TRAINING CENTER IN SENGAI PENUH
TEAM 19: Takumi Li, Xiaoyang Wu, Madeline Lin, Yifan Shen
This project studies the existing climatic conditions of
the Training Center in Sungai Penuh, Indonesia, in relation
to the newly proposed site location situated in the northern
hemisphere: Syracuse, New York. Despite sitting right on the
Equator, Sungai Penuh has a warm and humid climate with
great seasonal fluctuation. While Syracuse also has a relatively
clear seasonal climate, overall, it is cold and dry.
The project will explore various building systems along with
climate characteristics, including solar radiation, prevailing
winds, air ventilation, building enclosure, and thermal and visual
comfort. Furthermore, the two sites differ drastically in terms of
their surrounding context. In contrast to the placement of the
project in the wood, the new site in Westcott, Syracuse, is an
open field with minimum elements that block wind and sun
exposure.
- SOLAR RADIATION (images re-produced by team members)
The Training Centre in Sungai was originally located in the
South hemisphere near the Equator, where sun radiation is
slightly stronger in vernal & autumnal equinoxes instead of June
or December. This project has a united roof that is carefully
rotated to an angle corresponding to the annual sun angle.
The roof provides a large area of shading which is essential for
Psychrometric Chart
average temperature Diurnal Averages
illumination range Radiation rage
- ENCLOSURE / MATERIALITY
The Training Center mainly uses two materials: locally
produced bricks and cinnamon wood. The architect
attempted to contrast the heavy concrete and brick material
for the ground and walls and the light wood structure for the
roof and columns. The use of cinnamon wood showcases the
unique local history of supplying this material worldwide. The
arbitrarily arranged and tilted wooden columns create a sense
of the forest.
Responding to the local climate, the architect elevated
the roof from the walls and created a gap for wind to flow
passive cooling, especially in this site where electricity cannot
be consumed easily. To make a comparison, the alternate
location is decided to be Syracuse, NY, which has a huge
amount of sun radiation during the summer and much less
radiation during the winter.
Psychrometric Chart
average temperature Diurnal Averages
illumination range Radiation rage
through. Glazing panels are absent at most openings to
provide airflow, but operable wood panels are installed on
the exterior walls. The roof has overhang on all directions
to provide sufficient shading as well as blocking rain water.
It is layered with rafters, bamboo sheets, and corrugated
steel board. The rain water falls into the courtyard, where a
rain garden is located and two trees are planted. The low-
tech construction minimizes the cost, prevents the use of
sophisticated mechanical system, and creates a connection
to the cultural site.
- OVERALL MICROCLIMATE
There is no clear enclosure of this project since the lift up the roof and make more openings on the walls to
roof and walls are separated. We can see this project create better ventilation. In addition to that, since the
as walls with canopy. When it comes to microclimate building is quite elevated, it can better receive the fresh
analysis, because of the fact that the training center is air. There is sufficient vegetation and little noise pollution.
located in Indonesia, which is around the equator, as In Syracuse, the site condition in terms of noise and
a result, there are no significant seasons. When there is vegetation is similar. However, the wind comes from east
no need to consider the variations of seasons, we can and west and is more equal from all directions.
vegetation analysis noise analysis vegetation analysis noise analysis
wind analysis wind analysis
- THERMAL/VISUAL COMFORT
Visually, the traning centers uses a large overhang roof to flow underneath the roof to takeaway the heat and exhaust
block off excessive sunlight but has a open courtyard to allow the heat through the courtyard opening. In Sengai, the
controlled daylight in. People inside the room could also climate is quite constant year round, so the single strategie of
see the sky from the gaps, but there will be no glare. One creating openings and roof shading provides a comfortable
distinctive feature of the facade design is that there is small thermal environment for the users. However, in Syracuse, the
openings on different levels, decorated with local materials to climate is drastically different. Especially in winter, the cold
filter the sight and daylight, while exhibiting local materials. climate requires high thermal insulation, while the open-
air style enclosure allows cold air to penetrate. People will
Regarding thermal comfort, the site-specific enclosure design feel extremely cold in the building, but comfortable during
utilizes the natural forces to passively cool down the building. summer.
The natural air enters the buildings from low openings and
December, Sungai.
Natural air flow passively cools down the building.
December, Syracuse.
Lack of insulation and air tightness makes the interior
space too cold for human.
The specially designed opening system allows people to
see the sky and enjoy daylight, while blocking excessive
sunlight and enhancing the private/public space.
The courtyard roof opening and the irregular opening on
the walls work together the filter the daylight and providing
visual comfort.