Climate Responsive Courtyard Design for Urban Sustainability in Five Marla Houses in Rawalpindi Pakistan

Rapid urbanization and climate change have dramatically increased energy consumption in South Asian residential buildings. Traditional courtyard houses, once common in the region, provided passive cooling solutions that have largely been abandoned in favor of maximizing built up floor area. This mixed methods study examines the thermal performance and social acceptability of courtyard integration in 5 Marla (≈ 125 m²) urban houses in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Building performance simulations compare a conventional house with a courtyard integrated design featuring mud brick walls and wind catcher geometry. Survey results demonstrate that compact courtyards integrated with vernacular materials offer significant potential for enhancing natural cooling, which in turn reduces the need for mechanical energy consumption. This reduction in energy use contributes significantly to urban sustainability by lowering carbon emissions and improving environmental quality in space-constrained environments. The findings highlight the importance of climate-responsive design rooted in local traditions as a pathway for sustainable urban development.