Study on the Winter Thermal Environment and Thermal Satisfaction of the Post-Disaster Prototype and Vernacular Houses in Nepal

Post-disaster housing, constructed on a massive scale, often overlooks the indoor thermal environment, despite being crucial design factor for residential satisfaction. This study examined environment in post-Gorkha earthquake-reconstructed prototype and traditional vernacular houses Dolakha district of Nepal. It employed questionnaire survey measurement outdoor temperature both house types across two locations: Panipokhari Jillu, during coldest winter month. Despite falling below ASHRAE comfort standard, found that houses’ nighttime temperatures were 2.1 °C lower 1 Jillu compared to houses. difference is attributed use local building materials with low U-values, substantial mass houses, window-to-wall ratio. Occupants expressed dissatisfaction ones. By incorporating climate-responsive features seen heating energy could have been reduced by approximately 21% 10% easing economic burden vulnerable households. These findings hold significance policy-makers, implementers, designers, other stakeholders involved post-disaster resettlement housing programs, offering insights enhancing long-term satisfaction sustainability such programs.