Traditional Residential Houses Research Articles

Winter indoor thermal environment and livability analysis of traditional residential houses in northeast Sichuan, China

With the rapid development of the national economy, increasing attention has been given to the living environment in rural areas, especially indoor thermal and wind environments. This study conducted on-site measurements and questionnaire surveys during winter in the indoor environment of five villages in northeastern Sichuan. Eighty-nine traditional residences were selected to investigate their fundamental characteristics, indoor thermal environment, humidity conditions, and comfort levels. Questionnaires and comparative experiments were also conducted with natives and locals. This combination of objective data and subjective feedback provides a comprehensive perspective for assessing the indoor thermal environment. The results showed that when expressed as neutral temperature and humidity, the temperature difference was 2.36 °C, with little humidity difference. Residents exhibited higher tolerance towards the local thermal and humidity environment than nonlocal volunteers, who showed greater sensitivity to it. In addition, residents had a Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) value of −0.69 and a heat acceptance value of −1.78, while non-local volunteers had a PMV value of −0.76 and a heat acceptance value of −1.32. A detailed evaluation and analysis of the relationship between the indoor thermal environment and human comfort of local residential houses was carried out, providing technical guidance for energy conservation and thermal insulation of local buildings.

Assessment of occupants’ adaptive capacity: a case study in northern Guizhou of China

The thermal comfort of rural residents is a major issue related to people’s livelihood. Due to differences in climatic factors (e.g. local climate) and non-climatic factors (such as building structures, economic and social–cultural levels, living habits and availability of environmental control) between rural and urban areas, participants have different thermal requirements for a given thermal environment. This difference means that thermal comfort standards that consider only urban conditions may not be applicable to rural situations. Therefore, a thermal comfort field study was conducted on the thermal comfort of traditional residential houses with natural ventilation located in rural areas of northern Guizhou, China. This study aims to understand the indoor thermal conditions and perceptions of occupants in rural areas, with a total of 513 subjects that participated in a questionnaire survey. Most survey respondents accept the thermal environment in which they reside, even if the indoor temperature is not within the recommended thermal comfort range specified by international standards such as Ashrae 55. The adaptive predicted mean vote is established using the least-squares method. The adaptive coefficient λ representing the adaptive capacity is twice the recommended coefficient of the Chinese standard, GB/T 50785-2012. This confirms that rural residents have a stronger adaptability to cold conditions in winter. The findings are beneficial for improving thermal comfort and carbon dioxide emission reduction for traditional residential houses in rural areas of northern Guizhou, China.

Spatial characteristics and cultural factors of Yi nationality traditional dwellings based on spatial syntax

The spatial layout of traditional residential houses is closely related to national and regional characteristics and culture. The traditional village of Yi nationality is selected, and the organization structure of the outside village and the inside living space is studied through the graphical and quantitative analysis method of space syntax. The primary purpose of this study is to analyze the spatial characteristics of Yi dwellings and infer the cultural factors behind them. To explore how to integrate traditional spatial characteristics into contemporary design and promote the preservation and inheritance of architectural culture. The results show that 1) the outer village space of residential houses is characterized by weak identifiability, compact and loose organizational structure, weak permeability, and weak accessibility; 2) The interior space of dwellings presents a spatial layout with the main room and courtyard as the core as a whole. The interior space of dwellings is abundant and flexible, and the accessibility of ancillary functional space is weak. 3) The cultural causes of the formation of these spatial features include complex landforms, family systems, hierarchical systems, semi-agricultural and semi-pastoral production modes, the concept of valuing family harmony, the use of regional materials, respect for nature, fire worship, etc. 4) The spatial characteristics of traditional dwellings are inherited in contemporary dwellings. Fuzzy elements can be added in villages according to family relations, and characteristic Spaces such as courtyards and fire ponds in traditional dwellings can be preserved.

A Life-Cycle Carbon Emissions Evaluation Model for Traditional Residential Houses: Applying to Traditional Dong Dwellings in Qandongnan, Guizhou Province, China

In recent years, due to the low energy utilization of the whole life-cycle of buildings, the diminished indoor and outdoor comfort of buildings, and the impact on the surrounding environment caused by the carbon emissions of the building life-cycle, the establishment of a whole life- cycle carbon emission evaluation model for buildings to improve their energy utilization at all stages of their life-cycle has received unprecedented attention. In China, the construction industry has become a major carbon emitter, and traditional houses, as a green development building type, are an effective way to achieve carbon neutrality in buildings; however, the existing green building evaluation system lacks quantitative indicators of carbon emissions in the building life-cycle. The exclusive evaluation indexes for regional and characteristic buildings, such as traditional houses, are neglected. This study explored the formula for calculating the life-cycle carbon emissions model of traditional residential houses under a carbon emission intervention and used real measurements of the physical environment. Based on the results of indoor and outdoor heat and humidity environmental tests of residential houses due to locality, four important factors affecting local green buildings in terms of energy utilization, site ecology and landscape, land saving, and material saving were extracted; on this basis, the whole life-cycle carbon emission evaluation model of traditional residential houses was constructed by combining the existing green building evaluation standards with the carbon emission indexes of the life-cycle of traditional residential houses.

The Heritage District of Malolos: Conserving Kamestizuhan Amidst the Threat of Commercialization

Conservation as a concept and process has its fundamental objective, the protection of cultural property from loss and depletion. Implicit in this is the notion of maintaining living contact with the pass through the identification, transmission, and protection of that which is considered cultural valuable. Conservation of historic buildings and streets is growing rapidly in many countries, under the threat of commercialization. The historic district in Shanghai, China has been successful in transforming its traditional residential houses as well as its old factories, into a community for creative industry (Yung, 2011). This study will pursue the same objective by providing a conservation management plan to rescue Kamestizuhan, the Heritage District of Malolos, to withstand the effects of commercialization to urban morphology. To pursue the objective, the researcher conducted cultural documentation procedures. Archival resources were reviewed to establish the historical context. Pertinent documents were gathered and reviewed from the City Government of Malolos to identify the past and present plan of actions if there?s any in safeguarding and preserving the heritage district. Records of socioeconomic profile of Malolos were also studied to determine the impact of commercialization in Kamestizuhan Heritage District. Politicians, local historians, academicians, conservation advocates and other stakeholders were interviewed and the results proved that there is no regulation or concrete policies being implemented strictly by the local government in order to safeguard and protect the Heritage District of Malolos Zones. With the use of the comparative historical method, local historic towns with successful conservation approach were compared to serve as guide in determining applicable considerations for the proposal. Photo-documentation, Mapping and inventory were used and findings reveal that some ancestral houses were demolished and sold as effect of commercialization. Surveys also shows that majority of the local has low level of awareness in the historical significance of Kamestizuhan. Ultimately, the study formulated policy in conserving the Kamestizuhan Heritage District of Malolos amidst commercialization.

Ergonomics and Tri Hita Karana on Balinese Traditional Houses Building

Tri Hita Karana is the concept of three things that can lead to happiness, which consist of the relation of human beings with God, amongst human beings, and the relationship of human beings with the environment, which is embodied in the circulation, the design space forming element, the supporting build a room, design of facilities, utilities and decoration. The study of ergonomics on traditional residential houses in Bali focuses on task elements, organization, and environment. The task examines how the facilities were created based on anthropometric and activity flow. Organization study about traditional Balinese buildings layout in terms of space organization resulted in a large scale, function space, and circulation space. Environment review the two sides, firstly is the physical environment, namely: the use of circulation, lighting and handling the current season every year, and secondly is the social environment, namely: religion, beliefs, norms, and others. There are similarities between Ergonomics and Tri Hita Karana; therefore, this study intends to it. It is conducted by using qualitative descriptive analysis with Tri Hita Karana concept on traditional Balinese buildings and accompanied with ergonomic values based on the subject of the task and environmental organizations. This writing aims to observe whether the ergonomics and Tri Hita Karana have similar views in the embodiment of traditional Balinese houses. At the end of the discussion, we can conclude that the embodiment of traditional Balinese residential buildings has to be considered on the relationship of human beings with God and the relationship between human beings and the environment. It also includes a consideration in ergonomics consists of task, organization, and environment; and it is found out that the concept of Tri Hita Karana has similarities with the idea of ergonomics on traditional Balinese houses.

A Comparative Study on the Spatial Characteristics of Traditional Residential Houses in Zhangguying and Laodong Villages Based on Space Syntax

This article is based on space syntax theoy combined with field surveys and mapping data, Using AutoCad and Depthmap to analyze and interpret the spatial characteristics of traditonal houses in Zhangguying Village and Laodong Village in Xiangxi Prefecture. clarifying the difference in spatial characteristics between the two spaces and the influencing factors behind the difference by comparing the integration degree of visible layer and the degree of integration of the feasible layer.

A Study on the Symbolic Significance of Decorative Art of Huizhou Traditional Residential Buildings

Chinese traditional architectural decoration has a long history and rich cultural connotation, which is the crystallization of the wisdom of the working people. Architectural decoration is a very important link in the construction of architecture. In Chinese traditional residential houses, architectural decoration carries the cultural phenomenon of folk, folk and all levels of society, and transmits historical information to people. This paper will analyze the cultural connotation of Huizhou residential architectural decoration from the perspective of aesthetic significance and symbolic significance, understand the expression method of symbolic significance, analyze the auspicious patterns of Huizhou architecture, and deeply explore the design implication and aesthetic implication of auspicious patterns in Huizhou architecture. Studying the decorative art of Huizhou residential buildings is helpful to understand the traditional folk culture and art, which reflects the important role of architectural decoration in expressing culture. This paper intends to explore the implied meaning behind the architectural decoration of Huizhou folk houses from the perspective of symbolic significance, analyze and summarize its decoration, and provide reference for the inheritance and development of traditional architectural decoration.

The Thermal Condition and Comfort Temperature of Traditional Residential Houses Located in Mountainous Tropical Areas: An Adaptive Field Study Approach

Thermal comfort may be evaluated from the thermal condition of residential houses and their occupants’ satisfaction. This research evaluates the thermal comfort of traditional residential houses located in mountainous areas of Wonosobo, Indonesia. The evaluation is conducted based on the physical condition of residential houses and their occupants’ satisfaction factors. A quantitative approach is employed to analyze the theory of static thermal comfort (Predicted Mean Vote/PMV) and that of adaptive thermal comfort (Actual Mean Vote/AMV). The research method is conducted based on a field study. The thermal condition is measured using 4 climate variables and 2 personal variables. Climate variables are air temperature, globe temperature, relative humidity and wind velocity. Personal variables are clothes and activity. AMV was based on thermal sensation from ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers). The sensation thermal is very cold (-3), cold (-2), cool (-1), neutral (0), warm (+1), hot (+2), very hot (+3). The research has conducted a survey of 14 houses with 39 respondents. The research findings show that the comfort temperature is 24.47oC within air temperature (Ta) or 24.14oC within Tg or 24.17oC within To or 25.08oC within TET or 24.69oC within TSET. These findings are compared to those previously conducted in Jakarta and Bandung showing that some differences are dealing with their comfort temperature. The other findings show that there are also some PMV and AMV differences of traditional residential houses located in the tropical mountainous areas.

A Study of Construction Techniques of Tibetan Villages in Saiergu Town

Traditional residential buildings of Tibetan nationality have been applauded by domestic and international architectural fields for their solid, majestic, dignified and nice features. Raw materials for construction of Tibetan buildings, such as stones, wood and mud, are all taken from nature. Construction method is original and simple hand measurement method. It is impressed by the people all around the world that a strong building that has not been moved for 100 years is built only with simple material and wall building method. At the era of rapid economic development, more and more traditional residential houses are being destroyed. Traditional construction techniques are gradually disappearing and assimilated by modern construction. In this paper, the author takes Tibetan Villages in Saiergu Town of Aba state in Sichuan province as main research object, and explores construction techniques of residential houses of the Tibetan villages. Then, the author analyzes and collects building skills from the perspective of architecture.

Analysis of Passive Energy-saving Retrofitting of Rural Residential Houses in Southern Anhui Province -A case in Hongcun

With the continuous improvement of green building theory in recent years and the continuous development of low-carbon building technology practice,residential building has become to one of the most fundamental building forms.The sustainable green concept becomes the inevitable trend of its future development. People who live in Huizhou,the old name of Anhui province, have created the traditional residential houses regional characteristics. In the process has accumulated a lot of harmonious symbiosis with nature according to the unique local conditions.And because of the limit of the ancient construction makes the technical level of residential areas looks simple and crude in the mordern word.The traditional residential houses still have some room for improvement. The study takes a local village "Hongcun" Typical residential house as an example.And the model were set up to simulate the annual temperature and humidity and energy consumption of the residential house. The research shows that through proper passive retrofitting measures energy consumption could be effectively saved and indoor thermal environment could be well constructed.

A Study of the Forms and Technology of Traditional Granary Buildings in the Middle and Lower Reaches of the Fu River

In this study, the authors performed field surveys and investigated the formal and technological characteristics of granary buildings in the middle and lower reaches of the Fu River. Their study could help architects understand the regional features of traditional vernacular buildings. Employing field survey and mapping, the authors found that the building styles of traditional granaries are not different from those of traditional residential houses. This type of architecture challenges the restrictions of the ritual system and highlighted structural flexibility and functional priority through the use of beam structure. In the final section of the study, the thermal and wind environments of granary buildings are analyzed using ECOTECT software. The results of the analysis demonstrate that granary buildings can maintain low temperatures and prevent moisture using eco-building techniques, such as ventilative stone ridges, moisture-resistant walls and heat insulation storage rooms. These achievements demonstrate that traditional vernacular buildings, such as granaries, undergo fundamental evolution in architectural form and technology rather than maintaining the original state of a specific historical period.

An Analysis and Study on the Adjustment of Indoor Micro-climatic Environment for Traditional Residential Houses in Jiangxi Province

In recent years, with the accelerating pace of human transformation of nature, the depletion of natural resources, the deterioration of the climate and other issues are outstanding, so, green sustainable development has become a hot topic. At present, the domestic design of residential indoor microclimates relies on the adjustment of high energy consumption equipment to meet the needs of the environment, but ignores the appropriate design methods impacting on the living microenvironment, which may reduce energy consumption and achieving sustainable development and creating green buildings as well. This paper takes the Jiangxi area as the research scope, takes the microclimate of the indoor residential environment as the research object, and starts with presentation on the climate characteristics of the hot, rainy and humid Jiangnan climate in Jiangxi Province, combines the morphological characteristics of traditional residential houses and climate regulation behavior in local area for addressing the spatial microclimate, to study and summarize the residential interior design strategies suitable for the climate and environment in the same place, hopefully to provide the basis for improving the microclimate environment of indoor residences.

Sustainable “Low-Tech” Architecture–Take Traditional Residential Houses in West Hunan for Example

The traditional residential houses in west Hunan, China were built on principle of be in harmony with the nature, with minimal alteration to the environment and with layouts that highlights natural environment. They are made of local building materials - renewable natural resources - with natural texture and simple processing procedure that takes the lowest transportation and processing cost. The structure system of the house is pre-cast timber frame construction highly developed during Chinese architectural history. It’s safe, steady, economic, and makes use of timber resource high efficiently. These original and “low-tech” – compared with the modern “high-tech” concept – but most operational ways are the advantages of the traditional buildings that modern buildings should learn from with regard to the environment and sustainable development.

Sustainable Development and the Rehabilitation of a Historic Urban District - Social Sustainability in the Case of Tianzifang in Shanghai

Conservation of historic buildings and streets through rehabilitation is growing rapidly in many countries. The extent to which this approach is conducive to the aims of social sustainability has yet to be investigated. This study examines the attributes and factors that contribute to socially sustainable development in the rehabilitation of historic districts. A historic district in Shanghai, China, is used as a case study. The study area, Tianzifang, is a community-initiated rehabilitation, which has conserved traditional residential houses and old factories and transformed them into a community for creative industry. Site observations, personal interviews and questionnaire surveys of public opinion were conducted to examine the contributing factors. Through a literature review, fieldwork and a pilot study, 21 factors were identified as contributing social sustainability to the rehabilitation of historic districts and form the basis of the analysis of the case study and the opinion survey exercise. Through factor analysis, the underlying social sustainability factors that embrace the 21 attributes were derived. In order of importance, the social sustainability factors are ‘Maintain good physical condition to fulfill educational role’, ‘Provide public involvement opportunities’, ‘Enhance sense of place and local culture’, ‘Enhance cultural identity and collective memory’ and ‘Retain significant meanings and associations to the community’. This study presents a framework to understand the underlying factors for socially sustainable rehabilitation of historic districts, which provides insights for professionals and communities to design and implement rehabilitation strategies. The framework also provides a reference to examine other complex heritage sites worldwide. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.

Protection and Development of the Traditional Residential Houses of Leguan Street in Kaifeng City

Since reform and opening-up, the process of urbanization of the country has been obviously accelerated in China. But the past urbanization policy has seriously hindered the original styles of cities, especially the traditional residential Houses in these cities. According to the field research on the the traditional residential Houses of Kaifeng City, this paper discusses the protection strategy for LeGuan Street, and gives some advices of development on turisms, educations, so as to realize the sustainable development of the street.

Ergonomics and Tri Hita Karana Conception in Balinese Traditional Houses


 
 
 Tri Hita Karana is the concept of three things that can lead to happiness, which consist of the relationship of human beings with God, amongst human beings, and the relationship of human beings with the environ- ment, which is embodied in the circulation, the design space forming element, the supporting build a space, design of facilities, utilities and decoration. The study of ergonomics on traditional residential houses in Bali focuses on task elements, organization and environment. The task examines how the facilities are created based on anthropometric and activity flow. The organization studies about traditional Balinese buildings layout in terms of organization of space, which resulted in a large scale, function space and circulation space. Environment review the two sides, firstly is physical environment, namely: the use of circulation, lighting and handling the existing season every year, and secondly is the social environment, namely: religion, beliefs, norms and others. There are similarities between Ergonomics and Tri Hita Karana, therefore this study intend to it. It is conducted by using qualitative descriptive analysis with the applica- tion of Tri Hita Karana concept on traditional Balinese buildings and also accompanied with ergonomic values based on te ape ape ape ape ape ape ape ape ape ape ape ape ape ape ape appose of this writing is to observe whether the ergonomics and Tri Hita Karana have similar views in the embodiment of traditional Balinese houses. In the end of the discussion we can conclude that the embodiment of traditional Balinese residential buildings has to be considered on the relationship of human beings with God and also the relationship of human being with the environment. It is also includes a consideration in ergonomics con- sists of: task, organization and environment; and it is found out that in the concept of Tri Hita Karana has similarities with the concept of ergonomics on traditional Balinese houses. 
 
 

The Characteristics of Architecture Style of the Traditional Houses in the Mosul City-Analytical Study

Problem statement: Mosul city distinguishes itself in its architecture style which has earned and developed through ages. However, this style is now prone to extinction. This is due to the lack of studies which clarify the characteristics of architecture style in the traditional architecture of the city and benefit from it for future designs and to maintain the architecture identity of the city. The above problem made local architects rely on Western concepts in the process of construction and expansion that occurred in this city since the second decade of the twentieth century. Approach: Therefore, there is a need to have studies showing the characteristics of architecture style of the traditional buildings in Mosul city, so that it can be invested in current and future designs. One study can not be enough to clarify the characteristics of Architecture style in the city, because of the building functional diversity, so it is necessary to focus on one type of building which are the residential houses. The residential houses represent most of the urban fabric of the Mosul city and this is a key component of the identity of the city architecture in general. Results: Thus stating the research problem as “lack of clear perception of the characteristics of architecture style of the traditional houses in Mosul city to consider in future designs” and having in mind this problem, the goal of this research has been set to clarify these characteristics. The hypothesis has been developed concerning these properties: Identification of a methodology for the research to achieve the goal and verification of the hypothesis. Conclusion: Finally, architectural style that characterized the traditional residential houses in the light of several levels, which are the basic components and formal relations (organization of space, mass configuration) and fine architectural treatments, were provided.