A quantitative investigation on the passive features in vernacular Mu Nia Tibetan houses

Abstract

The Mu Nia culture is an endangered alpine civilization, yet the foundational research on its architecture remains significantly inadequate. This study conducted field research on 52 Mu Nia buildings and performed a quantitative analysis of the passive technologies embedded within them. The research indicates that, compared to other spontaneously constructed Tibetan architectures, Mu Nia dwellings exhibit greater stylistic diversity while still adhering to a unified principle of solar energy utilization. In modern times, Mu Nia villagers have improved indoor quality with self-awareness in terms of enhancing the utilization of local materials, strengthening exterior wall insulation, adding sunspaces, and modifying Chinse fireplaces. In future research and practice, architects and scientists can refer to the pathways and trends proposed in this paper to achieve the preservation and development of Mu Nia culture.