Energy Efficient Design Education Through
Architectural Design Studio Projects
Dr. Khaled Ali Youssef
Department of Architecture
Faculty of Environmental Design
King Andulaziz University
Saudi Arabia
Presentation Outline
1. Introduction 1.1. Aim and Objectives
1.2. Methodology
2. „Energy Efficient Design‟ as a Design
Studio Lesson
3. The Experiment of Designing a Zero
Net Energy Building 3.1. Planning for the Experiment
3.2. Design Process Activities
4. Results and Attainments 4.1 Objectives Achieved
4.2. Obstacles and challenges
4.3. Suggestions for future
development
Energy Efficient Design Education Through
Architectural Design Studio Projects
Slide 2 of 40
Dr. Khaled Ali Youssef
Department of Architecture
Faculty of Environmental Design
King Andulaziz University
Saudi Arabia
1. Introduction
Saudi Arabia is one of the major oil-
producing countries, as demonstrated
by:
• extraction rates,
• domestic reserves, and
• size of exports.
Domestic demand for gas and oil
increases by 7% annually, i.e. the
domestic consumption of energy
doubles every ten years.
Energy Efficient Design Education Through
Architectural Design Studio Projects
Slide 3 of 40
Dr. Khaled Ali Youssef
Department of Architecture
Faculty of Environmental Design
King Andulaziz University
Saudi Arabia
Actions should be taken to avoid the
potential concurrence of production
and consumption by 2038.
Energy Efficient Design Education Through
Architectural Design Studio Projects
Slide 4 of 40
Dr. Khaled Ali Youssef
Department of Architecture
Faculty of Environmental Design
King Andulaziz University
Saudi Arabia
These actions might include:
• reviewing energy prices,
• discovery of new wells,
• raising extraction rates,
• reducing population growth rates,
• increasing energy utilization
efficiency,
• renewable energy resources, or
• altogether.
Energy Efficient Design Education Through
Architectural Design Studio Projects
Slide 5 of 40
Dr. Khaled Ali Youssef
Department of Architecture
Faculty of Environmental Design
King Andulaziz University
Saudi Arabia
To reduce electricity consumption in
Saudi Arabia, National Campaign for
Electric Consumption Guidance was
launched in 1429 H (2008).
Activities included:
• executive programs,
• energy efficiency centers,
• laws and legislations,
• field visits,
• training sessions and workshops,
and
• awards for successful practices.
Energy Efficient Design Education Through
Architectural Design Studio Projects
Slide 6 of 40
Dr. Khaled Ali Youssef
Department of Architecture
Faculty of Environmental Design
King Andulaziz University
Saudi Arabia
Communication with the community
took place through:
• press,
• TV and radio ads,
• road signs,
• mobile messages,
• mobile fairs, and
• the campaign website.
Energy Efficient Design Education Through
Architectural Design Studio Projects
Slide 7 of 40
Dr. Khaled Ali Youssef
Department of Architecture
Faculty of Environmental Design
King Andulaziz University
Saudi Arabia
These efforts opened the door wide for
all community groups to support.
Higher Education institutions are
argued to contribute in two main
directions:
(1) preparing the trained staff, and
(2) raising public awareness.
Energy Efficient Design Education Through
Architectural Design Studio Projects
Slide 8 of 40
Dr. Khaled Ali Youssef
Department of Architecture
Faculty of Environmental Design
King Andulaziz University
Saudi Arabia
Responding to that, an experiment of
designing “a zero-net energy office
building” was conducted, as an
educational design studio project in the
Department of Architecture at King
Abdulaziz University, Jeddah.
“A zero-net energy office building”
means that a building which produces
the energy it consumes.
Energy Efficient Design Education Through
Architectural Design Studio Projects
Slide 9 of 40
Dr. Khaled Ali Youssef
Department of Architecture
Faculty of Environmental Design
King Andulaziz University
Saudi Arabia
Design proposals are to be explored;
falling under two main approaches:
(a) reducing energy consumption, and
(b) maximizing energy production
possibilities.
Energy Efficient Design Education Through
Architectural Design Studio Projects
Slide 10 of 40
Dr. Khaled Ali Youssef
Department of Architecture
Faculty of Environmental Design
King Andulaziz University
Saudi Arabia
1.1. Aim and Objectives
The aim is to document and analyze
the experiment of designing a zero net-
energy building.
Goals achieved are highlighted,
obstacles and challenges are
identified, and suggestions for future
development are provided.
Energy Efficient Design Education Through
Architectural Design Studio Projects
Slide 11 of 40
Dr. Khaled Ali Youssef
Department of Architecture
Faculty of Environmental Design
King Andulaziz University
Saudi Arabia
1.2. Methodology
• Identifying the motives behind the
experiment
• Addressing the reasons of selecting
the design studio as an environment
for investigation.
• Giving a theoretical background:
o The VDS system,
o SGU educational plan, and
o „Energy efficient design‟ lesson.
• Documenting the activities and
outcomes of the design process .
• Analysing the experiment
Energy Efficient Design Education Through
Architectural Design Studio Projects
Slide 12 of 40
Dr. Khaled Ali Youssef
Department of Architecture
Faculty of Environmental Design
King Andulaziz University
Saudi Arabia
2. ‘Energy Efficient Design’ as a
Design Studio Lesson
Design courses can be taught under
two main design studio systems:
(1) Horizontal Design Studio (HSD),
(2) Vertical Design Studio (VSD).
HDS system introduces students of the
same educational level to step-by-step,
serial learning processes.
On contrary, VDS students of multiple
educational levels, and sometimes of
different disciplines, study design
courses altogether.
Horizontal
Design
Studio
(HSD)
Vertical Design
Studio
(VSD)
Energy Efficient Design Education Through
Architectural Design Studio Projects
Slide 13 of 40
Dr. Khaled Ali Youssef
Department of Architecture
Faculty of Environmental Design
King Andulaziz University
Saudi Arabia
VDS system offers the possibility to
redesign the design studio, identifying a
set of lessons to be assigned to each
educational level.
The educational plan of the Smart
Growth Unit (SGU) include the following
design lessons include:
(1) rationality and minimalism,
(2) beauty and experience,
(3) style and character,
(4) flexibility and organization,
(5) energy efficient design,
(6) housing,
(7) urban design, and
(8) integration, respectively.
Energy Efficient Design Education Through
Architectural Design Studio Projects
Slide 14 of 40
Dr. Khaled Ali Youssef
Department of Architecture
Faculty of Environmental Design
King Andulaziz University
Saudi Arabia
3. A The Experiment of Designing
a Zero Net Energy Building
3.1. Planning for the Experiment
• Raising economic/environmental
awareness and improving skills
• Realizing the economic and
environmental challenges.
• Building the knowledge base, e.g.
definitions, motivation, scope,
measures, case studies, etc.
• Developing students‟ skills, e.g.
software packages that will be used
in the comparative analysis stage.
Energy Efficient Design Education Through
Architectural Design Studio Projects
Slide 15 of 40
Dr. Khaled Ali Youssef
Department of Architecture
Faculty of Environmental Design
King Andulaziz University
Saudi Arabia
• Promoting rationality and objectivity
• Relying on calculations and computer
simulation rather than on
immeasurable or hypothetical
suppositions.
• Measures included:
• average energy consumption,
• energy reduction rates due to
thermal insulation (based on a
study conducted by Saudi Electric
Company),
• energy production capacities of
photovoltaic cells and wind
turbines (specifications of
manufacturing companies), and
• computer simulation results.
Energy Efficient Design Education Through
Architectural Design Studio Projects
Slide 16 of 40
Dr. Khaled Ali Youssef
Department of Architecture
Faculty of Environmental Design
King Andulaziz University
Saudi Arabia
• Alignment of efforts
• Application on an office building type
with a given architectural program
and a fixed total built up area of
approximately 4000 m2.
• This building type was selected to:
• avoid the functional complexity,
• neutralize social issues, and
• Celebrate a higher level of
flexibility (plan organization and
façade articulation).
given given given
given given given
given given given
given given given
given given given
Energy Efficient Design Education Through
Architectural Design Studio Projects
Slide 17 of 40
Dr. Khaled Ali Youssef
Department of Architecture
Faculty of Environmental Design
King Andulaziz University
Saudi Arabia
• Diversity of application environments
• Multiple sites in two different cities:
Riyadh and Jeddah, are selected.
• Jeddah‟s climate is characterized by
high temperatures, high levels of
humidity, light-to-moderate winds, and
mild-to-moderate rainfall
• Riyadh has hot arid/desert climate with
lower relative humidity levels.
• This would promote students to
explore the potential of „energy
efficient design‟ concepts in different
climatic conditions.
Energy Efficient Design Education Through
Architectural Design Studio Projects
Slide 18 of 40
Dr. Khaled Ali Youssef
Department of Architecture
Faculty of Environmental Design
King Andulaziz University
Saudi Arabia
3.2. Design Process Activities
3-2-1 Preliminary group research
Theoretical background, including:
• terminology,
• energy crisis,
• measurement methods/units,
• renewable energy resources,
• technical resolutions
• building materials,
• cross-ventilation,
• natural lighting,
• passive cooling,
• thermal insulation,
• shade and shadows, and
• thermal mass, etc.
Energy Efficient Design Education Through
Architectural Design Studio Projects
Slide 19 of 40
Dr. Khaled Ali Youssef
Department of Architecture
Faculty of Environmental Design
King Andulaziz University
Saudi Arabia
Energy production technologies
• solar energy, and
• wind power, etc.
Simulation and programming
software packages,
• Autodesk ® VASARY
• Climate Consultant 5.4
• Rhinoceros 3D, and
• Grasshopper 3D
Relevant case studies
Energy Efficient Design Education Through
Architectural Design Studio Projects
Slide 20 of 40
Dr. Khaled Ali Youssef
Department of Architecture
Faculty of Environmental Design
King Andulaziz University
Saudi Arabia
3-2-2 Site selection and analysis
• 6 different sites were selected (3 in
Riyadh and other 3 in Jeddah).
• Land lot area: 10,000 m2.
• Site analysis focused on the issues
that would have direct impact on
energy production/consumption
potentials, such as:
• orientation,
• obstacles to day-lighting and
natural ventilation,
• heights of surrounding
buildings effecting air
movement, and the possibility
to make use of shade and
shadow.
Energy Efficient Design Education Through
Architectural Design Studio Projects
Slide 21 of 40
Dr. Khaled Ali Youssef
Department of Architecture
Faculty of Environmental Design
King Andulaziz University
Saudi Arabia
3-2-3 Architectural design activities
Generation of concepts targeting:
(1) maximum reduction of energy
used, and
(2) accommodation of energy
production technologies
…. Via means of architectural desin
Energy Efficient Design Education Through
Architectural Design Studio Projects
Slide 22 of 40
Dr. Khaled Ali Youssef
Department of Architecture
Faculty of Environmental Design
King Andulaziz University
Saudi Arabia
3-2-3 Architectural design activities
Comparative analysis (cross-
comparison) and selection of best
alternative
By using Autodesk® Vasari, the
following information would be
available:
• annual energy consumption,
• different approaches to reduce
energy consumption,
• reduction percentages,
• renewable energy production
capabilities, and
• cross-comparison of design
alternatives
• Etc.
Energy Efficient Design Education Through
Architectural Design Studio Projects
Slide 23 of 40
Dr. Khaled Ali Youssef
Department of Architecture
Faculty of Environmental Design
King Andulaziz University
Saudi Arabia
3-2-3 Architectural design activities
Design development – the final
solution
The recommendations of Climate
Consultant 5.4 and the simulation
results of Autodesk® Vasari helped
students develop the selected
alternatives, moving a step by step
towards the final solutions.
Architectural
Design
Energy Efficient Design Education Through
Architectural Design Studio Projects
Slide 24 of 40
Dr. Khaled Ali Youssef
Department of Architecture
Faculty of Environmental Design
King Andulaziz University
Saudi Arabia
3-2-4 Design products: Students’
projects
Design products were:
(1) Architectural design projects
(individual work), and
(2) A model for a self-responding
kinetic louver system that
automatically reacts to any change in
lighting projecting on the building
(group work)
Energy Efficient Design Education Through
Architectural Design Studio Projects
Slide 25 of 40
Dr. Khaled Ali Youssef
Department of Architecture
Faculty of Environmental Design
King Andulaziz University
Saudi Arabia
(1) Architectural design projects Yousef Yehya‟s Project
Energy Efficient Design Education Through
Architectural Design Studio Projects
Slide 26 of 40
Dr. Khaled Ali Youssef
Department of Architecture
Faculty of Environmental Design
King Andulaziz University
Saudi Arabia
(1) Architectural design projects Yousef Yehya‟s Project
Bird-eye view
Perspective Perspective
Energy Efficient Design Education Through
Architectural Design Studio Projects
Slide 27 of 40
Dr. Khaled Ali Youssef
Department of Architecture
Faculty of Environmental Design
King Andulaziz University
Saudi Arabia
(1) Architectural design projects Yousef Yehya‟s Project
Location and
site design
Plans, facades and section
Energy production and
cooling systems
Energy Efficient Design Education Through
Architectural Design Studio Projects
Slide 28 of 40
Dr. Khaled Ali Youssef
Department of Architecture
Faculty of Environmental Design
King Andulaziz University
Saudi Arabia
(1) Architectural design projects Yousef Yehya‟s Project
VASARI
analysis
Shade and shadow
Calculations of energy
production and
consumption
Energy Efficient Design Education Through
Architectural Design Studio Projects
Slide 29 of 40
Dr. Khaled Ali Youssef
Department of Architecture
Faculty of Environmental Design
King Andulaziz University
Saudi Arabia
(1) Architectural design projects Moaaz Gedaany‟s Project
Energy Efficient Design Education Through
Architectural Design Studio Projects
Slide 30 of 40
Dr. Khaled Ali Youssef
Department of Architecture
Faculty of Environmental Design
King Andulaziz University
Saudi Arabia
(1) Architectural design projects Ty Abo Shosha‟s Project
Energy Efficient Design Education Through
Architectural Design Studio Projects
Slide 31 of 40
Dr. Khaled Ali Youssef
Department of Architecture
Faculty of Environmental Design
King Andulaziz University
Saudi Arabia
(2) Self-responding kinetic louver system Group work
Energy Efficient Design Education Through
Architectural Design Studio Projects
Slide 32 of 40
Dr. Khaled Ali Youssef
Department of Architecture
Faculty of Environmental Design
King Andulaziz University
Saudi Arabia
4. Results and Attainments
4.1 Goals Achieved
• Students came to the conclusion
that architects can play a vital role
in addressing energy issues
within their specialization.
• Students have had the skills of
calculating the consumed/
produced energy, with the help of
software packages.
• The experiment managed to raise
the environmental awareness of:
participating students, faculty
students, staff, guests and jury
members.
Energy Efficient Design Education Through
Architectural Design Studio Projects
Slide 33 of 40
Dr. Khaled Ali Youssef
Department of Architecture
Faculty of Environmental Design
King Andulaziz University
Saudi Arabia
• A "hidden curriculum" is
developed, i.e. linking the design
studio to urgent domestic,
regional, and global concerns.
• There was a chance to “Re-
design the design studio“; i.e.
through the "Problematization" of
design projects.
• Both „explicit knowledge‟ (know-
what), and „tacit knowledge‟
(know-how, know-why, know-who
and know-when) were transferred
from senior to junior students.
Energy Efficient Design Education Through
Architectural Design Studio Projects
Slide 34 of 40
Dr. Khaled Ali Youssef
Department of Architecture
Faculty of Environmental Design
King Andulaziz University
Saudi Arabia
• Explicit knowledge was in the
form of theoretical background
and direct results, whereas, tacit
knowledge was in the form of
experience, culture, and methods
of performing tasks.
• The interrelationship between
architecture and other disciplines
concerned with the topic was
realized.
Energy Efficient Design Education Through
Architectural Design Studio Projects
Slide 35 of 40
Dr. Khaled Ali Youssef
Department of Architecture
Faculty of Environmental Design
King Andulaziz University
Saudi Arabia
Discussion: Results and Attainments
4.2. Obstacles and challenges
• Acquiring basic knowledge and
building skills consumed much
time and effort.
• Nevertheless, repeating the
experiment ensures aggregation
and regular update of the
knowledge base.
• The absence of research
infrastructure (labs, equipment
and software) was a major
challenge.
Energy Efficient Design Education Through
Architectural Design Studio Projects
Slide 36 of 40
Dr. Khaled Ali Youssef
Department of Architecture
Faculty of Environmental Design
King Andulaziz University
Saudi Arabia
• Lack of infrastructure and
specialized staff led to spending
more time and effort to make the
experiment succeed.
• The absence of financial support.
Energy Efficient Design Education Through
Architectural Design Studio Projects
Slide 37 of 40
Dr. Khaled Ali Youssef
Department of Architecture
Faculty of Environmental Design
King Andulaziz University
Saudi Arabia
4.3. Suggestions for future development
• Due to the importance and the
complexity of the experiment, the
engagement of post-graduate
students is promoted.
• It is worth mentioning that a M.Sc.
program was recently launched in
the department, with a track for
awarding M.Sc. degree by
architectural projects.
Energy Efficient Design Education Through
Architectural Design Studio Projects
Slide 38 of 40
Dr. Khaled Ali Youssef
Department of Architecture
Faculty of Environmental Design
King Andulaziz University
Saudi Arabia
• To promote the success of the
experiment in the future,
coordination should be made
with:
(1) authorities that support
research/experimental work
inside KAU (e.g. KAU
Endowment-Waqf and Deanship
of graduate studies),
(2) entities that can benefit from the
trial (e.g. companies working in
the field of intelligent/
sustainable/ green building
materials and technologies), or
(3) institutions that make similar
efforts to reduce energy
consumption or promote energy
production in buildings (e.g.
Ministry of Electricity and Water).
Energy Efficient Design Education Through
Architectural Design Studio Projects
Slide 39 of 40
Dr. Khaled Ali Youssef
Department of Architecture
Faculty of Environmental Design
King Andulaziz University
Saudi Arabia
Acknowledgements
The author would like to thank:
Dr. Osman Khafagy, and
Arch. Abdulaziz Afandi
for their participation in
performing the experiment
of designing a zero net energy office building
as an application to the
„energy efficient design‟ lesson.
Thanks for Attention