Exploring the Impact of a Courtyard-Centric Design Approach Integrated with Green Buffers and ERV Systems on Indoor Air Pollution in Urban Housing

Indoor air quality (IAQ) in urban residential housing is increasingly recognized as a critical factor affecting occupant health, comfort, and overall environmental sustainability. This study, titled “Integrated Courtyard-Centric Design, Green Buffers, and ERV Systems: A Framework for Improved Indoor Air Quality in Indian Urban Housing”, examines how architectural design, ecological strategies, and mechanical ventilation interact to mitigate indoor pollution in dense urban contexts. The research adopts a qualitative and design-focused methodology, analysing three case studies—Aranya Low-Cost Housing (Indore), CII-Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre (Hyderabad), and IIM Ahmedabad Hostel Blocks—to evaluate courtyard planning, green buffer integration, and the deployment of Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV) systems (Ansari, 2021; Mehta & Singh, 2021; Rao, 2020). Through comparative analysis, the study investigates the role of spatial layout, vegetation, and hybrid ventilation systems in promoting cross-ventilation, pollutant dilution, and thermal comfort. Findings indicate that courtyard geometry significantly enhances airflow, green buffers act as passive pollutant filters and microclimatic moderators, and ERV systems stabilize indoor air conditions, particularly when outdoor pollution levels are high (Sharma & Roy, 2020; Deshpande, 2022; Varma, 2019). The integration of these three elements forms a hierarchical and synergistic model, providing superior IAQ performance compared to passive or mechanical strategies alone (Chavan, 2020; Patel et al., 2019; Shukla & Gupta, 2018). This research demonstrates that an architecturally integrated, hybrid design approach can achieve improved indoor environmental quality while reducing reliance on energy-intensive mechanical systems. By positioning courtyard-centric planning, green buffers, and ERV systems as interconnected strategies rather than isolated interventions, the study contributes a context-sensitive framework for sustainable urban housing design in India (Rao, 2020; Mehta & Singh, 2021).