Page 30 - JCAU-7-3

Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Natural ventilation in courtyard dwellings

emphasize form as a key determinant of airflow patterns. environmental sustainability but also preserves cultural
The findings presented in this study indicate that architects heritage embedded in traditional building practices.
should prioritize elongated courtyard layouts oriented
along cardinal directions to maximize natural ventilation 5.4. CFDs and field studies: Complementary insights
(Figure 5). The prediction of ventilation performance in courtyard

Building height was also found to be a critical buildings was conducted through this review using CFD
factor, as taller structures can enhance the stack effect, simulations, which provided a detailed visualization
thus augmenting vertical airflow. However, the review of airflow patterns. CFD simulations have become
highlighted a potential disadvantage: when building a mainstream method in architectural research
height exceeds the appropriate proportion relative to (Tu et al., 2023), enabling designers to assess how various
courtyard dimensions, upper structures may obstruct architectural features affect environmental performance.
airflow at lower levels, reducing overall ventilation Analysis of CFD studies revealed that windward-facing
effectiveness. This underscores the importance of courtyard orientation and proper positioning of openings
achieving a balance between building height and positively impacted ventilation efficiency.
courtyard dimensions to ensure airflow. Architects must At the same time, the review underlined the necessity of
consider this balance carefully, integrating adequate verifying CFD findings through empirical field data. Several
provisions without compromising design creativity. The studies highlighted that CFD may not fully capture local effects,
proportional relationship between building height and including vegetation, adjacent buildings, or microclimatic
courtyard extent offers a valuable lesson—particularly for variability (Tominaga et al., 2023). This highlights that
designers in areas such as Inner Mongolia, where natural while CFD offers valuable predictive insights, it should not
cooling is critical to cope with rapid seasonal temperature be used in isolation. A combined approach—integrating
changes. computational modeling with field investigations—provides
a more realistic assessment of ventilation performance. This
5.3.1. Seasonal adaptation details
is especially relevant in Inner Mongolia, where environmental
Temperature regulation in Inner Mongolian courtyard factors such as wind direction, temperature, and terrain
houses relies heavily on seasonal adaptations involving variability significantly influence airflow dynamics. Table 3
operable openings and insulated walls. In hot summers, summarizes the key findings and comparisons between field
courtyards are designed to intercept prevailing winds, studies and CFD simulations.
thereby enhancing cross-ventilation (Li et al., 2018).
Strategically placed openings allow airflow to be directed 5.5. Climate-specific design adaptations
into the interior, enabling climate control in structures In exploring the climatic conditions most suitable for
without mechanical ventilation. Vegetation—such as natural ventilation, particular attention must be given
trees and shrubs—within courtyards serve as a natural to regions with extreme temperature variations—such
barrier against direct sunlight and wind, creating a cooler as Inner Mongolia, which experiences hot summers
microclimate. and extremely cold winters. The review established that
During winter, thermal insulation becomes an courtyard structures should be able to accommodate these
important design feature. Thick courtyard walls help retain significant seasonal fluctuations. During the summer,
interior heat by minimizing heat loss (Kakinuma et al., design strategies should emphasize the promotion of free
2019). Small courtyard designs are especially effective in air exchange to maximize cooling. In contrast, during the
preserving warmth, and window or door openings are winter, the focus should shift toward minimizing heat loss
minimized to reduce cold air infiltration. Stack ventilation to the external environment (Azmi & Ibrahim, 2020).
continues to be used, with warm air rising and being Literature recommendations on adaptive design principles
expelled through upper vents, while cooler air enters at propose practical approaches to this issue, including the
lower levels to maintain air circulation. partial enclosure of courtyards during the cold season and
These strategies are often supported by a combination of more extensive opening and ventilation during the hot
traditional knowledge and contemporary design elements. season.
Together, they provide sustainable architectural solutions Furthermore, research has highlighted the common
tailored to extreme climatic conditions. Such designs practice of incorporating vegetation within courtyards to
reduce dependence on mechanical energy for ventilation, improve thermal comfort by acting as a windbreak. This
insulation, and thermal regulation, thereby improving underscores the importance of well-designed landscaping
occupant comfort. This approach not only promotes strategies and the integration of physical layout features

Volume 7 Issue 3 (2025) 12 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.7226