Evaluating Natural Ventilation in Historic Buildings across US Climates Using CFD for Future Scenarios

Bay-Sahin, Ezgi and Faubel, Carlos and Iskandar, Layla and Martinez-Molina, Antonio (2025) Evaluating Natural Ventilation in Historic Buildings across US Climates Using CFD for Future Scenarios. Journal of Environmental Engineering, 31 (4). ISSN 0733-9372

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Abstract

As climate change continues to affect building performance, it is essential to evaluate the long-term viability of passive strategies, particularly in historic buildings. This study explores the current and future feasibility of using natural ventilation as a passive cooling strategy in historic buildings across seven US locations, each representing distinct ASHRAE climate zones. By employing a novel approach that integrates three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and energy modeling, the research investigates the impact of natural ventilation on indoor environmental conditions under present weather conditions and projected climates for 2050 and 2080. A total of 42 computational models were executed for a church listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in San Antonio. The models were validated with real-world data, ensuring both their reliability and the accuracy of the simulated results. The findings indicate that coastal areas with warm climates benefit the most from natural ventilation. However, rising outdoor temperatures in future scenarios will significantly reduce the effectiveness of natural ventilation, resulting in elevated indoor temperatures in all climate zones. As climates warm, the dependency on natural ventilation for thermal comfort will become increasingly challenging, particularly during peak heat periods. While increased airflow through open windows may enhance ventilation rates, it does not always improve thermal comfort, especially if not properly managed. This study highlights the limitations of relying solely on natural ventilation for passive cooling in historic buildings under future climate conditions. Additionally, it contributes to broader discussions on sustainable building practices and adaptation strategies, highlighting the pressing need to balance heritage conservation with climate adaptation. Finally, its relevance across diverse ASHRAE climate zones ensures wide geographical applicability, making this research a vital addition to the discourse on sustainable architecture and climate-resilient design.