A Comparison Study between the Thermal Performance of the Original and Rebuilt Vernacular Buildings of Dana Village in Jordan

The settlement of Dana in Jordan is undergoing dramatic and rapid changes. The rehabilitation project launched by the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature (RSCN) provided new tourist accommodation within the settlement, in a way that preserves its unique vernacular character. This has involved the repair and transformation of existing dwellings as well as the rebuilding of those that have been demolished. Currently, the original and rebuilt buildings stand side by side, offering a unique opportunity to compare their thermal performance. This comparison is essential to understand the impact of new construction materials and opening sizes on the thermal performance of vernacular buildings. For this purpose, the thermal performance of rebuilt and original buildings was monitored in August 2019 and February 2020, representing the hot and cold seasons. The recorded data was interpreted statistically, aiming mainly to compare the results from the original rooms with those from the rebuilt rooms. The study showed that the original buildings of Dana hotel resist thermal transfer more than the rebuilt ones. Both parts provide thermal comfort in summer, with the rebuilt rooms offering slightly better thermal comfort conditions. Meanwhile, neither original nor rebuilt rooms provide adequate thermal comfort in winter.