A Comparative Analysis of Passive Design Efficiency and Circular Material Use in Climate-Responsive Architecture: Case Study of Yazd and Singapore
Navid Golchin*¹, Laleh Jalal Sahandi², Mehrnaz Mashayekhi³, Fatemeh Boujari⁴
Abstract:
This study investigates the integration of passive design strategies and circular material use in climate-responsive architecture through a comparative analysis of two thermally contrasting environments: the arid city of Yazd (Iran) and the humid tropical city of Singapore. Using building energy simulation tools (DesignBuilder and EnergyPlus) and life cycle assessment (LCA) software (SimaPro), two prototype buildings with comparable functions and footprints were modeled. The passive strategies included thermal mass optimization, cross ventilation, solar shading, and light shelves, while circular material systems emphasized reclaimed timber, recycled concrete aggregate, and bio-based insulation.Results revealed that in the arid case, optimized passive strategies reduced annual cooling loads by 38.2%, while in the humid case, the reduction was 22.5%, primarily due to enhanced natural ventilation. Incorporation of circular materials led to an average 31.6% reduction in embodied carbon across both models. Life cycle energy analysis showed a 24-year payback period for the added embodied energy of certain circular systems, which decreased to 18 years when combined with passive strategies.The findings suggest that passive design must be tightly tailored to local climate conditions, whereas circular material use offers universally positive environmental impacts. Integration of both approaches yielded synergistic benefits, with up to 45% overall environmental performance improvement in the arid context and 33% in the humid context. This research provides quantitative evidence supporting the convergence of bioclimatic design and material circularity as a foundational strategy for sustainable urban architecture in diverse climate zones.
Keywords:
Passive Design Strategies, Circular Materials, Climate-Responsive Architecture, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Building Energy Simulation.