Abstract : This study presents a quantitative comparative analysis of environmental performance before and after an architectural intervention on a vernacular dwelling in the Gunungkidul District, Yogyakarta Special Region, Indonesia. Conducted as a longitudinal field investigation, the research employed a baseline-endline methodology with data collection in June 2025 (pre-intervention) and October 2025 (post-intervention). Key metrics included surface temperatures of building components (ceiling, walls, floor) and comprehensive indoor air quality (IAQ) parameters, notably particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) concentrations, measured against national ambient air quality standards (NAB). The results demonstrate a pronounced dual outcome. The intervention achieved its primary objective of drastically improving IAQ, with PM10 and PM2.5 levels reduced by over 90%, transitioning from exceeding to far below the NAB thresholds. However, this significant improvement coincided with a critical trade-off. A severe reduction in indoor air velocity (78%) altered the thermal environment, leading to mixed results: while floor temperatures decreased consistently, other components showed varied responses, and the heat stress index (WBGTi) slightly increased despite a lower dry-bulb temperature. The study concludes that while passive architectural strategies can effectively protect against outdoor particulate pollution, they can inadvertently compromise natural cooling ventilation. These findings highlight the essential ventilation-filtration dilemma in tropical climates and underscore the necessity for integrated, balanced design approaches in sustainable housing retrofits to simultaneously ensure occupant health and thermal comfort.
Suparwoko et al. (Wed,) studied this question.