Multi-objective optimisation of urban courtyard blocks in hot arid zones

•Residential Solar Blocks are reconceptualised in a hot-arid climate.•GAs are used for MOO of microclimatic and energy performance of the blocks.•Pareto optimal solutions had 12 m interspaces and orientated NE-SW and NW-SE.•Optimal solutions could reduce cooling loads by 31.7% and reduce UTCI by 1.6 °C.•Optimal solutions could increase the percentage of exposed surfaces in winter by 4%.