The document discusses how the climatic conditions of Beijing and Chaozhou, China influence the design of the courtyard element in traditional Chinese siheyuan courtyard houses. It finds that siheyuan in Beijing have larger courtyards that occupy 40% of the total area to maximize solar gain in the cold winter, while siheyuan in hot and humid Chaozhou have smaller courtyards occupying less than 20% of the area to limit heat gain. The buildings around the courtyard are also configured differently, with buildings in Beijing separated to increase sun exposure and buildings in Chaozhou intersecting to fully enclose the courtyard. These differences demonstrate how vernacular architecture adapts to local climates.

1. Effects of Different Climatic Conditions on
Courtyard Element of Chinese Vernacular
Siheyuan in Beijing and Chaozhou
r e s e a r c h t i t l e
image source: http://www.baike.com/wiki/四合院

2. introduction
keywords, research questions, methodology
i n t r o d u c t i o n

3. 四合院
siheyuan
A siheyuan which translates to
‘courtyard house’, is a Chinese
historical residential dwelling which
dates back 2000 years ago as early
as the Western Zhou period.
image source: www.xinminju.com/xinminju-224.html
i n t r o d u c t i o n

4. i n t r o d u c t i o n
四合院
siheyuan
As its name states, this type of
traditional house features a
courtyard surrounded by four
houses with its arrangement of
spaces heavily influenced by a
cultural hierarchical system and
‘Feng Shui’.
The Beijing courtyard house is one
of the commonly known layouts.
image source: www.igande.cn/list/kw-北京四合院.html

5. i n t r o d u c t i o n
Beijing
Chaozhou
气候
Climatic
conditions
However, due to China’s vast
territory which leads to a
diversified climate, the courtyard
of the siheyuan has been
adapted to fit the local climate
of different regions. Thus, this
study focuses on two different
regions of China located in the
northern and southern region,
Beijing and Chaozhou to
understand how their climatic
conditions acts as one of the
factors that attributes to the
variation in the elements of
courtyard of the siheyuan
typology.
image source: https://pixabay.com/en/china-map-world-map-of-the-world-714768/

6. This research will be based on the
following questions:
1. What are the climatic conditions in
Beijing, China?
2. What are the climatic conditions in
Chaozhou, China?
3. What are the characteristics of the
courtyard in a siheyuan located in Beijing?
4. What are the characteristics of the
courtyard in a siheyuan located in
Chaozhou?
5. How does the climatic adaptations of a
Beijing siheyuan compare to the Chaozhou
siheyuan in relation to the difference in
climatic conditions?
r e s e a r c h q u e s t i o n s

7. We have chosen both qualitative and quantitative approach for our
research. Firstly, quantitative methods are used to obtain climatic data of
Beijing and Chaozhou. The obtained data is then plotted into bar charts
and graphs to show the differences of their climatic conditions in both
regions.
Then, qualitative methods offers a complete description and analysis
without limiting the scope of the research (Collis & Hussey, 2003). Hence,
qualitative methods were used to find information about climatic
adaptations made to the courtyard of a siheyuan in different climatic
regions. Materials such as online journals, books and theses were referred
to.
Once the collection and analysis of data is complete, we compared the
characteristics of the courtyards in Beijing’s and Chaozhou’s siheyuan.
m e t h o d o l o g y

8. findings
climatic conditions, characteristics of courtyard element, comparison
f i n d i n g s

9. f i n d i n g s : c l i m a t i c c o n d i t i o n s
Beijing has a general cold climate with a short warm period.
Prevailing winds are stronger during springtime and are
usually accompanied by dust. Chaozhou lies in the monsoon
tropical zone with no obvious change in seasons as the
dominant weather is hot and humid throughout the year. It
also has a destructive impact from typhoon, seven months a
year.

10. f i n d i n g s : c l i m a t i c c o n d i t i o n s
Windrose of Beijing Windrose of Chaozhou
image source: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Wind-rose-diagrams-for-the-
frequencies-of-wind-direction-in-each-season-from-June-2011-to_fig2_278623046
Summe
r
image source: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Wind-rose-of-Beijing-in-four-
seasons-MAM-JJA-SON-and-DJF-for-the-period-of-2011-to_fig9_321048194
Winter
Summe
r
Winter

11. Jian (间) is a fundamental measure of width. It is the span
between two lateral columns or pillars that constitutes a bay.
Jian can also be viewed as the expanse between four
columns, comprising both the two-dimensional floor space
and the volumetric measure of the void defined by the floor
and the walls.
f i n d i n g s : j i a n & j i a
间 jian 架 jia
Jia (架) refers to one of the stepped roof purlins, the
horizontal longitudinal timbers needed to support the
common rafters of a rising roof.
image source: China’s Old Dwellings
To understand the courtyard element of siheyuan, we need
to take a look at jian and jia, the informal measurements of a
built structure in China.

12. f i n d i n g s : j i a n & j i a
间
jian
image source: http://www.sohu.com/a/167357073_159808

13. f i n d i n g s : j i a n & j i a
image source: http://www.sohu.com/a/167357073_159808
架
jia

14. f i n d i n g s : c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s o f c o u r t y a r d i n s i h e y u a n
Size and shape of
courtyard
Configuration of
building around
courtyard
Height of
surrounding
buildings
Fenestrations
of building
Formation of the
courtyard
image source: (left) www.to8to.com/yezhu/z30610.html; (second left) http://www.sohu.com/a/203686447_677651; (middle)
www.culture.china.com/heritage/folklore/11170665/20160601/22788894/all.html; (second right) www.sohu.com/a/155321192_748641; (right)
www.xinminju.com/xinminju-224.html
1 2 3 4 5
Our findings are categorized to the following properties of the courtyard:

15. image source: www.sohu.com/a/155321192_748641
f i n d i n g s : f o r m a t i o n o f t h e c o u r t y a r d
Formation of the courtyard
1

16. f i n d i n g s : f o r m a t i o n o f t h e c o u r t y a r d
四合院
的开始
Courtyard
formation
The formation of a siheyuan starts
with a single jian, as it represents a
nucleus of habitation in the smallest
dwelling to provide a common
space for living, sleeping and other
activities.
The central jian of a three- or five-
bay rectangular dwelling typically is
wider than flanking jian.
image source: www.igande.cn/list/kw-北京四合院.html

17. Jian (间): 3.3m – 3.6m
Jia (架): Less than 4.8m
Yuanzi (院子)
wei (围)
Enclosing
Siheyuan of Beijing Siheyuan of Chaozhou
Jian (间): 3.6m – 3.9m
Jia (架): Up to 6.6m
Tianjing (天井)
wa (挖)
Excavating
f i n d i n g s : f o r m a t i o n o f t h e c o u r t y a r d - c o m p a r i s o n

18. Siheyuan of Chaozhou
Jian (间): 3.6m – 3.9m
Jia (架): Up to 6.6m
Tianjing (天井)
wa (挖)
Excavating
f i n d i n g s : f o r m a t i o n o f t h e c o u r t y a r d - c o m p a r i s o n

19. Siheyuan of Beijing
image source: What Forces that Shape and Retain the Beijing Courtyard Houses?
Siheyuan of Chaozhou
image source: www.st.cutv.com/k/2018-1-30/1517280021894.shtml
f i n d i n g s : f o r m a t i o n o f t h e c o u r t y a r d - c o m p a r i s o n

20. Siheyuan of Chaozhou
image source: www.st.cutv.com/k/2018-1-30/1517280021894.shtml
f i n d i n g s : f o r m a t i o n o f t h e c o u r t y a r d - c o m p a r i s o n

21. f i n d i n g s : f o r m a t i o n o f t h e c o u r t y a r d - c o m p a r i s o n
Siheyuan of Beijing
image source: http://www.itailai.com/case/case.html
Siheyuan of Chaozhou
image source: http://cz.southcn.com/c/2014-09/02/content_107781995.htm

22. image source: www.acrossthegloble.blogspot.com/2016/01/blog-post.html
2
f i n d i n g s : s i z e a n d s h a p e o f t h e c o u r t y a r d
Size and shape of courtyard

23. Courtyard represents 40% of total
ground area.
Width: 7m – 20m
Width = Length
The large central courtyard allows
ample solar access to warm up the
house during winter.
Siheyuan of Beijing Siheyuan of Chaozhou
Courtyard represents less than
20% of total ground area.
Width: 2m – 3m
Width < Length
Due to the length running across
the east-west axis, this limits the
intense sun rays that penetrate
the rooms.
f i n d i n g s : s i z e a n d s h a p e o f c o u r t y a r d - c o m p a r i s o n

24. Siheyuan of Chaozhou
Courtyard represents less than
20% of total ground area.
Width: 2m – 3m
Width < Length
Due to the length running across
the east-west axis, this limits the
intense sun rays that penetrate
the rooms.
f i n d i n g s : s i z e a n d s h a p e o f c o u r t y a r d - c o m p a r i s o n

25. Siheyuan of Beijing Siheyuan of Chaozhou
f i n d i n g s : s i z e a n d s h a p e o f c o u r t y a r d - c o m p a r i s o n
image source: www.fanggugongcheng.com/jishu/gujian/599.html
image source:
www.culture.china.com/heritage/folklore/11170665/20160601/22788894/all.html

26. image source: http://k.sina.com.cn/article_1862600090_6f05059a001003jot.html
3
f i n d i n g s : c o n f i g u r a t i o n o f b u i l d i n g a r o u n d c o u r t y a r d
Configuration of building around courtyard

27. Each of the four buildings of the
siheyuan is separate. They are
joined only by their connection to
the outer walls.
Unconnected buildings leaves a
small gap of a courtyard in between
each building, thus increasing sun-
exposed surface area during winter.
Siheyuan of Beijing Siheyuan of Chaozhou
The roof lines and ends of
each of the four enclosing
structures actually intersect at
right angles in order to bring
about a complete enclosure
of the courtyard by buildings.
The complete enclosure of
the courtyard by buildings
prevents excessive heat gain
into the interior spaces.
f i n d i n g s : c o n f i g u r a t i o n o f b u i l d i n g a r o u n d c o u r t y a r d - c o m p a r i s o n

28. Siheyuan of Chaozhou
The roof lines and ends of
each of the four enclosing
structures actually intersect at
right angles in order to bring
about a complete enclosure
of the courtyard by buildings.
The complete enclosure of
the courtyard by buildings
prevents excessive heat gain
into the interior spaces.
f i n d i n g s : c o n f i g u r a t i o n o f b u i l d i n g a r o u n d c o u r t y a r d - c o m p a r i s o n

29. Siheyuan of Beijing Siheyuan of Chaozhou
f i n d i n g s : c o n f i g u r a t i o n o f b u i l d i n g a r o u n d c o u r t y a r d - c o m p a r i s o n
image source: www.chinanews.com/tp/hd2011/2017/08-03/760663.shtml image source: http://www.cslxw.net/jingdian/minju/57.html

30. image source: https://lepaveblog.com/2016/10/18/vieux-pekin-disparaissant/
4
f i n d i n g s : h e i g h t o f b u i l d i n g
Height of building

31. The single-storey structure do not block the lower-angle sun
rays of winter, enabling the courtyard to heat up during the
winter.
Siheyuan of Beijing Siheyuan of Chaozhou
Single-storey structures. It is less likely to block the
passage of destructive tropical storms.
winter sun
summer sun
f i n d i n g s : h e i g h t o f b u i l d i n g - c o m p a r i s o n

32. Siheyuan of Chaozhou
Single-storey structures. It is less likely to block the
passage of destructive tropical storms.
f i n d i n g s : h e i g h t o f b u i l d i n g - c o m p a r i s o n

33. image source: www.dna.yiiuu.com/w/pp-918892.html
5
f i n d i n g s : f e n e s t r a t i o n s o f b u i l d i n g
Fenestrations of building

34. Siheyuan of Beijing Siheyuan of Chaozhou
All doors and windows face into the courtyard. During
summer, the openings allow air ventilation of Southern
winds from the courtyard into the interior.
During winter, the absence of openings in external walls
blocks the cold northern winds from entering the house
compound.
Perforated door panels facing the tianijng controls airflow.
Windows on the encircling walls are placed high above
ground level to draw in some ambient air.
Southern winds flow through the north-south passage
and enter from the top of the tianjing to ventilate the
spaces.
f i n d i n g s : f e n e s t r a t i o n s o f b u i l d i n g - c o m p a r i s o n

35. Siheyuan of Chaozhou
f i n d i n g s : f e n e s t r a t i o n s o f b u i l d i n g - c o m p a r i s o n
Perforated door panels facing the tianijng controls airflow.
Windows on the encircling walls are placed high above
ground level to draw in some ambient air.
Southern winds flow through the north-south passage
and enter from the top of the tianjing to ventilate the
spaces.

36. conclusion
c o n c l u s i o n

37. This research has explored the climatic conditions of cities in
Northern and Southern region of China, represented by Beijing
and Chaozhou with it's respective climate response of Chinese
traditional courtyard house. From the results, it is evident that the
different climates has an effect on the courtyard as it is adapted to
fit the region's local climate. With our findings and knowledge, a
deeper appreciation for the courtyard dwellings can be cultivated
as this typology is rationally and carefully planned for each local
environment and can act as a catalyst for more climate responsive
buildings in the future.
c o n c l u s i o n

38. references
r e f e r e n c e s

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i m a g e r e f e r e n c e s

42. thank you