Assessing the impact of courtyards in cooling energy demand in buildings

Sustainable passive design strategies can reduce the energy consumption of buildings. In this regard, inner courtyards act as microclimate modifiers that enhance perception comfort in surrounding environment. The present study, through a pooled analysis experimental and numerical data, intends to assess beneficial effect have reducing buildings, especially for cooling demand. Accordingly, new methodology allowing use different data facades software tools assessment real performance buildings with is proposed. Besides, detailed example application proposed performed two scenarios simultaneously: case study (considering courtyard on air temperature) reference one (without considering effect). From results, it found reduces demand spaces bordering it. As expected, magnitude reduction correlated floor level, increased at lower floors building. This relative up 11%, being, analyzed, an average 7%. • Courtyard saving per unit wall area does not vary depending adjacent space by more than 10% Cooling function courtyard's geometry Courtyards building's living