The approach starts from the preliminary sketches , only simple strategies was implemented such as: orientation, size of windows openings, insulation lead easily to a reduction of the net energy demand of around 30% and, at the same time indoor comfort is improved. This is the passive design approach thus, this approach is for reduction of the cooling demand and the related energy consumption. 

The passive design approach consist of different climate responsive strategies, to avoid heat transfer through the building envelope: 

A. Orientation: reduce solar radiation on the building envelope. 

B. Natural Ventilation: use airflow to release heat and humidity. 

C. Building form and typology: reduce the solar radiation on the building envelope and optimise daylight access. 

D. Building envelope design (size and location of windows and shading): provide the minimum required daylight access, together with a minimal heat gain and maximal external reflection. 

E. Materials selection: to reduce heat transfer to the indoor space.
F. Landscaping: provide shade on the building, reducing the heat gain, and to create pleasant outdoor space. 

 

 

Objectives of the project :

 

The main aim is to develop a housing project that is based on Green strategies to ensure the quality of life of low-income communities without compromising the quality of the environment. The design is based on the Green Pyramid Rating System, hence, it will mitigate the environmental damage by minimising detrimental impacts, reducing energy consumption, while, at the same time, 

creating favourable conditions for local residents with the reduction of costs. 

 

 

Concept :
The concept of the project is based on 3 main principles: 

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1- Environmental Sustainability
2- Economic Feasibility and Affordabilit

 3- Modularity /Flexibility 

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These 3 main pillars of the projects are realised through the following ideas:

1- The site plan of the project includes 668 buildings to accommodate 31,596 housing units and the population density realized then is approximately 194 person/ Feddan. The basic model of the housing building contain 8 apartments with 4 vertical circulation cores, so that every core serve 2 apartments in each floor. Every vertical circulation core includes one stairway and one lift. The size of the basic model is 71,60 meters long , the width is of 12,4 meters and the height is of 19,35 m ( Ground floors + 5 floors). 

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2- Every apartment is provided with a court which is extended to the terrace. This court acts as a ventilation device: by stack effect and wind catcher at the time. To ventilate each housing unit naturally. 

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3- The orientation of all housing unit is the same, which is North/South. This orientation invites the prevailing wind inside each apartment with minimum heat gain. The cross ventilation provided by this configuration is a cooling strategy with a significant positive impact on the quality of the indoor environment. 

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4- The configuration of the Base Model is ensured by great flexibility: the design enables the building to be extended from both sides ( East & West ). 

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5- Beside the cross-ventilation provided in each unit, the extensive green roof is another passive cooling strategy that reduces heat gain and cooling load . The extensive green roof don’t need irrigation and is low cost and low maintenance. This green roof is accessible for each upper unit by a private staircase and provides additional garden as an outdoor private living space. 

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6- The building envelop of the basic Model is constituted of AAC blocks (Autoclaved Aerated Concrete ) for walls. This building material is LEED certified for its environmental performance quality and its ecological value. 

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7- Solar PV panels are provided to use renewable energy and to reduce the dependance on the governmental grid. The PV panels are situated on the roof of buildings (above the vertical cores) and above the canopies of the parking spaces that also act as shading devices for the vehicles. 

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8- On the urban scale, the open space between the buildings are created for privacy and for double views of the gardens for North/South facades. Xeriscaping is the approach used in the gardens of the project to reduce the need for irrigation. Xeriscaped landscapes need little water especially that the trees and shrubs chosen are appropriate for the climate and drought-tolerant native plant species. Drip irrigation is also used in the gardens. 

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9- The site of the project includes bicycles lanes and pedestrian paths that does not interfere with the vehicular circulation. 

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10- Services and different amenities are provided in the site, within a radius of 400m ( 5 minutes walk).