Page 121 - JCAU-6-3

Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Sustainability of courtyard building

Next is a quantitative evaluation of the building’s (Sandanayake et al., 2018). However, compared to stone,
water conservation performance against Green Star rating modern synthetic materials have lower production costs,
criteria. Green Star evaluates the efficiency of sanitary ware, better environmental protection, and superior thermal
but no sanitary ware is installed in the Flag Stall courtyard insulation performance, making them more suitable for
building; residents can only use public toilets, which is a energy saving and thermal regulation of buildings (Anjum
shortcoming of the building. Regarding rainwater reuse, et al., 2022).
the two collection tanks have a diameter of 1.5 m and a
total volume of approximately 28.26 kL (14.13 kL each), 5.7. Esthetics and social
which exceeds the minimum Green Star requirement of The Flag Stall courtyard building incorporates aesthetic
25 kL. Additionally, no water is used for heat rejection, elements. As previously introduced, the building is
landscape irrigation, or fire protection system testing. As axisymmetric, as shown in Figure 18. There is a relationship
a result, four points could be awarded to this building. between symmetry and beauty (McManus, 2005).
Despite this high score of 4/6, the building’s performance Meanwhile, as shown in Figure 19, the red line segment
in terms of water supply and discharge is lacking due to represents the golden section line, with BC: AC=0.618. By
the absence of modern water supply and drainage pipeline overlaying the red line segment onto the floor plan, it is
systems and reliance on gravity for rainwater harvesting. evident that some golden ratio structures are present in the
building. The golden section is considered a mathematical
5.6. Emissions representation of beauty (Thapa & Thapa, 2018). Although
For the evaluation of emissions, the main building it is impossible to determine whether this was the architect’s
materials used are natural wood, stone, and some glazing. intention or a coincidence, the presence of the golden
Wood is a low-carbon building material, and using wood section suggests that the building is aesthetically pleasing.
instead of concrete during construction can reduce Under the control of the axis, the courtyard conveys
greenhouse gas emissions by 14.8 kg CO -eq per sqm/year characteristics of stability, rationality, and order. The house
2
in the middle of the axis is the main room where the elders
live, featuring the largest area, a southern orientation, and
plenty of light. The juniors’ rooms are on either side, smaller
in area and not facing south in comparison, establishing
the ethical order and hierarchy between elders and juniors
in the family of feudal society (Yang, 2016).
At the same time, the building features reliefs, wood
carvings, murals, and other esthetic elements (Figure 20).
These reliefs and frescoes decorate the building, depicting
independent stories, myths, and legends. The external

Figure 15. Reference model energy consumption. Source: Drawing by A B
Chuan He.
Abbreviation: AHU: Air handling unit.

C D

Figure 17. The rainwater collection system and drainage system.
Figure 16. The roof of the flag stall courtyard building. Source: Photo by (A) Half-buried rainwater collection tank. (B) Drain. (C) Firewall. (D)
Chuan He Well. Source: Photos by Chuan He

Volume 6 Issue 3 (2024) 13 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.3187