Najaf Zero Energy House, Suggestions for Design & Construction

As a result of intensive efforts in preserving the environment and reducing the use of fossil fuels, the idea of zero energy houses has spread in recent decades. The zero-energy house is a house that depends almost entirely on natural sources to provide the needed energy which is not polluting the environment. This idea has been adopted in many countries and states, where each region has a unique design for the zero-energy houses based on the environmental, social, economic, and geographical conditions of that area. In this research, it will be presented firstly a set of proposals to be taken in the design and construction of the zero energy house in the Najaf area in the middle of Iraq. Eight steps were prposed to design and build the Najaf Zero Energy House(NZEH). Some of these steps is the selection of location (site) and design of the house in terms of configuration and direction as well as the criteria for the design of the interior spaces, then the selection of energy systems and the management of water sources, down to the selection of lighting equipment, covering materials and colorants. From the research conclusions, the passive cooling and ventilation due to the climatic conditions characterized by Iraq in general and Najaf, in particular, should be emphasized. It was also concluded that the social traditions and customs greatly influence the architectural design and the choice of the necessary components of this house.