Citation :

K. Chithra, M. Bhuvaneshwari, C.V. Subramanian, "Passive Ventilation Features in Traditional Rural Houses of Tamil Nadu: A Comparative Architectural Case Study," International Journal of Civil Engineering, vol. 13, no. 10, pp. 257-271, 2026. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23488352/IJCE-V13I10P116

Abstract

Traditional rural Tamil Nadu houses include courtyard architecture, norisha, shaded over gangs spaces, openings, and local construction material that would affect the non-mechanical environmental design strategies. This study provides a qualitative comparative study of traditional dwellings along with. Pillaiyarpatti, Tamil Nadu. The existing available structures, architectural plans, photographs, and descriptive accounts. Determine building typologies, courtyard orientation, building materials, and possible natural cross-flows. The listed cases show how courtyard-oriented spatial compositions, common masonry building, timber elements, and tiled roofing systems. These architectural features provide opportunities to examine the relationship between building layout and passive environmental design. However, quantitative measurements of indoor temperature, relative humidity, and airflow are not reported in the available documentation. Therefore, the study focuses on architectural characteristics rather than measured thermal performance. The findings provide a descriptive basis for understanding traditional passive-design approaches and indicate the need for further field measurements to evaluate their effectiveness in improving indoor environmental conditions.

Keywords

Natural ventilation, Rural housing, Courtyard architecture, Passive design, Vernacular architecture, Tamil Nadu.

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