In the heart of Istanbul, a city where ancient history meets cutting-edge modernity, a groundbreaking study is reshaping our understanding of sustainable architecture. Led by Oluwagbemiga Paul Agboola from the Department of Architecture at Istanbul Gelisim University, the research delves into the sustainability performance of historic, commercial, and institutional buildings, offering valuable insights for the energy sector.
The study, published in the journal ‘Buildings’ (translated from Turkish as ‘Binalar’), evaluates seven case study buildings using LEED-based criteria, shedding light on the effectiveness of climate-responsive and energy-efficient design strategies. Agboola and his team collected responses from 175 experts, creating a comprehensive evaluation matrix that compares the performance of these diverse structures.
The results are revealing. The ERKE Green Academy, a modern educational institution, consistently achieved the highest scores, particularly in areas like Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, and Indoor Environmental Quality. “This strong performance reflects its integration of advanced green technologies, optimised daylighting strategies, biophilic elements, and smart system controls,” Agboola explains.
Modern commercial towers like the Allianz Tower and Sapphire Tower also performed well, with mean scores ranging from 4.20 to 4.50. Their impressive results are largely driven by intelligent façade systems, double-skin envelopes, automated shading, and high-performance mechanical systems. These findings highlight the potential for significant energy savings in commercial buildings through smart design and technology.
However, the study also shows that heritage buildings, such as Hagia Sophia and Sultan Ahmed Mosque, hold their own. Despite their age, these structures demonstrated moderate yet stable performance levels, with strengths in Indoor Environmental Quality. “Passive systems such as thermal mass, natural ventilation, and inherent spatial configurations contribute significantly to occupant comfort,” Agboola notes.
The study underscores the complementary value of combining traditional passive strategies with modern smart technologies. This integration can lead to resilient, low-energy, and user-responsive architecture, offering valuable lessons for the energy sector.
As Agboola concludes, “This study is novel as it uniquely demonstrates how traditional passive design strategies and modern smart technologies can be integrated to enhance climate-responsive and energy-efficient performance across diverse building typologies.” The research recommends enhanced indoor air quality strategies, occupant education on system use, and stronger policy alignment with LEED standards.
The implications for the energy sector are profound. By understanding and applying these findings, developers and architects can create buildings that are not only sustainable but also comfortable and efficient. This could lead to significant energy savings and a reduced carbon footprint, contributing to a more sustainable future for all.