Team 03:

• Name of team 03: Architecture and innovative natural materials (stones and soil)
• Head of Team 03:
• Permanent members of team 03:

• Description of the research thematic of team 03:

        The Saharan architecture, in stones and soil from tradition to innovation, is the study that will enable us to systemize the state of knowledge in relation to oases. An oasis can be defined as a self sufficient system that, in extreme weather conditions, succeeds in developing complex forms of adaptation to the surrounding territory by optimizing local resources in hand. In general, the oasis is like a living organism, a complex ecosystem that is made of Ksour, palm groves and various agricultural crops (fruit trees, market gardeners, etc…). It is held together through a system of water collection and the collective and efficient management of these water recourses. This research aims at demonstrating the concrete possibility that oases are still valid systems and effective witnesses which can become future centers of experimentation of agglomerations (Ksour) in environments with extreme climates. This would represent a fundamental starting point of reflecting on the updating of knowledge of these agglomerations at first; followed up with the rehabilitation of these Ksour and new buildings. This will be achieved through a pointed research on the innovating materials in stones and soils that correspond to the requirements of climatic conditions and thermal comfort for energy efficiency. A prerequisite condition is that these materials will be produced locally with local raw materials in hand by introducing technical novelties, innovative natural materials for a sustainable Saharan architecture. Rehabilitation of the Saharan Architecture of Ksour, local materials and thermal comfort, sustainable development and energy efficiency are all aspects that will be covered throughout this research.

Keywords:

Saharan buildings – Ksour - Oasis – environment – stones – soil materials – innovation – thermal comfort.