Evaluation of the Integration of the Traditional Architectural Element Mashrabiya into the Ventilation Strategy for Buildings in Hot Climates

A study on the traditional architectural element mashrabiya in Historic Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, found that opening these lattice structures during hot summer months can significantly improve indoor thermal comfort. The research demonstrated that open mashrabiyas reduced indoor temperatures by up to 2.4 °C compared to closed ones, while also stabilizing indoor air temperature fluctuations between 2.1 °C and 4.2 °C—far less than the outdoor range of 9.4 °C to 16 °C. The findings suggest that integrating mashrabiyas with modern passive cooling techniques could enhance their effectiveness in hot climates, though further research is needed to explore different configurations, materials, and climatic conditions.

Bagasi, A. A., Calautit, J. K., & Karban, A. S. (2021). Evaluation of the Integration of the Traditional Architectural Element Mashrabiya into the Ventilation Strategy for Buildings in Hot Climates. Energies, 14(3), 530. https://doi.org/10.3390/en14030530