Natural Ventilation in Building Buffer Spaces of Traditional Qiang Dwellings: Field Study in Western China

As China’s rural revitalization progresses, the green and sustainable development of traditional dwellings has gained significant attention. Traditional Qiang dwellings in western Sichuan, located in high-altitude cold regions, often feature thick walls and small windows, limiting air circulation. B...

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Main Authors: Ying Zhao, Kun Li, Meng Han, Jianwu Xiong, Yifan Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Buildings
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/5/794
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author Ying Zhao
Kun Li
Meng Han
Jianwu Xiong
Yifan Zhang
author_facet Ying Zhao
Kun Li
Meng Han
Jianwu Xiong
Yifan Zhang
author_sort Ying Zhao
collection DOAJ
description As China’s rural revitalization progresses, the green and sustainable development of traditional dwellings has gained significant attention. Traditional Qiang dwellings in western Sichuan, located in high-altitude cold regions, often feature thick walls and small windows, limiting air circulation. Buffer spaces play a key role in improving indoor air quality and reducing energy consumption through natural ventilation. This study explores traditional Qiang dwellings in western Sichuan through field research, architectural analysis, and numerical simulations. The study analyzes three buffer space types and compares natural ventilation in dwellings with and without buffer spaces. The results show better air circulation in buildings with buffer spaces. The simulation further shows that when the courtyard’s aspect ratio is 1.3 and the width-to-height ratio is 0.9, ventilation and air renewal rates are optimized. Based on this, the study proposes natural ventilation optimization strategies to reduce reliance on mechanical systems and improve energy efficiency. The study provides a scientific basis for low-carbon Qiang dwelling design and offers practical strategies for improving living environments, supporting sustainable rural development.
format Article
id doaj-art-56d5085356694d4db8e9e4ff8471fa80
institution DOAJ
issn 2075-5309
language English
publishDate 2025-02-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Buildings
spelling doaj-art-56d5085356694d4db8e9e4ff8471fa802025-08-20T02:53:02ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092025-02-0115579410.3390/buildings15050794Natural Ventilation in Building Buffer Spaces of Traditional Qiang Dwellings: Field Study in Western ChinaYing Zhao0Kun Li1Meng Han2Jianwu Xiong3Yifan Zhang4School of Architecture, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610225, ChinaSchool of Architecture, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610225, ChinaSchool of Architecture, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610225, ChinaAI + Arch Lab, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610225, ChinaSchool of Architecture, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610225, ChinaAs China’s rural revitalization progresses, the green and sustainable development of traditional dwellings has gained significant attention. Traditional Qiang dwellings in western Sichuan, located in high-altitude cold regions, often feature thick walls and small windows, limiting air circulation. Buffer spaces play a key role in improving indoor air quality and reducing energy consumption through natural ventilation. This study explores traditional Qiang dwellings in western Sichuan through field research, architectural analysis, and numerical simulations. The study analyzes three buffer space types and compares natural ventilation in dwellings with and without buffer spaces. The results show better air circulation in buildings with buffer spaces. The simulation further shows that when the courtyard’s aspect ratio is 1.3 and the width-to-height ratio is 0.9, ventilation and air renewal rates are optimized. Based on this, the study proposes natural ventilation optimization strategies to reduce reliance on mechanical systems and improve energy efficiency. The study provides a scientific basis for low-carbon Qiang dwelling design and offers practical strategies for improving living environments, supporting sustainable rural development.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/5/794Qiang ethnic minoritytraditional dwellingsbuffer spacenatural ventilationenergy saving potentialssustainable built environment
spellingShingle Ying Zhao
Kun Li
Meng Han
Jianwu Xiong
Yifan Zhang
Natural Ventilation in Building Buffer Spaces of Traditional Qiang Dwellings: Field Study in Western China
Buildings
Qiang ethnic minority
traditional dwellings
buffer space
natural ventilation
energy saving potentials
sustainable built environment
title Natural Ventilation in Building Buffer Spaces of Traditional Qiang Dwellings: Field Study in Western China
title_full Natural Ventilation in Building Buffer Spaces of Traditional Qiang Dwellings: Field Study in Western China
title_fullStr Natural Ventilation in Building Buffer Spaces of Traditional Qiang Dwellings: Field Study in Western China
title_full_unstemmed Natural Ventilation in Building Buffer Spaces of Traditional Qiang Dwellings: Field Study in Western China
title_short Natural Ventilation in Building Buffer Spaces of Traditional Qiang Dwellings: Field Study in Western China
title_sort natural ventilation in building buffer spaces of traditional qiang dwellings field study in western china
topic Qiang ethnic minority
traditional dwellings
buffer space
natural ventilation
energy saving potentials
sustainable built environment
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/5/794
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AT kunli naturalventilationinbuildingbufferspacesoftraditionalqiangdwellingsfieldstudyinwesternchina
AT menghan naturalventilationinbuildingbufferspacesoftraditionalqiangdwellingsfieldstudyinwesternchina
AT jianwuxiong naturalventilationinbuildingbufferspacesoftraditionalqiangdwellingsfieldstudyinwesternchina
AT yifanzhang naturalventilationinbuildingbufferspacesoftraditionalqiangdwellingsfieldstudyinwesternchina