Author(s)

O. Omar, Y. Sabsaby

Abstract

The continuity of urbanization and the need for housing indirectly create a conflict between providing a better building environment and achieving economic growth. Hence, these conditions may lead to the disregarding of the health and well-being of inhabitants particularly in the least developing countries. Thermal comfort is considered as one of the most important parameters in designing the building to improve the quality of living conditions. This paper searches for the most appropriate strategies in developing comfort in Lebanese coastal housing. It uses the thermal standard for buildings in Lebanon as a reference to measure and assess housing thermal comfort in local Lebanese projects. 67% of housing in Lebanon consists of apartments in multi floor residential buildings. Accordingly, two different residential units have been chosen as case studies in order to assess the indoor comfort and to examine the perceived problems in thermal comfort in such environments. The result of the in-situ measurement and case study monitoring will indicate the problems faced.

Keywords

thermal comfort, comfort standard, residential building, coastal climate