Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Bioclimatic Architecture:
A Sustainable Design Approach in attempt to Connect with
Nature while Maintaining Building Comfort based on Local
Climate in Sekeping Serendah
NAME:
STUDENT ID:
0315905
LECTURER:
SUBMISSION DATE:
9 June 2015
Page
Abstract ........................................................................................................................ 2
1.0 Introduction.......................................................................................................... 3
5.0 Bioclimatic Design Features Adopted in Sekeping Serendah and its Relation to
Building Comfort ........................................................................................................ 9
Abstract
This research paper will investigate on Bioclimatic Architecture, a sustainable
design approach that attempts to connect with nature while also maintaining building
comfort based on the local climate in Sekeping Serendah. Through literature review, it
was found that this architecture seeks perfect cohesion between design and natural
elements, which then leads to the optimization of environmental resources, thus
reducing energy consumption. With bioclimatic design as the prime passive design
feature of Sekeping Serendah, the understanding of the shed designs at the retreat
were being observed and the capability for the designs to achieve building comfort
without relying on mechanical equipment were discovered. The passive strategies
included suitable material selection, space layout and orientation, openness, passive
ventilation, natural daylighting, shading, vegetation so on and so forth. Further research
and analysis were conducted to determine how each strategy functions in response to
the types of building comfort which includes thermal(heat), hygienic (air quality), visual
(light), auditory (noise), and olfactory (smell). It has come to a conclusion that Sekeping
Serendah being built around nature was able to fulfil building comfort through the basic
principles of bioclimatic architecture.
1.0 Introduction
Sekeping Serendah is a private eco-themed retreat located in the forests of
Serendah near Rawang, Selangor, roughly an hour drive up north of Kuala Lumpur.
The retreat consists of 10 uniquely designed sheds, though each of them adopts a selfeffacing design, in which they respect and complement the environment without
contrasting it as the design attempts to treat gently on the land. With a non-building
concept in mind, the sheds hovers over the forest floor with their designs as open and
transparent as possible; being kept minimal, free from lavishness and providing only
fundamental shelters as its inhabitants experience nature entirely as they commute
with the land.
Nature has proven to be a significant part of context in architecture as we
acknowledge that man needs a balanced relationship with it instead of total separation.
Since Sekeping Serendah was modelled with the above philosophy, the sheds were
harmoniously designed with its natural surroundings though without neglecting human
comfort and practiced bioclimatic design as the prime passive design feature. This
paper will investigate on the effectiveness of bioclimatic design adapted in Sekeping
Serendah in maintaining building comfort as it connects with nature based on the local
climate by responding to the following research questions:
Question 1: What is bioclimatic architecture and what are its principles?
Question 2: Is bioclimatic architecture sustainable in the long run? If yes, why is it not
well known?
Question 3: How is the local climate in Malaysia and what effect does it have to
architectural design?
Question 4: How do we define building comfort? Why is it important to maintain it?
Question 5: What are the bioclimatic design features adapted and how do they aid in
achieving building comfort in Sekeping Serendah?
1. Thermal Comfort
The most significant element to the experience of comfort in a space is
temperature. Human beings are susceptible to slight temperature variance as
our bodies operate within an internal temperature range much narrower than
external temperature. Due to metabolism our body generates heat which must
be released into the surrounding air, therefore if the external temperature is too
high, the process may be difficult and troublesome and we may feel warm or
overheated. Vice versa, if the external temperature is too low, our bodys heat
loss is more active, thus we may feel ill-fittingly cold. In relation to this, relative
humidity plays a large role together with temperature. Extreme levels of
humidity may work against the evaporative cooling effects of sweating, leaving
the body prone to discomfort and overheating. If humidity level is too high, the
saturated moisture may be unable to evaporate from the skin, contrarily if
humidity level is too low, therefore our skin feels more dry than usual.
Furthermore, air movement also plays a part in thermal comfort. As the body
ARC 2213/2234 Asian Architecture
2. Hygienic Comfort
Hygienic comfort correlates to the issue of indoor air quality and is usually
measured under the circumstances of having a sense of comfort from the air
with no ill-effects to user health. Air quality is affected by gases that include
carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds (VOC), radon, contaminants
such as mold and bacteria and other common pollutants that may cause
unfavourable health effects. Sick Building Syndrome is usually the term given
for condition that occurs when users spend excessive time in a building that is
loaded with contaminants. In order to avoid this, countermeasures and
treatment to poor air quality such as source control through proper material
selection and appropriate sealing of openings, air filtration and ample ventilation
to reduce contaminants are to be practiced.
3. Visual Comfort
Generally, natural lighting is presumed to be an advantage for health and wellbeing of users; the effects can be sensed almost immediately or may be in the
long run, maximising proper daylighting is therefore an important consideration.
Visual comfort associates with daylighting that is sufficient to see properly
without too much glare or excessive contrast. Light levels are adjusted
depending on the intensity of visual task at hand. For example, if the spaces are
offices which require doing drawing or fine work, it needs strong optical aid and
a brighter light is mainly required. Inversely, if the space is of receiving proper
rest and of little detailed work such as bedrooms, a dimmer light is desired. This
is due to the fact that darkness is also a relevant factor of visual comfort, as too
much direct sun would cause discomfort and ill-fitted conditions. As our body
requires a balance of light and darkness for the well-being of both physically
and mentally, is it important to strategize and understand proper design that
brings in good natural light without too much glare.
4. Auditory Comfort
5. Olfactory Comfort
Olfactory comfort links to the human perception of smell and it can be either
odour or irritants that enter the nasal cavity. Generally, humans can adapt to
odours relatively fast, but for irritants it may get worse or uncomfortable prior to
longer exposure, moreover if the levels of the irritants are not as noticeable as
odours. Certain smells such as those caused by smoke and harmful substances
released from materials within the space should be reduced or removed as they
may promote headaches, trigger migraines and may be dangerous to users
with asthma and respiratory problems. In order to do so, ways of eliminating
irritants at source or substituting them with products that gives out less or nontoxic and improving ventilation should be done to retain comfort in the space.
Shading / Skylight
In Sekeping Serendah retreat, the idea of integrating both corrugated zinc and
corrugated polycarbonate plastic as roofing to shelter sheds from the heated sun
was used. At the same time, it acts as skylights to maximize natural daylighting as
it is very much translucent. While the zinc roof shelters certain areas of the sheds
such as the bedroom, these skylights were placed thoughtfully, which are in areas
whereby most light is needed such as the kitchen, living area and foyer.
Furthermore, the surrounding vegetation were incorporated within the space as
shades that would to diffuse light coming in through the skylights, In return, it
gives a balance of light and darkness present in the shed without having too much
glare and therefore enhances users visual comfort.
Large overhangs were also used as passive heat protection, decreasing direct
solar radiation onto the glass faade to maintain thermal comfort, and are orientated
based on the direction of sun path. As mentioned before, direct sunlight may cause
unwanted glaring, therefore the application of other shading devices such as louvers,
wooden planks and surrounding vegetation were used which allows diffused sunlight to
enter the space without glare and for visual comfort.
10
Figure 05, 06 Wooden plank roof at warehoused 1, timber louvers in timber shed 1
(Source: Joanne Chua, 2015)
2. Material Selection
A fusion of an organic palette of local materials consisting of reclaimed timber
and mortar bricks together with industrial materials such as concrete, glass and a
balanced amount of various types of metals (iron, copper, steel) were carefully
picked and used in designing the sheds envelope. Since most of the materials
were kept raw, the spaces were able to emit a sense of serenity.
11
Figure 07, 08 Timber flooring and mortar brick wall found in timber shed 1
(Source: Pua Kee Hui, 2015)
Lightweight timber is used due to its ability to store carbon and is non-toxic therefore
does not release chemical vapour into building. Bricks on the other hand are widely use
as they can absorb and release moisture due to their porosity, thus regulating the
temperature and humidity in the sheds. Both materials aid in the thermal and hygienic
comfort of the space, and with their natural textures, they depict a rustic and antique
appearance to the space, giving a sense of blending in with nature.
Figure 09, 10 Steel and glass facade and concrete slab found in glass box 1
(Source: Pua Kee Hui, 2015)
Of the 10 sheds found in the retreat, 4 of them used steel and glass as their main
materials for the faade, maximizing natural lighting and visual comfort in the space.
Concrete is widely used in all of the sheds, mainly due to its durability and high thermal
mass that allows it to store heat from the sun, which in return reduces the heat gain
passively and allows proper thermal comfort.
12
13
14
15
All of the sheds were placed on stilts to minimize impact on the land itself, at the same
time allows wind to sweep across the floor underneath, cooling the temperature indoors,
sustaining thermal comfort.
16
5.0 Conclusion
In conclusion, Sekeping Serendah retreat has indeed took bioclimatic design
into account as their sustainable passive design approach. By optimizing the use of
bioclimatic design, not only it was able to establish a connection with nature, yet it was
able to fulfil the criteria of building comfort within the spaces in the sheds. Besides that,
it has become an exemplar for the modern era whereby the retreat showcases and
exposes consumers on the idea of bioclimatic architecture, whereby not only is it
important to harness and appreciate nature by treading gently on the land, but also
there are alternate passive ways that would improve comfort within a building without
spending too much on mechanical costs.
17
6.0 References
Wikipedia.org (n.d.). Geography of Malaysia. Retrieved April 27, 2015, from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Malaysia
Stein, B., & Reynolds, J. (1992). Mechanical and electrical equipment for buildings (8th
ed.). New York: J. Wiley & Sons.
Boduch, M., & Fincher, W. (n.d.). Standards of Human Comfort: Relative and Absolute.
Retrieved June 5, 2015, from
https://soa.utexas.edu/sites/default/disk/preliminary/preliminary/1-Boduch_FincherStandards_of_Human_Comfort.pdf
Lehman, M. (2011, August 9). Building Comfort in Architecture Isn't Just About
Temperature Control. Retrieved June 6, 2015, from
http://sensingarchitecture.com/7628/building-comfort-in-architecture-isnt-just-abouttemperature-control/
John, J. (2012, May 7). Comfort in Buildings. Retrieved June 5, 2015, from
http://www.slideshare.net/JasmineJohn/comfort-in-buildings
Utm.my (n.d.). Code of Practice on Energy Efficiency and Use of Renewable Energy
for Non-Residential Buildings (First Revision). Retrieved June 5, 2015, from
http://www.utm.my/energymanagement/files/2014/07/MS-1525-2007.pdf
18
19