We investigate and test the effectiveness of a novel window windcatcher device (WWC), as a means of improving natural ventilation in buildings. Using ANSYS CFX, the performance of the window-windcatcher is compared to a control case (no window-windcatcher), in three different geographic locations (Cardiff, Doha and Amman) which are representative of three different types of atmospheric conditions. The proposed window-windcatcher has been shown to improve both thermal comfort and indoor air quality by increasing the actual-to-required ventilation ratio by up to 9% compared to the control case as per the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) standards. In addition, the locations with minimum velocities have been identified. Those locations correspond to the regions with a lower infection risk of spreading airborne viruses such as SARS-CoV-2, which is responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic.

Building retrofitting plays a critical role in achieving sustainable development and is an efficient way to improve the indoor air quality (IAQ) of existing spaces. The IAQ in classrooms has a significant impact on the health and academic achievement of students. However, improving the IAQ of existing classrooms is challenging if minimum architectural modifications are allowed. Different natural ventilation retrofitting techniques were proposed to improve the IAQ in existing classrooms at Jordan University of Science and Technology, which is located in a hot arid region. Computer simulations were used to analyze the ventilation rate, indoor operative temperature, relative humidity, and CO2 concentration in the base Case classroom and after the implementation of the proposed retrofitting techniques. Simulation results were compared with those obtained in the base case to determine the most efficient natural ventilation retrofitting technique. The best results were obtained by using a solar chimney to assist a wind tower, which resulted in an increase in the comfort hours during the occupation time, an improvement in the average monthly ventilation rate range, a decrease in the CO2 concentration, and an improvement in the relative humidity ratio. An energy-saving of 39% would be achieved compared with the use of split unit air condition systems. Economic assessment of the proposed system using net present value indicates positive economic viability.

This paper discusses a novel technological approach using virtual heritage technology to reflect Umm Qais heritage’s intertwining and interdependent nature that shapes its identity and value today. It developed the first model of a “virtual living museum” that brings both the tangible and intangible heritage of the site and community together into an integrated virtual environment that gives equal importance to local community narratives, traditions and history. We argue that integrating both human and digital records enriches the virtual twin of cultural heritage sites as a living and more humane experience that best represents the multi-layered and overlapping history of ancient Gadara’s archaeology and the cultural practices within Hara Fouqa and its Ottoman houses. As heritage is neither one dimensional nor frozen in time, virtual experiences must be fluid, dynamic, inclusive, integrative and open to change, reflecting living historical narratives.

Window-windcatchers, a passive ventilation method, have been shown to improve ventilation and enhance thermal comfort. Preliminary characterization of a novel window-windcatcher has been undertaken in a previous work, but no relationship had been identified between the actual ventilation rate ($Q_{act}$), the wind velocity ($V_{Tw}$) and crucial design parameters such as the fins angle ($ϴ$)). In this paper, the relationship that quantifies how the window-windcatcher’s performance depends on $V_{Tw}$ and $ϴ$ was determined. Additionally, for the first time, the ventilation performance of the window-windcatcher was optimized by studying the effects of $ϴ$ and the fins-wall distance ($D_{W-f}$) through a Computational Fluid Dynamics parametric study (ANSYS)|. In this optimization approach, the angle $ϴ$ and the distance $D_{W-f}$ corresponding to the maximum actual-to-required ventilation rate were found to be 80° and 45 cm, respectively. The actual ventilation rate increased by approximately 13.2% compared with the baseline design of the windcatcher ($ϴ$ and $D_{W-f}$ equal to 40° and 45 cm, respectively); this corresponds to an increase of approximately 8.6% in the actual-to-required ventilation rate, according to the ASHRAE standards.

Previous studies on window-windcatchers have shown their effectiveness in capturing the prevailing wind and redirecting it into a building, increasing the actual-to-required ventilation ratio by 9%, above what is required by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). However, the effect of implementing the proposed system on energy performance, energy costs, and thermal comfort has not been studied. Therefore, here, we investigate and test the implementation of the window-windcatcher on a typical residential building, using a validated DesignBuilder model. Compared to the base case (no window-windcatcher), the total annual energy consumption of the entire building (${\mathrm{E}}_{\mathrm{tot},\mathrm{b}}$), and consequently the cost, is reduced by approximately 23.3% (i.e., from 18,143 kWh/year to 13,911 kWh/year) when using the window-windcatcher. The total annual reduction in thermal discomfort hours is estimated to be 290 h, which corresponds to an average monthly reduction of approximately 24 h.