Adaptive Reuse Decisions for Historic Buildings in Relation to Energy Efficiency and Thermal Comfort—Cairo Citadel, a Case Study from Egypt

Research on the Cairo Citadel reveals that adaptive reuse decisions for historic buildings often lead to suboptimal energy efficiency, particularly in air conditioning systems. The study highlights a tension between preserving heritage values and ensuring thermal comfort for inhabitants. Using a Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE) approach—combining simulations and surveys—the research demonstrates that the current use of air conditioning in the Cairo Citadel's former soldier residence, now an administrative office, results in unnecessary energy consumption. While the study focuses on thermal comfort, it acknowledges broader considerations like indoor environmental quality, air quality, acoustics, and lighting as potential areas for future exploration. The findings underscore the need to balance adaptive reuse principles with energy efficiency, offering insights applicable to other historic sites.

Hegazi, Y. S., Shalaby, H. A., & Mohamed, M. A. A. (2021). Adaptive Reuse Decisions for Historic Buildings in Relation to Energy Efficiency and Thermal Comfort—Cairo Citadel, a Case Study from Egypt. Sustainability, 13(19), 10531. https://doi.org/10.3390/su131910531