Evaluation of the traditional houses of Gaziantep and Nicosia Walled City in terms of thermal comfort

Abstract

The concept of sustainability, redefined as a response to the social and environmental problems that emerged after the Industrial Revolution, has led to approaches that reduce energy consumption, prioritize user comfort, and utilize natural resources in architecture in the most efficient way. Thermal comfort, a fundamental measure of indoor quality of life, refers to a building's ability to provide an ideal environment in terms of air movement, humidity, and temperature. Especially under changing climate conditions, achieving thermal comfort through natural climate control while minimizing energy consumption has become one of the main goals of sustainable architecture. This study examines how traditional buildings in Gaziantep and the Walled City of Nicosia, which have different climatic conditions, achieve thermal comfort and how they contribute to the understanding of sustainable architecture in this context. Traditional houses in Gaziantep, adapted to the continental climate, are designed to stay cool in summer and provide insulation in winter through features such as narrow streets, thick stone walls, courtyard arrangements, the use of local stone, and high ceilings. Likewise, traditional houses in the Walled City of Nicosia, adapted to the Mediterranean climate, offer efficient solutions to summer heat through the use of stone and adobe materials, courtyards, natural ventilation elements, and high ceilings. The architectural elements of traditional buildings in Gaziantep and the Walled City of Nicosia such as orientation, the arrangement of openings, spatial organization, and material selection are designed to enhance quality of life and reduce energy consumption, thereby achieving thermal comfort. In conclusion, the traditional buildings of Gaziantep and the Walled City of Nicosia, shaped in harmony with the local climate and reflecting cultural and aesthetic values, are recognized as valuable examples that also guide the modern principles of sustainable architecture.