Architectural Elements Shaping Thermal Comfort in Floating Houses on Tempe Lake

The thermal comfort of buildings in tropical regions is influenced by multiple architectural factors, particularly in vernacular structures located in extreme environmental contexts. This study focuses on floating houses situated on Lake Tempe in South Sulawesi, Indonesia, where environmental conditions present challenges to maintaining indoor comfort. The research aims to identify architectural elements that affect thermal comfort in these houses and to evaluate their effectiveness using both qualitative and quantitative methods. The study was conducted on 11 floating house units selected through purposive sampling, taking into account variations in materials, spatial dimensions, building form, and opening design. Field data were collected through direct observation, interviews, and climate measurements, including indoor temperature and humidity. The analysis involved thematic coding of architectural characteristics and comparison with thermal comfort standards using tools such as the Mahoney Table and the Temperature Humidity Index. The results show that floating houses with cross-ventilation, minimal partitioning, breathable materials like wooden planks, and fabric ceilings exhibit better thermal performance. Conversely, the use of dense or layered wall materials without adequate ventilation increases indoor heat accumulation. The orientation of these houses is not fixed due to water currents and wind direction, which present a unique limitation in achieving optimal solar and wind exposure. This study concludes that passive design strategies, particularly well-placed openings, breathable materials, and open interior layouts, can significantly improve thermal comfort in floating dwellings. The findings offer practical guidance for the future design and construction of thermally comfortable floating houses in similar climatic and environmental settings.