Analyzing climate responsive elements in Erbil vernacular architecture in ecological manner

The most important issue of the world in terms of construction presently is energy use. Every year many conferences are held on energy in general and specially on energy consumption of buildings. The energy resources are continuously going to be consumed. Behind the researches for an alternative energy sources, the reducing of energy use especially the operating energy is another way to survival of life on the earth planet. The main outline of this study is the climate responsive elements which are used in vernacular houses as a part to solutions of cooling, heating, ventilation and lighting of houses without any mechanical support to reduce energy used as operating energy. In hot arid regions the main problems of the buildings are cooling and heating systems. In this research the vernacular houses of Erbil which are located inside the citadel town are taken as a case study to analyze the elements used in them as a method to solve climatic problems. The elements will be analyzed according to shape, size and their position refer to façade. The energy performance of the building materials will be the main focused part of the study by analyzing the construction materials energy performance and heat transfer capacity. At the end of the research some research paths will be suggested to be pursued by the next generation of researchers and designers. Key words: Erbil, Vernacular Houses, Courtyard, Ecology, Hot-arid climate,