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Professor Ahmad Taki

Job: Professor of Building Performance and Sustainability; Director of Architecture Research Institute

Faculty: Arts, Design and Humanities

School/department: Leicester School of Architecture

Research group(s): Architecture Research Institute

Address: De Montfort University, The Gateway, Leicester, LE1 9BH UK.

T: +44 (0)116 257 7408

E: ahtaki@dmu.ac.uk

W: https://www.dmu.ac.uk/lsa

 

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Personal profile

Professor Ahmad Taki is a Director of the Architecture Research Institute, a Professor of Building Performance and Sustainability, and a Senior Fellow of Higher Education Academy (HEA). Professor Taki is experienced in design strategies and building physics to promote and encourage sustainability, human thermal interaction with the built environment, and computer modelling. He is a member of EPSRC College for peer review of research proposals. Professor Taki is an invited author of ‘Heat Transfer’ section of the CIBSE Design Guide and has given overseas presentations on his work related to human thermal environment field.

Professor Taki has already worked successfully on several funded research projects giving him considerable experience in managing research contracts and in disseminating research findings. He is currently working on methods aimed at improving alignment between houses, contexts, climates and energy performance. This has led to the development of research methodologies in the built environment and frameworks together with prototypes for sustainable houses satisfying social cultural needs to the local community in the context of developing countries. Professor Taki was an invited author of ‘Heat Transfer’ section of the CIBSE Design Guide and has given overseas presentations on work related to building performance and sustainability field. He was joint coordinator for REF2021, UoA13. Professor Taki has successfully supervised 25 PhD students and is currently supervising 10 others. He is a Founder of both the BSc Architectural Technology and the MSc Architecture & Sustainability programmes in the Leicester School of Architecture.

Professor Taki would be interested in supervising PhD students in this field.

Research group affiliations

Architecture Research Institute

Publications and outputs

  • A New Framework for Sustainable Resilient Houses on the Coastal Areas of Khanh Hoa, Vietnam
    A New Framework for Sustainable Resilient Houses on the Coastal Areas of Khanh Hoa, Vietnam Doan, Viet Ha Xuan; Taki, A.H. With the impacts of tropical storms on Vietnam’s residences, the aim of the study is to produce a new framework for designing sustainable resilient houses in Vietnam’s coastal areas. This study was based on the community’s need to develop a set of guidelines for improving the stability of domestic buildings in storm-prone areas. It also addresses some unresolved issues including storm-proofing techniques and sustainable development in coastal dwellings. The main findings of this study were defined by the use of mixed-method approaches. These research methods in-volved observational surveys, questionnaires, interviews, case studies, and computer simulations. Particularly, the case studies were simulated by the use of computational fluid dynamics to mimic the storm impacts on existing buildings. These concentrated on the solutions, techniques, benefits, and challenges of sustainable resilience in coastal residences. The results are presented by a framework for designing a sustainable resilient house and a prototype was also tested. Both the framework and the prototype can satisfy the community demands by making energy-efficient buildings and effective wind mitigation guiding other research about developing sustainable and resilient houses in the future. open access article
  • A review of retrofit interventions for residential buildings in hot humid climates
    A review of retrofit interventions for residential buildings in hot humid climates Ayodele, Tunmise; Taki, A. H.; Oyinlola, M. A.; Bhattacharyya, Subhes Buildings consume 40% of resources around the world, low energy building is fast becoming a major component of sustainable development. However, limiting the concept of low energy buildings to new builds will only undermine its ef-fects and benefits as there are numerous existing buildings that consume uneconomical energy resources irrespective of how en-ergy efficient the new ones are. Therefore, retrofit interventions to existing buildings is important in decreasing resource con-sumption and increasing energy efficiency. Some various retro-fit interventions already exist towards reducing energy con-sumption in residential buildings but deciding on a specific ret-rofit intervention needs assiduous consideration. Hence, this pa-per focuses on the review of retrofit interventions and their en-ergy performances. It was found amongst others that clay bricks, sand line, and pre-fabricated walls consume less energy than concrete bricks by 16%, 23%, and 25% respectively. Elec-trochromic glazing system with no shading device was also found to have reduced heat gains by 53%-59% in winter and summer. It was concluded that further research would benefit from the combination of the various interventions to create pathways for building retrofit in hot humid climate, the path-ways can be tested with a dynamic thermal simulation software for energy performance. The file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version.
  • Towards Energy Efficient Buildings in Nigeria: Challenges and Opportunities
    Towards Energy Efficient Buildings in Nigeria: Challenges and Opportunities Ochedi, Ekele; Taki, A. H. The need to enhance people’s wellbeing by reducing CO2 emission has necessitated global efforts towards reducing energy consumption by buildings, which is responsible for nearly 45% of world’s energy consumption. Energy efficient design approaches have clear consequences on environmental protection and the wellbeing of urban populations. It is a viable means of reducing overdependence on electric generators and possible future retrofit of existing housing stock in Nigeria. Efforts towards achieving energy efficient buildings in this part of the world are not without challenges. Previous studies have revealed opportunities and possible challenges to energy efficiency in buildings in Nigeria. However, there seems to be scarce academic field data on this subject in the Nigerian context. Hence, this paper aims to identify benefits and possible hindrances to the realization of energy efficient buildings in Nigeria. This study adopted semi-structured interview involving 12 architects in Lokoja, Nigeria as the main approach for generating relevant data on this subject. Some of the limitations revealed by the interviewees include poverty, lack of awareness, lack of interest in local technologies and building materials, activities of non-professionals in the building industry and lack of effective regulatory bodies. This paper shows that there is enormous potential to improve people’s wellbeing and reduce carbon footprints if we can overcome the possible hindrances to achieving energy efficient buildings in Nigeria. The study concludes that energy efficiency in buildings can be achieved in Nigeria through strong awareness creation and collaboration among the stakeholders in the building industry. The file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version.
  • Energy Efficient Building Design in Nigeria: An Assessment of the Effect of the Sun on Energy Consumption in Residential Buildings
    Energy Efficient Building Design in Nigeria: An Assessment of the Effect of the Sun on Energy Consumption in Residential Buildings Ochedi, Ekele; Taki, A. H. The effect of the sun and its path on thermal comfort and energy consumption in residential buildings in tropical climates constitutes serious concern for designers, building owners and users. Passive design approaches based on the sun and its path have been identified as a means of reducing energy consumption, as well as enhancing thermal comfort in buildings worldwide. Hence, a thorough understanding regarding the sun path is key to achieving this. This is necessary due to energy need, poor energy supply and distribution, energy poverty and over-dependence on electric generators for power supply in Nigeria. These challenges call for a change in the approach to energy related issues, especially in terms of buildings. The aim of this study is to explore the influence of building orientation, glazing and the use of shading devices on residential buildings in Nigeria. This is intended to provide data that will guide designers in the design of energy efficient residential buildings. The paper used EnergyPlus software to analyze a typical semi-detached residential building in Lokoja, Nigeria, using hourly weather data for a period of 10 years. Building performance was studied as well as possible improvement regarding different orientations, glazing types and shading devices. The simulation results showed reductions in energy consumption in response to changes in building orientation, types of glazing and the use of shading devices. The results indicate a 29.45% reduction in solar gains and 1.90% in annual operative temperature using natural ventilation only. This shows a huge potential to reduce energy consumption and improve people’s wellbeing using proper building orientation, glazing and appropriate shading devices on building envelope. The study concludes that for a significant reduction in total energy consumption by residential buildings, design should focus on multiple design options rather than concentrating on one or few building elements. Moreover, the investigation confirms that energy performance modelling can be used by building designers to take advantage of the sun and to evaluate various design options.
  • Investigation into energy performance of a school building in a hot climate: Optimum of window-to-wall ratio.
    Investigation into energy performance of a school building in a hot climate: Optimum of window-to-wall ratio. Alwetaishi, Mamdooh; Taki, A. H. Global attention is currently focussed on developing techniques to improve the thermal performance of buildings to provide indoor comfort with minimum reliance on energy load. Several studies have investigated building facade, materials used and other factors involved in building design. The aim of this study is to examine the impact of thermal insulation, shading devices, window-to-wall ratio (WWR) and a combination of these factors in a prototype school building design in the warm climate city of Taif, Saudi Arabia. The study used various methods classified into two main phases. The first phase involved on-site observation where both thermal imaging and regular cameras were used to examine the influence of orientation on glazing as a baseline. The second phase involved advanced software investigations with 2D AutoCAD, 3D Revit and computer modelling for energy evaluation and daylight factor. A detailed framework was introduced to examine current school buildings and to improve the future designs of prototype school buildings. The study revealed that a combination of applying thermal insulation along with minimising WWR is required in existing buildings within hot and dry regions. Furthermore, it was recommended that WWR should not exceed 35%, 25% and 20% for northwest, southeast and southwest building facades, respectively.
  • A review of sustainable business models and strategic sustainable development
    A review of sustainable business models and strategic sustainable development Small-Warner, Kaie; Abuzeinab, Amal; Taki, A. H. This paper summarizes sustainable business models by addressing definitions, archetypes and assessments. It then summarizes the framework for strategic sustainable development to highlight its systematic, scientific and social strengths. The discussion combines both concepts to conclude with a research approach that may scientifically and socially enhance sustainable business models.
  • A social-environmental interface of sustainable development: A case study of Ghadames, Libya
    A social-environmental interface of sustainable development: A case study of Ghadames, Libya Taki, A. H.; Alabid, Jamal One of the key challenges in the spatial planning and design of urban settlements in desert housing is the trade-off between the harshness of the environment and meeting social needs concurrently. Hence, this chapter discusses the role of socio-environmental dimensions on planning and developing urban forms within the context of the Sahara Desert. The case study of Ghadames old settlements integrates spatial planning methodology with environmental thoughts, in accordance with socio-cultural values. Field surveys were conducted in summers 2013/14 to observe daily environmental cycles and social practices of residents through collating drawings, photos and sketches, interviews with householders and professionals and measurements of indoor thermal conditions. The field survey also showed that new houses do not effectively respond to the local climate or cultural contexts. This study recognises the need to promote the relationship between social integration and environmental awareness during formation of urban settlements.
  • Sustainable design responses for residential high-rises
    Sustainable design responses for residential high-rises Taki, A. H.; Kalcheva, Elena; Hadi, Yuri Sustainable design responses for residential high-rises is a viable topic with multiple answers. There are many separate types of researches in the literature on building envelope and applicable green technologies, but the opinion of leading architects so far has not been sought. The study discusses the sustainable design responses through the experience of twelve architects, informing the various parties of four important aspects of the sustainable design of residential high-rises. The methodology is based on an interview protocol with these four questions. The interviews were carried out in January-June 2016. The architects provided comprehensive data on the topic, including how to design residential high-rises in order to foster more social interactions, how to make these buildings more energy efficient and their views on renewable energy solution available. The implications from this study are that design professionals and the general public can use this insight for improving the design of residential high-rises in the near future. The file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version. Open access article
  • Infrastructure of Bulgarian High-Rise Estates: Realities and Hopes
    Infrastructure of Bulgarian High-Rise Estates: Realities and Hopes Kalcheva, Elena; Taki, A. H.; Hadi, Yuri This chapter studies the quality and characteristics of the infrastructure in several high-rise estates in Sofia, Bulgaria and evaluates to which extend it serves the residents in the tall buildings. Most of the highrises in Sofia and their surroundings were built in the Soviet era so they represent a very old design concept and this is why it is no surprise that the quality of the public realm and the buildings is quite substandard. The spaces around the high-rises lack public spaces other than the streets and empty large pieces of land. There is lack of integrated natural features with the design of the high-rises. Hoping to achieve a functional and attractive built environment, the following need to be implemented: new layout of the streets, introduction of viable public spaces with strong sense of place where the high-rises act as a power symbol and development of green infrastructure.
  • Passive Design Strategies for Energy Efficient Housing in Nigeria
    Passive Design Strategies for Energy Efficient Housing in Nigeria Abbakyari, Maryam; Taki, A. H. The varying manifestations of climate change are greatly impacting our lives and livelihoods principally due to the activities of industries that pollute the atmosphere and use up non-renewable resources to fuel our growth and development. It is estimated that approximately one third of the worlds energy is consumed within buildings of which approximately 60% is through air conditioning systems. The aim of this research is to investigate various passive design strategies to improve the energy efficiency of a typical mass housing type in Nigeria. A case study of mass housing was carried out to select a sample that was used to conduct a thermal analysis using EnergyPlus tool. The first stage was optimising the building fabric which involved proposing a sustainable alternative to the conventional masonry material. Next was the application of passive strategies aimed at achieving lower energy load for cooling. The building simulation showed a significant 30% reduction in cooling. This is significant particularly because of the inadequate and unreliable electricity supply in Nigeria which leads to reliance on fuel based backup power generation systems.

Click here to view a full listing of Ahmad Taki's publications and outputs.

Key research outputs

Ahmad Taki and Viet Ha Xuan Doan (2022) A New Framework for Sustainable Resilient Houses on the Coastal Areas of Khanh Hoa, Vietnam. Sustainability 2022, 14(13), 7630. https://hdl.handle.net/2086/22014 (Open Access Article)

Ahmad Taki and Bilal Alsheglawi (2022) Toward Energy-Efficient Houses Considering Social Cultural Needs in Bahrain: A New Framework Approach. Sustainability 2022, 14(11), 6842. https://hdl.handle.net/2086/21953 (Open Access Article)

Jegede, O and Taki, AH (2021) Optimization of Building Envelopes using Indigenous Materials to achieve Thermal Comfort and Affordable Housing in Abuja, Nigeria. International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation.  https://dora.dmu.ac.uk/handle/2086/21388

Ochedi, ET and Taki AH (2021) A framework Approach to the Design of Energy Efficient Residential Buildings in Nigeria. Journal of Energy & Built Environment. https://dora.dmu.ac.uk/handle/2086/21111

Ayodele T.T, Taki A.H, Oyinlola M.A, Bhattacharyya, S (2020) Review of retrofit interventions for residential buildings in hot humid climates. International Journal of Environmental Science &  Development, Vol. 11, No. 5, p251-257 https://dora.dmu.ac.uk/handle/2086/19087

Ochedi E.T and Taki A H (2020) Towards Energy Efficient Buildings in Nigeria: Challenges and Opportunities. Journal of Engineering and Architecture. December 2019, Vol. 7 No. 2, pp.125-133 ISSN: 2334-2986 https://dora.dmu.ac.uk/handle/2086/19033

Mamdooh Alwetaishi and Ahmad Taki (2019) Investigation into energy performance of a school building in a hot climate: Optimum of window to wall ratio (WWR). Journal of Indoor Built Environment. https://www.dora.dmu.ac.uk/handle/2086/17762

Sharmin, T., Bradbury, S., Montalvo, L. Z. and Taki, A. (2019) Post-occupancy evaluation of architecturally-designed low-income housing in Ahmadabad, India. SuDBE2019 - The 9th International Conference Sustainable Development in the Building and Environment, University of Reading, UK, 22nd-28th July, 2019 https://www.dora.dmu.ac.uk/handle/2086/18347

Ochedi E.T and Taki A H (2019) Energy efficient building design in Nigeria: an assessment of the sun on energy consumption in residential buildings. Journal of Engineering and Architecture.  https://www.dora.dmu.ac.uk/handle/2086/17761

 Ahmad Taki, Elena Kalcheva and Yuri Hadi (2018). Sustainable design responses for residential high-rises. Journal of Buildings and Sustainability 2018 Vol. 1 No. 2, p23-34.

Taki, AH and Alabid, J (2018) ‘A social-environmental interface of sustainable development: A case study of Ghadames, Libya’. In: Dastbaz, Mohammad, Naude, Wim and Manoochehri, Jamileh, Eds. 2018. Smart Futures, Challenges of Urbanisation, and Social Sustainability. Springers International Publishing: Ch.7, p.117-130

Elena Kalcheva, Ahmad Taki, Yuri Hadi (2017). Social and Environmental Sustainability for Better Quality of Life in Residential High-Rises. Journal of Buildings and Sustainability 2017 Vol. 1 No. 1, p13-24.

Maryam Abbakyari and Ahmad Taki (2017). Passive Design Strategies for Energy Efficient Housing in Nigeria, PLEA2017 conference, Edinburgh, UK 3-5 July 2017

 Jamal Alabid and Ahmad Taki (2017). Optimising Residential Courtyard in Terms of Social and Environmental Performance for Ghadames Housing, Libya, PLEA2017 conference, Edinburgh, UK 3-5 July 2017

 Alabid, J., Taki, A.H. and Painter, B. (2017) Simulation of Traditional and Contemporary Dwellings in Ghadames, Libya. Living and Sustainability: An Environmental Critique of Design and Building Practices, Locally and Globally AMPS, Architecture_MPS; London South Bank University 2017

 Younis, A., Taki, A. H. and Bhattacharyya, S. (2017) 'Towards resilient low-middle income apartments in Amman, Jordan: A thermal performance investigation of heating load. CIBSE ASHRAE Technical Symposium, Loughborough, UK 5-6 April 2017

Younis A, Taki, A. and Bhattacharyya, S (2016). Sustainable issues in low-middle income apartments in urban Amman/Jordan: Heating devices and health concerns.3rd OIKONET Conference on global dwelling: sustainability – design – participation, September 2016 Manchester UK.

Nagah Ali, Ahmad Taki, & Birgit Painter (2016). Comparison Study of Traditional and Contemporary Islamic Dwelling Design in Hot Climates, with Reference to Benghazi, Libya. 3rd OIKONET Conference on global dwelling: sustainability – design – participation, September 2016 Manchester UK.

Taki, A and Alabid, J (2016). Learning from bioclimatic desert Architecture: A case study of Ghadames, Libya. In: V. Ahmed, A. Opoku and Z. Aziz, Eds. 2016. Research Methodology in the Built Environment: A Selection of Case Studies. Routledge: London. Ch. 11. ISBN: 978-1-13-884947-1.

Elena Kalcheva, Ahmad Taki and Yuri Hadi (2016).Perception of indoor environmental quality of the residents of high-rise buildings in Bulgaria. Journal of Civil Engineering and Architecture Research, Vol. 3, No. 4, pp.1371-1378. ISSN: 2333-911X

Almerbati, N., Headley, D., Ford, P. and Taki, A. (2016). From Manual to Hybrid, Parametric Mashrabiya:  Digital Workflows for the Re-envisioning and Conservation of Eastern Architectural Screens and the Engagement of Digital Tectonics. The International Journal of Architectonic, Spatial, and Environmental Design, vol. 10, issue 2, pp29-39. ISSN: 2325-1662. Available online March 31, 2016,  doi:10.18848/2325-1662/CGP

Research interests/expertise

  • Low impact built environment
  • Energy and indoor climate
  • Human thermal interaction with the built environment
  • Building performance and sustainability  
  • Research methodologies in the built environment
  • Low energy systems

Areas of teaching

  • PhD supervision
  • Environmental design
  • Building Physics
  • Building performnce modelling
  • Human thermal comfort

Qualifications

BSc; MSc; PhD; CBuildE; FCABE; SFHEA

Courses taught

  • BSc Architectural Technology
  • MSc Architecture and Sustainability

Honours and awards

PVC Dean Award for Best Contribution to the Research Environment in 2018

 

Membership of external committees

Member of Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) College for peer review of research proposals since 2000.

Membership of professional associations and societies

Member of American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) 1995-2013

Chartered Fellow of Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE) since 2018

Senior Fellow of Higher Education Academy (HEA) since 2017

Consultancy work

Consultancy for Peterborough City Council.  The research project entitled ‘Empirical Study of the Sustainability of a Peterborough Theatre’.  2007.

Current research students

    • Research supervision of Daben Wang. The research project entitled 'Solar Reflected Glare from High-Rise Building Façades'.
    • Research supervision of Haya Almaawi. The research project entitled ‘Investigation into the thermal comfort level performance of the outer- garments in Saudi Arabia’.
    • Research supervision of Abdulrahman Muhammad ‘Passive design strategies to improve energy efficiency of high-rise office builidngs in Abuja'.
    • Research supervision of Anthony Maduabum’ Thermal Comfort Conditions in Classroms built with interlocking stabilized compressed earth blocks in Nigeria'.
    • Research supervision of Ponzing Lar ‘Assessing indoor air quality towards improving ventilation strategies in worship centres in Nigeria’.
    • Research supervision of Yusra Ali DMU bursary ‘the success of UK high streets in relation to their performance as public spaces’.
    • Research supervision of Zainab ‘Promoting the relevance of socio-cultural context in sustainable architecture – a study of mass housing design in Abuja, Nigeria’
    • Research supervision of Mahnour ‘Improving the quality of life through sustainable high-rise living as a response to current social, environment and economic issues caused by urbanization in developing countries'.
    • Research supervision of Maryam Abbakyari 'Framework for sustainable housing for the urban poor using empathic design method: a case study of a slum community in Nigeria'
    • Research supervision of Nwakaego Onyenokporo Addition of rice husk ash to concrete masonry blocks to improve thermal comfort and reduce the cost of buildings: A case study of Abuja, Nigeria’.

 

Externally funded research grants information

A DMU GCRF proposal (2019) entitled “The architecture of Migration: Clues of transcultural exchanges in the Mediterranean built environment. The funding requested was £16.5k

A DMU GCRF proposal (2019) entitled “Socio-cultural and environmental experiences in low income tropical housing”. The funding requested was £25k

New Technology Institute, NTI, Energy & Environment proposal. The funding was for the purchase of equipment and softwares that were used directly for the delivery of education and training to students (2004 and 2005). This was collaboration with the Institute of Energy and Sustainable Development (IESD).

EPSRC-funded research proposal entitled ‘Human Body Convection and Radiation Measurement for Typical Indoor Environments and Conditions’. The project was collaboration with Loughborough University (1999-2002).

Internally funded research project information

    • DMU RA funding £1,111 (2022) to hire an RA for 6 weeks to set up and calibrate the optical/laser schlieren system
    • DMU Capital bid £26,000 (2022) to purchase laser and Schlieren recording materials
    • DMU HEIF £20,000 (2021) Setting up and constructing a proof of principle Schlieren system Schlieren system
    • A University PhD Higher Flyer PhD studentship was secured to investigate ‘the success of UK high streets in relation to their performance as public spaces’ (2020-2023; approx. £57k)
  • A University PhD Higher Flyer PhD studentship was secured to investigate ‘Addition of rice husk ash in the production of concrete masonry blocks to reduce cost and improve energy performance of buildings: A case study of Abuja, Nigeria (2019-2022; approx. £57k)
  • Proof-of-principle (PoP) grant ‘Investigation into evaporative coolers for controlling legionella bacteria using innovative catalyst technology’, (approx. £19k, 2015-2016)
  • A joined University and CARA PhD tuition fees award was secured to investigate ‘The development of a new computer model for generating architectural spatial formations’ (approx. £7k, 2014-2017).
  • Frontrunner placements ‘Microbial indoor air quality in lecture theatres’, (approx. £700, 4 August 2014-3 May 2015.
  • A University PhD Full Bursary studentship was secured to investigate ‘Enhancing quality of life in residential high-rises: Sustainable design responses’ (approx. £57k, 2014-2017).
  • A University PhD tuition fees award was secured to investigate ‘Design for adapting to climate change for sustainable buildings’ (approx. £13k; Oct’13-Oct’16).
  • A University PhD studentship was secured to assess ‘the contribution of household dust in SVOC contamination for indoor environments’ (approx £30k, 2002-2005).
  • A University PhD studentship was secured to assess ‘stabilising airflows in chilled ceiling/ displacement ventilation environments’ (approx £30k, 2001-2004).

Professional esteem indicators

 

Ahmad Taki