This document summarizes a study on the natural ventilation system in traditional Yemeni tower houses in Sana'a, Yemen. The study found that the tower houses use an effective natural ventilation system through their opening designs. Specifically, it identified that the types of windows and courtyards help ventilate the multi-story tower structures. Through observations, measurements and surveys, the study analyzed how the positioning and design of openings facilitate air flow throughout the buildings. The research concluded that the natural ventilation system in the Yemeni tower houses is effective at sustaining thermal comfort.

1. Abu Bakar Bin Abd. Hamid1, Norashikin Bte Rahmat2 & Aida Alias3/ The Effectiveness Of The
Natural Ventilation System In The Traditional Yemeni Tower House, Sana’a Yemen.
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE NATURAL VENTILATION
SYSTEM IN THE TRADITIONAL YEMENI TOWER HOUSE,
SANA’A YEMEN.
Abu Bakar Abd. Hamid1, Aida Alias2 & Norashikin Rahmat3
Center of Interior Architecture Studies, Faculty of Architecture, Planning and
Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA Shah Alam, Selangor Malaysia1
Center of Interior Architecture Studies, Faculty of Architecture, Planning and
Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA Shah Alam, Selangor Malaysia2
Department of Property Management, Faculty of Geoinformation and Real Estate,
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Skudai, Johor, Malaysia3
abah7591@salam.uitm.edu.my1, aidaalias@yahoo.com.my2 &
rashis_84@yahoo.com.my3
Abstract
The purpose of this research is to study the effectiveness of the natural ventilation
system in the traditional Yemeni tower houses in the Old City Sana’a in Yemen. This
study revealed that the effectiveness of the natural ventilation in the tower houses is
determined by the type of opening system being used. Hence, the opening elements
and design support the ventilation. The types of windows and the courtyard in the
tower house have been identified. The research involved observation, site
measurements and questionnaires to investigate and analyze the effectiveness of
openings for natural ventilation surrounding the tower houses. Information gathered
from the survey was analyzed based on the respondents responds. This study
concluded with occurred result based on the data collection and data analysis
recommendation for more efficient ventilation system in the future.
Keywords: Natural Ventilation, Islamic Architecture, Opening System, Sustainable
Design, Yemeni Tower Houses
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2. Abu Bakar Bin Abd. Hamid1, Norashikin Bte Rahmat2 & Aida Alias3/ The Effectiveness Of The
Natural Ventilation System In The Traditional Yemeni Tower House, Sana’a Yemen.
1. Introduction
1.1 Overview of Study
The ancient city of Old Sana'a has been in existence for more than 1,000 years.
This ancient city has more than 14,000 of tower houses that have existed for a
long time and can be seen until today. The great architectural structures in each
tower house rise up between six and nine storey high. The traditional tower houses
of Yemen define the social life and structure of the community as the way the
house is built. The technique of building tower houses has been passed down from
one generation to the next. Uniquely the tower houses have managed to create an
inventive solution in the utilization of space component and natural lighting
system.
In the Yemeni tower house architecture, the most attractive component is the
window composition. The element consists of two parts namely the lower part
meant for viewing and ventilation, while the upper part is to serve as a fan-light,
filled with alabaster or stained glass layer to heave light inside the room. The
other part, called ‘Shubaq’, is a perforated box structure used as store jars to keep
drinking water and foodstuffs cool. Most of the tower houses in Old City Sana’a
have ventilation holes doubled as loopholes to shoot unwelcomed people.
Most of the opening systems in the tower houses are decorated with pre-Islamic
design motifs and elements such as half circles and arches. Other elements found
in the opening systems are rectangular and colored-glass windows, probably of
foreign influence.
Types of motif on opening window Yemeni traditional tower house.
Photo 2.0:
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3. Abu Bakar Bin Abd. Hamid1, Norashikin Bte Rahmat2 & Aida Alias3/ The Effectiveness Of The
Natural Ventilation System In The Traditional Yemeni Tower House, Sana’a Yemen.
1.2. Opening Components.
The attractiveness of the traditional tower house Yemeni window comes from five
components which are combined with all the functions and elements of view,
lighting, ventilation, protection, and privacy. However, these functions would be
controlled by the occupants depending on their social and environmental
condition. As previously mentioned, the Yemeni tower houses have a lot of
windows. The four main components of the Yemeni windows are subdivided into
the lower part (Taqah), the fan-light (Qamariyyah), the wooden external overhang
(Konnah) and the small vent (Shaquos).
Although the fan-lights provide natural lighting during the day-time, the lower
part component can be reduced the heat warmth and exteriors shutters can be
closed without using artificial lighting.
Figure 1.0: The activities for each level inside the Yemeni tower house.
Source: Ronlad Lewcock (1986)
Case Study at AbouLuhum Tower House.
2. Research Method
The research processes contain some phases of work to identify the opening
system in Yemeni tower houses and to find out the data collection. This process
will involve two types of methods. The first method is by using the secondary
data and the second method is by using the primary data.
2.1 Primary data
This method includes the interview, site observation, physical measurement
and sketches drawing. This is to make sure all data is accurate with the
research finding and analysis.
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4. Abu Bakar Bin Abd. Hamid1, Norashikin Bte Rahmat2 & Aida Alias3/ The Effectiveness Of The
Natural Ventilation System In The Traditional Yemeni Tower House, Sana’a Yemen.
2.2 Secondary data
The secondary data were gathered from several sources namely books, journals,
proceedings and other material to support the data finding and analysis.
3. Results and Discussion
This research has shown that preservation of natural ventilation on opening system
in traditional Yemeni tower houses in Old City Sana’a is a factor of concern to
sustain the effectiveness of ventilation in this building.
3.1. Construction Elements
Construction elements of the building reduces the indoor temperature even
though the condition outside is hot. The construction involved utilization of
thicker stone bricks to absorb the heat thus making it cooler indoors.
3.2. Ventilation In The Staircase And Lobbies
The two areas in the Yemeni tower houses that have the best natural
ventilation are the staircase and lobby. Both these areas have masonry cooling
boxes which help facilitate air flow throughout the building. Shutter doors
manually closed in the cold or windy weather.
3.3 Ventilation inside the Rooms
The consideration of the direction of the rooms facing to which side will be
determined by the air flow and low temperature side whichever better to
increase the level of thermal comfort for the people inside the rooms.
Besides that, the function of each room or space is taken into consideration to
allow proper ventilation throughout the area. The ventilation openings for
those spaces can be divided into a few types of space functions. For example,
at the entrance lobby in the ground floor, the space is ventilated by small
openings called ‘Shaqous’ located at the top of the entrance door. But for the
lobby of other floors, windows called ‘Shubak’ with a huge fan-light to let the
air flow inside the rooms are used. The ventilation inside rooms used to store
grains are provided by small openings facing each other to allow air flow.
Living rooms have several numbers of windows and small openings (Shaqous)
which depend on the street directions in order to overcome ventilation
problems.
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5. Abu Bakar Bin Abd. Hamid1, Norashikin Bte Rahmat2 & Aida Alias3/ The Effectiveness Of The
Natural Ventilation System In The Traditional Yemeni Tower House, Sana’a Yemen.
4. Conclusion
From the research, it was proven that the natural ventilation system in the
traditional Yemeni tower houses is effective to achieve the natural ventilation
system and to sustaining the thermal comfort.
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