Environmental behaviour of semi-open spaces in Mediterranean vernacular architecture. The case of rural traditional dwellings of Cyprus

Abstract

The environmental advantages of semi-open spaces have long been recognized. Such spaces have the ability to mediate outdoor temperatures through the reduction of solar heat gains. Nevertheless, such claims lack quantitative validation since the majority of researches on semi-open spaces have been based on qualitative assessments. In order to address this issue, the present study focuses on the environmental study of traditional semi-open spaces of Cyprus through onsite air temperature, relative humidity and solar radiation measurements during different seasons of the year. Drawing from the onsite measurements, the environmental behaviour of semi-open spaces in relation to different orientations and architectural layouts is discussed, while the environmental effect of outdoor climatic variables is additionally investigated. The above mentioned parameters are considered to be the determining factors affecting the thermal behaviour of a semi-open space. The findings of this study indicate that semi-open spaces may result in a variety of microclimatic conditions which can create more thermally adaptive environments. The assessment of the microclimate of traditional semi-open spaces could help towards the evaluation of such spaces as authentic bioclimatic elements and contribute to their proper conservation in the rehabilitation of traditional buildings.