Wind Towers as a Passive Environmental Solution for Energy and Carbon Reduction: Validating AUC Wind Towers

Lead: Sherif Goubran, Khaled Tarabiah, Khaled Nassar, Amr Abdel-aziz 

Project Leader: Marian Nessim

Project Team: Miriam Nader, Moataz ElDakroury, Niriman Soliman, Ahmed Hafez, Aya Elshabshiri

On the premises of the AUC New-Cairo campus, there are two full-scale wind towers different in size, design, and louver configuration. The purpose of the proposed research work is to investigate the effectiveness of those towers numerically and experimentally in terms of Internal Air Quality (IAQ), air circulation, and cooling capacity, resulting in the improvement of inhabitants' comfort and well-being and a reduction of the possibility of the transfer of airborne diseases. To test their effectiveness, two models for the two towers were simulated and validated by actual field tests.  

Results were analyzed to conclude recommendations and guidelines regarding the design and operation of wind towers.

How Do We Feel about Climate Change

Lead: Sherif Goubran

Project Leader: Ahmed Marey

Project Team: Nouran El-Khattam, Salma Ahmed, Salma Halawa

How do we feel about climate change is a project that shows participants’ reaction to the pressing issue of climate change. In an aim for a better future, the project questions our current human role and recognizes the future we are heading towards. By raising awareness through understanding the emotional response of people to the four main climate categories chosen using the Emotive Insight Headset, we are able to conclude that people show high-stress levels, which might result in much bigger problems later on, and people don't realize that.

Towards Decarbonizing Built Environment through Assessing Air Infiltration and its Influence on Energy-Related Emissions

Lead: Sherif Goubran, Khaled Tarabieh

Project Leader: Rana Raafat, Lobna Anous

Project Team: Donna Nader

In Egypt, few or no publications report envelope air leakage in buildings, whereas envelope testing is rarely conducted. Therefore, the effects of envelope air leakage remain unknown, leading to energy waste and uncertainty in performance prediction and modeling. This research aims to fill this gap by conducting the first envelope air leakage test for buildings (institutional and residential pilots) in Egypt, in addition to quantifying their energy and carbon impact.

The Transnational Heritage Future Studio

Lead: Dr. Sherif Goubran, Laura Coucill, Tom Jefferies

Project Team: Tamer El Gabaly, Nouran El-Khattam, Lobna Anous

In alignment with the SDG principles, "innovation in the design of sustainable urban futures in heritage sites" is becoming a topic of increasing relevance to both the UK and Egypt. This is the aim of the studio which links both countries 2050 visions of a shared strategy for net zero carbon. Utilizing the extensive heritage sites of both nations and Egypt can serve as cultural references and rich history.

Sustainable Development in the Built Environment through Transdisciplinary Architectural Design (SDGs and Design)

Lead: Rana Geith

Project Leader: Sherif Goubran

The modern built environment challenge has been reframed as a complex design problem by the UN Sustainable Development Goals, requiring solutions that synthesize knowledge across several disciplines. This research proposes that architecture is inductive of the creative transdisciplinary approaches needed to tackle sustainable development challenges in the built environment. The study's premise is built on a framework composed of nine architectural design domains: building technology, building materials, building construction, building management systems, indoor climate, recycling advancements, spatial planning, urban planning, and strategic planning. These design domains help analyze the case studies presented, explain innovative design solutions, and outline the links with the 2030 SDGs. Creative transdisciplinarity through architecture is shown to advance the realization of global goals. The paper summarizes the findings using a matrix highlighting the interlinkages between the design domains and SDGs, revealing a spectrum of possible connections and overlaps.

Fossil Fuel Free Urban Future



Lead: Sherif Goubran, Khaled Tarabieh

Project Leader: Hagar Ibrahim

Project Team: Shahd Aly, Nadine Shaker

Students were invited to think about how urban gas stations can be reimagined as resilience hubs for the neighborhoods they serve. They were expected to imagine and create a design situation in 2050 and respond with a design that utilizes the strategic location of one urban gas station of your choice to provide socio-economic, cultural and resilience functions. We gathered all their work into a book under several themes (like heat intensity, mental health, pollution, etc.)