Page 32 - JCAU-7-3

Journal of Chinese
Architecture and Urbanism Natural ventilation in courtyard dwellings

occupancy surveys and longitudinal environmental 6. Conclusion
monitoring, as conducted in several reviewed studies—
including those in Henan and Inner Mongolia—revealed As discussed in this article, this systematic literature
that courtyard dwellings with flexible spatial layouts and review aimed to provide an analytical overview of how
natural ventilation has been optimized in the courtyard
user-operable features (e.g., mobile interior partitions housing typology, with insights drawn from the traditional
and pivoting shutters) achieved higher thermal comfort architecture of the Inner Mongolia region. The review
ratings, especially during shoulder seasons (Pilechiha integrated findings from CFD simulations, field surveys,
et al., 2022). Early summer and late spring were identified and case studies to identify the key factors influencing
as the most comfortable periods for natural cooling, natural ventilation in residential buildings located in hot
whereas thermal discomfort was reported in enclosed temperate climate zones. These findings are relevant for
courtyards lacking adjustable openings during winter architects, planners, and researchers engaged in sustainable
inversions. These findings imply that responsive design residential design.
is required to accommodate varying user needs on both
daily and seasonal timescales. In addition, long-term First, spatial arrangement emerged as a key component
energy consumption records indicated that courtyard- in enhancing natural ventilation. Courtyard houses
type dwellings for passive ventilation consumed up to 30% featuring rooftop openings oriented toward the windward
less energy than modern apartments in the same regions, side, more than two opposing openings, and layouts aligned
which rely heavily on HVAC systems (Abuhussain et al., with prevailing wind directions exhibited superior natural
2022). These real-world insights add support to the value ventilation and thermal comfort. These results underscore
of integrating adaptive, user-informed design principles the importance of architectural design that leverages
with traditional architectural logic. favorable local climatic conditions, especially in regions
such as Inner Mongolia, where strong winds and season
5.9. Cultural continuity and urban adaptation variations may cause discomfort in enclosed structures.
Traditional courtyard dwellings are not merely physical This insight is particularly valuable for encouraging the
structures; they are cultural constructs developed over adoption of natural ventilation strategies to reduce reliance
centuries in response to environmental, social, and on energy-intensive mechanical systems such as HVACs.
symbolic conditions. In Inner Mongolia, residential Second, building geometry—particularly height—
structures exemplify spatial models that foster familial was identified as a critical determinant of ventilation
closeness, hierarchical organization, and seasonal rituals— performance. This review found that courtyards with
such as those associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival larger surface areas or elongated rectangular layouts
or traditional spring cleaning—conducted within the offered better ventilation outcomes than small, square, or
courtyard. These spaces supported a range of activities, circular designs. Newer structures also improved vertical
including drying clothes, elder care, storytelling, and ventilation by utilizing the stack effect, wherein cool air is
sheltering livestock, all of which contributed to both drawn in at the base while warm air is expelled at higher
physical comfort and social cohesion. elevations. Nonetheless, excessive building height may
impede airflow at ground level, effectively obstructing
In the context of contemporary urbanization, circulation. Therefore, designers must strike a careful
densification, standardized housing models, and policy- balance between height and courtyard dimensions to
driven spatial planning, such cultural practices face achieve optimal ventilation through proportionate
increasing pressure. Nevertheless, research by Meliouh architectural relationships.
et al. (2023) explores the reinterpretation of courtyard
principles within the framework of modern eco-districts, Third, CFD simulations offered valuable information
housing estates, and urban infill projects. Emerging hybrid regarding airflow characteristics within courtyard buildings,
typologies aim to integrate the spatial centrality and but their findings must be interpreted with caution and
communal ethos of traditional courtyards while addressing validated through field studies. While CFD provides
modern demands for privacy, infrastructure, and modular predictive capabilities, field measurements capture the
construction. This demonstrates that cultural heritage influence of real-world environmental variables, including
and innovation are not mutually exclusive, especially adjacent structures and vegetation. Thus, combining
when aligned with goals of environmental and social computational and empirical approaches is essential to
sustainability. Thus, the courtyard should not be viewed as achieve the precision required in ventilation design.
a historical relic, but rather as a regenerative spatial idea Fourth, the study confirms that courtyard architecture
with potential for reshaping the future of residential living. in Inner Mongolia is not only environmentally responsive

Volume 7 Issue 3 (2025) 14 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.7226