Abstract

This thesis investigates the potential of moisture pathways and cracks in heritage buildings, long regarded as structural weaknesses, as advantageous passive design elements. The study addresses the issue of improving the energy efficiency of heritage buildings, particularly in tropical monsoon climates with high humidity and fluctuating temperatures. With an empirical experiment in an environmental chamber using a prototype wall, the study assesses the effect of artificially created cracks on indoor temperature and humidity control. The results indicate that although cracks enable thermal exchange, resulting in reduced indoor temperature stability, they also enable necessary air and moisture movement. This permeability, usually regarded as a weakness, is investigated as a strategy of passive cooling through various principles such as evaporative cooling, capillary action, thermal mass, and natural ventilation. The study concludes that through thoughtful design considerations and controlled parameters, such inherent weaknesses can be utilized as strengths for sustainable climate control, minimizing the use of conventional mechanical systems in heritage site conservation.

Publication Date

12-8-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Student Type

Graduate

Degree Name

Architecture (M.Arch.)

Department, Program, or Center

Architecture, Department of

College

Golisano Institute for Sustainability

Advisor

Seth H Holmes

Advisor/Committee Member

Julius J Chiavaroli

Advisor/Committee Member

Alissa De Wit-Paul

Additional Files
Experiment Time Long.xlsx (9 kB)
HOBO_4_CHANNEL_ST.csv (887 kB)
graph.pdf (598 kB)
Graph2.pdf (726 kB)

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

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