Sustainable living spaces:A Typomorphological analysis for the optimization of thermal comfort in hot-dry climate

Syria's urban landscape, epitomized by Aleppo, grapples with extensive destruction, demanding urgent home rebuilding. Local housing, burdened by high energy needs, faces a critical juncture in adapting to this reality. This research integrates traditional Aleppo architectural parameters into modern energy-efficient designs for sustainable cities facing climate changes and thermal comfort challenges for users in hot, dry climates. Critical questions on heritage-innovation harmony, optimal building configurations, and urban morphology parameters' energy influence, are explored. Employing an integrated methodology encompassing literature review, case study examination, and advanced energy modeling via Design Builder software, the morphological phased analysis systematically addressed several stages, employing a thematic place survey tool encompassing diverse units of analysis, such as building forms, orientations, street textures, settlement patterns, and building plots. A variety of building forms, including L, U, Box, and I-I configurations, underwent scrutiny, with a focus on achieving an optimized A/V ratio. Street patterns, shadow effects, and building materials are evaluated for energy-efficient layouts, prioritizing reduced cooling loads. Recommendations endorse modern aerated brick walls and foam polyethylene insulation for superior energy efficiency. The study proposes a strategy that aligns traditional Aleppo design with energy-efficient practices in the hot dry climate, re-envisioning courtyard layouts and materials to meet modern standards. This investigation contributes to architectural and urban planning by offering a nuanced analysis of energy efficiency in Aleppo's unique context.