Assessment of thermal comfort in the traditional and contemporary houses in Byblos: A comparative study

Traditional houses in Byblos, Lebanon, offer superior thermal comfort compared to contemporary ones, primarily due to their reliance on natural and passive cooling methods. This finding emerges from a comparative study that analyzed environmental parameters and conducted an occupancy survey involving 46 questions across three categories: occupant demographics, house environment, and architectural characteristics. While traditional structures demonstrated better performance in maintaining comfortable indoor temperatures, both types of houses showed potential for improved energy efficiency. The research provides actionable insights for enhancing thermal comfort while reducing energy consumption, addressing a critical issue exacerbated by climate change.

Chkeir, A., Bouzidi, Y., Akili, Z. E., Charafeddine, M., & Kashmar, Z. (2024). Assessment of thermal comfort in the traditional and contemporary houses in Byblos: A comparative study. Energy and Built Environment, 5(6), 933–945. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbenv.2023.07.006