S11 House ByKoh Sung Jie, Liew Jinn, Ng Ee Shiung,

Lum Si Chu, Pablo Idris, Kenneth Chang

PASSIVE DESIGN IN TROPICAL ARCHITECTURE

By Lum Si Chu

• Orientation for exposure to cooling breezes• Increase natural ventilation by reducing barriers to air paths through the

building • Provision of fans to provide ventilation and air movement in the absence

of breezes• Floor plan zoning to maximize comfort for daytime activities and sleeping

comfort• Appropriate windows and glazing to minimize unwanted heat gains and

maximize ventilation• Effective shading(including planting)• Adequate levels of appropriate insulation• High thermal mass construction in regions with significant diurnal ranges• Low thermal mass construction in regions with low diurnal range

Passive Design Elements

Swimming pool and Koi Pond as Evaporative Cooling

• Provide evaporative cooling for house

• Acts as a heat sink and helps to provided whilst keeping the evaporative process outside

• Avoid elevating indoor humidity level

• Clear orientation for all is openings and window

• Adjustable windows and openings are used to promote controllable cross ventilation

• Full Sliding glass walls

Passive Ventilation by Space Planning

Wire Netting Screen Wall

• Used to receive heat from the sun

• It helps to reduce heat gain from other solid wall (East and West walls)

Earth Coupling Method

• Thermal masses will be protect from outside for example the floor and slabs

• Can be substantially cooler by absorbing most of the heat when entering the building

• Deep earth temperatures are lower, it assumes enclosing subfloor areas to allow earth coupling to lower down the temperature and heat gain occurs

PROBLEMS OF BUILDING IN A TROPICAL ENVIRONMENT

By Pablo Idris

Humidity• As Malaysia is a tropical country, high humidity throughout the year is assured.

• The average relative humidity lies around 80% per month

• Extreme humidity can cause discomfort to occupants in a building

Rainfall• The tropical country of Malaysia receive an average of 225 mm of rainfall per month.

• So a common issue met here will be the constant downpour hence roof shelters are a must in design.

Water content• Due to the rainfall constantly face, water content in the soil is expected to be high

• This in turn will cause soil erosion to occur which will cause difficulties in support for the foundation of the building

Heat

• Malaysia being at the equator receives a constant sunlight throughout the year which will in turn cause sun glare to occur during the most intense sunlight of the day.

• The issue here is the same as rainfall where roof shelters are to be designed in the building

Haze

• Haze is the main factor that contributes the extent solar radiation, large shading devices are to be put in such case

• Cause health problems such as: eye inflammation, nasal irritation, throat irritation and lung tissue inflammation

BUILDING ORIENTATION AS A SIGNIFICANT PART OF THE S11

HOUSE

By Koh Sung Jie

• Orient its long directional axis towards north-south

• Minimize surface area exposure to east-west

• East-west heat rejection walls are erected responding to sun path

Heat Rejection

Natural Light• South side positioned as front the of building as the Malaysian Sun leans to the south

• Communal leisure spaces located towards the south to benefit from natural light.

Family Hall

Deck

Living

Dry Kitchen

Dining AreaVerandah

Entrance

Ventilation

• More wind directed from the south

• Long axis captures more wind

• Cross ventilation allows constant cooling within the house

• Hot air does not linger in the house

HOW DOES THE BUILDING ORIENTATION INFLUENCES OTHER

PASSIVE DESIGNS?

By Liew Jin

Ventilation

• Improve and circulate air ventilation indoors and outdoors

• Implement use of cross ventilation throughout the building

Thermal-Massed Materials

• Reduce intake of heat energy• Slanted from sun-rise and sun-set

East-West Walls

1.Low in heat capacity and high in thermal insulation. • Lowers heat absorption• Reduce heat transfer

2. Has great direct reflection or screening solar radiation• reduce direct heat gain.

Also, lightweight materials were implemented into the design. • low thermal mass are usually more suitable for buildings in the tropical climates,

especially the walls exposed to the sun.

OLD CLAY BRICKWALLAdvantages:

i) Good insulatorii) Better Thermal Insulationiii) High compressive strengthiv) Fire resistancev) Keeps the temperature constant

in the houseDisadvantages:

i) Uncertain compressive strength

RECYCLED CHENGALAdvantages:

i) Prevention of deforestationii) Aestheticiii) Highly durable

Disadvantages:

i) Need longer time to search for supply

RECYCLED WASTEPLYWOOD

Advantages:

i) Prevention of deforestation

ii) Higher strengthiii) Low cost

Disadvantages:

i) Uncertain quality of plywood

ii) Becomes heavy when wet

iii) Need coating

Placement of Windows

Casement Windows Floor-to-ceiling WindowsSliding DoorsAwning Windows

HOW DOES THE ORIENTATION GOVERN THE DESIGN OF THE

BUILDING?

By Kenneth Chang

Large Overhangs• Climate commonly experiences in a tropical climate is rain and sun

• Large overhangs are able to provide shade to both climate faced

• Large overhangs also enable large vertical openings to be designed

Double Volume Space• Huge double volume space promotes cross ventilation with openings on both ends

• Bigger volumes can create better and cooler air flow

• Effective way to cool the interior and its occupants

Open Fenestration

• Openings are placed in the North and South facade of the building to receive minimal sunlight

• Also enables cross ventilation to occur through the openings on both ends which cools the interior

Facade Devoid of Openings• Facades completely devoid of openings are designed on the East and West façade

• This is to prevent direct sunlight penetrating into the interior

• Which in turn minimizes heat gain from the time where heat is at its most intense

Pools

• Pools are placed at both ends of the building which has openings

• This allows evaporative cooling to occur

• When the pool evaporates it causes the surrounding atmosphere to cool down

• Wind blowing into the interior of the building will bring the cooled air in and hence cool the inside

WHAT ARE THE DRAWBACKS OF PASSIVE DESIGN IN A TROPICAL COUNTRY?

By Ng Ee Shiung

Problems with Exposed Materials

Efflorescence • Occurs when concrete or brick walls get in contact with water

• Salt crystals form on wall

• Mostly a cosmetic problem, sometimes indicate internal weakness

Rust

• Exposed metal such as gates, fences, beams are susceptible to rust• Tropical climate is wet and humid, abundance of oxygen and H2O, key

catalysts for rust

Insect Infestation• Termites, mosquitos, flies are common sight

• Composite yard in S11 house is perfect for termites

• Damp wood, fallen leaves, tree stumps, are termites' natural habitat

• Open water, stagnant drains, small water ponds, perfect for mosquitos

• Passive designs prioritize using natural energy such as large overhangs can cause unwanted guests

Noise

• Traffic jams are a regular occurrence, causing air and noise pollution

• Passively designed houses that are located near the main suffers, for example: S11 House.

THANK YOU