SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE OF THE PAST: THERMAL ENVIRONMENTS OF VERNACULAR HOUSE FLOORS, DIYARBAKIR, TURKIYE

Increasing energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions are among the objectives of sustainability. Sustainable design aims to conserve natural resources, reduce pollution, and obtain self-sufficiency by utilizing environmentally friendly materials. This study aims to research sustainable architecture from the perspective of vernacular houses. Designing buildings to suit the climate is an old tradition used in vernacular architecture. Historic buildings are characterized by low energy consumption, and sustainable societies must preserve the benefits of the past for future generations. This study examines the role of the thermal environment in earth-contact solutions in keeping the temperature sufficiently low in the summer in a hot and dry climate via ventilation, evaporative cooling, and earth cooling. Among the solutions utilized in sustainable architecture, ventilation plays a large role in response to arid climate conditions. The architectural design of the vernacular houses in Diyarbakir minimizes heat gain in the summer in different ways. Pools and water trickling down walls were used for evaporative cooling in low-humidity areas. The earth cooling technique is also very effective in dry climates. One of the most effective types of self-sufficient cooling in vernacular houses is ventilation on ground floors. Diyarbakir is located in southeastern Turkiye and has a hot arid climate populated with traditional houses. The study focused on the envelope design of the vernacular architecture and showed how it contributes to cooling via elevated ground floors. This study highlights the need for researchers to consider the energy efficiency benefits obtained in past solutions for use in future works in this area.