As China’s first modern experimental base for rammed earth architecture, the cave dwellings at Lanzhou’s Baitashan feature design strategies recognized as exemplary for transforming traditional cave structures. After 40 years, adaptive optimization is required for significant diurnal temperature fluctuations in sunspaces and reduced ventilation efficiency due to maintenance limitations. Based on empirical data, thermal comfort modeling and resident interviews, performance across four dimensions such as daylighting, ventilation, structural safety and thermal environment was evaluated. Corresponding optimization strategies are proposed, including dynamically optimized daylight systems, low-maintenance anti-clogging ventilation retrofits, context-flexible structural upgrades and heritage-continuity protocols all extending the original design philosophy.