This paper investigates whether careful attention to architectural design and use of mechanical ventilation are sufficient to maintain thermal comfort in dwellings in Beijing , without the use of vapor-compression air-conditioning equipment. The study was motivated by a desire to define strategies that would reduce building operating costs, energy demands, potential environmental impacts associated with energy usage , and potential occupant dissatisfaction with air conditioning, due to reduced outdoor-air intake and large temperature changes associated with entering or leaving a building . Results show that drastically lowering solar gains and use of large, fan-driven , airflows at night are sufficient to reduce indoor peak temperatures to as low as 29℃, when the outdoor peak is 33℃. Further reductions to 26.5℃ if possible as internal gains are reduced to the limit of being completely eliminated.