Bioclimatic study of Feng Shui principles in the ancient Chinese village of Chuandixia

Environmental design can play a key role in the study of historic areas as it allows the investigation of traditional settlement principles according to the Genius Loci and the reconstruction of their original functioning processes. Feng Shui is an ancient body of knowledge and practices that evolved from Chinese philosophy embodying the Chinese ecological practice to harmonise people with the environment. This study presents a methodological approach for the bioclimatic numerical analysis of the urban microclimate of Chuandixia, a small village near Beijing (China), built during the Ming era following traditional design principles of Feng Shui. ENVI-met simulation software was used to check the environmental effectiveness of the relationship between the landscape, the local climate conditions, and the morphology of the streets, dwellings, and public spaces of the village. Thanks to a better understanding of the historical settlement, this study serves as the basis to propose design solutions to improve thermal comfort and reduce energy consumption of the building units, enhancing their passive behaviour while respecting the historical, architectural, and cultural significance of the traditional landscape.