TITLE:
Evaluating the Implementation of Energy Adaptive Reuse in Historic Buildings: A Case Study of the Historical Raghadan Hotel in Al Tal
AUTHORS:
Yathreb Sabsaby, Dalia Majzoub
KEYWORDS:
Adaptive Reuse, Sustainable Rehabilitation, Heritage Conservation, Building Performance Simulation (BPS), Thermal Comfort, Urban Reactivation
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Building Construction and Planning Research,
Vol.14 No.1,
March
19,
2026
ABSTRACT: This study assesses adaptive reuse as a sustainable paradigm for historic building rehabilitation using an abandoned hotel in Tripoli, Lebanon, as its main case study. The study tackles systemic issues, such as insufficient natural lighting, inefficient energy use, and poor thermal comfort, that are present in neglected heritage buildings. The study uses a robust simulation-based approach with DesignBuilder software, which includes accurate geometric modeling, thermographic analysis, and local climatic data. This framework makes it possible to compare the building’s performance in its current condition with that after passive, heritage-sensitive changes, such as the installation of a central skylight, specialist stone interior finishes, and roof insulation. Adaptive reuse greatly improves environmental performance without affecting architectural integrity, according to the simulation results. Data obtained after the intervention shows: 1) Enhanced Daylighting with the central skylight that provides enhanced spatial illumination. 2) Thermal Stability by combining insulation and passive cooling to produce more constant interior temperatures. 3) A quantifiable decrease in the total amount of energy used, which is known as energy efficiency. This initiative bridges the gap between historical preservation and climate resilience by providing a data-driven paradigm for the revitalization of Lebanon’s underutilized architectural assets. This study provides a guide for sustainable urban development by showing how passive, non-invasive interventions may transform Tripoli’s historic masonry buildings to meet modern thermal and energy standards. It provides policymakers and architects with an established method to protect cultural identity while dramatically reducing the built environment’s carbon footprint in the Mediterranean.