A Field Investigation on the Thermal Environment of Traditional Japanese Houses at UNESCO World Heritage Site: A Case Study of Former Oka House at Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine in the Omori Area in Oda City

A field investigation of the thermal environment in a 100-year-old wooden house at the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine revealed that while the structure maintained comfortable indoor temperatures during summer, it faced severe thermal challenges in winter. Measurements showed that without air conditioning, indoor temperatures dropped below 1.5°C, and even after five hours of heating, they only reached 15°C—still below WHO recommendations. Thermography further identified that traditional paper partition doors (fusuma) acted as thermal barriers but suffered significant heat loss through joints, suggesting the need for improved insulation to reduce energy consumption while preserving the building's original state.

Shrestha, A., & Shimizu, T. (2023). A Field Investigation on the Thermal Environment of Traditional Japanese Houses at UNESCO World Heritage Site: A Case Study of Former Oka House at Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine in the Omori Area in Oda City. Design for Climate Adaptation, 59–78. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-36320-7_5