Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Vernacular Building Bioclimatic Elements In Moderating Indoor Environment: The Case Of Merti Woreda, Arsi Zone

Abstract

Studying The Bioclimatic Performance Of Vernacular Buildings Is A Critical Issue In This Era In Order To Eliminate The Current Environmental Problems Associated With The Increase In Average Temperature, Which Require High Energy Consumption To Create A Comfortable Indoor Environment. The Research Was Conducted In Merti Woreda, Which Is In The Tropical Savannah Climate Zone And Experiences Hot Days And Cold Nights. The Study's Goal Is To Identify Potential Bioclimatic Design Strategies For Merti Woreda Vernacular Dwellings And Assess Their Impact On Improving Indoor Thermal Conditions. The Evaluation Was Conducted Using A Qualitative And Quantitative Research Approach. Three Vernacular Building Typologies Found In The Areas Have Been Selected Through Purposive Sampling Techniques. In Addition, The Data Is Processed Using Design Builder (Db) And Excel Software And Presented Using Charts, Drawings, And Tables. The Results Demonstrate That The High Thermal Mass And Smaller Width-To-Height Ratio Help For Better Thermal And Energy Performance In B2 And B3. The Recorded Temperatures And Air Movement In B2 And B3 Are Better Than Those In B1, Whereas The Humidity Levels In All Three Buildings Were Within The Comfort Zone. Existing Orientation (North), Overhang Width, And Wall And Roof Thickness In B2 And B3 Have Better Thermal Performance, While In B1'S South Orientation Perform Better, Increasing Wall Thickness And Overhang Width Give Better Thermal Performance In B1. In General, The Study Concludes That High Thermal Mass, The Roof Overhang, And The Orientation Of Existing B2 And B3 Were Effective In Moderating The Indoor Environment But In B1 Increasing Wall Thichness And Roof Overhang Helps In Increasing The Thermal Performance Of The Building Which Indicates The Positive Role Of Bioclimatic Element In Achieving Indoor Thermal Comfort.