Solar passive features in vernacular Gyalrong Tibetan houses: A quantitative investigation

Abstract

To adapt to the climate of the Tibetan Plateau, vernacular houses possess passive solar features. Although numerous studies have investigated Tibetan houses, only a few case studies have considered the influence of historical evolution, especially in the Tibetan area outside of Tibet. Via a field survey, literature review, and computer simulations, the external appearance, building envelope, shading and opening of 40 Gyalrong houses were investigated. According to the study findings, first, Gyalrong Tibetan houses are typically blockhouses facing south or east, with flat roofs and compact volumes. Second, the building envelopes mainly reflect the construction materials and related vernacular architecture techniques. Third, the indoor thermal and lighting environment improves due to the increasing window-to-wall ratio and the adoption of sunspace. The quantitative investigation shows that Gyalrong Tibetan houses express the bottom-up adaptation of architecture not only in terms of natural conditions but also in the evolution of building materials.