Study the Microclimatic Performance of the Courtyard in Tehran Climate (Case study: Memar Bashi Theological Seminary courtyard)

Since modifying the outdoor condition has an impact on the indoor conditions, the objective of the present research is to study the central courtyard as a passive solar strategy to create microclimate on a scale of an urban block in Tehran climate. By creating microclimate in the vicinity of the building, its thermal performance could be thus enhanced. In addition to comparing temperature in the courtyard with that of the outside the building, this research also studied the influence of water and plants in forming microclimate.

Analysis method is composed of investigating case studies, field measurements and simulation.

According to the measurements conducted in four directions of the courtyard under study and comparing them with the temperature in the lateral street and the mean temperature recorded in Mehrabad Weather Station in the same time frame, the mean temperature of the courtyard was 4.52 °C less than that of the street and 4.01 °C less than that of Mehrabad Weather Station. Comparing results obtained from cold seasons show that temperature of the courtyard was 0.9 °C more than that of the outer space and 1.4 °C more than that recorded in Mehrabad Weather Station. Consequently, Memar Bashi Theological Seminary courtyard has functioned as a microclimate.

with an approximate difference of 0.3°C, simulation results confirm the microclimate function of Memar Bashi Theological Seminary courtyard. Comparisons between the influence of water and plants have also indicated that in the hot seasons, plant coverage could decrease the temperature by 0.9 °C more than what water does.