CONTEXTUAL ARCHITECTURE STUDY & CASE STUDY PAPER

7/23/2019 CONTEXTUAL ARCHITECTURE STUDY & CASE STUDY PAPER

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ASIAN ARCHITECTURE (ARC60403)

PROJECT: CONTEXTUAL ARCHITECTURE STUDY

& CASE STUDY PAPER

“A STUDY ON THE APPLICATION OF OPENNESS

AS A DESIGN CONCEPT TO ACHIEVE THERMAL

COMFORT IN SEEPING SERENDAH!

NAME: LING YUAN MING

STUDENT ID: 03"#$%#

TUTOR: NURUL ALIA AHAMAD

SUMISSION DATE: '4 NOVEMER '0"%

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A STUDY ON THE APPLICATION OF OPENNESS AS A DESIGN

CONCEPT TO ACHIEVE THERMAL COMFORT IN SEEPING

SERENDAH

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2.1 Overview of Thermal Comfort

2.2 Factors affecting Thermal Comfort in Sekeping Serendah retreat

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4.1 "eoraph# and $a#o%t

4.2 &at%ral 'entilation

4.2.1 Cross 'entilation

4.2.2 Stack 'entilation

4.3 Shading

4.3.1 &at%ral Shading devices

4.3.2 (an)made Shading devices

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The o-ective of doing a st%d# on the design concept of the retreat in Sekeping Serendah is to

identif# act%all# how and how effective is the concept applied in that partic%lar s%rro%nding

conte/t. 0s Sekeping Serendah is located in a forest it is important to %nderstand the s%ita-ilit#

of the concept and how it f%ll# %tilie its s%rro%nding to achieve -est res%lts. The mentioned

efficienc# is -ased on the thermal heat comfort aspect on how this concept deals with heat gain

heat circ%lation and the e/pel of heat. Thermal comfort of -%ildings determines the satisfaction

of the visitors and is important in order to allow pleasant sta# at the retreat. assive design is a

method of achieving thermal comfort witho%t %sing mechanical s#stem -%t thro%gh %sage of

passive design elements s%ch as s%nshades overhangs cavit# walls and man# more. nformation

on Sekeping Serendah itself and also passive design strategies are o-tained and gathered from

vario%s so%rces s%ch as the official we-site online newspaper and credi-le design we-s as

hardcop# doc%mentation are not #et availa-le. The most prominent design concept fo%nd in this

retreat is the openness of the -%ilding design availa-le in Sekeping Serendah. Taking advantage

of the s%rro%nding conte/t the architect %sed the conte/t ventilation and shading to achieve

thermal comfort in the Sekeping Serendah retreat. # altering the massing and orientation as

well as the openings of the -%ildings nat%ral ventilation is greatl# enco%raged and prevailing

winds are %tilied. This generates cross and stack effect effective in e/pelling heat. The

advantage of the conte/t is that it is covered -# tall trees and with the additional help of

overhanging in -%ildings heat gain is severel# minimied and the effort to achieving thermal

comfort eases.

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"0 I/2-758-/

$ocated at the e6%ilateral (ala#sia is a co%ntr# which e/periences hot and h%mid climate

thro%gho%t the #ear. (ala#sia has a consistent temperat%re a-o%t 2,)3,7C with high h%midit#

a-o%t !,)+,8.

9esigned -# 0r &g Sek San Sekeping Serendah retreat is located at :%l% Selangor. :idden

in the midst of the tropical rainforest the retreat hides well %nderneath the trees f%ll# %tiliing

the environment. The retreat consists of 1, sheds of 5 different t#pes. The sheds are designed

-ased on traditional (ala# ho%se to f%ll# accommodate the tropical climate and conte/t as well.

The# have ma/im%m openings and high ceilings contri-%ting to great lighting and ventilation.

The -%ilding materials depends on the different t#pes of sheds. The paper investigates the design

strategies in achieving thermal comfort of the Sekeping Serendah retreat -# responding to the

following research 6%estions;

1. :ow openness acts as maor concept when designing the Sekeping Serendah retreat<2. :ow does vegetation contri-%te in nat%ral shading to achieve thermal comfort in

Sekeping Serendah<3. 0re overhanging eaves effective help in achieving thermal comfort in Sekeping

Serendah<

4. :ow effective is the application of ventilation strategies in reg%lating the thermal comfort

in the -%ilding in Sekeping Serendah<

5. :ow shading and ventilation components in Sekeping Serendah strategicall# orientated to

achieve thermal comfort efficientl#<

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'0 C, S79

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0&S=0S:>0? Standard 55 @2,13A defines the range of indoor thermal environmental

conditions accepta-le to a maorit# of occ%pants -%t accommodates an ever increasing variet# of

design sol%tions intended -oth to provide comfort and to respect toda#Bs imperative for

s%staina-le -%ildings. :ence thermal comfort is s%-ective and varies depending on individ%al.

:owever there is a range of comfort one for temperat%re for instance 21)2!7C. Thermal

comfort range in (ala#sia can -e seen in the #ellow -o/ in the ps#chrometric chart -elow.

Fig%re 1; s#chrometric Chart for (ala#sia

So%rce ; https;==octerra.wordpress.com=

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https://octerra.wordpress.com/

https://octerra.wordpress.com/



'' F5-2 ..,58/ T=,2;+ C-;.-2 8/ S,>,8/ S,2,/= 2,2,

0 %sers thermal environment differs depending on the -oth the environmental factors and

also personal factors. The com-ination of environmental factors s%ch as h%midit# movement as

well as the temperat%re of air together with personal factors s%ch as meta-olic rate and clothing

affects the thermal comfort of oneself and the environment. ersonal factors are mostl# affected

-# the activities carried o%t -# %sers. 0ctivities s%ch as pla#ing -# the pool or -ird watching are

definitel# cooler compared to %ngle trekking and wo%ld re6%ire thinner clothing and lower

meta-olic rate in comparison. n Sekeping Serendah the h%midit# is constantl# high as it is

contained in a tropical rainforest. :owever the most important factors temperat%re and air

movement were tackled -# the architect. # lowering the s%rro%nding temperat%re -# onl# 2)3

degrees o%r -od# is capa-le of detecting the change not to mention more than five degrees. This

little n%m-ers helps a lot in reg%lating the thermal s#stem. &e/t the presence of air movement or

wind chills at an# temperat%re will cool the %ser. Therefore -# improving air ventilation and

red%cing the temperat%re in the retreat thermal comfort can -e achieved.

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30 O,//, P81, D,8/ C-/5,

0s stated in the title this case st%d# wo%ld foc%s more on the application of openness as a

passive design concept. t can -e seen from all the five different st#les of sheds in Sekeping

Serendah retreat that is it o-vio%s the concept openness is %sed. The openness of space can -e

defined as spaces which are constr%cted with minimal to no enclos%re on the top sides or -oth.

Openness is considered a passive design concept as it re6%ires minimal mechanical s#stems to

improve the condition. This is -eca%se openness allows -oth nat%ral ventilation and also nat%ral

lighting into and o%t of the space red%cing the need of air conditioners and lighting.

The application of openness are %s%all# for p%-lic spaces where the concept itself affects the

privac# level of spaces -esides aiding as a passive design element. :owever in Sekeping

Serendah retreat this has -een co%ntered with the help of the s%rro%nding conte/t. 0s a retreat

%sers can maintain their privac# at the same time f%ll# eno# ever#thing nat%re can provide

witho%t mechanical s#stems.

The sheds are intentionall# kept -asic with open sheds and ma/im%m openings making them

transparent)like. This is -eca%se the design is partiall# infl%enced -# the Traditional (ala#

ho%ses. The significant feat%res of the Traditional (ala# ho%ses that made them special are the

openings and their spatial la#o%ts.

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40 F5-2 ..,58/ E..,581,/, -. O,//,

The concept of openness can -e ver# effective and wo%ld greatl# aid in achieving thermal

comfort if done properl#. This concept contri-%tes to nat%ral lighting and also nat%ral ventilation

which are mainl# from the s%n and wind respectivel#. Th%s -# designing responsivel# towards

these two so%rces the s%rro%nding temperat%re and air movement can -e manip%lated to o%r

advantages.

4" G,-2=9 / L9-7

Sekeping is located right alongside -%t at the foot of the Titiwangsa (o%ntains represented

-# the green patch marked 1 on the diagram -elow with an arrow indicating the location. Foothill

%s%all# collects most rain and wind as the# are restricted to go f%rther making Sekeping an

e/ceptionall# wind# spot d%ring the So%thwest (onsoon from late (a# to Septem-er.

Fig%re 2; enins%lar (ala#sia map showing Titiwangsa (o%ntains and Sekeping

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Fig%re 3; lan la#o%t of Sekeping Serendah retreat

So%rce; http;==www.sekeping.com=serendah=home.html

The sheds in Sekeping Serendah are randoml# distri-%ted with large gaps and distances

among each other to capt%re wind. This ens%res that the wind velocit# in the ho%ses of the latter

path of the wind will not -e s%-stantiall# red%ced. Dith a spread -%ilding la#o%t each shed

e/periences %no-str%cted ma/im%m wind velocit# as wind travels freel#.

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http://www.sekeping.com/serendah/home.html





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'entilation can -e defined as a process or act of s%ppl#ing a space contin%o%sl# with fresh

air. &at%ral ventilation also called passive ventilation %ses nat%ral o%tside air movement and

press%re differences to -oth passivel# cool and ventilate a space. t is important as it provides and

move fresh air witho%t the %se of mechanical s#stems like fan. &at%ral ventilation helps in

meeting a -%ildings cooling load witho%t %sing air conditioning s#stems. &at%ral ventilation can

-e divided into two t#pes namel# cross ventilation and stack ventilation. These two t#pes %ses

the same concept -%t help ventilation in different wa#s in a space.

4.2.1 Cross 'entilation

Cross ventilation %ses wind to carr# o%t the ventilation therefore also called wind

ventilation. t %ses the force of wind to p%ll air thro%gh a space. Dind ventilation is the easiest

most common and least e/pensive form of passive cooling and ventilation.

Cross ventilation is activated -# placing inlets and o%tlets to optimie the air path flow in the

-%ilding. n Sekeping Serendah the concept of openness has minimied the n%m-er of walls at

the same time ma/imiing openings. (ost of the sheds are open and not enclosed at the sides.

Cross ventilation aids movement of air aro%nd %sers to cool down 1)1.5oC. This design of the

-%ildings allow ma/im%m airflow thro%gh the spaces. 9iagrams -elow show the airflow in three

different sheds.

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Fig%re 4; Cross)ventilation ill%stration in a glass shedSo%rce; http;==www.sekeping.com=serendah=home.html

Fig%re 5; Cross)ventilation ill%stration in a tim-er shed


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Fig%re ; Cross)ventilation ill%stration in a tim-er shed


4.2.2 Stack 'entilation

Stack ventilation and erno%llis principle are two t#pes of passive ventilation that works

together %sing the difference in air press%re to p%ll air thro%gh a space. Stack ventilation %ses

temperat%re differences to move air. h#sics principle E:ot air rises cool air sinks happens

-eca%se hot air is less dense lighter and has lower press%re compared to the heavier cool air

which has higher press%re. 9%e to this hot air rises and collects at the ceiling. The o%tside air

which is constantl# moving has a lesser press%re compared to the still hot air -elow the ceiling

ca%ses the hot air to ventilate o%t cooling the interior.

n Sekeping Serendah sheds are designed with higher ceilings to collect hot air at higher

height and openings are present at the ceiling or roof for eas# elimination of hot air. 9iagrams

-elow show the movement of hot air rising and escaping via openings at the roof.

Fig%re !; Stack)ventilation ill%stration in glass shed


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Fig%re *; Stack)ventilation ill%stration in glass shed


Fig%re +; Stack)ventilation ill%stration in wareho%se


oth t#pes of nat%ral ventilation e/pel heat and stale air from a space -# movement of air

effectivel#. Dith this design concept air flow and ventilation is allowed to happen freel#. This

red%ces the need of mechanical ventilation s#stem in the -%ildings in the retreat th%s making the

retreat s%staina-le and eco)friendl#.

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43 S=8/

S%n is the primar# nat%ral heat contri-%tor and heat is first and mostl# transferred to areas

e/posed to s%nlight. Dith proper shading devices the concept of openness can -e widel# %sed

despite the how open the -%ildings are.

4.3.1 &at%ral Shading 9evices

Sekeping Serendah is -%ilt on a heavil# vegetated irreg%lar slopes. S%rro%nded -# 5,,)#ear)

old tropical rainforest with canop# trees -looming over 4, meters high in average the Sekeping

retreat gets all the nat%ral shading it can have. Trees are the first line of defense against s%nlight.

Dith the presence of canop# la#er a-ove a -%ilding s%nlight is mostl# filtered and with some

areas even f%ll# -locked. This can -e seen in the fig%res -elow that the sheds are f%ll# shaded

most of the time with little light ra#s that contri-%te to the poeticness of the spaces.

Fig%re 1,; The interior of wareho%se shed showing the light reflected on the floor covered -# dense vegetation.


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Fig%re 11; Tall canop# trees s%rro%nding the glass -o/ shed with minimal s%nlight


Fig%re 12; $ight ra#s on the gro%nd with tim-er shed


:owever heat is transferred thro%gh radiation -%t with direct s%nlight greatl# red%ced heat

is greatl# minimied. 0ccording to 0CTrees @2,1,A an e/periment had -een carried o%t and it

showed that the canop# la#er is a-le to red%ce the temperat%re -elow the canop# as m%ch as 5 to

15 degree Celsi%s depending on the thickness of the canop#.

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Fig%re 13; Section showing how s%nlight is filtered -# the tree canop# and the temperat%re difference

The tree canop# availa-le at the site is a-le to filter and red%ce heat gain as m%ch as 3,),8.

Sheehan @2,,! p. +5A stated that caref%l placement of trees can red%ce the energ# re6%ired for

cooling -# !)4,8. This is -eca%se the -%ilding will -e cooled -# evapotranspiration which is the

release of water vapo%r from soil and plant s%rfaces into the atmosphere. @$andscape for $ife

2,15A. Th%s thermal comfort can -e accomplished with ease and the need of air conditioning

s#stem is red%ced to a minimal. &ot onl# that d%e to the man# openings and wall)less

constr%ction s%nlight that penetrates thro%gh the canop# la#er is s%fficient in lighting the spaces

%p d%ring the da# saving the need of mechanical lighting s#stem. Therefore environmental

s%staina-ilit# is achieved.

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4.3.2 (an)(ade Shading 9evices

?/terior shades pla#s an important role in controlling heat gain and are generall# more

effective than interior shades -eca%se s%nlight is f%ll# -locked -efore entering window. ?/terior

shades comes as a second line of defense against s%nlight after the nat%ral shading. ?/terior

shading devices incl%de awnings lo%vers shades and overhanging eaves.

Overhanging eaves are ver# effective -eca%se the# -lock direct s%nlight. Their materials and

effectiveness are determined -# the roof. 0 gap is %s%all# present -etween the %ppermost la#er

and the floor level to allow acc%m%lation of heat directl# %nder the eaves or roofs. This is to

prevent direct heating into the entire interior space.

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Fig%re 14; "lass Shed with steel decking as roof and Fig%re 15; Section showing how heat is acc%m%lated %nder

overhanging eaves the steel decking


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Fig%re 1; Fist floor of the glass shed


Fig%re 1!; Tim-er shed with large overhanging protecting from the s%n


Overhanging eaves can -e fo%nd on glass sheds and tim-er sheds in Sekeping Serendah. The

reason overhanging eaves can -e fo%nd in glass shed is -eca%se it consists of two floors ca%sing

it to stand taller than the other sheds closer to the canop#. 0s a res%lt there is thinner la#er of

canop# a-ove and the shed has higher chances of e/pos%re to the s%n. 0s for the tim-er shed

overhanging eaves are present thro%gho%t the entire ho%se as a s#m-ol of tradition from the

Traditional (ala# ho%se. Dith the help of the overhanging eaves a larger region -eneath it can

receive protection from the s%n th%s gaining lesser heat over time and will maintain an overall

lower temperat%re.

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%0 D8578-/ / R,5-;;,/8-/

n overall Sekeping Serendah retreat is a s%ccess realiing the architects dream in achieving

s%staina-ilit# thro%gh passive design strategies. The strategies are worked ver# well with the

s%rro%nding. :owever d%e to its openness the sheds are prone to wildlife. Safet# meas%res need

to -e taken into consideration.

9%ring the So%thwest (onsoon from late (a# to Septem-er the wind ma# -e too strong at

the site occasionall# and the wall)less constr%ction cannot protect %sers from strong wind. Dind

-reakers s%ch as scr%-s sho%ld -e planted on the So%th)?ast direction of the site.

60 C-/5+78-/

0s a concl%sion the sheds in Sekeping Serendah retreat are well -lended into the

s%rro%nding. The concept of openness is implemented into the design perfectl#. ?ven tho%gh this

design concept has weaknesses the architect was a-le to t%rn the ta-les and achieved the main

p%rpose of creating Sekeping Serendah. The f%sion of the concept openness and the conte/t

s%ccessf%ll# created a s%staina-le environment despite the small scale proect. # %tiliing the

geographical location wind and the dense vegetation availa-le the retreat %ses nat%ral

ventilation and shading to achieve thermal comfort. Dith the help of a canop# a-ove as a

segregation la#er heat is greatl# red%ced and is f%rther minimied with the help of ventilation.

0s a res%lt a m%ch lower temperat%re is achieved in the shed and the need for mechanical

ventilation s#stem as well as lighting s#stem in the retreat is red%ced. &onetheless the great

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nat%re e/perience and comfort in Sekeping Serendah are preserved despite the effort in achieving

thermal comfort.

References

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Ashrae. +2015. Standards, Research & Technology . Re/rie-e! fr'& Ashraeh//s.ashrae.'rgs/an!ar!s$research$$/echn'#'gys/an!ar!s$$gi!e#ines

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%hk, . R. +2011, c/'er 4. "g ek an. Habitus Living, . 1.

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Case St%d# aper lagiarism Check ) 138

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CONTEXTUAL ARCHITECTURE STUDY & CASE STUDY PAPER

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