The Study of Thermal Comfort of I-SAN Vernacular Buddhist Holy Temples (SIMS) in Buriram Province

Abstract

This article described the local wisdom in orientation design providing thermal comfort in I-san Sims or vernacular Buddhist holy temples in the Northeast region of Thailand. The study examined the air temperature measurement, relative humidity, wind speed and Mean Radiant Temperature (MRT) of the three Sims since December 2014 to July 2015 by using scientific instruments. The results of the study showed that local beliefs have effected on the orientation of the Sims-they faced the east direction considered an auspicious direction. The narrow side of each building facing the east to the west direction was a crucial factor providing thermal comfort for the building users as building envelope area where is the heat storage as well as the quantity of the heat from the sun shining into each building can be reduced more than those Sims facing in the north to south direction. Throughout the day in winter, summer, and rainy season, the inside of the three Sims the thermal comfort was provided to the building users. In other words, the minimum/maximum temperature was in the range of 18.50˚C - 40.00˚C, the minimum/maximum relative humidity was in the range of 27.00 - 99.00%, and the minimum/maximum wind speed was in the range of 0.01 - 1.96 meters per second. Although the temperatures were above Victor Olgyay’s Chart, the indoor and outdoor temperatures were not different. It can be said that the local wisdom on Sim designing providing thermal comfort was based on orientation together with other factors.