ABSTRACT
A variation of the traditional glazing-based double façade system is emerging in the Persian Gulf area. This region, characterized by a very severe hot-humid climate set within a dusty desert environment, can focus façade design on simple, all important, solar avoidance. In hot climates, solar avoidance is a constant concern, so the shading system can be allowed to dominate the design. A well designed shading system supports the practical reduction of cooling loads in hot climates. The paper will address some traditional architectural hot climate systems that serve to reinforce and allow the use of some of the permanently obscuring shading systems, the traditional mashrabiya screen.
