Page 51 - JCAU-5-2

Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Indoor photothermal environment in Miao dwellings

radiation, and precipitation. In the case of the Miao people positioned on the southern side of the ground floor, near
residing in the western Hunan region, their traditional windows and doors, to ensure optimal access to natural
dwellings exhibit a remarkable synthesis of indigenous light and facilitate adequate ventilation. Conversely, the
construction wisdom and techniques, effectively responding bedrooms are arranged along the northern side of the
to the distinctive climatic conditions prevalent in the area. structure to minimize exposure to solar radiation.
As a result, these locally adapted traditional dwellings not The choice of construction materials for traditional
only embody the unique cultural characteristics of the Miao houses in western Hunan is influenced by factors
region but also demonstrate exceptional adaptability to the such as the availability of local building materials,
prevailing climate. household income, and construction techniques. These
The Miao traditional houses in western Hunan exemplify dwellings utilize natural resources obtained from the
an architectural response to the regional variations in solar nearby mountainous regions. The wooden frame materials
radiation intensity and duration, which differ between the are sourced from fir and pine trees harvested from the
southern and northern areas. This discrepancy allows for surrounding forests. This approach offers advantages such
the strategic utilization of site elevation differentials to as convenience and affordability while also promoting
harness sunlight and elevates indoor temperatures during environmental sustainability through the utilization of
the winter months. In addition, owing to the higher solar renewable, pollution-free, and breathable materials that are
altitude angle in the south, the design incorporates eaves easily processed. The walls are constructed by layering shale
to mitigate the intensity and duration of sunlight entering obtained from the mountains and compacted earth bricks
through south-facing windows during the summer. The made from locally sourced raw soil. The base and lower
case study of Zhushan village, which serves as the focal portion of the walls are constructed using shale bricks,
point of this research, showcases its favorable location typically reaching a height of 900 – 1100 mm. The upper
between two south-facing mountains. The houses are wall section comprises rammed earth bricks measuring
arranged in alignment with the contour lines, featuring 200 – 500 mm in thickness. This construction technique
south-facing windows that facilitate natural ventilation, allows for moisture absorption in humid conditions and
thereby reducing indoor temperatures during the summer. moisture release in dry conditions, facilitating effective
Simultaneously, the varying site elevations are leveraged air exchange and maintaining indoor comfort levels.
to prolong sunlight exposure during the winter, effectively For roofing, small green tiles made from mountain clay
raising indoor temperatures. Furthermore, considering the are employed, offering excellent heat insulation, water
influence of the cold northwestern monsoon prevalent in resistance, and air permeability. These tiles enable the
transfer of solar heat and the discharge of hot air while
winter, the design avoids the inclusion of windows on the preventing rainwater infiltration into the interior spaces.
north side of Miao traditional houses in western Hunan to In Zhushan Village, double-sloped roofs with gentle to
ensure optimal indoor comfort.
moderate slopes are predominant, featuring small green
The spatial configuration of traditional dwellings tiles that facilitate efficient rainwater drainage. In addition,
exemplifies a responsive adaptation to the local natural the roof eaves extend approximately 450 – 650 mm,
environmental factors. The focus of this study is situated in significantly reducing the potential corrosion of rammed
Hunan Province, accompanied by hot and rainy summers earth walls caused by rainfall. The inherent characteristics
and cold and humid winters. Consequently, traditional of small green tiles contribute to balanced indoor
dwellings in this region uniformly adopt a two-story, square temperature and humidity levels, smooth ventilation, and
layout, whereby the ground floor is designated as the living the creation of a comfortable indoor environment.
area and the upper floor serves as storage space. The storage
area on the upper floor incorporates a double-sloped roof 5. Questions and suggestions
design and ventilation apertures to foster efficient airflow, A comparative analysis of monitoring and simulation
thereby mitigating indoor temperature and humidity data obtained from a representative sample of traditional
levels. This design feature proves advantageous for long- Miao dwellings in the western Hunan region reveals the
term food preservation requirements. Simultaneously, the successful implementation of passive design strategies
elevated storage area, functioning as a mezzanine, serves as to adapt these dwellings to the local climate conditions.
a barrier against direct solar radiation, providing thermal The traditional Miao houses in this region exhibit
insulation for the ground-floor living space, thereby numerous technical adaptations that effectively respond
reducing indoor temperature and ensuring a comfortable to the climate. These include the incorporation of small
thermal environment. The primary areas of the dwelling, windows and doors, high roofs, and broad eaves. The
including the hall and the fire pit, are strategically implementation of relatively compact window and door

Volume 5 Issue 2 (2023) 9 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.403