*3.2.1.2 Self-shading and building form*

*Zero and Net Zero Energy*

improve the thermal performance of the buildings. Palmero-Marrero and OLiveira [17] proved that shading devices could improve thermal performance of buildings and save energy in many cities in different latitudes and climatic conditions.

A study that has been conducted at Jordan University of Science and Technology to design shading devices showed that the process of designing shading devices for an existing building required reflections of various parameters besides thermal comfort. Many tools were used to monitor the performance of shading devices like patterns of use and users' behavior in the new setting. The study used real measurements, computer simulation, user's survey, and observation usage. The study showed that user's preferences like view out, natural lighting, illuminance levels, and thermal comfort were the most influential indicators in designing shading devices. Moreover, user's behavior and patterns of use in the office in question were monitored and proved that a well-designed shading device can improve thermal comfort, user satisfaction, and user behavior from energy consumption point of view. The study was conducted in two stages: in the first stage, temporary materials were used to study the integration

*Stages of designing shading devices in the existing building and their performance with reference to users'* 

*3.2.1.1 Shading in existing buildings and new buildings*

**42**

**Figure 3.**

*preferences [20].*

Hemsath and Alagheband Bandhosseini [21] stated that building form and orientation as early decisions in the design process could have a great impact on energy consumption, lighting, cooling, and heating load. Authors emphasized on the relation between the building's forms, shapes, daylight, and energy consumption in the early design phase, instead of using mechanical and artificial light. Many non-rectangular shapes had been evaluated in terms of self-shading and energy consumption like an L or U shape that can offer solar advantages. Zhou et al. [22] studied how optimal building design could enable harvesting of the maximal micro-wind power around low-rise residential buildings.

Zerefos et al. [23] compared polygonal and prismatic building envelopes to orthogonal building envelopes based on energy behavior and energy consumption in Mediterranean climates. The study showed that prismatic formed buildings gain lower solar than orthogonal forms and so consume less energy by an average of 7.88%. Moreover, Caruso et al. [24] used the mathematical theory of calculus of variation to find the best geometric form to minimize direct solar irradiation incident on the envelope. The paper also aimed at finding useful guidelines and rules for designers to follow during early decision-making stages to reduce the total amount of direct solar irradiation [24].

Azari et al. [25] showed that there are various architectural features of a building that could influence its indoor thermal comfort, daylight, and energy consumption, such as building shape, orientation, wall forms, window-to-wall area ratio, window size, glazing material, wall structure, and shading. They may increase solar gain and daylight duration during winter, which would be beneficial and could lead to overheating during summer. Yasa [26] studied the comfort conditions of different configurations of buildings like open courtyard configurations, closed courtyard configurations, and configurations of courtyards with apertures on the wall.

Designers can use building's forms as self-shading approach that shades the outside surface materials, windows, and glazed areas (**Table 3**). An example of a self-shading building is the library of the University of Nottingham, UK, which was designed with large glazing surfaces to utilize daylighting without causing glare as seen in **Figure 4**. The design was based on using self-shading form to protect inner spaces from direct sunrays.

