Extract

Abstract: Over the past 40 years, energy demand in Maldives has significantly increased to achieve thermal comfort in buildings. However, there is a lack of data on internal thermal conditions in Maldivian buildings. Therefore, this research aims to evaluate internal thermal comfort by examining building techniques and energy usage in the Greater Malé Region. To conduct this study, a multi-case study approach was used to analyse 10 buildings. These buildings consisted of two residential buildings (one with AC and one without) and eight non-residential buildings (four with AC and four without). Data collection methods included photographic surveys, questionnaires, on-site thermal measurements, energy bill analysis, and room temperature assessments. The findings revealed that there is a heavy reliance on air conditioning (AC) in the region, which has significant environmental drawbacks. On the other hand, buildings without AC were found to lack adequate comfort due to insufficient natural ventilation in their designs. Moreover, the study highlighted that current building practices do not effectively address heat gain and energy consumption, emphasizing the need for more naturally ventilated designs. The research provides insights for designers and architects in Greater Malé Region, emphasizing the importance of transitioning to bio-climatic design approaches that enhance sustainability and eco-friendliness.

Keywords: Energy demand, building practices, indoor thermal comfort, greater male region.

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