Determination of Window-To-Wall Ratio of Fully-Enclosed Courtyard Residential Buildings in Kafanchan

Abstract

Scholars has revealed that the courtyard in a building, the fully-enclosed courtyard in particular can enhance thermal performance provided that the appropriate Window-to-Wall-Ratio (WWR) is determine. To determine the WWR, the window-area and wall-area of the architectural space are required. This study, therefore, investigates the types of Window-to-Wall-Ratios (WWR) by identifying the types of window-area and room-area in fully-enclosed courtyard buildings in Kafanchan. A descriptive checklist was developed and used for an inventory survey of sixty-nine (69) fully-enclosed courtyard residential buildings. The data were analysed and interpreted statistically. The results show five types of window-areas, three types of room-areas and five types of WWRs. WWR3 has the highest percentage (39.1%), while WWR1 has the lowest percentage of (6%). The findings suggest that the larger WWRs are being used than the smaller ones. This study has provided the types of WWRs used in fully-enclosed courtyard residential buildings in Kafanchan and such could be simulated to determine the optimum in future studies. It also suggests that WWR3 is most preferred, but it thermal performance need to be established via simulation to confirm whether it is the optimum. Simulation studies to determine the optimum WWR for each of the types of room-area(s) and WWRs as obtained in this study is also important.