Bioclimatic architecture and its energy-saving potentials: a review and future directions
Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management
ISSN: 0969-9988
Article publication date: 1 April 2021
Issue publication date: 8 March 2022
Abstract
Purpose
This paper reviews extant studies on bioclimatic architecture with a view of revealing the focus areas of past studies and mapping out future research directions useful in achieving building energy efficiency.
Design/methodology/approach
A mixed-method systematic review that integrates quantitative and qualitative analysis was adopted. The bibliographic data were extracted from the Scopus database, and a scientometric analysis was conducted to analyse the data quantitatively. Qualitative content analysis is then presented, which provided a basis for mapping out trends and gaps in current knowledge.
Findings
It is observed that there has been a rise in the number of studies on bioclimatic architecture over the last two decades. Past studies have focused on sustainability, building performance simulation, building climatology and energy use, solar energy applications and passive cooling. Artificial intelligence, algorithm coupling and acoustic comfort were some of the emerging areas discovered in this study.
Research limitations/implications
The study reveals research gaps that researchers can investigate.
Practical implications
The information provided can help the building industry stakeholders in decision-making. It serves as a guideline for maximising the potential benefits of adopting bioclimatic designs in the building industry. Furthermore, it provides references that aid policy formulation for government agencies and corporate organisations.
Originality/value
The study fills the literature gap caused by the need for a holistic literature review that relates bioclimatic architecture and its energy efficiency implications. It is also the first study on bioclimatic architecture that adopts a mix of scientometric and qualitative analysis for analysing past studies on bioclimatic architecture.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Work described was fully supported by a General Research fund from the Grant Council of HKSAR [Project no. 9042773 (CityU 11211719]. Emmanuel Imuetinyan Aghimien was supported by a City University of Hong Kong postgraduate studentship.
Citation
Aghimien, E.I., Li, D.H.W. and Tsang, E.K.-W. (2022), "Bioclimatic architecture and its energy-saving potentials: a review and future directions", Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, Vol. 29 No. 2, pp. 961-988. https://doi.org/10.1108/ECAM-11-2020-0928
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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