Passive cooling in the tropics : a design proposition for natural ventilation

Abstract

This paper explore the effects of indoor airflow behaviour in modifying the indoor thermal conditions in a courtyard residence found in the tropics. The design theme is centred towards an exploitation of architectural concepts and principles of the traditional courtyard built forms of the country as a source of deriving passive design strategies. Field investigation reveals a significant correlation between wall temperature and indoor air temperature. Airflow behaviours are sufficient to modify indoor thermal conditions to achieve comfortable environments. Furthermore, computational analysis discloses that a relatively better indoor thermal modification is seen when the courtyard acts as an air funnel discharging indoor air into the sky, than the courtyard acts as a suction zone inducing air from its sky opening during daytime hours. Consequently promotes nocturnal ventilation.