Passive design strategies and modern smart technologies

What is it about?

This study evaluates and compares the sustainability performance of selected historic, commercial, and institutional buildings in Istanbul to identify effective climate-responsive and energy-efficient design strategies. The objectives are to assess performance using LEED-based criteria, examine variations across building typologies, and outline implications for future sustainable design. The comparative assessment reveals notable variations in sustainability performance across the seven evaluated buildings. ERKE Green Academy consistently achieved the highest mean scores (≈4.40–4.60), particularly in Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, and Indoor Environmental Quality. This strong performance reflects its integration of advanced green technologies, optimised daylighting strategies, biophilic elements, and smart system controls. Modern commercial towers, such as the Allianz Tower and Sapphire Tower, recorded strong mean scores (≈4.20–4.50) across categories related to Integrative Design, Energy Efficiency, and Materials and Resources. Their performance is largely driven by intelligent façade systems, double-skin envelopes, automated shading, and high-performance mechanical systems that enhance operational efficiency. In contrast, heritage buildings, including Hagia Sophia and Sultan Ahmed Mosque, demonstrated moderate yet stable performance levels (≈4.00–4.40). Their strengths were most evident in Indoor Environmental Quality, where passive systems such as thermal mass, natural ventilation, and inherent spatial configurations contribute significantly to occupant comfort. Overall, this study is novel as it uniquely demonstrates how traditional passive design strategies and modern smart technologies can be integrated to enhance climate-responsive and energy-efficient performance across diverse building typologies. The study recommends enhanced indoor air quality strategies, occupant education on system use, and stronger policy alignment with LEED standards.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

Findings reveal that buildings employing passive solar design strategies, green roofs, and high-performance glazing systems report significantly lower mechanical energy dependency. Simultaneously, user-oriented features such as thermal zoning, biophilic design, and smart sensor integration was linked to higher levels of user satisfaction and behavioural energy savings.