'AIRHOUSE': A New Natural Ventilation Concept in the Tropics

Traditional Values and Their Adaptation in

Social Housing Design –

Towards A New Typology and Establishment of ‘Airhouse’ Standard

in Malaysia

Mohd Firrdhaus Mohd Sahabuddin, Cristina Gonzalez-Longo

Sharing Knowledge Session – 10 September 2015

Cawangan Arkitek, IP JKR Malaysia

©Jabatan Kerja Raya Malaysia, The University Of Edinburgh, University of Strathclyde and Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

17th International Conference on Sustainable Architecture and Urban Design

(ICSAUD 2015)

13 – 14 April 2015, NH Laguna Palace, Venice, Italy

WORLD ACADEMY OF SCIENCE, ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (WASET)

VENICE, ITALY

BOLOGNA, ITALY

VENICE, ITALY

Cristina Gonzalez-Longo

Cristina Gonzalez-Longo RIBA SCA RIAS AHEA is a Chartered Architect, in UK and Spain, and RIBA

Specialist Conservation Architect. Her career is balanced between practice, research and education. She

has wide experience in the design, management and procurement of architectural projects (both new build

and conservation) and she has been member of design review groups and policy advisory bodies in

England and Scotland.

Cristina spent three years in Rome with a scholarship to study architectural conservation and started her

career when she won a competition to conserve the 12th century church of San Esteban de Sograndio

(COOA Architecture Award 1999 finalist) in Spain. After moving to the UK, she has been project and

resident architect in high profile and award-winning new design and conservation projects, like

Queensberry House, a Grade A Listed Building, part of the new Scottish Parliament building (RIBA Stirling

Prize 2005) and Bowbridge Primary School in Newark (RICS Sustainability Award 2009). The building

has an innovative lamella glulam structure and is an exemplary case study in the Building Schools for the

Future and NCSL programme ‘Leading sustainable schools’.

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

• Primary Level

• SK Hj. Hassan, Kg. Changkat Petai, Tapah Road, Perak (1987 – 1992)

• Secondary Level

• SMK Dato’ Sagor, Langkap, Perak (Januari 1993 - Ogos 1993)

• SMKA Slim River, Perak (September 1993 – 1995)

• SMK Sultan Abdullah, Chenderong Balai, Perak (1996 – 1997)

• Tertiary Level

• Diploma in Architecture, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (1998 – 2001)

• Bachelor of Architecture, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (2001 – 2004)

• MSc. Advanced Sustainable Design, The University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom (2011 – 2012)

CONTRIBUTION TO JOURNALS

• 2015 - International Journal of Architectural Research (IJAR), Vol. 9, No 2.

• 2014 - World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology (WASET), International Science Index, Architectural

and Environmental Engineering, 1(4), 226.

• 2013 - Public Works Department of Malaysia Journal, Vol. 1.

Mohd Firrdhaus Mohd Sahabuddin

Traditional Values and Their Adaptation in

Social Housing Design –

Towards A New Typology and Establishment of ‘Airhouse’

Standard in Malaysia

MOTIVATING FACTORS

MOTIVATING FACTORS

• Born in 1931 (84 Years Old)

• Lineages Javanese

• Lives in Kg. Changkat Petai, Tapah

Road, Perak

• A former Special Constable (SC)

• Now a full time farmer

• Education: Japanese School

Why he is so special?

MOTIVATING FACTORS

MOTIVATING FACTORS

Charles Rennie Mackintosh?

MOTIVATING FACTORS

MOTIVATING FACTORS

The first Rainwater Harvesting System in Malaysia?

MOTIVATING FACTORS

MOTIVATING FACTORS

+ +

=

+

POM!

MALAYSIAN VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE & ITS

RELATIONSHIP TO CLIMATE

KAMPONG ENVIRONMENT

-Unplanned

-Scattered

-Dwellings are made from local materials

-Located at hilltops, valleys, riverbanks,

lowlands & coastal areas

-Different types of

socio-economic

activities

-Each kampong is headed by a headman -Self maintained

THE USES & PRIVACY LEVEL OF SPACES IN TMH

Spaces & Privacy

Level

Activities

Serambi / Anjung

(Public)

Main entrance, relaxing, child

monitoring, greet & treat area

for non-family guests

Rumah Ibu

(Private & Semi

Private)

Meeting, reading, reciting,

sleeping (at night)

Selang / Pelantar

(Semi Private)

Female entrance, chitchatting

Dapur

(Private)

Cooking, dining, washing

Kolong

(Public)

Storing, working, reoairing,

drying clothes The Front-to-back Arrangement Of Andak Endah House

TRADITIONAL MALAY HOUSE SPACE CHARACTER

Spaces that are normally associated with TMH

TMH CASE STUDIES

House of Datuk Tan Mas Mohar (1850)

- Basic Form

House of Andak Endah (1920)

- Expanded Form

Source: The Center of Built Environment in the Malay World (KALAM), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

PROPORTIONATE RULES OF TMH FORMS

ADAPTING TO THE CLIMATE

• Malaysia’s Climate:

a. Uniform Temperature (Min. 22.0˚C, Max. 34.0˚C)

b. High Humidity (70% to 90%)

c. Copious Rainfall (100mm to 300mm per month)

• Problems Arising:

a. Hot during the day -

more than 28.0˚C

b. High indoor humidity -

more than 80%

c. Heat and splashing rain

entering the room

through openings during heavy rain

Average Monthly Temperature and Rainfall for

Malaysia from 1990-2009 (CRU, University of East Anglia, 2012)

TRADITIONAL SUSTAINABLE APPROACHES

How A Traditional Malay House

Adapts To The Climate:

Components Functions

Raised floor

Catch winds of higher

velocity

Timber gap floor

Bring the air to the inner

space

Openings on wall

Promote cross

ventilation

Double slope roof

Allow hot air to rise and

exit

Large overhang Reduce glare and

traces of rainwater

Low thermal mass

materials

Not retain heat and

release heat readily

Traditional Malay House Components & Functions

The External Environment of the Malay House (Yuan, 1987).

COMPONENTS IN TMH : RAISED FLOOR

The Height Difference of Stilts Between Northern and Southern Region Area

Climatic Design of Malay House (Yuan, 1987)

COMPONENTS IN TMH : WALLS & OPENINGS

Ventilation Openings on the Roof of Traditional Malay House (KALAM, 1986)

COMPONENTS IN TMH : DOUBLE SLOPE ROOF

Climatic Design of Traditional Malay House (Yuan, 1987)

COMPONENTS IN TMH : OVERALL

URBANIZATION AND ITS ISSUES IN MALAYSIA

• Malaysia is experiencing a rapid urban growth

• Reaching up to 78% urban population in 2020

• The increment is higher than Asia overall

• The rapid urban development is due to

large migration from rural to urban areas

• In 2011, the urban population is 13.7 millions

compared to only 8.9 millions in 1991

• ISSUE 1: Massive social housing development

in urban areas

• ISSUE 2: The Indoor Environmental Quality

(IEQ) of the houses is very low

Proportion Urban by Region and Major Area (United

Nations, 2012)

Proportion Urban and Rural in Malaysia (United

Nations, 2012)

THE HISTORY OF SOCIAL HOUSING IN

KUALA LUMPUR

Time Period Numbers of Household Sources

Post Independence

(1957 – 1969)

2,000 units (1957 - 1960)

40,000 units (1960 - 1969)

-McGee & McTaggart (1967)

-Johnstone (1984)

Second Stage

(1969 – 1975)

28,000 units (1972 alone) -Johnstone (1984)

Third Stage

(1975 – 2010)

In 1982, a policy was made that private

developers had to build at least 30% of social

houses in housing development projects

-UNDP Malaysia (2005)

Existing Stock of Social Housing Units in Malaysia and Kuala Lumpur, 2010 (NAPIC, 2011)

THERMAL COMFORT CONDITIONS IN MALAYSIA

Thermal Comfort Studies On Malaysia (Extracted from Abdul Hussain Al-Obaidi & Woods, 2006 and Hassan

& Ramli, 2010)

THERMAL COMFORT CONDITIONS IN MALAYSIA

Comparison of Comfort Level Between A Malay House in Penang and Tropical Region Recommendation

(Extracted from Hassan & Ramli, 2010)

TYPICAL DESIGN OF PEOPLE’S HOUSING PROJECT

(PHP) SCHEMES

PHP Unit Layout Plan, 2000 (Goh & Ahmad, 2011)

ARCHITECTURAL ISSUES

Actual Kitchen Space and Improper Use of Yard Space (Goh & Ahmad, 2011)


Unorganized Metal Grilles Extension at Yard

Space (Goh & Ahmad, 2011)


Windows and Corridor as Drying Area (Goh & Ahmad, 2011)


Common Corridors as Cloths Drying and Storage Space (Goh & Ahmad, 2011)

CASE STUDIES ANALYSIS

VS

Traditional Malay House (TMH)

Case Study 1:

House of Andak Endah (1920)

Case Study 2:

House of Datuk Baginda Tan

Mas Mohar (1850)

People’s Housing Project (PHP)

Case Study 3:

People’s Housing Project - PHP

(2000) 1st Floor

Case Study 4:

People’s Housing Project - PHP

(2000) 10th Floor

Example of Traditional Malay House Example of Social Housing Scheme

COMPARISON OF OPENING AREA

20.3%

(Opening Area for Rumah Ibu)

16.7% (Opening Area for Rumah Ibu)

9.8 % (Opening Area for Living/Dining)

Tan Mas Mohar House

Andak Endah House People’s Housing Project

SIMULATION IN ENVIRONMENTAL SOFTWARE (IES)

Simulation Design Settings

Location Database : Kuala Lumpur / Subang

Coordinate : 3°12’ North, 101°55’ East

Sea Level : 8 metres

Ventilation Mode : Fully Naturally Ventilated

Orientation : East – West

Opening Angle : 90°

Time Opening : 08:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

External Environment : No Obstacles

Study Variables : Air Temperature, Relative Humidity & Air Movement

Limitations : Material for ‘attap’ roofing and bamboo thatched wall are not available in IES

25.2 25.2

26.9 26.9

23.3 22.9

24.4 24.3

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

Mas Mohar Andak Endah PHP 1st Floor PHP 10th Floor

Mean

Min

Linear (Mean)

RESULTS OF AIR TEMPERATURE FOR RUMAH IBU /

LIVING AREA

80 80.3

74.4 74.9

59.5 56.3

53.9 53.4

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90


Mean

Min

Linear (Min)

RESULTS OF RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR RUMAH IBU /

LIVING AREA

RESULTS OF AIR FLOW IN FOR RUMAH IBU &

LIVING AREA

0.39

1.5

0.02 0.2

3.3

7.9

0.03 0.34

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9


Mean

Max

Linear (Max)

Air Flow In (m/s) External Ventilation of

Case Studies

RESULTS OF AIR FLOW OUT FOR RUMAH IBU &

LIVING HALL

0.11

0.41

0.13 0.14

0.96

2.3

0.32 0.41

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5


Mean

Max

Linear (Max)

Air Flow Out (m/s) Internal Ventilation of

Case Studies

THE AIR FLOW IN & OUT FOR TAN MAS MOHAR HOUSE

THE AIR FLOW IN & OUT FOR ANDAK ENDAH HOUSE

THE AIR FLOW IN & OUT FOR PHP 2000

Comparison of Carbon Emission and Energy Consumption for PHP 2000

67% Reduced

66% Reduced

• The air temperatures and relative humidity in TMH and PHP 2000 show no

significant difference. A change from 25 to 75% of relative humidity is predicted

to move the temperature by only 10C (Fisk, 1981).

• The crucial finding is the amount of air movement which show a very

significant difference between TMH and PHP 2000. Air movement is very

important to encourage heat loss through evaporation process.

• In conclusion, Traditional Malay House that has high air ventilation movement

in and out is a better shelter to provide comfort to human body compared to

PHP 2000.

SUMMARIES AND KEY POINTS

TOWARDS A NEW TYPOLOGY OF SOCIAL

HOUSING DESIGN

THEORETICAL MODEL (TM)

• Uses TMH Spatial

Concept: Front-To Back

(Serambi – Rumah Ibu –

Selang – Dapur –

Pelantar)

• Consists Rumah Ibu that

has a few rooms (can be

added and removed as

needed)

• Implements 3 levels of

TMH window concept:

(High Louvres – Windows

– Low Louvres)

PHP 2000

Living Area:

10.0%

Kitchen:

26.3%

TM

Living Area:

24.0%

Kitchen:

49.0%

ARCHITECTURAL IMPROVEMENTS


• Has a complicated wall arrangement

that reduces cross ventilation

throughout the house unit.

• Depth is too deep: Less ventilation &

daylighting

• Provides small windows at body level

only and no overhang / shading

device

PHP 2000

• Has a very straight forward wall

arrangement that promotes cross

ventilation.

• Narrow depth that enhances

ventilation and daylighting

• Uses TMH windows concept at full

height and large overhang

Theoretical Model (TM)


High Privacy Level Low Privacy Level


1 Bedded Unit 2 Bedded Unit

3 Bedded Unit

SIMULATION IN ENVIRONMENTAL SOFTWARE (IES)

Simulation Design Settings

Location Database : Kuala Lumpur / Subang

Coordinate : 3°12’ North, 101°55’ East

Sea Level : 8 metres

Ventilation Mode : Fully Naturally Ventilated

Orientation : East – West

Opening Angle : 90°

Time Opening : 08:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

External Environment : No Obstacles

Study Variables : Air Temperature, Relative Humidity & Air Movement

26.9 26.9 26.9 26.9

24.4 24.3 24.4 24.3

29.2 29.6

32.9 33.2

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

TM 1st Floor TM 10th Floor PHP 1st Floor PHP 10th Floor

Mean

Min

Max

Linear (Min)

Linear (Max)

RESULTS OF AIR TEMPERATURE FOR LIVING AREA

77.2 78.1 74.4 74.9

41.6 42.1

53.9 53.4

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90


Mean

Min

Linear (Min)

RESULTS OF RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR LIVING AREA

RESULTS OF AIR FLOW IN FOR LIVING AREA

0.35 0.54

0.02 0.2

3.14

5.3

0.03 0.34

0

1

2

3

4

5

6


Mean

Max

Linear (Max)


Case Studies

RESULTS OF AIR FLOW OUT FOR LIVING AREA

0.15 0.2

0.13 0.14

0.75

1.3

0.32

0.41

0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1

1.2

1.4


Mean

Max

Linear (Max)


Case Studies

AIR MOVEMENT FOR THEORETICAL MODEL

Kitchen (PHP 2000)

Max Air Flow In

0.19 – 0.34 m/s

Kitchen (TM)

Max Air Flow In

3.1 – 5.3 m/s

Living (PHP 2000)

Max Air Flow Out

0.32 – 0.41 m/s

Living (TM)

Max Air Flow Out

0.75 – 1.3 m/s

26.9 26.9 25.2 25.2 24.4 24.3

23.3 22.9

29.2 29.6 29.9 30.6

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

TM 1st Floor TM 10th Floor Mas Mohar Andak Endah

Mean

Min

Max

Linear (Min)

Linear (Max)

RESULTS OF AIR TEMPERATURE FOR RUMAH IBU &

LIVING AREA

77.2 78.1 80 80.3

41.6 42.1

59.5 56.3

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90


Mean

Min

Linear (Min)

RESULTS OF RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR RUMAH IBU &

LIVING AREA

RESULTS OF AIR FLOW IN FOR RUMAH IBU &

LIVING AREA

0.35 0.54 0.39

1.5

3.14

5.3

3.3

7.9

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9


Mean

Max

Linear (Max)


Case Studies

RESULTS OF AIR FLOW OUT FOR LIVING AREA

0.15 0.2 0.11

0.41

0.75

1.3

0.96

2.3

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5


Mean

Max

Linear (Max)


Case Studies

SUMMARIES AND KEY POINTS

• The mean air temperature in Malay houses and TM ranges from 25.20C to

27.20C.

• The minimum relative humidity in Malay houses and TM ranges from 40%

to 60%.

• The mean internal ventilation in TMH and TM cases ranges from 0.15 to

0.4 m/s and external ventilation ranges from 0.30 to 1.45 m/s.

• In conclusion, the results show that TM has an equivalent performance

with TMH.

57% Reduced

24% Reduced

Comparison of Carbon Emission and Energy Consumption for PHP 2000 and

Theoretical Model

THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ‘AIRHOUSE’ STANDARD

IN MALAYSIA

Recommended Air Temperature 250C – 270C

Recommended Design Relative Humidity 40% - 60%

Recommended Air Movement 0.30 m/s – 1.50 m/s

Recommended Room’s Height Not less than 3.5 meters

Recommended Area of Ventilation Openings 15 – 50% of floor / room area

Proportion of Plan Layout

(Parallel Wall : Perpendicular Wall)

1.5x : 1.0x

Recommended Overhang Width 600 – 1000cm

Recommended Materials Lightweight and Low Thermal Mass

Proportion of Opening Components (Bottom Louvres :

Windows : Top Louvres : High Louvres)

2x : 2x : 1x : 1x

'AirHouse' Design Conditions for Naturally Ventilated Building

THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ‘AIRHOUSE’ STANDARD

IN MALAYSIA

‘Air House’ Design Parameters Diagram

CONCLUSIONS

Elements Traditional Malay House

(TMH)

People’s Housing Project

(PHP 2000)

Theoretical Model (TM)

Materials Lightweight / Low Thermal

Mass

High Thermal Mass Lightweight / Low Thermal

Mass

Spatial Layout Traditional ‘Front-to-Back’ Mixed-up layout Traditional ‘Front-to-Back’

Wind Velocity On stilts, capture winds No gaps between units Open space at ground and

gaps between units

Cross Ventilation Open plan Open plan

Ventilation at Full Body

Level

Yes No (upper body only) Yes

Ventilation at Roof Space Ventilated (double roof) Insulated (hot air traps

inside the roof space)

Ventilated (high louvres)

Orientation Facing North-South Mixed-up Facing North-South

Overhangs 1000 – 1500mm 0 – 300mm 600 – 1000mm

Lighting Level Dim light Dark / too bright Dim and bright

Design Summary of Malay House, Social Housing and Theoretical Model.

RECOMMENDATIONS OF BUILDING REGULATIONS

IN MALAYSIA

Clauses Subjects Descriptions Recommendations

UBBL

32, 33, 34 & 35

Open space to be

provided at front of

Buildings or detached

buildings abutting a street

Residential units abutting a

corridor in multi-level

building

UBBL

39 (1)

Natural lighting and

ventilation

Residential purposes must

be provided not less than

10% of floor area for lighting

and ventilation openings

The ventilation openings

must be at range 15 – 50%

of floor area

UBBL

42 (2)

Minimum areas of

rooms in residential

building

The kitchen area must not

less than 4.5 sqm and

minimum width is 1.5 meters

The kitchen area must not

less than 8.0 sqm and

minimum width is 2.0

meters

UBBL

44 (1)

Height of rooms in

residential building

Living & bedroom not less

than 2.5 meters height,

kitchen not less than 2.25

meters height

Living, bedrooms and

kitchen must not less than

3.5 meters height

Recommendations in UBBL Part III - Space, Light and Ventilation (Sections 30-47)

Thank You For Listening!

'AIRHOUSE': A New Natural Ventilation Concept in the Tropics

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