Muslimsyah, Husni Husin, Akhyar
To achieve sustainability amid the limited global energy resources, it is crucial to minimize energy consumption and enhance economic efficiency by utilizing local and recycled materials. In the Aceh Peninsula, Indonesia, various local building construction techniques have evolved over centuries, adhering to these principles. The diverse climate and cultural influences in Aceh (Indonesia) have led to the development of rich and varied building construction solutions. Traditional houses are considered to exhibit better thermal behavior compared to modern houses. The passive design features in traditional houses, such as natural ventilation and the use of local materials, can serve as a reference for passive system design. This study aims to analyze the thermal comfort of Acehnese traditional houses using CFD simulations and direct measurements to evaluate the effectiveness of passive design in maintaining temperature stability in a tropical climate. Based on CFD simulations and direct measurements, the study reveals that Acehnese traditional houses exhibit good thermal performance in maintaining thermal comfort. The wind speed distribution profile inside the building at 08:00 ranges from 0 to 1.6 m/s, with incoming air speeds of approximately 1–1.4 m/s. At 12:00, wind speed increases to a range of 0–2.7 m/s, with incoming air speeds around 1.9–2.5 m/s. At 16:00, wind speed varies between 0 and 2.5 m/s, with incoming air speeds of about 1.5–2 m/s. Additionally, the initial temperature at 08:00 is around 23 °C, indicating relatively cool conditions in the morning. The temperature gradually increases, reaching a maximum of approximately 29 °C between 12:00 and 14:00 before decreasing again. By 16:00, the temperature drops to around 27 °C, indicating gradual heat release. This study confirms that the passive design of traditional houses, including natural ventilation and the use of local materials, plays a significant role in maintaining indoor temperature stability. By maintaining indoor temperatures within the thermal comfort range for 80% of the time, Acehnese traditional houses can serve as a reference for the development of sustainable architecture in tropical regions. Future research should further analyze the impact of extreme weather changes and design adaptations to enhance the thermal efficiency of traditional houses in addressing evolving climate challenges. © 2025, Polskie Towarzystwo Inzynierii Ekologicznej (PTIE). All rights reserved.
Department of Architecture and Planing, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, 23111, Indonesia; Department of Chemical Engineering, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Jl. Syech Abdurrauf 7, Darussalam, Banda Aceh, 23111, Indonesia; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Jl. Syech Abdurrauf No. 7, Darussalam, Banda Aceh, 23111, Indonesia
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