Heritage sustainability and climate action in courtyard dwellings: strategies for adaptive reuse of the Moroccan Riad

This study explores the adaptive reuse of Moroccan Riads, courtyard-centered dwellings whose thermal behavior is strongly influenced by the interaction between the courtyard microclimate and the building envelope. With growing interest in heritage retrofits and climate action, the research evaluates how architectural, socio-cultural, and behavioral factors can be integrated to enhance energy performance while safeguarding cultural identity, contributing to the creation of sustainable cities and communities. The methodology combines on-site surveys and historical references to assess spatial organization, materials, and symbolism, followed by a Space Syntax analysis to examine the impact of spatial transformations on connectivity and user dynamics. Weather data adapted to the urban fabric was generated using the UWG tool, and thermal simulations were performed to test multiple transformation scenarios. Results highlight the courtyard’s role in improving comfort through passive regulation, while also showing how materiality, orientation, and occupancy patterns shape thermal outcomes. Among the adaptive strategies assessed, vertical extensions, improved circulation systems, and mixed-use transformations demonstrate the potential to balance tradition, functionality, and sustainability. The findings confirm the importance of courtyard-based modeling and scenario testing as a foundation for environmentally responsive and culturally sensitive adaptive reuse.