Evaluating the Thermal Performance of a Commercial Complex Façade in the Cold and Dry Climate of Mashhad: Toward Sustainable Urban Development (Case Study: Village Tourist Complex)

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In recent decades, inadequate attention by designers to the thermal performance of commercial building façades has resulted in significant thermal inefficiencies in such complexes. This study aims to precisely evaluate the thermal performance of façade materials in the Village Tourist Commercial Complex in Mashhad, using Fourier’s Law of Heat Conduction, within the framework of sustainable urban development. METHODS: This research adopts a quantitative approach, employing Fourier’s heat conduction law, the overall heat transfer coefficient, total building heat load, envelope load, and solar radiation analysis. To validate the results, simulation modeling was performed using DesignBuilder and Fluent software. FINDINGS: The thermal performance assessment of the Village Tourist Commercial Complex façade in Mashhad reveals that the total building heat load, reaching approximately 2.5 MW, is predominantly influenced by solar gains (59% of the total), caused by extensive glazing areas with high heat transfer coefficients. This results in substantial cooling demand during summer, whereas in winter, reduced solar radiation enables partial passive heating yet still necessitates efficient heating systems. CONCLUSION: The façade design, as a critical determinant, significantly affects the trajectory of sustainable urban development in Mashhad. The observed patterns of unsustainability, such as increased carbon and greenhouse gas emissions, highlight the environmental implications of current façade performance