APPLYING ECOTECT SOFTWARE TO ANALYZE NATURAL LIGHTING OF TRADITIONAL DWELLING ARCHITECTURE - EXPERIENCES FROM THE HUWAN VILLAGE, FUZHOU CITY, JIANGXI PROVINCE, CHINA

摘要

The performance of the window of a traditional dwelling architecture significantly influences the natural lighting levelof such a building. This study aims to determine the best strategy for the natural lighting of traditional dwelling architecture byexamining No.37 residence in Huwan village. Window-floor ratio, window position, and window lattice were studied throughEcotect software involving lighting simulations. Results show that the optimum window-floor ratio is 1/7. The combination of highwindows and ordinary windows is the ideal option to improve the natural lighting. The window lattice exerts a minimal effect onnatural lighting increase. Adopting the best natural lighting strategy combination can further improve indoor natural lighting.This strategy is also applicable to the middle and lower reaches of Yangtze River in China, which flow through Fuzhou and have aclimate similar to that of the said area. Future research should be directed toward applying Ecotect software to quantitativelyevaluate the lighting effects of other components of traditional dwelling architecture and produce the best natural lighting strategycombination.