Reinterpreting Saharan ksour as climate responsive heritage: a Saharan Climate Low-Tech Smart Building Model (SCLSBM)

Purpose This study examines whether traditional Saharan ksour can be considered sustainable low-tech smart buildings by assessing their inherent climatic, energy, environmental, social and cultural capacities through passive architectural solutions. Design/methodology/approach A comparative qualitative study was conducted on four ksour in the Saoura Valley, Algeria: Mazzer, Taghit, Beni Abbes and Moughel. An original evaluation framework, the Saharan Climate Low-Tech Smart Building Model (SCLSBM), was developed to assess five dimensions: Climate, Energy, Environmental, Social and Cultural Intelligence. Findings The four ksour showed strong correspondence with SCLSBM characteristics, with scores ranging from 68/75 to 74/75. Recurring passive strategies related to climatic adaptation indicate passive architectural intelligence. Differences concern conservation status, environmental resilience and persistence of traditional functions. These findings support Saharan vernacular architecture as architectural intelligence, while quantitative validation remains necessary. Research limitations/implications The study covers four ksour in the Saoura Valley and uses an exploratory qualitative scoring framework based on documentary evidence, architectural observation and morphological analysis. Scores do not directly measure thermal, energy, or environmental performance and no independent inter-rater validation or sensitivity analysis was conducted. Further research should include broader samples, independent assessors, quantitative performance measurements and alternative weighting schemes. Originality/value The SCLSBM integrates climatic responsiveness, energy sufficiency, environmental adaptation, social organization and cultural continuity as interconnected dimensions of low-tech building intelligence. It distinguishes itself from approaches separately assessing technological intelligence, environmental performance or heritage significance. The model establishes a conceptual bridge between vernacular knowledge and contemporary smart-building discourse while remaining exploratory and requiring empirical validation.