Orientational Features of School Buildings in Iran by Cardinal Directions in Terms of Their Energy Efficiency

This article examines the orientation of school buildings in Iran from an energy efficiency perspective. It analyzes traditional approaches to building orientation in Iran, considering their impact on energy consumption, and provides examples of contemporary international approaches to this issue. The study evaluates the climatic characteristics of Iran's four main zones to determine the optimal orientation and length of school buildings in each region. Special attention is given to the heating requirements of the buildings and the identification of the most efficient building forms for each climate zone. The influence of solar radiation intensity on the architecture of school buildings and their spaces is also analyzed to optimize the use of natural energy and enhance energy efficiency. Using the example of schools in the cold climate of Iran, particularly in the city of Tabriz, the article calculates the amount of solar energy reaching both the courtyards and the indoor learning spaces. The study emphasizes the importance of energy efficiency based on climatic conditions and proposes architectural design solutions that promote energy conservation in school buildings. Additionally, it explores how integrating these design principles can lead to more sustainable and climate-adapted educational spaces. Energy efficiency in architectural design, based on climatic resources, is one of the key scientific challenges of modern times. The climatic diversity of Iran has contributed to the development of climate classifications that have long been used to harmonize with architectural design principles, minimizing energy losses. As society has developed, the size of school buildings has increased, and consequently, the demand for heating and energy resources has grown. The use of new materials and modern construction technologies has introduced additional challenges. Effective architectural design of school buildings for energy optimization requires a deep understanding of traditional design methods, regional climatic conditions, and expertise in energy conservation. Without analyzing these factors, it is impossible to develop effective solutions.