Asian Architecture (ARC2234 / ARC60403)

Project 2: Case Study Paper Abstract (10%)

Due Date: 15 November 2016 (Tuesday)
Student names and IDs:
Chan Yi Qin (0315964)
Chia Cheng Wei (0322091)
Chew Jia Chen (0322852)
Kooi Yong Kai (0323152)
Lee Xiang Loon (0322090)
Tutor: Ms Nurul Alia Ahamad
The purpose of this research paper aims to conduct a thorough study on the implementation
of vernacular Malay architecture in 8D House. It also aims to investigate how these design
strategies help to reduce solar heat gain and achieve thermal comfort in this building. Due to
the rise of commercial developments in Bukit Damansara that contributes to the increase of
thermal heat, the 8D House was designed by architect Dr Tan Loke Mun to curb this climatic
issue to improve the thermal comfort for the users in the building. To assist the validation of
research, literature reviews based on various sources such as books and online research on the
researched building and thermal comfort were conducted to complete this case study paper.
The vernacular Malay architecture is greatly influenced by climate and weather and it is the
most appropriate for thermal comfort in Malaysias climate. 8D House is efficiently designed
to suit this local climatic requirements using raw local materials such as masonry, concrete
and timber. 8D House has a perfect rectangular building form which makes it easier to lose
internal heat to the outside. The building is also orientated with the long faades are arranged
to face the direction of incoming prevailing wind. Landscaping such as vegetation and water
features are carefully placed in relation to sun paths and prevailing winds. Vegetation helps
shade the north-east faade, preventing direct solar radiation. Hardscape is shaded from direct
solar radiation while softscape is used to absorb heat and reduce ground temperature. 8D
house uses large insulated overhanging canopy roof to control the penetration of solar
radiation. The roof tends to be under lighted to give a psychological effect of coolness as
strong light is often mentally associated with heat. Its roof was constructed with lightweight
metal decking in light grey colour and has an air gap that act as a barrier to heat flow. This
bungalow also controls glare from the open sky and surroundings by using metal louvered
sun screens to wrap the entire mass of the living spaces. Louvers are also extended from the
faade to allow air ventilation and different lengths vary on different sides of the faade,
where facades that face more solar radiation have longer louvers. Hence, it has come to a
conclusion that the application of these design strategies in reference to vernacular
architecture does reduce solar heat gain and reduce thermal comfort in 8D House.