Biomimetic Yurt Ventilation

Exploring biomimetic passive ventilation through systems design and computational airflow analysis

Project Overview

This research project explores a biomimetic ventilation system for Mongolian yurts (gers) inspired by the branching structure of human lungs. The design investigates the challenge of maintaining thermal insulation while providing adequate airflow in Mongolia's extreme winter climate.

The proposed approach integrates branching ventilation channels within the insulation layer to investigate whether passive airflow can be improved without substantially compromising thermal performance.

Design Hypothesis: A branching duct network embedded within traditional insulation could use thermal buoyancy to support passive air exchange while limiting the heat loss associated with large ventilation openings.

2-10cm Proposed Duct Diameter Range

0.04 W/m·K Reference Insulation Conductivity

1:10 Proposed Prototype Scale

The Problem

Traditional yurts struggle with ventilation-insulation tradeoff:

Single smoke hole design creates inadequate air circulation and significant heat loss
Cold climate performance - winters in Mongolia reach -40°F, demanding excellent insulation
Indoor air quality - limited air exchange can contribute to elevated indoor CO₂ concentrations and reduced ventilation effectiveness
Modification dilemma - most insulation improvements reduce airflow further
Cultural preservation - solutions must respect traditional circular architecture and portability

Project Meta

Status Research & Computational Concept Study Institution Oklahoma State University Year 2024-2025 Researcher MJ Nyamdavaa

Keywords

ANSYS Fluent CFD Analysis Biomimicry Passive Ventilation Systems Design Computational Analysis

Biomimetic Inspiration: The Human Lung

The human respiratory system uses a hierarchical branching network to distribute airflow across progressively smaller pathways. This project investigates how that branching logic can inform the organization of passive ventilation channels within a building envelope.

Key Biological Principles Applied:

Hierarchical branching - Airflow is distributed through progressively smaller ventilation pathways
Distributed airflow - Multiple branches provide alternative pathways for air movement throughout the enclosure
Passive operation - Thermal buoyancy and indoor-outdoor pressure differences provide the proposed driving forces for airflow
Adaptive geometry - Duct sizing varies to balance flow velocity and volume

Operational Principle: The system is designed to use indoor-outdoor temperature and pressure differences to promote airflow through the branching network while reducing reliance on a single large ventilation opening.

Proposed Design

System Architecture:

Candidate materials: Lightweight duct channels integrated with traditional felt and wool insulation
Duct network: Branching configuration inspired by bronchial tree structure
Thermal consideration: The design uses a reference insulation conductivity of approximately 0.04 W/m·K for evaluating heat-transfer behavior
Adjustable layers: Modular felt/wool system allows climate customization
Cultural integrity: Preserves traditional circular yurt form and conical roof geometry
No mechanical systems: Entirely passive operation—no electricity required

Research Methodology

CFD Modeling (ANSYS Fluent)

Compare traditional yurt airflow with biomimetic design through computational fluid dynamics analysis

Physical Prototype Testing

Build 1:10 scale model with 3D-printed channels and traditional felt insulation

Design Strategy Development

Translate findings into practical implementation guidelines for full-scale construction

Potential Contributions & Future Work

Technical Contributions:

Evaluate whether branching ventilation geometry can improve airflow distribution in traditionally insulated structures
Compare airflow and thermal behavior between conventional and biomimetic ventilation configurations
Establish a methodology for future prototype validation and design refinement

Broader Impact:

Cultural preservation: Enables continued use of traditional yurts with modern comfort standards
Transferability: The design approach may inform future research on passive ventilation in portable and lightweight structures
Climate resilience: Passive systems reduce energy dependence in extreme climates
Sustainable development: Demonstrates how traditional knowledge + biomimicry can address modern challenges

Learn More

Read the full research proposal for detailed methodology, technical specifications, and theoretical framework.

View Full Proposal → Download PDF →

References

[1] Hussein, E. A., & Abbood, O. A. (2024). Biomimicry as a sustainable solution in architecture. BIO Web of Conferences, 97, 00015.

[2] Kisilewicz, T., Kłos, J., & Sobczyk, J. (2021). Energy efficiency of yurts. Energies, 14(24), 8544.

[3] Badrou, A., Mariano, C. A., Ramirez, G. O., Shankel, M., Rebelo, N., & Eskandari, M. (2025). Towards constructing a generalized structural 3D breathing human lung model based on experimental volumes, pressures, and strains. PLoS Computational Biology, 21(1), e1012680.

[4] Silk Road Yurts. (2023). What is a yurt? Retrieved from https://silkroadyurts.com/what-is-yurt/

[5] Reid, M. (2020). Tracheobronchiole tree. Association of Medical Illustrators.

Biomimetic Yurt-Lung Ventilation System