Environmental Aspects of Vernacular Settlement of Xinpu: A Case Study for Social Responsibility †

Abstract

The architectural heritage of a remote village not only forms an important part of its local history but is also a sustainable source of knowledge. The purpose of this study is to introduce the environmental factors in the design of a traditional ancestral hall located in Xinpu Township, Hsinchu County, Taiwan. The content presented covers all scales of architecture, starting from large-scale urban design to small-scale building components. First, it presents the urban form of Xinpu. The environmental investigation is based on the nine main ancestral halls, corresponding to the local climatic conditions, the sun and shade conditions of the courtyard, and the orientation of the remaining traditional houses. Then, the architecture of traditional dwellings is introduced. Environmental studies are based on a computer analysis using Ecotect. Field studies include measurements of winter and summer air temperatures in a house, while computer analysis is conducted for sunlight and shading conditions for nine ancestral buildings. Combining Ecotect Analysis, Desktop Radiance, and WinAir4, daylight levels and airflow in the houses are simulated. The results are used to explain the university’s practice of social responsibility in rural areas.