Evaluation and Optimization of Outdoor Thermal Comfort of Block-Style Commercial Complex in Hot Summer and Cold Winter Regions of China

In recent years, block-style commercial complexes have become a prominent form of commercial architecture in many Chinese cities. The thermal comfort of their outdoor spaces significantly influences people’s activities and the overall quality of these areas. This study explores the relationship betw...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Yeheng Zhou, Jiang Zhu, Eryu Ni, Yanzhe Hu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Buildings
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/6/929
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849343287269261312
author Yeheng Zhou
Jiang Zhu
Eryu Ni
Yanzhe Hu
author_facet Yeheng Zhou
Jiang Zhu
Eryu Ni
Yanzhe Hu
author_sort Yeheng Zhou
collection DOAJ
description In recent years, block-style commercial complexes have become a prominent form of commercial architecture in many Chinese cities. The thermal comfort of their outdoor spaces significantly influences people’s activities and the overall quality of these areas. This study explores the relationship between the morphological elements of outdoor spaces in such complexes and thermal comfort, using quantifiable methods to identify key control indicators. Enhancing thermal comfort is crucial for improving spatial quality, increasing dwell time, and boosting commercial vibrancy. Focusing on the hot summer and cold winter climate of Shanghai, this research analyzed two representative block-style commercial complexes. It employed computer simulations and sensory comfort surveys to demonstrate that block morphology significantly impacts outdoor thermal comfort. Three control variables—street density, number of street intersections, and street orientation—were selected to study their effects. Spatial prototypes were categorized, and their thermal comfort performance was evaluated using numerical simulations. Based on these findings, spatial morphology was iteratively optimized. This study concluded by proposing evaluation indicators for spatial morphology control elements to enhance outdoor thermal comfort. It also provided external spatial layout strategies for block-style commercial complexes in similar climates, offering architects and urban designers decision-making criteria to improve thermal comfort in outdoor spaces. This research contributes to creating more comfortable and vibrant urban environments.
format Article
id doaj-art-0babbe903fd84586b7ec8d103a9d7fcc
institution Kabale University
issn 2075-5309
language English
publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Buildings
spelling doaj-art-0babbe903fd84586b7ec8d103a9d7fcc2025-08-20T03:43:02ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092025-03-0115692910.3390/buildings15060929Evaluation and Optimization of Outdoor Thermal Comfort of Block-Style Commercial Complex in Hot Summer and Cold Winter Regions of ChinaYeheng Zhou0Jiang Zhu1Eryu Ni2Yanzhe Hu3College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, ChinaZhengzhou Zhengdong High Tech Industrial Development Co., Ltd., No. 136 Zhengkai Avenue, Zhengzhou 450016, ChinaDepartment of Architecture, School of Architecture, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, ChinaCollege of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, ChinaIn recent years, block-style commercial complexes have become a prominent form of commercial architecture in many Chinese cities. The thermal comfort of their outdoor spaces significantly influences people’s activities and the overall quality of these areas. This study explores the relationship between the morphological elements of outdoor spaces in such complexes and thermal comfort, using quantifiable methods to identify key control indicators. Enhancing thermal comfort is crucial for improving spatial quality, increasing dwell time, and boosting commercial vibrancy. Focusing on the hot summer and cold winter climate of Shanghai, this research analyzed two representative block-style commercial complexes. It employed computer simulations and sensory comfort surveys to demonstrate that block morphology significantly impacts outdoor thermal comfort. Three control variables—street density, number of street intersections, and street orientation—were selected to study their effects. Spatial prototypes were categorized, and their thermal comfort performance was evaluated using numerical simulations. Based on these findings, spatial morphology was iteratively optimized. This study concluded by proposing evaluation indicators for spatial morphology control elements to enhance outdoor thermal comfort. It also provided external spatial layout strategies for block-style commercial complexes in similar climates, offering architects and urban designers decision-making criteria to improve thermal comfort in outdoor spaces. This research contributes to creating more comfortable and vibrant urban environments.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/6/929block-type commercial complexexternal spacehuman thermal comfortspatial form control elementsevaluation index
spellingShingle Yeheng Zhou
Jiang Zhu
Eryu Ni
Yanzhe Hu
Evaluation and Optimization of Outdoor Thermal Comfort of Block-Style Commercial Complex in Hot Summer and Cold Winter Regions of China
Buildings
block-type commercial complex
external space
human thermal comfort
spatial form control elements
evaluation index
title Evaluation and Optimization of Outdoor Thermal Comfort of Block-Style Commercial Complex in Hot Summer and Cold Winter Regions of China
title_full Evaluation and Optimization of Outdoor Thermal Comfort of Block-Style Commercial Complex in Hot Summer and Cold Winter Regions of China
title_fullStr Evaluation and Optimization of Outdoor Thermal Comfort of Block-Style Commercial Complex in Hot Summer and Cold Winter Regions of China
title_full_unstemmed Evaluation and Optimization of Outdoor Thermal Comfort of Block-Style Commercial Complex in Hot Summer and Cold Winter Regions of China
title_short Evaluation and Optimization of Outdoor Thermal Comfort of Block-Style Commercial Complex in Hot Summer and Cold Winter Regions of China
title_sort evaluation and optimization of outdoor thermal comfort of block style commercial complex in hot summer and cold winter regions of china
topic block-type commercial complex
external space
human thermal comfort
spatial form control elements
evaluation index
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/6/929
work_keys_str_mv AT yehengzhou evaluationandoptimizationofoutdoorthermalcomfortofblockstylecommercialcomplexinhotsummerandcoldwinterregionsofchina
AT jiangzhu evaluationandoptimizationofoutdoorthermalcomfortofblockstylecommercialcomplexinhotsummerandcoldwinterregionsofchina
AT eryuni evaluationandoptimizationofoutdoorthermalcomfortofblockstylecommercialcomplexinhotsummerandcoldwinterregionsofchina
AT yanzhehu evaluationandoptimizationofoutdoorthermalcomfortofblockstylecommercialcomplexinhotsummerandcoldwinterregionsofchina