Architectural redesign, energy optimization, and thermal performance simulation
In 2021, a fire incident occurred on the roof of two residential units within the Oasis Village complex in the city of Malindi, leading to the destruction of a significant portion of the second floor and the flat roof of the building. While this incident required structural reconstruction, the project approach was defined as extending beyond simple restoration.The climate of Malindi is characterized by hot and humid conditions, intense solar radiation, and high temperatures throughout most months of the year. Under such circumstances, reliance on mechanical cooling systems is largely unavoidable. Given the high cost of electricity; exceeding 0.22 USD per kWh, this reliance places a considerable economic burden on residents.
This project represents a combination of post-disaster reconstruction, climate-responsive architectural design, and advanced building energy simulation, defined with the aim of reducing dependence on mechanical cooling systems in the tropical climate of East Africa. Through an integrated approach between architecture and energy engineering, the damaged sections were reconstructed while the overall thermal performance of the building was enhanced, cooling loads were reduced, and thermal comfort was achieved through passive strategies.
The research process was defined based on a phased, simulation-driven approach, in which each design decision was digitally evaluated and validated prior to implementation.
In the first stage, a detailed three-dimensional model was developed in DesignBuilder based on existing drawings, site surveys, and actual material specifications. The model incorporated all elements influencing thermal performance, including:
Local climatic data for the Malindi region; including dry-bulb temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation intensity, and seasonal wind patterns, were incorporated into the model to reproduce the building’s real behavior under tropical conditions. After calibration of the baseline model, the following key indicators were extracted:
Subsequently, the optimization process was conducted in a phased manner. Each design strategy was applied individually, simulated, and its results recorded. The strategies were then combined cumulatively to assess their synergistic effects. This approach enabled accurate identification of the contribution of each design intervention to energy reduction.
The optimization strategies were designed and evaluated across eight consecutive phases, beginning with basic physical interventions and progressing toward intelligent operational controls.
Spaces were reorganized to align openings with prevailing wind directions. This intervention led to the formation of effective cross-ventilation paths and increased airflow penetration into deeper areas. The results were as follows:
Shading devices with a 60 cm projection were designed for north- and south-facing openings. By blocking high-angle solar radiation, these elements prevented unwanted heat gains. As a result:
Given the roof’s significant contribution to direct solar exposure, two strategies; installation of semi-transparent shading and application of a high-reflectance white roof coating, were implemented simultaneously. This resulted in:
Existing glazing was replaced with double-glazed Low-E panels with UV-filtering capability. This intervention resulted in:
A conditional natural ventilation strategy was defined, whereby openings were activated only when indoor temperature exceeded 22°C and outdoor temperature remained below 25°C. As a result:
Daylight sensors were installed at a height of 0.8 m, and artificial lighting levels were adjusted based on ambient illuminance. Consequently:
To evaluate maximum ventilation potential, full-height glazing was applied to the north and south façades. This resulted in:
Due to increased thermal gains observed in the fully glazed condition, the glazing ratio was reduced to 50% to establish a balance between daylight, ventilation, and thermal load. As a result:
Most optimal combined
To comprehensively assess performance, a set of energy, thermal, and comfort indicators was analyzed, including:
These indicators enabled a multidimensional evaluation of the impact of each design intervention.
Implementation of the phased optimization approach led to a fundamental improvement in the building’s energy performance and significantly reduced dependence on mechanical cooling systems. Key outcomes include:
The greatest contribution to energy reduction resulted from roof optimization, smart natural ventilation, glazing ratio adjustment, and shading design, which together produced strong synergistic effects.
Beyond numerical energy reductions, the project also enhanced residential quality and building operation. Its long-term impacts include:
The results demonstrate that climate-responsive and passive design, when properly integrated, can serve as an effective and economical alternative to reliance on mechanical systems.
This project provides a clear example of transforming a building crisis into an opportunity for energy performance enhancement. The reconstruction not only restored the building’s physical condition but also, through simulation-driven analysis, substantially reduced energy consumption and cooling loads.
Climate-oriented roof design, solar radiation control, smart natural ventilation, and targeted daylighting formed an integrated set of passive strategies capable of delivering thermal comfort with minimal energy consumption. This experience demonstrates that in hot climates, intelligent architectural design can effectively replace costly dependence on mechanical systems and support the development of sustainable housing.
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