Page 29 - JCAU-7-3

Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Natural ventilation in courtyard dwellings

“cold chimney effect” through interior living spaces. that the number and placement of openings are critical
Such adaptive designs have demonstrated the potential to achieving effective airflow. This insight has practical
to reduce dependence on mechanical heating and cooling implications for architects aiming to reduce reliance on
throughout the year. mechanical cooling systems. In this article, the concept
Additionally, incorporating natural features, such as of wind-oriented openings is emphasized as a means of
plants within the courtyard’s intermediate space, further leveraging natural ventilation to reduce energy use and
improves thermal comfort. Trees and shrubs provide enhance indoor thermal comfort.
protection from hot summer winds and offer shading 5.2. Comparative analysis of Inner Mongolia’s
that helps to cool and regulate the courtyard area. These climate
elements also contribute to the formation of a more
comfortable microclimate within the courtyard while A comparison was made between the climate of Inner
simultaneously enhancing ventilation performance. The Mongolia and other regions, such as the Mediterranean and
summary of results is provided in Table A1. sub-Saharan Africa. The climate of the study area, Inner
Mongolia, is hotter in summer and significantly colder in
5. Discussion winter than the Mediterranean region’s more moderate
weather (Chiang & Anh, 2012). These extremes suggest
Although many previous studies have explored courtyard the need for unique airflow strategies, including the use of
ventilation principles, virtually none have examined stack ventilation and the orientation of courtyards toward
their applicability to extreme seasonal climates such as prevailing wind.
that of Inner Mongolia. This analysis aims to clarify that
while general ventilation principles remain valid, their Sub-Saharan Africa experiences a consistently hot
effective application must be adapted to local conditions. climate throughout the year, with minimal seasonal
Specifically, flexible courtyard openings, combined variations. As a result, architectural designs in that
ventilation-insulation approaches, protective barriers, region focus on features such as large roof overhangs
and adaptive spatial planning are essential for coping and maximized airflow. In contrast, the Mediterranean
with large temperature variations and high winter wind climate—characterized by warm winters and hot
speeds. Therefore, this refined approach ensures that the summers—supports communicative and open architectural
results from CFD models and case studies are not merely planning, with an emphasis on courtyard-centered layouts
referenced in isolation but are directly translated into (Mahmoud et al., 2020). Inner Mongolia, with its extreme
architectural guidelines tailored to the specific climatic climate marked by severely cold winters and hot summers,
conditions of Inner Mongolia. requires design strategies that can effectively shield interior
spaces from low winter temperatures while also facilitating
5.1. Spatial arrangement and wind orientation smooth, continuous airflow during the summer months.
One of the key findings highlighted in the review is the This discussion reinforces the idea that while
contradictory relationship between spatial organization and foundational knowledge of cross-ventilation, stack effects,
natural ventilation performance. Ventilation performance and courtyard configuration is universally applicable,
was found to be significantly higher in structures where the practical implementation of these strategies must be
walls were oriented parallel to prevailing winds (Vermeulen adapted to meet local climatic demands. The findings
et al., 2018). This aligns with established principles of emphasize the importance of contextualizing international
natural ventilation, which emphasize harnessing wind- design concepts within local environmental conditions
driven airflow to regulate indoor temperatures and air to develop sustainable and energy-efficient residential
quality. In the context of Inner Mongolia’s climate, this buildings.
finding is particularly relevant for residential building
layouts. Designers and planners in the region should 5.3. Building geometry and height: Balancing
prioritize windward-facing building orientations to ensure ventilation efficiency
effective free air circulation through central courtyards Another important consideration identified in this study
and into adjacent rooms, especially during the hot summer is the influence of building geometry and height on
months. ventilation performance in courtyard buildings. It was
Furthermore, the review found that buildings with found that extended, slender courtyards promote better
multiple openings on opposite walls were more favorable ventilation than square or circular ones, due to their ability
for cross-ventilation. This corresponds with earlier to channel airflow more effectively (Zhu et al., 2018). This
findings on courtyard ventilation and demonstrates finding aligns with broader architectural strategies that

Volume 7 Issue 3 (2025) 11 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.7226