The present paper describes a numerical method for analysing threedimensional natural convection in rooms connected to the outside through large openings. The calculations made use of a Computational Fluid Dynamics (GDF) procedure which solves the three-dimensional equations for the conservation of mass, momentum and thermal energy taking into account the effects of buoyancy, heat sources, thermal radiation heat transfer and air flow turbulence.

The Mosque of Cordoba is the best example of the Islamic religious buildings that survived in Spain. Its typology corresponds to a mosque of a large scale with the common plan of the early Muslim art. This model became an architectural reference for the mosques of Western Islam. The paper presents the results of measurements undertaken to assess the environmental performance of this building.

Breathing walls were installed on opposite sides of a scale mock-up model of a housing structure that was situated in an artificial climate test room. We analyzed the thermal insulation capability. heat recovery effect and indoor climate for the inflow of outdoor air across the breathing wall. The rate of heat recovery reached 30% under strong winds of up to 8 mis. Even when the ventilation rate tripled due to the strong wind, the temperature difference in the vertical direction was less than 2 K.

The results of numerical simulation on the effects of solar chimney and underground cooling system for ventilation and heating in the new building of Faculty of International Environmental Engineering Kitakyushu University, Japan are described. It was found interesting to see the air flow rates with and without the effects of wind during the cooling period and air temperature during the heating period due to the solar chimney.

This paper describes part of an EC funded Joule project in which computer simulation has been used to investigate the viability of applying passive downdraught evaporative cooling (PDEC) to non-domestic buildings in hot dry climates. Using analytical techniques, CFO and thermal simulation, the performance-driven anatomy of PDEC buildings has been elucidated and engineering sizing methods have been developed. It is concluded that PDEC should formulate part of an holistic and carefully integrated solution.

A recent European project explored combinations of radiative and evaporative cooling processes involving the roof for application in the Mediterranean region. The paper introduces the experimental applications which were built and tested as part of the project and the design considerations and applicability data derived from simulation models validated with the experimental results

Passive cooling strategies can offer significant opportunities for improving the occupants' ambient comfort conditions whilst reducing the energy consumption in hot climates. This is particularly applicable for buildings located in hot/arid regions with large cooling toads due to the use of mechanical systems for space climatization. This research examines the potential of passive cooling strategies in a commercial building located in a typical hot/arid climate of Mexico.

The XIV-century Palaces of the Lions and Comares constitute the principal residential complex of the Alhambra in Granada. Both are distributed around gardens enclosed in courtyards, originally with abundant vegetation and water. This paper includes a series of measurements carried out in the rooms and the courtyards in order to contrast the different microclimates, as well as some solar-penetration diagrams. It also focuses on the analysis of the Hispano-Moslem residential type in relation to ifs environmental performance