Design Strategies for Green/Energy-Efficient Building Design: An Apartment Building in the Gaziantep Project

Abstract

The aim of this study is to introduce the energy-efficient architectural design strategies of a project which has been supported by the Turkish Ministry of Environment and Urbanization. This project has not yet been implemented, and the construction process and material choices have not been finalized. Nevertheless, it was considered important to share the design strategies and decisions. The location of the project is in Gaziantep City. The city is located in the southern part of Turkey. Some parts of the province, situated at the transition point of the Mediterranean and continental climate, are influenced by the Mediterranean climate. However, in general, summers are extremely hot and dry, and the winters are cold and rainy. Rare precipitation is most common in winter and spring. In the project, both in planning and architectural designing, the climatic and environment conditions were considered as a basic guider. Five principles were used in the design approach: “green/energy-efficient”, “buildings with identity”, “smart”, “safety”, and “human oriented”. For every principle, different strategies have been analysed and studied. In this study, only the design decisions for a green/energy-efficient building will be presented. While considering the principles and design decisions, strategies will be explained with references from scientific studies. In the green/energy-efficient design approach, the decisions transferred to the physical environment focused on the use of “passive systems”, “active systems”, and “resource conservation and local material use”. In passive solar system, principles such as “natural ventilation and wind control”, “sun control and natural daylighting”, “green roof”, and “envelope design and insulation” are considered and analysed. Solar heating is preferred during heating periods, and wind energy is preferred during cooling periods. Active solar systems were used during the seasons when the requirements were not met. Among the renewable energy sources, it is deemed appropriate to produce electricity from the sun (PV), which is the easiest way to reach and use alternative energy sources. Sun collectors in water heating were used. Also, these systems are integrated into the buildings. The basic approaches that affect the environmental performance of the building are to use local materials and to read the topography and microclimate conditions correctly. One of the most important factors affecting the shaping of the traditional buildings is the surrounding resources. In the construction of buildings, to use materials with the most sustainable resources available in the environment was proposed. Within the context of the principles and strategies mentioned above, projects have been prepared for buildings with different functions. Four- to five-storey apartments, detached houses, religious buildings, educational buildings, cultural centre, health centre, and traditional shopping malls were designed, which are related to planning and landscape principles. In this study, an apartment building will be presented with visual materials from project.