THE IMPACT OF INDOOR ENVIRONMENT QUALITY ON THECONSERVATION PRACTICE OF HISTORICAL BUILDINGTHECASE OF LEBANESE COASTAL ZONE

Authors

Hoda Zeayter, Researcher, Faculty of Architectural Engineering, Beirut Arab University, Dibbieh Campus- LebanonFollow
Ibtihal Y. El-Bastawissi, Dean, Faculty of Architecture - Design & Built EnvironmentFollow
Hiba Mohsen, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Architecture- Design and Built Environment, Beirut Arab University, LebanonFollow

Keywords

Indoor environment quality, hygrothermal behavior, thermal comfort, whole buildingsimulation, historical building

Disciplines

Architecture | Business | Life Sciences | Medicine and Health Sciences

Abstract

It is widely acknowledged that a multidisciplinary approach should be adopted to conserve historical buildings that include indoor environmental features. This paper discusses the effect of healthier indoor environment requirements on the conservation of historical buildings. Conservation, being an essential sustainable practice using inherited built assets to satisfy present needs, imposes limitations on the intervention that can be induced to historical buildings. Healthier indoor environment requires controlling various factors as Indoor Air Quality and Thermal Comfort, which directly affect the Heat-Air- Moisture transfer (hygrothermal behavior) of the historic building envelope and may lead to its deterioration and degradation. Focusing on the historic built fabric of the Lebanese coastal zone, this paper investigates the impact of Indoor climate control on the pathology of the historic building envelope and presents recommendations that mitigate that impact while preserving both conservation requirements and occupant comfort. A case study analysis is conducted to identify the qualitative parameters in the Indoor space of an 18th century heritage building located in the coastal zone of Lebanon and used as public building. The conclusion highlights the potential for comfort establishment in refurbished historic building through raising awareness in relation to occupant behavior and identifying scientific approaches to control hygrothermal behavior of the historic envelope, by the mean of whole building simulation software, which adds significant contribution to the conservation practice.

Recommended Citation

Zeayter, Hoda; El-Bastawissi, Ibtihal Y.; and Mohsen, Hiba (2018) "THE IMPACT OF INDOOR ENVIRONMENT QUALITY ON THECONSERVATION PRACTICE OF HISTORICAL BUILDINGTHECASE OF LEBANESE COASTAL ZONE," BAU Journal - Health and Wellbeing: Vol. 1: Iss. 3, Article 40.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54729/2789-8288.1092