Charles E. Sexton’s scientific contributions

Built environment is experiencing significant changes due to population growth, improved living standards, and climate change impacts. With the building sector responsible for around 40% of global energy consumption and contributing to 30% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions, it becomes crucial to scrutinize the influence of climate change on energy usage in built spaces. This chapter seeks to explore accepted methodologies and forecasts regarding shifts in building energy demand. The efforts to refine building energy estimations and consider broader contextual factors is crucial for the sustainable and adaptive development of the built environment.

According to the climate change future projections, the Middle East and North Africa regions could experience a temperature increase of 2.5 °C by the end of the century. The climate in the Middle East is characterized by hot-arid regions with high temperatures. Therefore, climate-controlled buildings are essential for modern societies to function in these high temperatures. In Saudi Arabia, the Saudi Electricity Company has stated that the residential sector alone accounts for 50% of the electricity consumption in the Kingdom. A rising global temperature and population growth will heighten the need for building cooling, contributing to increased CO 2 emissions. Therefore, this study analyzes and simulates innovative window applications to reduce heat gain in traditional buildings in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Utilizing OpenStudio software, a representative building is modeled, and various window types are assessed for energy savings. The study aims to decrease residential energy consumption substantially, inform future building codes, and positively affect the environment, economy, and society.