This study aims to examine the architectural characteristics of vernacular dwellings to find out their passive design strategies, which are described by several studies as environmentally-responsive, relevant in achieving indoor thermal comfort. The study investigates three rural vernacular dwellings of different typologies as it identifies the similarities and variation of their architectural design features associated with the settlement pattern, building form configuration and orientation, semi-open and open space configuration, materials, floor and ceiling types, internal space arrangements, and openings. These architectural characteristics are examined further through field measurements by recording air temperature, relative humidity, and surface temperatures during three identified season periods – winter, shoulder, and summer. The two investigations led to findings, which demonstrated that the passive design features employed in these three vernacular dwellings are significantly influenced by local environmental conditions. The internal environment of the dwellings responds to the external environment by thermal buffering such as cavities (ceiling, floor and roof types), space configuration (core, perimeter, transitional spaces), and surface material properties. These are validated as significant results were found through the analysis of temperature fluctuations, humidity range, comfort percentages, temperature differences, time delays and thermal surface differences between external and internal environments, as well as, among internal spaces (core, perimeter, and transitional spaces).
The findings of this study provide an initial assessment of the environmentally-responsive characteristics and passive design strategies found on the vernacular dwellings in Guanshan. The study aims to bear significance for the preservation of vernacular concepts and elements that may be valuable in the rehabilitation practices, future environmental study, and contemporary design applications relative to further improve indoor thermal comfort, in the hopes of promoting low-carbon practices towards sustainability.

This study aims to examine the architectural characteristics of vernacular dwellings to find out their passive design strategies, which are described by several studies as environmentally-responsive, relevant in achieving indoor thermal comfort. The study investigates three rural vernacular dwellings of different typologies as it identifies the similarities and variation of their architectural design features associated with the settlement pattern, building form configuration and orientation, semi-open and open space configuration, materials, floor and ceiling types, internal space arrangements, and openings. These architectural characteristics are examined further through field measurements by recording air temperature, relative humidity, and surface temperatures during three identified season periods – winter, shoulder, and summer. The two investigations led to findings, which demonstrated that the passive design features employed in these three vernacular dwellings are significantly influenced by local environmental conditions. The internal environment of the dwellings responds to the external environment by thermal buffering such as cavities (ceiling, floor and roof types), space configuration (core, perimeter, transitional spaces), and surface material properties. These are validated as significant results were found through the analysis of temperature fluctuations, humidity range, comfort percentages, temperature differences, time delays and thermal surface differences between external and internal environments, as well as, among internal spaces (core, perimeter, and transitional spaces).
The findings of this study provide an initial assessment of the environmentally-responsive characteristics and passive design strategies found on the vernacular dwellings in Guanshan. The study aims to bear significance for the preservation of vernacular concepts and elements that may be valuable in the rehabilitation practices, future environmental study, and contemporary design applications relative to further improve indoor thermal comfort, in the hopes of promoting low-carbon practices towards sustainability.

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