ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the results of research whose aim was to maximize the thermal function of internal courtyard environments in hot dry regions. The empirical work was conducted during the summer season, using a single-family house in Al-Oyynaa, a country town near Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. The main objective of the study was to investigate how the evaporative cooling tower could reduce the internal courtyard air temperature. The courtyard was then utilized as a source for cooling the surrounding house spaces. Three experimental procedures were conducted and analyses carried out. Results indicate that an evaporative cooling tower is effective in cooling both the courtyard and the surrounding rooms. It was found that for the house in question the courtyard and living room maximum air temperatures were reduced by 9.96°C and 6.74°C, respectively. However, when the courtyard and the tower were ventilated by exhaust fans, the courtyard and indoor air temperatures were reduced by 13.5°C and 11.15°C, respectively.
