In recent years, the consequences of climate change and temperature increases in hot and dry areas of Iran, especially in the metropolis of Ahvaz, have highlighted the need to review architectural design solutions, especially in the field of reducing energy consumption and improving thermal comfort of residents. In this regard, passive climate design has been considered as an effective approach to reduce energy consumption and improve environmental conditions. The present study, with the aim of optimizing passive climate design strategies in residential buildings in Ahvaz, has conducted a comparative analysis of three climate periods (1970–1999, 2000–2025, 2026–2040) using two advanced energy modeling methods in DesignBuilder software and simulation of environmental air flows using CFD in OpenFOAM software. The simulation results show that adopting strategies such as optimal building orientation, using local materials with appropriate thermal capacity, effective shading design, and utilizing natural ventilation through appropriate openings can lead to a reduction of more than 40% in cooling energy consumption compared to the current construction pattern. Also, the indoor temperature during peak hours decreased by an average of 3.5°C and the natural ventilation rate increased by 57%. These results indicate the importance of passive climate design in reducing the urban heat island effect, increasing the climate resilience of buildings, and adapting to future climate changes.

In recent years, the consequences of climate change and temperature increases in hot and dry areas of Iran, especially in the metropolis of Ahvaz, have highlighted the need to review architectural design solutions, especially in the field of reducing energy consumption and improving thermal comfort of residents. In this regard, passive climate design has been considered as an effective approach to reduce energy consumption and improve environmental conditions. The present study, with the aim of optimizing passive climate design strategies in residential buildings in Ahvaz, has conducted a comparative analysis of three climate periods (1970–1999, 2000–2025, 2026–2040) using two advanced energy modeling methods in DesignBuilder software and simulation of environmental air flows using CFD in OpenFOAM software. The simulation results show that adopting strategies such as optimal building orientation, using local materials with appropriate thermal capacity, effective shading design, and utilizing natural ventilation through appropriate openings can lead to a reduction of more than 40% in cooling energy consumption compared to the current construction pattern. Also, the indoor temperature during peak hours decreased by an average of 3.5°C and the natural ventilation rate increased by 57%. These results indicate the importance of passive climate design in reducing the urban heat island effect, increasing the climate resilience of buildings, and adapting to future climate changes.



Keywords: Passive climate design, thermal comfort, CFD simulation, energy modeling, energy consumption, Ahvaz, climate change





In recent years, the consequences of climate change and temperature increases in hot and dry areas of Iran, especially in the metropolis of Ahvaz, have highlighted the need to review architectural design solutions, especially in the field of reducing energy consumption and improving thermal comfort of residents. In this regard, passive climate design has been considered as an effective approach to reduce energy consumption and improve environmental conditions. The present study, with the aim of optimizing passive climate design strategies in residential buildings in Ahvaz, has conducted a comparative analysis of three climate periods (1970–1999, 2000–2025, 2026–2040) using two advanced energy modeling methods in DesignBuilder software and simulation of environmental air flows using CFD in OpenFOAM software. The simulation results show that adopting strategies such as optimal building orientation, using local materials with appropriate thermal capacity, effective shading design, and utilizing natural ventilation through appropriate openings can lead to a reduction of more than 40% in cooling energy consumption compared to the current construction pattern. Also, the indoor temperature during peak hours decreased by an average of 3.5°C and the natural ventilation rate increased by 57%. These results indicate the importance of passive climate design in reducing the urban heat island effect, increasing the climate resilience of buildings, and adapting to future climate changes.



Keywords: Passive climate design, thermal comfort, CFD simulation, energy modeling, energy consumption, Ahvaz, climate change



In recent years, the consequences of climate change and temperature increases in hot and dry areas of Iran, especially in the metropolis of Ahvaz, have highlighted the need to review architectural design solutions, especially in the field of reducing energy consumption and improving thermal comfort of residents. In this regard, passive climate design has been considered as an effective approach to reduce energy consumption and improve environmental conditions. The present study, with the aim of optimizing passive climate design strategies in residential buildings in Ahvaz, has conducted a comparative analysis of three climate periods (1970–1999, 2000–2025, 2026–2040) using two advanced energy modeling methods in DesignBuilder software and simulation of environmental air flows using CFD in OpenFOAM software. The simulation results show that adopting strategies such as optimal building orientation, using local materials with appropriate thermal capacity, effective shading design, and utilizing natural ventilation through appropriate openings can lead to a reduction of more than 40% in cooling energy consumption compared to the current construction pattern. Also, the indoor temperature during peak hours decreased by an average of 3.5°C and the natural ventilation rate increased by 57%. These results indicate the importance of passive climate design in reducing the urban heat island effect, increasing the climate resilience of buildings, and adapting to future climate changes.



Keywords: Passive climate design, thermal comfort, CFD simulation, energy modeling, energy consumption, Ahvaz, climate change