A passive ventilation strategy for energy efficiency in religious buildings: A case study of Al-Mahsun Grand Mosque Medan

Abstract

Mosque buildings generally have a large main hall to accommodate large-scale communal worship activities. In tropical climates, the main challenge in designing large spaces is how to create an effective natural ventilation system to maintain thermal comfort inside buildings. Natural ventilation is an important passive design strategy in tropical architecture because it can improve air circulation quality while reducing dependence on energy-intensive mechanical ventilation systems. This study aims to analyze the role of architectural openings in the performance of natural ventilation in mosque buildings, with a case study on the Al Mahsun Grand Mosque in Medan City. The method used was a literature review of multiple scientific sources, including Google Scholar, Sage Journals, and ScienceDirect. The study's findings show that four main opening features influence natural ventilation performance: windows, cross ventilation, skylights with airflow systems, and transparent or porous materials that allow air to circulate. Room orientation, opening geometry, air pressure variations, and roof design that promotes natural circulation all have an impact on natural ventilation's efficacy. Implementing suitable ventilation systems in mosque structures not only improves thermal comfort for attendees, but it also helps to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. These findings demonstrate that climate-responsive architectural design approaches can help create sustainable and environmentally friendly places of worship.