hot hours of the day and cool the rooms to make spaces more livable and comfortable. The courtyard, therefore, represents an important typology for bringing nature into the Najd houses ( Figure 2) [14,15]. Subsequently, this research focused on the historic center of Ad Dirah, whose origins can be traced back to 1737. ...
The expressiveness of architectural language in terms of the formal and aesthetic approach is a feature that should not be secondary in contemporary buildings. The surface, texture, form, representation, and expression should prevail over aesthetic purposes in architecture. This research aims to highlight how the plastic and expressive value of the traditional buildings in the Najd region of Saudi Arabia, rich in cultural heritage and building form, can be translated into contemporary ones, creating the continuity of the local cultural identity in a rapidly growing context. This research used a qualitative methodology based on selecting seven modern and contemporary case studies in Riyadh. The selected case studies were analyzed using four criteria: composition aspects, plastic figuration, expressive value, and context connection. The comparison of the case studies underlined the plasticity and malleability of the wall surfaces, the formal character, and the aesthetic approach, showing continuity with the cultural heritage of the Najd architecture. These examples demonstrate how architecture that is attentive to place and history, incorporating local materials and its cultural heritage, can represent an opportunity to rethink the constructive and aesthetic approach to provide guiding criteria for contemporary architects designing in the rapidly expanding city.
... While prior studies have explored courtyard performance using tools like EnergyPlus and DesignBuilder [6][7][8], their reliance on static models limits the dynamic optimization of design parameters such as orientation, enclosure, and aperture configuration. Furthermore, few studies have leveraged parametric design tools like Grasshopper to iteratively refine courtyard geometry and airflow dynamics in real-world religious buildings-a critical gap given the unique spatial and functional demands of structures like mosques [9,10]. ...
... A courtyard is an outdoor area that is enclosed by walls or buildings, typically within the confines of a larger architectural structure such as a house, mosque, or palace [8,9]. It is often open to the sky and serves as a central space for various activities, social gatherings, and interactions [10,11]. Furthermore, they act as extensions of indoor spaces, providing a transition between the private and public realms [12]. ...
In Mediterranean regions, traditional courtyard designs are celebrated for their passive cooling potential, yet modern mosques often rely heavily on energy-intensive cooling systems due to underperforming architectural strategies. This study addresses this paradox by leveraging parametric modeling to optimize courtyard-driven energy efficiency in the King Hussein Mosque, Jordan. Using a novel Grasshopper-based workflow integrating Ladybug, Honeybee, and Butterfly plugins, we quantify how courtyard orientation, enclosure, and fenestration impact Energy Use Intensity (EUI) and thermal comfort. Simulations revealed a baseline EUI of 111.132 kWh/m² (EPC Rating E), with cooling demands contributing 20.432 kWh/m² despite three courtyards designed for natural ventilation. Parametric testing of interventions—including partial courtyard enclosures and optimized window-to-wall ratios—reduced EUI to 98.989 kWh/m² (EPC Rating D), achieving an 11% energy savings while maintaining the mosque’s architectural integrity. Thermal comfort in the prayer hall improved by 15%, with UTCI thresholds shifting from “high heat stress” to “moderate comfort” during summer occupancy. This work pioneers the application of Grasshopper in mosque energy optimization, demonstrating its superiority over static simulation tools by enabling real-time, multi-variable adjustments tailored to intermittent prayer schedules. The findings challenge assumptions about courtyard efficacy in contemporary religious architecture, offering actionable retrofitting guidelines for designers: strategic partial enclosures, localized shading, and adaptive fenestration. By bridging computational design with cultural heritage preservation, this study provides a replicable framework for decarbonizing religious buildings in arid climates, contributing to UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 7 (Affordable Energy) and 11 (Sustainable Cities).
This review paper presents an interdisciplinary exploration of integrating emerging technologies, including digital twins (DTs), building information modeling (BIM), 3D laser scanning, machine learning (ML), and the Internet of Things (IoT), in the conservation of heritage buildings. Through a comprehensive literature review spanning from 1996 to 2024, expert interviews, a bibliometric analysis, and content analysis, the study highlights a significant shift toward a preventive approach to conservation, focusing on less invasive methods to ensure long-term preservation. It highlights the revolutionary impact of detailed digital representations and real-time monitoring on enhancing conservation efforts. The findings underscore significant research gaps, such as the need for standardized information protocols and the integration of DTs with BIM, while pointing to the potential of AR and VR in enriching heritage experiences. The paper advocates for a multidisciplinary approach to effectively harness these technologies, offering innovative solutions for the sustainable preservation of cultural heritage.
Purpose
The prominence of energy conservation in worship buildings like mosques, temples, and churches has led many nations to enact regulations for enhanced energy efficiency. However, the upfront costs often deter decision-makers. This research focuses on mosques, investigating cooling load reduction strategies and assessing their long-term cost dynamics.
Methods
To address the challenge of meeting energy requirements for community worship places, with mosques as a case study, this research conducted a comprehensive investigation. Various cooling load reduction strategies, both active and passive, are assessed to understand their impact on long-term cost dynamics. DesignBuilder V7.0.2 software is used for simulations.
Results and discussion
In a hot and dry climate context, this research carefully selected strategies like external shading, exterior wall insulation, R10 polystyrene roof insulation HRBLUE2 windows, night ventilation practices, and LED lighting systems, steered by environmentally aware construction principles. The objective is to determine the optimum means of management of cooling loads through a delicately adjusted cooling load strategy. Moreover, the life cycle cost related to those cooling strategies is determined. The recommendation includes implementation of strategies that effectively reduce cooling loads, decrease life cycle cost, and improve overall performance, specifically adapted for mosque environments.
Conclusion
This research emphasizes the crucial necessity for practicing sustainability in the construction of community buildings utilized for worship and the significance of energy conservation. By investigating cooling load decreasing strategies for mosques and their corresponding long-term cost implications, it suggests valuable solutions for addressing the energy needs of such places. The findings emphasize the importance of executing strategies that reduce cooling loads efficiently along with improving overall performance and minimize.
This paper explores the transformative impact of agent-based modeling (ABM) on the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry, highlighting its indispensable role in revolutionizing project management, construction processes, safety protocols, and sustainability initiatives including energy optimization and occupants’ comfort. Through an in-depth review of 178 documents published between 1970 and 2024 on current practices and the integration of ABM with emerging digital technologies, this study underscores the critical importance of ABM in facilitating enhanced decision-making, resource optimization, and complex system simulations. For instance, ABM is shown to reduce project delays by up to 15% through enhanced resource allocation and improve safety outcomes by simulating worker behavior and identifying potential hazards in dynamic construction environments. The results reveal ABM’s potential to significantly improve construction methodologies, integrate technological advancements seamlessly, and contribute to the development of sustainable and resilient building practices. Furthermore, this paper identifies key areas for future research, including the exploration of ABM’s capabilities in conjunction with other digital innovations to unlock new avenues for efficiency and sustainability in construction. This study sets out a forward-looking agenda for providing this modeling approach to address contemporary challenges and harness opportunities for innovation and growth in the AEC sector.
In Saudi Arabia, the recent interest in safeguarding urban heritage has promoted sustainable strategies compliant with the National Vision 2023. Many heritage villages were abandoned for years due to the inhabitant's relocation to new residential units. However, after being neglected for many years, the heritage villages have been recently rehabilitated by Governmental Institutions with the involvement of the local community to raise awareness about Saudi Culture and heritage and improve local investment and appreciation of local culture. The paper presents and discusses four case studies of heritage villages in Saudi Arabia by comparing the intervention methodologies, the conservation approach promoted by the supervising Governmental institutions, and assessing criteria and principles adopted during the intervention. Results show that urban heritage intervention can provide more flexibility in reuse by adopting restorative interventions, while the conservative target is to valorize the originality of sites listed under UNESCO. Finally, the proposed methodology for the assessment of sustainable reuses of urban heritage sites in Saudi Arabia can promote strategic opportunities in the country's growth, targeting economic, environmental, economic, and social values.
