Search Results (69)

Sustainable building design is significantly impacted by the local climate response knowledge ingrained in traditional architecture. However, its integration and dissemination with contemporary green technologies are limited by the absence of a comprehensive quantitative analysis of the regulation of its humid and temperature environment. The Ganzhou Wei family compound from China’s wind–heat environmental regulation systems are examined in this study. We statistically evaluate the synergy between spatial morphology, material qualities, and microclimate using field data with Thsware and Ecotect software in a multiscale simulation framework. The findings indicate that the compound’s special design greatly controls the thermal and wind conditions. Cold alleyways and courtyards work together to maximize thermal environment regulation and encourage natural ventilation. According to quantitative studies, courtyards with particular depths (1–4 m) and height-to-width ratios (e.g., 1:1) reduce wind speed loss. A cool alley (5:1 height–width ratio) creates a dynamic wind–speed–temperature–humidity balance by lowering summer daytime temperatures by 2.5 °C. It also serves as a “cold source area” that moderates temperatures in the surrounding area by up to 2.1 °C. This study suggests a quantitative correlation model based on “spatial morphology–material performance–microclimate response,” which offers a technical route for historic building conservation renovation and green renewal, as well as a scientific foundation for traditional buildings to maintain thermal comfort under low energy consumption. Although based on a specific geographical case, the innovative analytical methods and strategies of this study are of great theoretical and practical significance for promoting the modernization and transformation of traditional architecture, low-carbon city construction, and sustainable building design. Full article

In the vernacular architectural history of the Arabian Gulf region (the Gulf), the courtyard house is a common domestic typology. Islamic and sociological precepts regulate the design and the function of vernacular courtyard dwellings, resulting in homogeneity and harmony in the entire urban fabric of historic settlements. In this research endeavor, the aim is to investigate the degree to which the shaping of the spatial form in a sample of vernacular courtyard houses in the Gulf inscribes socio-cultural factors. It sheds light on visibility graph analysis, human behavior, and the system of activities in the domestic space. As a hypothesis, visibility and connectivity analysis could prove the existence of common spatial patterns among courtyards in the vernacular courtyard houses of the Gulf, attributing it to the similar socio-cultural context, the climatic effect, and the architectural and construction knowledge of the region. This study utilizes a collection of courtyard houses from the Gulf as a pilot study to investigate the emerging patterns in the spatial analysis and room layout, or in the distribution of activities or functions in the domestic space. It, therefore, offers a visual analysis (VGA) of six regional courtyard houses from each Gulf country that were built during the period 1850–1950. This study anticipates an affirmation of a direct inscription of socio-cultural factors in the spatial form of the courtyard house in the Gulf. Conclusively, a sustainable, organic linkage between architecture and society exists where the three criteria of housing spatial form, socio-cultural factors, and system of activities interact. Full article

The traditional residential courtyards in Xiaoyi Ancient City, Shanxi, are a typical architectural form demonstrating significant energy efficiency and climate adaptability. This research examines the climate adaptability of the traditional residential courtyards in Xiaoyi by conducting field measurements and quantitative analysis, and it suggests appropriate optimization strategies. The study concludes that the thermal comfort of the building can be significantly improved by the following factors: a south-facing orientation, central positioning of the inverted house, an enclosure degree of 0.85, a distance of 2400 mm between the main house and side house, a T-shaped courtyard proportions of 3:1, a linear courtyard proportions of 5:1, a U-shaped courtyard proportions of 3:1, an entrance porch proportions of 1.5:1, a gray space scale of 1200 mm under the main house eaves, 500 mm under the side house eaves, and window-to-wall proportion of 0.33 for the main house and 0.32 for the side house. This optimization not only enhances the energy efficiency of the building but also improves internal comfort, as it is based on climate-responsive design. In terms of the inheritance of traditional architectural wisdom and its modern application, this study emphasizes the significance of considering the climatic environment in building design, providing a theoretical foundation for renovating traditional residential and modern architectural design. Full article

Traditional Japanese architecture is known for its open, ambiguous spatial boundaries (“kyokai”), which integrate nature and dwelling through Zen/Shinto philosophies. Yet modern urban housing, driven by high-density minimalism, flattens spatial hierarchies and erodes these rich boundary concepts. This study aims to explore how Japanese architect Yoshiji Takehara reinterprets traditional spatial principles to reconstruct the interior–exterior relationships in modern housing through a mixed-methods approach—including a literature review, case studies, and semi-structured interviews—verifying the hypothesis that he achieves the modern translation of traditional “kyokai” through strategies of boundary expansion and ambiguity. Analyzing 78 independent residential projects by Takehara and incorporating his interview texts, the research employs spatial typology and statistical methods to quantify the characteristics of boundary configurations, such as building contour morphology, opening orientations, and transitional space types, to reveal the internal logic of his design strategies. This study identifies two core strategies through which Takehara redefines spatial boundaries: firstly, clustered building layouts, multi-directional openings, and visual connections between courtyards and private functional spaces extend interface areas, enhancing interactions between nature and daily life; secondly, in-between spaces like corridors and doma (earthen-floored transitional zones), double-layered fixtures, and floor-level variations blur physical and psychological boundaries, creating multilayered permeability. Case studies demonstrate that his designs not only inherit traditional elements such as indented plans and semi-outdoor buffers but also revitalize the essence of “dwelling” through contemporary expressions, achieving dynamic visual experiences and poetic inhabitation within limited sites via complex boundary configurations and fluid thresholds. This research provides reusable boundary design strategies for high-density urban housing, such as multi-directional openings and buffer space typologies, and fills a research gap in the systematic translation of traditional “kyokai” theory into modern architecture, offering new insights for reconstructing the natural connection in residential spaces. Full article

Urbanisation has significantly transformed human settlements, presenting sustainability challenges, particularly in hot-dry and humid climates. The urban heat island effect and increased energy consumption exacerbate reliance on mechanical cooling and fossil fuels. As climate change escalates, developing sustainable architectural solutions that improve thermal performance and energy efficiency becomes crucial. This study examines the effects of various multilevel courtyard designs on building performance in Abuja, Nigeria, highlighting gaps in applying traditional principles to these models. A mixed-method approach, combining quantitative and qualitative techniques, assesses user perceptions, thermal performance, energy efficiency, and daylighting in multilevel courtyards. Findings indicate that optimised multilevel courtyard configurations yield a 2.15 °C reduction in temperature, enhancing indoor thermal comfort and improving natural ventilation. Users favour multilevel courtyard housing; however, challenges include inadequate daylighting on lower levels and the need for shading solutions. Compressed earth blocks exhibit better thermal performance, reducing peak temperatures by 1.19 °C compared to hollow concrete blocks. Guidelines for architects and urban planners are provided, as well as recommendations for future research on policy incentives to promote multilevel courtyard models. Full article

With the rapid expansion of Chinese cities, traditional siheyuan in some old urban areas and historic districts have gradually transformed into overcrowded courtyard tenements inhabited primarily by rural migrants. Multiple families reside together in one siheyuan, creating a housing model akin to “shared housing”. Due to the complex relationship between property rights holders and users, coupled with the absence of a unified management and supervision system, siheyuan residents are confronted with the predicament of aging buildings, backward infrastructure, and poor living conditions. Finding a means of improving living conditions while maintaining the existing settlement style and population structure is an issue that demands urgent resolution. This study focuses on Mizhi, an ancient city in Shaanxi Province, China. Through the investigation and mapping of 31 typical siheyuan and in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 160 families, it reveals the property rights division, current spatial usage, and future demands of the residents of traditional settlements dominated by siheyuan and proposes suggestions for their renewal. This study finds that siheyuan can be categorized into three types based on property rights, that the primary motivation for migration is to access quality educational resources, and that the insufficiency of per capita facilities is the primary source of inconvenience in residents’ lives. Future siheyuan renewal efforts should adopt a multi-stakeholder framework that integrates the government, urban planners, and residents. Improving the residential environment requires a dual strategy: optimizing spatial design and strengthening policy management. This research provides fundamental data for the protection and renewal of siheyuan and has practical reference value for formulating future settlement development strategies. Full article

In various climate conditions, courtyards have a major impact on a building’s energy efficiency and thermal performance. The purpose of this study is to understand and analyze the environmental aspects of a courtyard in a particular area. The chosen region is Trichy, which has generally warm-humid climate. To understand environmental factors like thermal comfort, natural ventilation, natural lighting, and microclimate, cases from the region were chosen. The primary objective of this paper is to utilize computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to investigate how these environmental factors affect the courtyard in the stated location. The chosen case is stimulated using DesignBuilder software. The field investigation is the first step in the study, which is then followed by the model-making process and stimulation. This study investigates the impact of environmental parameters on courtyard efficiency, focusing on their response to environmental conditions. Through field investigation and modeling of chosen examples, the study reveals critical elements for courtyard design success, emphasizing the relevance of knowing these characteristics for effective courtyard planning in the region. The results are beneficial for analyzing the courtyard’s circumstances since they take into consideration the courtyard’s performance towards microclimate and influences on various courtyard components. Additionally, they offer a helpful coefficient factor for additional courtyard studies. Full article

Residential buildings consume significant amounts of energy worldwide. Traditional courtyard houses have substantial energy-saving potential due to their low energy consumption and high climate adaptability, which has heightened interest in their climate-responsive design. In recent years, extensive research on traditional houses has been conducted in China, indicating significant variations in energy performances among traditional courtyards within hot-summer and cold-winter climate zones. Therefore, this study, based on research conducted on traditional courtyard houses in the Xuzhou area and utilizing Ecotect and Phoenics ecotechnology software for simulation analysis, comparatively examines the factors influencing energy consumption to assess the energy-saving potential of these houses in hot-summer and cold-winter climate zones. Research has indicated that when traditional Xuzhou courtyard houses meet certain criteria—including an orientation of 20° east of south for the main building, width-to-depth ratio of 2:1, roof slope of 35°, courtyard width-to-depth ratio of 1.7:1, use of branch pick windows, building height of 4.5 m, and a specific window-to-wall ratio—they achieve optimal climate adaptability. This study proposes dimensions for traditional residential buildings suited to the Xuzhou climate and explores their practical application, providing targeted optimization and retrofitting suggestions to support sustainable architectural and ecological development. Full article

The fundamental disputes in urban heritage regeneration stem from variations in power dynamics and inherent value systems among stakeholders. Addressing conflicts and power differentials involving governmental bodies, market forces, community residents, experts, and scholars is crucial for fostering sustainable urban heritage development. Recently, these contradictions have grown more pronounced as China’s urbanization has transitioned from rapid expansion to a phase focused on existing urban assets. In the present research, the typical traditional courtyard-style residential buildings in Jinan, a historic city in northern China, were selected as the object of study. These houses often suffer from problems such as outdated infrastructure and low living conditions and have become difficult to adapt to contemporary urban life. A case study approach was employed focusing on a representative courtyard house to develop models for renewing and regenerating urban heritage, specifically tailored to traditional courtyard houses. The aim was to address conflicts and power disparities among urban heritage stakeholders through diverse mechanisms. Methodologically, the research integrates historical study and field investigation, participatory analysis, and policy analysis. Primary data sources include field surveys, historical research, oral interviews, and drone aerial photography. Models were constructed in the present study—namely, the heritage self-renewal, heritage revitalization, and heritage transformation models—for traditional courtyard houses. These models were designed to foster sustainable urban heritage development through collaborative efforts across various stakeholders and administrative levels. They will optimize the renewal mechanism of urban heritage, thus providing diversity and multiple possibilities for the preservation and reuse of architectural heritage in China. They aim to realize comprehensive urban heritage values, including vitality, health, efficiency, and equity, while accommodating the interests of diverse stakeholders. Full article

The objectives of this study were (a) to detect zoonotic gastrointestinal pathogens in faecal samples of horses using the FilmArray^® GI Panel and (b) to identify variables potentially associated with their presence. Faecal samples collected from 224 horses obtained during a countrywide study in Greece were tested by means of the BioFire^® FilmArray^® Gastrointestinal (GI) Panel, which uses multiplex-PCR technology for the detection of 22 pathogens. Gastrointestinal pathogens were detected in the faecal samples obtained from 97 horses (43.3%). Zoonotic pathogens were detected more frequently in samples from horses in courtyard housing (56.0%) than in samples from horses in other housing types (39.7%) (p = 0.040). The most frequently detected zoonotic pathogens were enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (19.2% of horses) and Shiga-like toxin-producing E. coli stx1/stx2 (13.8%). During multivariable analysis, two variables emerged as significant predictors for the outcome ‘detection of at least one zoonotic pathogen in the faecal sample from an animal’: (a) the decreasing age of horses (p = 0.0001) and (b) the presence of livestock at the same premises as the horses (p = 0.013). As a significant predictor for the outcome ‘detection of two zoonotic pathogens concurrently in the faecal sample from an animal’, only the season of sampling of animals (autumn) emerged as significant in the multivariable analysis (p = 0.049). The results indicated a diversity of gastrointestinal pathogens with zoonotic potential in horses and provided evidence for predictors for the infections; also, they can serve to inform horse owners and handlers regarding the possible risk of transmission of pathogens with zoonotic potential. In addition, our findings highlight the importance of continuous surveillance for zoonotic pathogens in domestic animals. Full article

Iranian traditional residential architecture is renowned for its central-courtyard houses, which are admired for their grandeur. While the courtyards and nearby spaces receive considerable artistic and historical appreciation, those situated further away often receive less attention. These areas are typically considered auxiliary and less functional for living, thereby receiving limited attention in architectural discussions. This study examines 26 traditional central-courtyard houses to investigate how spaces located farther from the courtyard (‘second-order’) compare to those directly adjacent (‘first-order’). It challenges the assumption that distance from the courtyard correlates with reduced functionality. Surprisingly, the analysis identifies similar architectural characteristics in both second-order and first-order spaces, suggesting that distant areas may serve functional roles comparable to those nearer the courtyard. Full article

Baghdad’s historical centre is Old Rusafa, which has a long history dating back over a thousand years. The area enclosed within the old wall is approximately 5.4 square kilometres and contains nearly 15,700 buildings. The city’s old core contains significant heritage buildings that belong to the Abbasid Empire (762–1258) and the Ottoman Period (1638–1917). This paper assesses Baghdad’s historical centre and urban heritage. It addresses how the urban fabric has faced irreparable damage, a weak definition of demands, and an ambiguous formulation of what to preserve. The research examines Old Rusafa’s dense irregular fabric, significant old souqs, heritage mosques, historical buildings, and traditional Baghdadi courtyard houses. The research implements various research strategies at different levels to evaluate the current condition of the built heritage in the city centre. It adopts a mixed methodological research approach that brings information from both qualitative and quantitative methods to address the research problems. The paper argues that achieving sustainable urban heritage requires considering efficient and sustainable strategies that drive urban evolution and encourage historic centre revitalisation towards sustainable heritage conservation. The outcomes of this paper raise awareness of the significance of safeguarding Baghdad’s Islamic architecture and the sustainable reuse of its uniquely built heritage stock. Full article

Although traditional Chinese wooden residential buildings have historically adapted to their respective regions, they face challenges in meeting modern living standards, particularly with regard to insufficient indoor natural lighting. This study focuses on three representative Tujia residences: the “L-shaped” dwellings, the “U-shaped” dwellings, and the courtyard residences, with the aim of improving their indoor lighting performance. Using Ecotect 2011 software for computer simulations, the study investigates the impact of altering the geometric shapes of courtyards in traditional wooden residential buildings on the lighting of the central room. The results indicate that, for the “L-shaped” dwellings, the geometric dimensions of the courtyard have little impact on the lighting of the central room. For the “U-shaped” dwellings, the optimal courtyard geometry is achieved with a well index (WI) of 1, balancing residential functionality, economic considerations, and indoor lighting performance. Regarding the courtyard residences, the best results are obtained by minimizing the building height while maximizing the well depth index to 1. Additionally, the study shows that a square layout of 90° ∗ 90° is most favorable for courtyards, effectively balancing lighting performance, functionality, and aesthetics. These findings provide valuable insights for the renovation of existing traditional residences and the design of new buildings, aiming to enhance overall indoor lighting effectiveness. Full article

This study examines how building space, materials, and structure affect the microclimate of Liu Tong Xinglongzhuang in central Anhui, known for its hot, humid climate and distinct architecture. Using qualitative and quantitative methods, including field monitoring, PHOENICS simulation, and Ladybug Tools, the following conclusions were drawn: (1) Building materials: wood reduces indoor temperature; a glass roof over the patio lowers temperature and improves wind speed; and reducing tile area decreases solar radiation. (2) Building space: optimal comfort in stairwells is achieved with a length-to-width ratio of 1.5:1 and height-to-width ratio of 2:1; courtyards are most comfortable with a length-to-width ratio of 2.5:1 and height-to-width ratio of 1.5:1; walk-through halls are optimal with a length-to-width ratio of 2:1 and height-to-width ratio of 1.5:1; and wings achieve the highest comfort with a length-to-width ratio of 2.5:1 and height-to-width ratio of 1.5:1. (3) Building structure: optimal wind speed and temperature are achieved with specific window height-to-width ratios of 1:1 for exterior and 1.5:1 for interior windows; the lowest temperatures occur at 2:1 ratios; hexagonal exterior and circular interior windows maximize wind speed and temperature reduction; and smaller exterior door openings lower indoor temperatures and are best achieved with an interior door ratio of 2:1. These findings offer valuable data and methods for optimizing the microclimate of traditional houses, with significant practical implications. Full article

Aging in a suitable residential environment is essential for the health and well-being of older adults. This study aims to analyze the residential environment preferences (REPs) of older people in China to create a residential environment suitable for their physical and mental health, enhancing their life satisfaction. This study used a sample questionnaire to identify relevant characteristics and analyze preferences, which were validated using non-parametric tests and Pearson’s correlation coefficient tests. The questionnaire consisted of 33 questions on characteristics of the residential environment on a 7-point Likert scale and was administered to 433 older adults aged 60 and over in 28 provinces in China. The results showed that “community safety” was the most important environmental characteristic, with an average importance rating of 5.77 out of 6. Accessible building design (average rating of 4.91), emergency response systems (average rating of 4.49), and indoor thermal comfort (average rating of 4.45) were also key factors in promoting aging in place. There was a positive correlation between the community environment and the indoor environment (e.g., community safety and indoor sound insulation, r = 0.209, p < 0.01), and both were, to some extent, negatively correlated with building features (e.g., public toilets and private courtyards, r = −0.278, p < 0.01; indoor thermal comfort and green building design, r = −0.165, p < 0.01). Age and physical health had a strong influence on preferences, but gender had little influence. This study paves the way for future research and policy development on age-friendly housing to ensure sustainable and supportive residential environments for the aging population. Full article