Climate-Responsive Design for Sustainable Construction: Passive Strategies in Domestic Architecture Supporting Sustainability

Document Type

Article

Source of Publication

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

Publication Date

7-3-2026

Abstract

This study explores climate-responsive design in domestic architecture, focusing on the application and effectiveness of passive strategies across various climatic regions, including the UK, hot-arid, tropical, and cold climates. A qualitative comparative case study method was used to explore different passive design strategies, integration of sustainability, procurement, the coordination of stakeholders, and compliance with regulations in residential architectural projects under varying climate conditions. Drawing from a combination of historical case studies and original architectural projects, the research evaluates how spatial configuration, material selection, solar orientation, shading, ventilation, and insulation are optimized to achieve thermal comfort and energy efficiency. In temperate maritime climates like the UK, strategies emphasize airtight construction, high-performance insulation, and mechanical ventilation, in compliance with regulatory frameworks such as the UK Building Regulations Part L and the Future Homes Standard. By contrast, international case studies demonstrate context-sensitive approaches such as wind towers, open courtyards, elevated structures, and thermal massing tailored to local conditions. Through comparative analysis, the research highlights how regulatory constraints, climatic variables, and traditional design practices shape passive architecture. The findings reinforce that passive design enhances energy efficiency and occupant comfort and supports long-term climate resilience. This study contributes to the discourse on sustainable architecture by offering adaptable, regulation-aware passive design models that can be implemented globally, especially in domestic settings aiming to reduce operational carbon emissions while enhancing indoor environmental quality.

ISSN

2458-973X

Publisher

Yildiz Technical University - DIGITAL COMMONS JOURNALS

Volume

11

Issue

3

First Page

381

Last Page

397

Disciplines

Architecture

Keywords

Climate-adaptive design, Climate-responsive architecture, Energy efficiency in buildings, Passive design strategies, Sustainable construction, Thermal comfort, Vernacular architecture

Scopus ID

105044433571

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License

Indexed in Scopus

yes

Open Access

yes

Open Access Type

Gold: This publication is openly available in an open access journal/series

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