Kashan

A major party of generated energy is now used for heating and cooling buildings. Hence, it is beneficial to apply solutions that reduce the thermal load of buildings. However, solutions for energy consumption reduction always face barriers. Optimizing window proportions in energy consumption saving is highly influential in this case. The window is one of the main components that receives solar radiation energy but also serves as a thermal bridge transmitting energy from interior to exterior space. This s tudy inves tigates the climate conditions of Kashan. It determines materials as cons tant variables to examine the impact of southern window-to-floor area ratios on the thermal performance of settlements in hot and dry climates to achieve higher efficiency of this element using simulation of different models through EnergyPlus software. This s tudy then examines the cooling and heating load created in interior space considering variable elements of ratios, window elongation, and window-to-floor ratio, using single and double-glazed glass and its analysis considering meteorological data of this city using EnergyPLus software. Finally, the mos t optimum southern window-to-floor ratio was determined. This s tudy aims to achieve efficiency and the highes t impact of the southern side's window of a building on the thermal performance of the building by simulating various models through EnergyPlus software. This s tudy has used the descriptive-analytical method, then analyzed the obtained results, and las tly outlined the priority of application among models as follows:1.38 ratio, 1 ratio, and 1.95 ratio. In contras t, the mos t optimum window ratio is a 15% window-to-floor ratio with 1.38 proportions and eas tern and wes tern elongation using double-glazed glass.

Historic houses are among the key tourist attractions in arid regions. Kashan, a city located in the arid zones of Iran, is home to numerous historic houses. This study aims to assess the potential of Kashan’s historic houses to attract tourists using the Pralong model. The tourism grade for each house was determined based on several indicators, including physical beauty, scientific value, historical-cultural significance, and socio-economic impact. Data collection involved library research, documentary analysis, and surveys. The results indicate that, in terms of tourism standards, Borujerdi House ranks first. According to statistics from the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts, and Tourism, as well as the Pralong model, Borujerdi House holds the top position in attracting tourists, followed by Sharifian House, Ameri House, Tabatabaei House, and Abbasian House. Borujerdi House received the highest score in aesthetic value, while Ameri House ranked first in scientific value.