Proposal of architectural design methods suitable for environmental conditions in Kirkuk housing architecture

There is no ideal building suitable for every environment and climate in the world; every place has its unique conditions, and buildings are designed according to their location and prevailing climate. The architect creates what is suitable for nature, as if it arises from nature; hence our duty is to design a structure sensitive to the culture and climate of its location." Norman Foster Housing design is generally influenced by social, economic, and natural factors. However, the degree of these factors' influence varies according to the conditions of the place. Although climatic conditions, one of the natural factors, have always affected the construction of the building, they have generally been overlooked during the design phase. In some designs, like the traditional houses of Kirkuk, the climate is a determining factor that directly guides the design. Similarly to Kirkuk, there are structures in every region of the country that fail to provide sufficient comfort to the public. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of building form and housing structure, which are the climate-sensitive design parameters of traditional houses in Kirkuk, on heating and cooling energy expenditures. It aims to reveal sustainable architecture and design criteria with a holistic approach by evaluating the effectiveness of integrated passive systems in meeting comfort conditions, together with the analysis of the structures. This approach has been adopted by focusing on obtaining information from local architectural data. The effects of environmentally friendly design criteria on the architecture of the 'Traditional Kirkuk House' have been analyzed, and an ideal sustainable design proposal has been developed. Initially, this study examined the connection between the concept of sustainability and architecture. Then, emphasizing the importance of ecological values, it was stated that steps need to be taken to create a sustainable environment. Environmentally friendly design standards have been determined, and how these standards will be implemented in architectural designs has been evaluated. In the second section, smart technologies and solutions used in modern houses that provide comfort and luxury to the occupants, while saving wasted energy, have been examined. In the third section, sustainable methods in the traditional houses of Kirkuk are detailed. The old houses' compact structure, natural ventilation systems, thermal insulation, and use of natural materials are highlighted. These aspects emphasize the importance of social equality and privacy among different social classes. Lastly, the study examines the differences between natural ventilation in traditional houses and artificial ventilation in smart houses. The first part of the fourth section delves into new housing projects in post-war Iraq, discussing their pros and cons. Subsequently, a comparison between traditional and modern houses is presented. In the second part, evaluations of the Kirkuk house were made according to the determined criteria at the traditional housing scale, the sustainability features of traditional houses were determined through evaluations; a modern house proposal aimed at reaching an ideal model that can respond to the needs of the age, considering smart home technology, balancing modernity with tradition, has been developed. Thus, smart solutions have been produced in the face of Iraq's challenging climatic conditions and extraordinary situations such as energy and service shortages. This study emphasizes that the information in Kirkuk's traditional architecture can inspire and support sustainable contemporary architecture, and also highlights how traditional heritage can be reinterpreted for the future. Merging traditional architectural principles with modern technologies can be advantageous for new housing projects.