Designing Guidelines for Metro Stations in Developing Countries: The Case of Dubai

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of Dubai metro stations, studying their external roof forms as well as their internal level of services (LOS). The first stage of the study generally studied the best roof form of metro station buildings suitable for Dubai in hot climate regions. Common shapes of roof surfaces of metro stations in hot climate regions such as curvilinear, rectilinear, and composite were studied. Several parameters such as solar radiation, wind pressure, and wind velocity were investigated using an Integrated Environmental Solution Virtual Environment (IESVE) and Flow Design Autodesk in order to select the best roof form suitable for Dubai. Secondly, after receiving the best roof form suitable for hot climate regions, the study was extended to investigate the (LOS) inside Dubai Metro Station using Mass Motion Oasys (MMO). As a result of the study, curvilinear roof forms were found to be more efficient for hot climate regions, matching with the existing roof form of Dubai Metro Stations. Additionally, the second stage of the study provided design guidelines for metro station buildings for hot climate regions

Retrofitting residential buildings in the University of Sharjah

The aim of the research is to investigate best retrofitting strategies that minimizing energy consumption within the context of thermal comfort. The research has targeted two residential compounds in the University of Sharjah: Al Khwarizmi and Al Baironi. Climate Consultant and ECOTECT were used in the simulation process in order to select best passive strategies and tools for the retrofitting. Several parameters such as building orientation, shading devices, and glazing types, were tested during the simulation process. As a result, the study determined the most suitable tools for the existing compounds. The study showed that the use of double glazing with shading devices reduced cooling loads in Al Baironi with 5.42 MWh and 8.13 MWh in Al Khwarizmi. Also, addressed that U-shaped residential layout is more efficient than liner-shaped layout