passive design on commercial building towardssustainability in klang valley, malaysia

PASSIVE DESIGN ON COMMERCIAL BUILDING TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY

MUHAMAD SHAHRIL SYAFFIQ BIN RAHIM (2007106235)

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PASSIVE DESIGN ON COMMERCIAL BUILDING TOWARDS

SUSTAINABILITY IN KLANG VALLEY, MALAYSIA.

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

MUHAMAD SHAHRIL SYAFFIQ BIN RAHIM 2007106235

ARK 587 RESEARCH PAPER BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONS.)(ARCHITECTURE)

FACULTY OF ARCHITECTURE, PLANNING AND SURVEYING UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA, SHAH ALAM

MARCH – JULY 2012



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SUSTAINABILITY IN KLANG VALLEY, MALAYSIA.

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

MUHAMAD SHAHRIL SYAFFIQ BIN RAHIM 2007106235

ARK 587 RESEARCH PAPER BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONS.)(ARCHITECTURE)

FACULTY OF ARCHITECTURE, PLANNING AND SURVEYING UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA, SHAH ALAM

MARCH – JULY 2012



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SUSTAINABILITY, IN KLANG VALLEY, MALAYSIA.

This report has been submitted to the Department of Architecture, Faculty of

Architecture, Planning and Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, to fulfil the

requirement of JSB 467/ARK 587 RESEARCH PAPER course.

Prepared by:

Name : MUHAMD SHAHRIL SYAFFIQ BIN RAHIM

UiTM No. : 2007106235

Programme : BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ARCHITECTURE

Year/Semester : 2012/09

Session : SEPTEMBER 2011- JANUARY 2012

Faculty : Faculty of Architecture, Planning and Surveying

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DECLARATION

I hereby declare that this research paper and the research to which it refers are the

product of my own work and that any ideas or quotations from the work of other people,

published or otherwise are fully acknowledged in accordance with the standard

academic practices.

Name : MUHAMAD SHAHRIL SYAFFIQ BIN

RAHIM

UiTM No. : 2007106235

This research had been checked by:

Supervisor : Puan Nurulhusna Binti Qamaruz Zaman

Course Coordinator : Puan Mimi Zaleha

_____________________________ ____________

Signature of Supervisor Date:

_____________________________ ____________

Signature of Course Coordinator Date:



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TABLE OF CONTENT

Abstract........................................................................................................................... 3

Acknowledgement............................................................................................................4

List of Figures...................................................................................................................5

List of Tables....................................................................................................................5

Chapter 1: Introduction.....................................................................................................6

1.1 Statement of the problem...........................................................................................7

1.2 Purpose of the Study..................................................................................................8

1.3 Aim and Objective of Research..................................................................................9

Chapter 2: Literature Review..........................................................................................10

2.1 Sustainability Building Guide....................................................................................10

2.2 Passive Design Building Design Features................................................................15

2.3 Sustainable Commercial Buildings...........................................................................20

Chapter 3: Research Methodology.................................................................................26

3.1 Introduction...............................................................................................................26

3.2 Research Method.....................................................................................................26



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Chapter 4: Data Analysis and Findings..........................................................................30

4.1 Introduction...............................................................................................................30

4.2 Overview on Buildings Case Study...........................................................................30

4.3 Analysis on Location, Orientation and Layout..........................................................32

4.4 Analysis and Finding on Natural Ventilation.............................................................34

4.5 Analysis and Finding on Day Lighting (Natural Lighting)..........................................36

4.6 Conclusion................................................................................................................40

Chapter 5: Conclusion and Recommendation................................................................41

5.1 Introduction...............................................................................................................41

5.2 Conclusion................................................................................................................41

5.3 Recommendation......................................................................................................44

Bibliography....................................................................................................................45



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ABSTRACT

It is generally held view that, passive design is a key to sustainable building. Basically,

the adoption of environmental concern in commercial buildings in Malaysia less

common. Sustainability can be related to cost savings by incorporating green building

practices such as innovative passive architecture design that will enhance building

image and performance, as well as achieving occupant comfort. Thus, in order to

promote sustainable buildings, this study will discuss innovative building features and

explore basic principles, issues and design strategic option for passive design elements

and refers to prominent commercial buildings in Klang Valley, Malaysia in order to know

incorporated passive design and energy savings. A few local studies will be highlighted

to examine the present condition of environmental sustainability commercial buildings in

Klang Valley, Malaysia in the aspect of natural thermal conditions and substantiate the

possibility of energy reduction and passive building elements. In all, the data and

outcome of this study to document and develop practical passive design principle of

sustainable building design for commercial buildings in Malaysia in order to promote the

importance of passive design elements toward achieving sustainable buildings and

incorporated with cost saving operation.



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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

All praise to Allah S.W.T, at last I can finish up this research paper by the support of

everyone. Firstly, I would like to thank my supervisor Puan Nurulhusna Binti Qamaruz

Zaman for the vision to support my research paper topic ‘Passive Design On

Commercial Building Towards Sustainability in Klang Valley, Malaysia’ and also tutor

me thought the whole semester as it is a valuable lesson.. In addition, I also would like

to thank my friends from Department of Architecture to help me completed this

research.

A special thank goes to Puan Mimi Zaleha for her patience and support through the

whole semester. I also would like to thank my parents for their support during difficult

times and through financially. Last but not least, I would like to thank the countless

people who contributed to this research report with informal reviews, suggestions and

data collection. Thanks to all for the contribution and may God bless all of you.

Thank you.



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LIST OF FIGURES PAGE

Figure 2.1: Pusat Tenaga Malaysia,ZEO Bangi……………………………......................22

Figure 2.2: Interior of Pusat Tenaga Malaysia, Bangi……………………………………..23

Figure 2.3: Figure 2.3: Roof of Pusat Tenaga Malaysia, Bangi…………………………..23

Figure 2.4: Roof Interior of Pusat Tenaga Malaysia, Bangi ……………………………..24

Figure 2.5: Section of Pusat Tenaga Malaysia, Bangi…………………………………….25

Figure 4.1: Sunway Giza Shopping Arcade, Damansara (Case Study 1)…………….30.

Figure 4.2: Space U8, Shah Alam (Case Study 2)………………………………….........31

Figure 4.3: Location Plan and Site Plan Sunway Giza……………………………………32

Figure 4.4: Location Plan and Roof Plan of Space U8 …………………………………..33

Figure 4.5(a): Location Plan Sunway Giza…………………………………………………34

Figure 4.5(b): Building Entrance Sunway Giza………………………….…………………34

Figure 4.6: Interior of Space U8 …………………………………………………………..…35

Figure 4.7: Skylight, Louvers and Glazed Window at Sunway Giza……………………..36

Figure 4.8: Sub Basement Parking of Space U8 ………………………………………....37

Figure 4.9: Retail space ……………………………………………………………………..37

LIST OF TABLES

Table 4.1: Summary, Discussion and Analysis of

Passive Features Building Case Study…………………………………………………......38



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CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Passive design refers as designing the building and the space within it to benefit from

natural light, ventilation and even temperatures. It responds to site conditions and local

climate to maximize building user’s comfort and health enhance minimizing energy use.

Means that, it cans achieves this by using free, renewable sources of energy such as

sun and wind to provide household heating cooling, ventilation and lighting, thereby

removing the need for mechanical heating or cooling. Presently, `sustainability’ is a very

important and essential concept whenever people discussed on environmental issues.

The words ‘sustainability’ has been widely recognized since the World Commission on

Environment and Development presented ‘Our Common Future’ in 1987 under United

Nations (Brown, 2005).In my opinion; the adoption of environmental concern in

commercial buildings in Malaysia is less common. This proposal will explore basic

principles, issues and design strategic option for passive design elements and refers to

prominent example such as Space U8, Bukit Jelutong, which have adopted passive

design approach that relates to environmental concern. Using passive design can

reduce temperature, improve indoor air quality and make more enjoyable to live in. It

can also reduce energy use and environmental impacts such as greenhouse gas

emissions.

This research seek to determine the present latest technology and design tool that

applied on the highlighted local case study buildings and promotion of sustainable

buildings through the green building features.



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1.1 Statement of Problems

Today, in Malaysia there is increasing public awareness and interest in how buildings

affect the environment, public health and worker productivity. As a result, both the

public and private sector are beginning to demand buildings that optimize energy use

that enhance promote resource efficiency and improve indoor environmental quality.

Developers, owners, public at large are beginning to value the benefits of sustainable

building.

Early in the year 2006 there was an increase in the cost of electricity tariffs in

Malaysia of up to 12% (New Straits Times, 2006). For commercial activities, there were

desperate attempt for everyone in business to reduce their operating cost on energy

consumption. One example of this attempt is a general manager resorted to switching

off air conditioning for one hour at the administrative section of the hotel in order to save

energy. (Buttgen, 2007)

Based on the data above, my study will examine how building design features to

reduce building cost operation and drive for sustainable development.



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1.2 Purpose of Study

The purpose of the study are to study the issues and aspect of passive building design

concept towards sustainability context of commercial buildings in Malaysia, so as to

understand its characteristics, aspects on natural issues surrounding that drive to

achieve the operation cost saving building. A few local case study will be highlighted in

this paper such as Sunway Giza, Damansara. So, what are passive features

incorporated in Sunway Giza Building? Using Zero Energy Office (ZEO) and Low

Energy Office Building (LEO) as prominent example, the building design and energy

system at Leo Building were optimized using computerized design tools. The passive

sustainable features of ZEO building are the orientation, internal planning, building

material, roof insulation, glazing and natural ventilation. A saving of 50% was targeted

on the energy consumption for LEO compared to the performance of additional

commercial buildings in Malaysia. Consequently, observing and analyzing example of

case study to understand how innovative building features through passive design

building incorporated saving cost operation practically have done in Malaysia.



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1.3 Aim and Objectives of Research

The aim of study is to examine and explore the promotion of passive design

features through the development of commercial building in Malaysia incorporated with

lead to sustainability buildings. The literature on sustainable and innovative building

development within some example of commercial building in Klang Valley, Malaysia

shall be explored. In line with the aim, the objective of study is listed below:

(i) To conduct an exploratory study on selected commercial buildings in Klang

Valley, possibility of cost saving operation and passive design features elements.

(ii) To determine the present latest technology and design tool that applied on the

buildings



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CHAPTER 2: LITERITURE REVIEW

2.1 Sustainability Building Guide

2.1.1 Introduction

What is a sustainable building? Sustainability derived from word sustains which mean to

support, to keep alive and to keep going (Wikipedia). What is a sustainable building?

Sustainability derived from word sustains which mean to support, to keep alive and to

keep going (Wikipedia). "Sustainable means using methods, systems and materials that

won't deplete resources or harm natural cycles" (Rosenbaum, 1993). Sustainability

"identifies a concept and attitude in development that looks at a site's natural land,

water, and energy resources as integral aspects of the development" (Vieira,1993).

"Sustainability integrates natural systems with human patterns and celebrates

continuity, uniqueness and place making" (Early, 1993).



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It’s a concept that helps to maintain the environmental from damage and effect from a

building before construction until during the usage of the building. In order to achieve

sustainability, we need to balance the needs of human and protect capacity for future

development. Sustainability development can be described as the kind of development

that needs to pursue in order to achieve the state of sustainability. It is keep on going

process of maintaining a dynamic balance between the demands of people equity,

prosperity and quality of life, also considered ecologically possible. The environmental

aspects of sustainable development require a balance between protecting the physical

environment and its resources. Using these resources, we hope that will allow the earth

to continue acceptable quality of human life beings. Sustainability closely related to

achieve green building enhances incorporated passive design features. All of these

elements work together to achieve sustainable development enhance considered about

environmental concern.



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2.1.2 Green Building Features

There are few point that been stressed out by Poul Kristensen (IEN consultants) at the

FuturArc Forum 2008 that will make a building sustainable,

(i) Reduction in use of fossil fuels,

(ii) Water conservation and re-use,

(iii) Usage of sustainable material,

(iv) Waste minimization and avoidance,

(v) Indoor environment quality,

(vi) Build along the landscape.

Then its supported from Green Building Index which developed by the government to

enhance the green technology in Malaysia.



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2.1.3 Green Building Index

Green Building Index (GBI) is Malaysia’s green rating tool for buildings and towns,

created to promote sustainability in the built-environment and raise awareness of

environmental issues amongst Developers, Architects, Engineers, Planners, Designers,

Contractors as well as the Public, so that we can look forward to a brighter and greener

future for generations to come. The GBI rating tool provides an opportunity for

developers and building owners to design and construct green, sustainable buildings

that can provide energy savings, water savings, a healthier indoor environment,

better connectivity to public transport and the adoption of recycling and greenery for

their projects and reduce our impact on the environment.( Green Building Index Sdn.

Bhd). To expand the use of green technology, the government launched Green

Building Index (GBI) on 21 May 2009 GBI is a green rating index on environmentally

friendly buildings. Green buildings save utility cost and preserve the environment

quality. The purposes of having green building index are:

(i) Allows for easy public evaluation of what are true meaning of green buildings

(ii) Serves as key design principles for Architects and Engineer to design green

buildings.

(iii) Performances parameters are set for better total building performance

(iv) Due to the need to identify and to suit our local climate, cultures, building

code and practice.



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(v) Save energy and resources, recycle materials and minimize the emission of

toxic substances.

(vi) Harmonies with the local climate, traditions, culture and the surrounding

environment.

(vii) Able to sustain and improve the quality of human life and maintain the

cycle of ecosystem.

Challenges to the Green Building Index (GBI) are adoption of other green tools, capital

cost barrier, not in local building codes and lacks of professionals. Benefit of Green

Building Index (GBI) such as better use of building resources, significant operational

savings and increase workplace productivity. In my opinion Green Building Index

effectively promote green building design and at the same time guiding the path of the

designer on what is the do’s and the don’ts.

2.1.4 Conclusion

Sustainable building can be achieve with certain guide and requirements as there is

Green Building Index (GBI) programmed. This will helped the development of

commercial buildings in Malaysia much more sophisticated and effective as it can

improved the economy stability and also save the environment for the future generation.



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2.2 Passive Building Design Features

2.2.1 Introduction

Passive design is the main element to sustainable building that also reduce

energy efficiency using that lead to operational cost saving. Passive design basically

responds to local climate and site condition to allow total building user’s comfort and

maintain health. Using passive design can reduce heat temperature, improve indoor air

quality incorporated more enjoyable to live in. Thus, using passive design also can

reduce energy use and environmental impacts such as global warm and greenhouse

gas emission. Nowadays, practicality grown of using passive design bring towards

comfortable and resource-efficient buildings.



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2.2.1 Passive

Passive design refers as designing the building and the space within it to benefit

from natural light, ventilation and even temperatures. It responds to local climate and

site conditions to maximize building user’s comfort and health while minimizing energy

use. It achieves this by using free, renewable sources of energy such as sun and wind

to provide household heating, cooling, ventilation and lighting, thereby removing the

need for mechanical heating or cooling. Passive design features are elements that

attached to the building such as building location and orientation on the site, building

layout, window design, insulation, thermal mass, sun shading device, double skin

envelop and large overhang. Each element collaborate each other to achieve

comfortable temperatures and good indoor air quality. Design using passive design

features need to consider on to achieve right amount of solar access, insulation,

ventilation, building location and orientation.



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2.2.2 Key Features

Key features elements for passive design are building layout, building location and

orientation on the site, shading devices, building envelop, ventilation and insulation.

These elements are incentives for having a green building. Considering achieving right

amount of solar access so that to provide enough lighting in a building but prevent to

gain too much heat to maintain comfort temperature. This can be achieving by using

passive design through combination of location and orientation, room layout, window

and shading device. Insulation and thermal mass function as to help maintain even

temperatures, while ventilation provides passive cooling as well as improving indoor air

quality.

Consider for example, large windows that admit high levels of natural light might result

in too much heat gain, especially if it cast light on an area of thermal mass. Thus,

opening windows might also provide ventilation that let in noise. Considering all passive

design features, designer also should consider on views, local authority restriction and

building owner preferences.



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2.2.3 Overview Passive Features

a) Location, Orientation and Layout

The location automatically response due to have a good sustainable design. Its

response to the natural climate and topography condition on the site. Building

orientation affects heating energy requirements in distinct climatic factors. Solar

radiation and its heating effect on wall and the room which facing the sun directions.

Therefore, good ventilation enhance between the directions of prevailing winds and

orientation of building.

A good layout planning supposed to response the location of site and suitable building

orientation position to maximize respond to the natural climate.

b) Natural Ventilation

Natural ventilation basically is paving a way of reducing cooling load in building

where hot air load in the building were bring out with the air ventilation. Natural

ventilation caused by pressure difference inside and outside of a building envelops, as a

result of wind velocity and stack effects.



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c) Day Lighting

Day lighting also one of key element on passive design feature. It is very important

and reacts as main role for people inside building that effect psychologically and

physically. The natural light can be capitalized by the use of window, light shade and

others. Basically, what the interior need is ambient daylight without the radiant heat and

glare that called diffuse daylight. The design should avoid direct sunlight penetration

into the building instead avoid the longer facade in the direction of east to west.

Designers should try to create better uniformed daylight distribution into a space. When

daylight enters a room through the windows, the illumination near the window will be

high and it reduces quickly as it gets further into depth room. By having high level

windows or clerestory window, where the lower window is for vision and the higher level

window is purely daylight can improve the daylight penetration.

2.2.4 Conclusion

Passive design influence factors affecting energy use in buildings. It responds to

natural climatic condition. Sustainability can be related to cost savings by incorporate

innovative passive architecture that will enhance good sustainability design.



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2.3 Sustainable Commercial Buildings

2.3.1 Introduction

Definition of commercial building is a building with more than 50 percent of its floor

space used for commercial activities. Commercial buildings include, but are not limited

to, stores, offices, schools, churches, gymnasiums, libraries, museums, hospitals,

clinics, warehouses, and jails. Government buildings are included except for buildings

on military bases or reservations. Sustainability in commercial building sector is

important for some reason (Mark McCracken). Thus, it is important to determine

potential value for future business development and secondly, it impacts on material risk

and opportunities of the business. Both of these factors lead to decide better investment

decisions. Sustainable commercial buildings have been described to have the following

building features which are:

(i) Site condition that optimizes the building orientation,

(ii) natural lighting,

(iii) Shading and ventilation.

Thus, the building envelops and material should use low embodied energy materials, by

using high performance material and used of recycles materials. Therefore, the building

supposedly to have efficient operational and maintenance cost. Lastly, the use of

energy and water which could be operated and managed to generate it electricity for

example by the use rainwater tanks can be used to store and collect rainwater.

Financial benefits can be derived from sustainable commercial building which include

lower operating cost for energy water and waste, increase rental rate, higher tenant



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retention rates due to increase comfort and productivity, lower liability and risk leading

to lower insurances rate, marketing advantage, higher loan value and lower equity

requirements, higher building value upon sale and also overall greater return on

investment.

Cost for the development of sustainable building will be issue in Malaysia. Meanwhile,

office building developers are not too interested in sustainable building because of

higher cost for development. Sustainability can be related to cost saving enhance

through having passive design features on the building.

2.3.2 Overview Sustainable Commercial Building in Malaysia

Cost cutting in operational cost is crucial which leads the lesser usage of electrical

resources where the origin is using fossil fuel. In Malaysia, interest of sustainable of

commercial building become more popular after year 1992 when Ken Yeang completed

his design which is a sustainability commercial building, Mesiniaga Tower which a

impressive works. Mesiniaga was design to use less usage of energy by the usage of

passive structural devices instead of mechanical equipments which consume electrical

energy. After that year, other corporate building has started to imply sustainability

features in their commercial building.



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1) Pusat Tenaga Malaysia

Figure 2.1: Pusat Tenaga Malaysia,ZEO Bangi

(Source: http:// www.mbipv.net.my/)

One good example of sustainable commercial building in Malaysia is the Zero Energy

Office (ZEO) Building built by Malaysian Government and design by Professor Dato’

Ruslan Khalid. Fashioned after the Low Energy Office (LEO) building initiated by the

Ministry of Energy, Water and Communications (MEWC) in Putrajaya, the PTM’s ZEO

building has placed Malaysia on the regional map as the first completely self-sustainabl

building in Southeast Asia. Spread over a 5-acre site in Bandar Baru Bangi,

Selangor, the building, located 40 kilometres south of the city centre of Kuala

Lumpur, operates on the dynamics of both passive and active techniques and onsite

renewable energy generation, as exemplified in the solar BIPV system.

The building is seen as a feasible and timely solution to growing concerns

surrounding the pressing issues of global warming and energy security. Figures

point to the alarming reality that in developed nations, buildings tend to take up a

third of total energy consumption.

http://umsgreenpulse.wordpress.com/



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Figure 2.2: Interior of Pusat Tenaga Malaysia, Bangi


Figure 2.3: Roof of Pusat Tenaga Malaysia, Bangi

(Source: http://

www.mbipv.net.my/)

Figure 2.4: Roof Interior of Pusat Tenaga Malaysia, Bangi


Figure 2.5: Section of Pusat Tenaga Malaysia, Bangi









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2) Telekom Tower, Kuala Lumpur

Figure 2.5: Telekom Tower, Kuala Lumpur

(Source: http:// www.malaysian-explorer.com)

The building was 310 meter high, has 75 storey and was constructed in 1996 and

complete 1998.The tower has slabs at every 5 floors which accommodate gardens like

a mini park. Sky garden help to `green’ the tower instead provide natural shade on the

eastern and western facades and also serve a space for relaxation and informal

meeting. Offices are designed within a central core and make the best use of natural

lighting within paving out the heat. The narrow eastern and western facades minimize

solar penetration, reduce air conditioning loads while allowing high amount of indirect

lighting.

http://www.malaysian-explorer.com/



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2.3.3 Conclusion

Passive design features have been incorporated in a few buildings in Malaysia

which are LEO Building, Telekom Tower and Securities Commission Building. This

shown that nowadays Malaysia is move toward on sustainable commercial building

development. But, Malaysia still lacks of sustainable commercial buildings compare to

modern country especially in Asia such as Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia

and others. The government should labour more budgets in this sector mainly on

development sustainable commercial buildings in Malaysia.



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CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction

Qualitative research is a method of inquiry employed in much different academic

discipline, traditionally in the social sciences, but also in market research and further

contexts (Wikipedia). Quantitative research refers to the systematic empirical

investigation of social phenomena via statistical, mathematical or computitational

method (Wikipedia). In this chapter, the research methodology will be explained due to

the method selection that been used which are qualitative and quantitative method

approach based on data finding analysis relate that to the problems statement of

research paper. Therefore, to determine the advantages and disadvantages of each

method for each state of research paper application will be briefly reviewed.

3.2 Research Method

Multi-approach were used either qualitative or quantitative method, which consist

of data analysis, data collection, observation, plan analysis, interview, analysis of

journals, books and articles, case study and photographs as being more

comprehensive and reliable way. The methods chosen have to be considered even

when arguments exist on collecting of data. The methods were chosen to use are:



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3.2.1 Data analysis

Analysis of data is a process of inspecting, cleaning, transforming, and modeling

data with the goal of highlighting useful information, suggesting conclusion, and

supporting decision making (Wikipedia).Data can be of several types which are:

(i) Quantitative data is a number

(ii) Qualitative data is a pass/fail or the presence or lack of a characteristic.

3.2.2 Data collection

Data collection is a term used to describe a process of preparing and collecting

data, for example, as part of a process improvement or similar project (Wikipedia).The

aim of data collection basically is to obtain information to keep on record, to make

decision about important issues, to pass information on to the others. Therefore,

through the research finding, process is necessary as it ensures that data gathered are

both defined and accurate based on arguments embodied in the findings are valid.



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3.2.3 Observation

One of the effective ways through data collection is observation method.

Observation refer as a method of data where employs vision and record as its main way

in data collecting. In this study, observation was done through space and layout

planning, natural ventilation adopted, day lighting and also landscaping and garden. All

of these factors are the main idea of passive design features on the research finding.

3.2.4 Plan analysis

Plan analysis method was through by analyzed the building layout, space

planning and orientation to examine and evaluate as to extract advantages and

disadvantages. The research finding result will be used to evaluate for document and

propose practical checklist guide of sustainable building design for commercial buildings

in Malaysia in order to promote the importance of passive design elements toward

achieve sustainable buildings. Plan analysis should be the best method in architectural

and design research.

Every commercial building has its own approaches on passive design features.

Through the analysis, the study should determine if the building has a good layout

planning supposedly to response the location of site and suitable building orientation

position to maximize respond to the natural climate.



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3.3.5 Case study

A case study is an intensive analysis of an individual unit (e.g., a person, group,

or event) stressing developmental factors in relation to context (Wikipedia).Towards

decision about case selection and the subject and object of the study, decisions need to

be made about purpose, approach and process in case study. Three types of cases

may thus be distinguished which are:

i) Key cases

ii) Outlier cases

iii) Local knowledge cases

In this paper, case study selection refers to prominent example such as Space

U8, Bukit Jelutong. The study should able determine passive design building strategies

that adopted in these buildings.

3.3.6 Conclusion

This research methodology described in this chapter can be describe as the

outcome result research finding based from interview, observation, data collection, data

analysis, case study and photograph definitely give a basic idea in getting information

regarding to purpose of research finding. It is important to understand and analyze the

result to achieve the research target.



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CHAPTER 4: DATA ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS

4.1 Introduction of the building

Through this chapter, the data achieve from data collection, data analysis, plan

analysis, interview, observation and case study will be summarize incorporate with

passive design features. Therefore, the explanation supposedly to get reliable

understanding toward research finding topic regarding to the buildings case study

selected which are Sunway Giza Shopping Arcade, Damansara and Guthrie Pavilion,

Shah Alam.

4.2 Overview on Buildings Case Study

4.2.1 Sunway Giza Shopping Arcade

Figure 4.1: Sunway Giza Shopping Arcade, Damansara

(Case Study 1)



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4.2.2 Space U8, Bukit Jelutong.

The project name of this building is Sunway Giza Shopping Arcade located at the

Dataran Sunway, Kota Damansara. This building completion is around November 2009.

The site area is 6.17 acres, gross area around 451 110 square feet and 16.9 metre of

building height. The owner of this building is Sunway Damansara Sdn. Bhd. and

designed by SA Architects Sdn. Bhd.

Figure 4.2: Space U8, Shah Alam

(Case Study 2)

The project name of this building is Space U8 located at 6, Persiaran Pasak

Bumi, Taman Bukit Jelutong, Seksyen u8, 40150 Shah Alam, Selangor. This building

completion is around October 2011. The owner of this building is Mainstay Holding’s

Sdn. Bhd.



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4.3 Analysis on Location, Orientation and Layout

Figure 4.3: Location Plan and Site Plan Sunway Giza

(Source: http://www.sunwaygizamall.com)

Sunway Giza Mall was conceptualized with the aim to further enhance the popularity of

alfresco dining in Malaysia. As a pedestrian-friendly feature, “Pedestrian Boulevards

“are integrated into the layout, creating a strong pedestrian through fare that connects

the entire development. The layout shape of this building is rectangle and used a

clustered organization. The orientation of building like compass orientation where the

four blocks of the building it has direction to north, east, south and west. The longer

facade along south direction where it exposed sunlight in the morning. The west and

east side facade of the building have less opening windows therefore reduced the heat

gain into the building .In afternoon, the eastern facade frontage just adapt minimize

solar penetration but then allowing high amount of indirect lighting into the building.

Sunway Giza Mall is located near Persiaran Surian Road. It is centre zone with site

context surrounding area such as Selangor Golf Club, Palm Spring Damansara, Giant

Kota Damansara and lot of residential.

Entrance of the building



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Figure 4.4: Location Plan of Space U8

(Source: http://www.mapsgoogle.com)

Space u8 is a commercial development nestled within Bukit Jelutong, built on a hybrid

concept of dual frontage, featuring shop offices on the outer frontage with an inner

façade of a retail outlet. The mall is combining simple elegance and creative

architecture to establish space efficiency. The entrance located facing west as it

suitable with sun orientation and also received much more light than heat.

The inner frontage of all units is connected with spacious common corridors, vertically

linked by glass lifts as well as open stairways and overlooks the central courtyard. Each

shop enjoys greater visibility from the courtyard providing maximum exposure to

shoppers, ensuring premium value for each unit.

Creative use of glass and earth tones combined with natural lighting and striking

landscaping create a spacious, airy atmosphere. The layout is disabled friendly.



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4.4 Analysis and Finding on Natural Ventilation

Figure 4.5 (a): Location Plan

(Source: http://www.google.com)

This building has very unique approaches on natural ventilation system. The passive

ventilation mechanism consist of natural ventilation system strategies where passive

methods of cross ventilation which by a simple opening or enhanced by the stack effect

from smaller ingress - larger egress windows used to maintain the thermal comfort

inside building. The building consists of four entrances which creates an unobstructed

air movement route for air to flow constantly. The air flow from any direction directly

entered into the building by four entrances provided. The entrances were design as a

large opening which capture the moving outdoor air and direct it through the spaces

within the building compound. The entrances high characteristic allows a larger volume

of air to be capture and improving the efficiency of natural ventilation.

Entrance of the building

Figure 4.5 (b):

Building Entrance Sunway Giza



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Figure 4.6: Interior of Space U8

Space U8 use natural ventilation for the main hall and corridors. Cross ventilation and

also the air was cooled by the water fountain. They fully utilized natural ventilation to

cool down the heat in the mall. As people can experienced the wind blow in the middle

of water fountain as the effect of air hole under the roof. The corridor also ventilated with

outside air as it has opening at every end of the mall corridors.

Natural

lighting

Natural

lighting

Natural

lighting

Natural

lighting Louvers



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4.5 Analysis and Finding on Day Lighting (Natural Lighting)

Figure 4.7: Skylight, Louvers and Glazed Window at Sunway Giza

For the day lighting mechanism, Sunway Giza has a high well insulated roof canopy

protects boulevards locate in middle area, with open sides and ends to facilitate

ventilation. The roof is also punctuated with skylights, designed to bring in the required

amount of daylight to create the right ambience. Windows are generally tinted and

incorporated with sun shading panels to reduce heat gain. Day lighting is used

extensively to cut back the usage of artificial lighting by employing large ‘pictured

frames’ windows to maximize views as well. A large sun shading panel had been

installed at two main entrances, which are at front side and backside of the building.

The louvers protected also function as to hide the compressor.

Glazed

window

Skylight

Natural

lighting



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Figure 4.8: Sub Basement Parking of Space U8

Figure 4.9: Retail space

As we reffering to Figure 4.6, the images shows how Space U8 was design to use natural

lighting to enlighten this mall without the aid of artificial lighting. The mall roof has glazed glass

supported by space framed structure. This instalation of ropf has been claim as the longest

span of its king n Malaysia which can povided natural linghting into this mall.

Futhermore the excitement of this building conyinued to the basement level which contain a

habitabal sub basement as it an provided up tp 1000 psrking for its visitor. The car park have

natural lighthig coming on every way of the mall side and it also allow air to go through into the

basement without any mechanical support. The layout shape of this building is rectangular

in shape where the building are totally exposed to sun ray during evening. Thus the

building use the exterior wall as light source for the retail space as the space is divided into

retail space. In the relation to that is the retail space will have enough natural lighting for their

usage in the day and lesser the heat catchment from the sun.

Opening

in sub

basement

. Large

window

for retail

space.



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Table 4.1: Summary, Discussion and Analysis of Passive Features Building Case Study

Comparison of the Two Commercial Buildings

Discussion and Analysis

Sunway Giza Arcade Shopping

Space U8

Site Locations The site context surrounded on each building is different. Space U8 site location more greenery rather than Sunway Giza that less of green area. Shading by trees and vegetation is a very effective method of cooling the ambient hot air and protecting the building from solar radiation beside achieve thermal comfort.

Sunway Giza is located near Persiaran Surian Road. It is centre zone with site context surrounding area such as Selangor Golf Club, Palm Spring Damansara, Giant Kota Damansara and lot of residential.

Space U8 located at 6, Persiaran Pasak Bumi, Taman Bukit Jelutong, Seksyen u8, 40150 Shah Alam, Selangor. The site context have main access at the west and accessible from every point. Near to industrial area. Provide a very private area.

Layout and Orientation

Both buildings oriented along south and north direction and have longer facade on that direction. The good design should avoid direct sunlight penetration into the building instead avoid the longer facade in the direction of east to west. Usually east and west oriented windows and walls receive about 50% more sunshine than the north and south oriented window/walls.

The layout shape of this building is rectangle and used a clustered organization. The orientation of building like compass orientation where the four blocks of the building it has direction to north, east, south and west.

Space U8 also use rectangular design shape and centralized design. The building have central courtyard that bring the difference for the other building which it has indoor fountain.

Natural Ventilation

Both buildings seem to apply the same method of passive features which are cross ventilation. Natural ventilation caused by pressure difference inside and outside of a building envelops, as a result of wind velocity and stack effects.

Passive methods of cross ventilation which by a simple opening or enhanced by the stack effect from smaller ingress- larger egress windows used to maintain thermal comfort inside building.

Space U8 use natural ventilation for the main hall and corridors. Cross ventilation and also the air was cooled by the water fountain. They fully utilized natural ventilation to cool down the heat in the mall. As people



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can experienced the wind blow in the middle of water fountain as the effect of air hole under the roof. The corridor also ventilated with outside air as it has opening at every end of the mall corridors.

Day Lighting(Natural Lighting)

Both building have their own approaches on to control the sun penetration by having glazed window as an example. The natural light can be capitalized by the use of window, light shade and others. Basically, what the interior need is ambient daylight without the radiant heat and glare that called diffuse daylight. The design should avoid direct sunlight penetration into the building instead avoid the longer facade in the direction of east to west.

The roof is also punctuated with skylights, designed to bring in the required amount of daylight to create the right ambience. Windows are generally tinted and incorporated with sun shading panels to reduce heat gain.

The roof have a tempered glass which allow natural lighting to penetrate and also the ventilation holes allow light to penetrate into o building. the retail space also have large glass windows that allow natural lighting.

Landscape and Garden Shading by trees and vegetation is a very effective method of cooling the ambient hot air and protecting the building from solar radiation.

Less green area but it has provide a courtyard in middle of boulevard where have landscape in that area

.have a green area in the middle of the courtyard and surrounded by landscape trees on the outside.



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4.6 Conclusion

From my observations, Space U8 for the overall building system is successfully

achieved their design strategy with the aim of enhancing a natural ventilated shopping

mall with the central courtyard with water fountain thoroughfare that connects the entire

development. The courtyard also is the bloodlines of the development, linking

everything together. Shops fronting this courtyard are designed to have their own

character that will affect the visitors, creating an active frontage that engages passers-

by. A high well insulated roof design protects the whole building as it can provided light

and also air, with air holes under the roof to facilitate ventilation. The roof is also

punctuated with skylights, designed to bring in the required amount of daylight to create

the right ambience. This building likely more approach on natural ventilation strategies.

Sunway Giza also highlighted on their natural ventilated passive features where it use

concept of cross ventilation on design strategy. Furthermore, from my observations, this

building is successfully achieved design strategy for passive design features which are

day lighting. The building are Passive methods of cross ventilation which by a simple

opening or enhanced by the stack effect from smaller ingress- larger egress windows

used to maintain thermal comfort inside building.



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CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 Introduction

In this final chapter, conclusion and recommendation should able finalize due to the

research finding and data collection. Critical recommendation from data analyzing and

observation should presented.

5.2 Conclusion

Basically, the development of sustainable commercial building in Malaysia is less

common where the use of passive design building intends to promote the sustainable

development towards reducing cost operation. The fast growing development may

sometimes makes developer forgot the importance of passive design features that

enhance sustainability building besides just aiming for the value profit. In other word,

they don’t realize where benefits that can be derive from sustainable building which

include low cost operation, water and waste, marketing advantage, increase rental rate,

higher building value upon sale and greater overall return on investment.

After analysis done, it agreed that the case study buildings are still lacking on passive

design building even both of the projects has their own approaches on passive features

element. The development of this case study for passive design building strategies can

be classified as standardize compare to some example sustainable commercial building

in the literature review. The climate condition in Malaysia began as major factor

influence in challenge of designing sustainability commercial building.



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Both orientation of the building are similarly exposed to sun ray directly where it is not

well planned for passive design strategies. Passive design strategies are permanently

attached to or part of building design such as sun shading devices, large overhang and

building orientation as an example. Despite of that, these projects well-planned on

natural ventilation mechanism where it use concept of cross ventilation. Based on my

opinion, lack of awareness on advantages of sustainability building becomes the major

factor on where less promotion development of sustainable commercial building in

Malaysia. The use of passive design building intends to promote sustainable

development towards the move to reduce cost mainly energy cost.ZEO Building and

Menara Telekom were example building that incorporated with passive features in

Malaysia. Based on the case studies carried out in these two areas, the following

aspects are acknowledged:

(i) Location, orientation and layout- The location automatically response due to have

a good sustainable design. It’s response to the natural climate and topography

condition on the site.

(ii) Natural Ventilation- Effective ventilation is necessary for temperature control and

air quality.

(iii) Day Lighting- Daylight should be used maximize as possible to light a building,

both for energy efficiency and for the health and comfort of occupants.



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5.3 Recommendation

The implementation development of sustainable building in Malaysia need encourage

awareness from government and developer sector inspire to achieve green building

mission. Besides that, education and training should incorporate concept of sustainable

development and made it well known and accepted by public. A way in education

learning seen as important tool in promoting to increase the level of awareness among

public about the importance of sustainable development.

In order for development commercial building in Malaysia towards sustainability, the

following develop practical passive design principle as guide for future development of

sustainability commercial buildings. It is based on theoretical and data analyses from

the research finding have been proposed:

(i) Location, layout and orientation must be considered from the beginning of the

design process despite consideration include access to view, cooling breezes,

and understanding on sun paths.

(ii) Ideal site – Be able to accommodate building with a relative large north-facing

wall for maximum solar gain. A site with north-south alignment is likely to receive

midday sun and with minimal overshadowing, but may have limited morning or

evening sun. A site with east-west alignment is more likely to be overshadowed

to the north.

(iii) Day lighting - Avoids direct sunlight, use diffused light which requires careful

placement and sizing of windows. The higher the window head, the deeper the

daylight will penetrate into the interior.



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(iv) Day Lighting - Designing so all spaces requiring day lighting which have access

to an external wall and arranging spaces so that natural lighting comes from two

or more directions.

(v) Natural Ventilation - When designing this system, longer façade of the building

should be facing the prevailing wind direction, with doors and opening windows

providing the ventilation openings.

(vi) Natural Ventilation - Maximizing air flow by designing open plan spaces and

using architectural and landscape features to direct and control air flow.

(vii) Natural Ventilation - Maintaining vertical distance between two openings to

create a stack effect and having opening at different level.



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