Short answer
Integrate passive design elements like natural ventilation and thermal mass into contemporary building designs, and consider smart technologies for heritage building retrofits to achieve optimal sustainability.
- Field
- Sustainability
- Source
- Buildings (2025)
- Method
- Comparative assessment using an evaluation matrix based on LEED criteria.
- Sample
- 175 experts
- Evidence
- Strong effect
Historic structures leverage inherent passive design for occupant comfort, while contemporary buildings utilize advanced technologies for superior energy performance. This sustainability research insight is drawn from a 2025 study published in Buildings. Using Comparative assessment using an evaluation matrix based on leed criteria. with 175 experts, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Integrate passive design elements like natural ventilation and thermal mass into contemporary building designs, and consider smart technologies for heritage building retrofits to achieve optimal sustainability.
Heritage buildings offer passive comfort, modern towers excel in energy efficiency
Historic structures leverage inherent passive design for occupant comfort, while contemporary buildings utilize advanced technologies for superior energy performance.
Buildings · 2025
Key Findings
- 01ERKE Green Academy achieved the highest overall sustainability scores, excelling in Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, and Indoor Environmental Quality due to advanced green technologies and smart controls.
- 02Modern commercial towers (Allianz Tower, Sapphire Tower) performed strongly in Integrative Design, Energy Efficiency, and Materials and Resources, driven by intelligent façade systems and high-performance mechanicals.
- 03Heritage buildings (Hagia Sophia, Sultan Ahmed Mosque) showed moderate but stable performance, particularly in Indoor Environmental Quality, benefiting from passive systems like thermal mass and natural ventilation.
- 04Combining traditional passive strategies with modern smart technologies is crucial for resilient, low-energy, and user-responsive architecture.
Application
Design takeaway
Integrate passive design elements like natural ventilation and thermal mass into contemporary building designs, and consider smart technologies for heritage building retrofits to achieve optimal sustainability.
How to apply
When designing new buildings, prioritize passive strategies for natural comfort and ventilation. For existing buildings, analyze opportunities to incorporate smart systems that complement their existing passive features.
Project actions
- 01When researching existing buildings, look for evidence of passive design features and how they contribute to comfort.
- 02Consider how modern technologies could be integrated into traditional designs to improve performance without losing historical character.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Comprehensive evaluation across multiple building typologies.
- +Inclusion of expert opinions to assess performance.
- +Focus on practical implications for future design.
Limitations
The expert opinions might be subjective, and the LEED criteria might not capture all aspects of sustainability for heritage buildings.
Reliability & validity
The use of a standardized LEED-based evaluation matrix and a large sample of expert opinions enhances the reliability and validity of the comparative assessment. However, the subjective nature of expert judgment and the specific context of Istanbul may introduce limitations.
Think critically
How can the unique passive qualities of heritage buildings be better integrated into the design of new, high-performance structures to achieve a more holistic approach to sustainability?
Design Principles
"Balance passive and active design strategies to maximize building performance and occupant well-being across diverse typologies."
Understanding the distinct strengths of traditional and modern building typologies allows designers to create more holistic and effective sustainable solutions. This knowledge can inform the integration of passive strategies into new designs and the retrofitting of existing structures to enhance overall environmental performance and occupant well-being.
What This Means for Your Design
Old buildings are good at keeping people comfortable naturally, and new buildings are good at saving energy with technology. The best designs use both.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference this study when discussing the benefits of passive design in heritage buildings or the energy efficiency of modern commercial structures in your design project's background research.
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Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
This comparative assessment of building typologies in Istanbul highlights that heritage buildings, such as mosques and historic sites, naturally excel in providing comfortable indoor environments through passive design elements like thermal mass and natural ventilation. In contrast, modern commercial towers demonstrate superior energy efficiency due to advanced technological systems like intelligent facades and automated shading. The research suggests that the most effective approach to sustainable architecture involves a synergistic integration of traditional passive strategies with contemporary smart technologies, leading to resilient, low-energy, and occupant-responsive designs.
Source
Buildings
Comparative Assessment of Climate-Responsive Design and Occupant Behaviour Across Türkiye’s Building Typologies for Enhanced Utilisation and Performance
journal · 2025
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about heritage buildings offer passive comfort, modern towers excel in energy efficiency?
- Integrate passive design elements like natural ventilation and thermal mass into contemporary building designs, and consider smart technologies for heritage building retrofits to achieve optimal sustainability. Evidence: Buildings (2025).
- Why does "Heritage buildings offer passive comfort, modern towers excel in energy efficiency" matter for design?
- Understanding the distinct strengths of traditional and modern building typologies allows designers to create more holistic and effective sustainable solutions. This knowledge can inform the integration of passive strategies into new designs and the retrofitting of existing structures to enhance overall environmental performance and occupant well-being.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Integrate passive design elements like natural ventilation and thermal mass into contemporary building designs, and consider smart technologies for heritage building retrofits to achieve optimal sustainability.
- What were the main findings?
- ERKE Green Academy achieved the highest overall sustainability scores, excelling in Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, and Indoor Environmental Quality due to advanced green technologies and smart controls.. Modern commercial towers (Allianz Tower, Sapphire Tower) performed strongly in Integrative Design, Energy Efficiency, and Materials and Resources, driven by intelligent façade systems and high-performance mechanicals.. Heritage buildings (Hagia Sophia, Sultan Ahmed Mosque) showed moderate but stable performance, particularly in Indoor Environmental Quality, benefiting from passive systems like thermal mass and natural ventilation.. Combining traditional passive strategies with modern smart technologies is crucial for resilient, low-energy, and user-responsive architecture.
- What research method was used?
- Comparative assessment using an evaluation matrix based on LEED criteria. with 175 experts.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2025 journal from Buildings.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When designing new buildings, prioritize passive strategies for natural comfort and ventilation. For existing buildings, analyze opportunities to incorporate smart systems that complement their existing passive features.
- What are the limitations?
- The study's findings are specific to the climate and building typologies of Istanbul and may not be directly generalizable to all regions or building types.