Passive Cooling System of the Ghadir International Conference Hall Entrance Lobby The University of Zanjan has implemented a passive cooling system in the entrance lobby of the Ghadir International Conference Hall as part of its commitment to sustainable campus development and energy-efficient building design. The project demonstrates the integration of climate-responsive architecture with innovative environmental technologies to reduce energy consumption while enhancing indoor environmental quality. Designed in accordance with the principles of green architecture, the approximately 800 m² entrance lobby utilizes natural ventilation and passive cooling strategies to minimize dependence on conventional air-conditioning systems. The system combines evaporative cooling, solar chimneys, and controlled natural airflow to create comfortable indoor conditions through natural air movement. Fresh air is cooled before entering the building, while warm air is extracted through solar chimneys, establishing continuous ventilation without relying on energy-intensive mechanical cooling. Beyond improving thermal comfort, the project contributes to reducing operational energy demand, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and promoting environmentally responsible building practices. It also serves as a living laboratory for education and research, providing opportunities for building performance analysis, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, smart monitoring, and the evaluation of passive cooling technologies. The project reflects the University's ongoing efforts to advance sustainable building solutions and support climate-resilient campus infrastructure.

To evaluate and optimize the performance of the passive cooling system, comprehensive Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations and DesignBuilder energy modeling have been carried out to investigate the effects of key design parameters, including air inlet dimensions, solar chimney geometry, airflow patterns, and pressure distribution. These analyses provide valuable insights for improving the system's efficiency and supporting evidence-based design decisions. As part of the project's ongoing development, the building is planned to be equipped with the SmartEye intelligent monitoring system, enabling real-time environmental monitoring, equipment performance assessment, fault detection, and continuous operational analysis. Beyond its contribution to reducing energy consumption and adapting buildings to local climatic conditions, the project serves as a living laboratory for education and research in sustainable architecture, building energy performance, computational simulation, and smart building technologies. It provides students and researchers with a practical platform for applied research while showcasing innovative low-energy building solutions at the University of Zanjan. The full project report is available through this link.