A skywell, or "tian jing" in Chinese, dating back to the Ming dynasty, is a typical feature of a traditional home in southern and eastern China. It(design) to allow in light, improve ventilation (通风), and harvest rainwater. Less(expose) to the outdoor environment, a skywell is smaller and distinct from a northern courtyard.
Despite the fact a skywell's size and design vary from region to region, it is almost always rectangular (长方形) and located in the core of a house. It is either enclosed by rooms on four sides three sides plus a wall. When wind blows above a skywell house, it can enter the indoor space through the opening. Because outdoor air is often cooler, the incoming wind travels down the walls to the lower stories creates airflow by replacing(warm) indoor air, which rises and leaves through the opening.
Due to the (revive) of traditional Chinese architecture, skywell buildings have been making a comeback. Architects are now looking towards the (principle) behind skywells while designing new buildings (save) energy. One example is the National Heavy Vehicle Engineering Technology Research Center in the eastern Chinese city of Jinan. A giant skywell is in the middle of the 18-storey glass-walled tower block, (stretch) from the fifth to the top floor.
