Asian Architecture Proposal

TAYLOR’S UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING AND DESIGN RESEARCH PROPOSAL ASIAN ARCHITECTURE (ARC60403/ARC2234)

RESEARCH TITLE CONSEQUENCES OF EXTENSIVE THERMAL COMFORT APPLICATION TOWARDS PJ TRADE CENTRE

PJ TRADE CENTRE

OLD MODERN

CONCEPT

VS NEW

NEW

THERMAL

PASSIVE VENTILATION

CONCRETE TREES FACADE

RESEARCH QUESTION(S) HOW DOES THERMAL CONSIDERATIONS ENVISIONED BY THE ARCHITECT OF PJ TRADE CENTRE AFFECT THE OVERALL SPACE OF THE BUILDING?

IN WHAT WAY DID THERMAL COMFORT AFFECT THE USE OF PJ TRADE CENTRE?*

ARE THERMAL CONSIDERATIONS MADE BY THE ARCHITECT SUCCESSFUL? * *OPTIONAL

SUMMARY (271 words) The building PJ Trade Centre, located in Petaling Jaya near the capital city Kuala Lumpur is an unconventional office building designed by local architect Kevin Mark Low as a different approach to office building design in Kuala Lumpur. Among the biggest differentiation that stands this building out among the dozens of skyscrapers in the capital skyline is the unique approach to elements such as thermal situations and the usage of materials. Incorporating passive cooling elements such as cross ventilation, the very extensive use of trees to cover the pedestrian walkways, open ended design and also heat absorbing construction materials, this building is an exemplary use of effective combat against heat in a hot tropical country such as Malaysia. As such, it has been argued that due to the improved cooling aspects and the disappearance of claustrophobic design that plague many buildings in Kuala Lumpur, productivity and efficiency has been improved as well.

Furthermore, the design of vernacular architecture on the building towards pedestrian use effectively solves a long standing congestion problem in the city. Fearing the heat, city folk more often than not take to the streets in private cars, substantially inflating car volumes and creating massive congestions during peak hours. The cooling effect that is implemented for pedestrians effectively allow them to walk to nearby establishments when they would otherwise drive to, which also plays a hand in reducing carbon emissions. Therefore, the massive use of cooling aspects on the building and western inspired pedestrian circulation blended in a contemporary design that reflects Malaysian culture, this building is a prime example of the changing landscape of building design in Malaysia.

REFERENCES: 1) PJ TRADE CENTRE Damansara Perdana, Petaling Jaya. (n.d.).

Retrieved April 25, 2016, from http://www.pjtradecentre.com/about.html 2) Human Thermal Comfort | Sustainability Workshop. (n.d.). Retrieved April 25, 2016, from http://sustainabilityworkshop.autodesk.com/buildings/human-thermal-comfort

PREPARED BY KAN JIA WEI ADRIAN 0319384 Tutor: Ms Alia

SEMESTER 4