Asian Architecture Case Study

ASIAN ARCHITECTURE (ARC 2213/2234) PROJECT 1: CASE STUDY

APPLICATION OF DESIGN FEATURES TO REDUCE HEAT GAIN IN ORDER TO ACHIEVE ZERO ENERGY IN SHELTER@RAINFOREST SABAH

NAME: CHEONG SIEW YING STUDENT ID: 0314618 LECTURER: MS. SHARIANNE MOHD SHAH SUBMISSION DATE: 24TH NOVEMBER 2015

Application of design features to Reduce Heat Gain in order to achieve zero energy in Shelter@Rainforest Sabah Application of design features to Reduce Heat Gain in order to achieve zero energy in Shelter@Rainforest Sabah

Table of Contents

Page

Abstract............................................................................................................02 1.0 Introduction................................................................................................03 1.1 Overview Shelter@Rainforest Sabah...............................................03 1.2 Research Question...........................................................................04 2.0 Zero Energy................................................................................................05 2.1 Zero Energy Building.........................................................................05 2.2 Factors affect Zero Energy................................................................06 3.0 Heat Gain and Thermal Comfort Performance of Buildings..................08 3.1 Heat Gain and Heat Transfer............................................................08 3.2 Thermal Comfort Performance..........................................................09 4.0 Design Features........................................................................................10 4.1 Openings...........................................................................................10 4.2 Spatial Layout...................................................................................12 4.3 Local Material....................................................................................13 4.4 Renewable Energy............................................................................15 4.5 Overhanging Roof.............................................................................17 5.0 Conclusion.................................................................................................19 6.0 References..................................................................................................20

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Application of design features to Reduce Heat Gain in order to achieve zero energy in Shelter@Rainforest Sabah

Abstract The focal intention of this report is to study the application of design features to reduce heat gain in order to achieve zero energy in Shelter@Rainforest Sabah.

There are few methods used in this building to reduce heat gain, such as the used of local materials (timber) as main construction materials, spatial layout of the building, and also various type of openings were design in this building. All these methods used were mainly inspired by traditional Iban Longhouse. The ideas of having new portable walls and doors in Shelter@Rainforest is to provide openness that allow the ventilation to happens. Various openings were design to allow wind flows in the building and enhance the ventilation. The idea of local materials used in this building is clearly inspired by Iban traditional long house, this enable the building to be well ventilated and reduces heat gain. The local materials used is timber which known as low thermal mass materials, which is also a air permeable materials allow the air flow and gives nature cross ventilation. Timber is a air permeable materials that promote the nature cross ventilation in material itself and also the building. In addition to that, permeable materials are very important for cooling in the hot and humid weather. The used of local materials give out both aesthetically and structurally throughout the building. In addition to that, the use of local materials enable to overcome the difficulties of the site that located in a remote location, lack of infrastructure and few skilled builders. The use of these local materials suits the hot and humid and high rainfall climate with the use of air permeable and low thermal mass cladding materials.

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Application of design features to Reduce Heat Gain in order to achieve zero energy in Shelter@Rainforest Sabah

1.0 Introduction 1.1 Overview of Shelter@Rainforest Sabah Shelter@Rainforest Sabah is located in a remote inland location of Sabah State, five hours drive from Kota Kinabalu. This shelter belongs to a manager of a private forestry company supporting sustainable reforestation in Malaysia, that look after 100,000 hectares of forest for a period of 99 years. This shelter is designed by Marra+Yeh Architects, influenced by Iban Traditional Longhouse.

Shelter@Rainforest Sabah known as Zero energy house that provide accommodation for the manager's family and also guests of the forestry company that has stewardship over the land. An ecological approach lead to a cooperation

between

architecture,

forestry,

botany

and

anthropology

(Marrayeh.com,2015). Moreover, Shelter@Rainforest Sabah is designed based on a modular system by using local materials and a small timber sections. Thus, it overcoming the difficulties of a remote location and the lacking of infrastructure.

Figure 1.1.1 Front View of Shelter@Rainforest Sabah Source: Images.adsttc.com,. (2015). Retrieved 31 October 2015, from http://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5031/9bb3/28ba/0d18/3000/08bc/medium_jpg/stringio.j pg?1414424951

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Application of design features to Reduce Heat Gain in order to achieve zero energy in Shelter@Rainforest Sabah 1.2 Research Questions Question

01:

What is zero energy in sustainable design?

Question

02:

What are the factors effects zero energy?

Question

03:

How are the design features of Shelter@Rainforest Sabah able to reduce heat gain in order to achieve zero energy in site context?

Question

04:

How did the selection of the local materials effect thermal comfort performance in Shelter@Rainforest Sabah?

Question

05:

What are the other strategies used by Shelter@Rainforest Sabah to achieve zero energy?

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Application of design features to Reduce Heat Gain in order to achieve zero energy in Shelter@Rainforest Sabah

2.0 Zero Energy 2.1 Zero Energy Buildings A zero energy building can be defined depending on the boundary and metric, projects goals, the values of the design team and building owner. Basically, zero energy building (ZEB) is an energy efficient building where on a source energy basis, the actual annual delivered energy is less than or equal to the onsite renewable exported energy (Zero Energy Building,2015) .

Shelter@Rainforest Sabah is a self sufficient Net Zero Longhouse which supports the sustainable Reforestation in Malaysia. Shelter@Rainforest Sabah is designed in one level, built using local material which is timber that situated on a hill overlooking the forest. The use of renewable energy such as a rooftop photovoltaic system and biogas units to provide energy to the shelter. In addition to that, rainwater collection units is also designed in this shelter to allow the residents to live simply and self sufficiency.

Figure 2.1.1 Rear Perspective of Shelter@Rainforest Sabah Source: Assets.inhabitat.com,.

(2015). Retrieved 1 November 2015, from

http://assets.inhabitat.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2012/08/shelter-atrainforest-Marra-Yeh-Architects.jpg

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Application of design features to Reduce Heat Gain in order to achieve zero energy in Shelter@Rainforest Sabah 2.2 Factors Affect Zero Energy 2.2.1 Site Energy Site energy is the energy consumed and generated at site, regardless of where or how the energy is originated (Wbdg.org, 2015) . In addition, quantity of energy that provided by on site renewable energy source is equivalent to the quantity of energy consumed by the building.

2.2.2 Source Energy Source energy is the primary energy required to extract and delivery energy to site, including energy that may be lost or wasted in process of the transmission, distribution and also the generation (Wbdg.org, 2015). Principally, it means the amount of energy consumed to transport the energy to the site or building. As for the case of Shelter@Rainforest Sabah, the construction materials used is locally harvested and milled timber is the main building material. In addition to that, the used of plywood as components of the shelter is also locally made.

Thus, since most of the materials are locally harvested, energy consuming from transportation and delivery energy is reduced.

2.2.3 Energy Emissions According to P.Torcellini (2006), energy emission also known as carbon emission which results in carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and sulphur dioxide.

The amount of the on site renewable energy production is actually balanced to the energy generated from the on site or off site fossil fuel. This also included the energy generated from the construction of the building and the embodied energy of the structure used in the building. Due to the remote inland location of the site, the use of the local materials from the on site itself is more compare to off site. Hence, the amount of off site energy is lesser.

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Application of design features to Reduce Heat Gain in order to achieve zero energy in Shelter@Rainforest Sabah 2.2.4 Energy Cost Energy cost is the cost of the purchasing energy is actually equivalent by the income from the sales of electricity to the grid of the electricity generated on site. As for the case study of Shelter@Rainforest Sabah, installation of photovoltaic system enable to achieve solar energy to generated the electricity and this help to reduce the use of the energy cost in this building.

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Application of design features to Reduce Heat Gain in order to achieve zero energy in Shelter@Rainforest Sabah

3.0 Heat Gain and Thermal Comfort Performance in Buildings 3.1 Heat Gain and Heat Transfer A building gain heat from the environment or loss heat from the environment in three principle ways which are conduction, convection, and radiation.

Conduction means heat move between substances which directly contact with one another, it happens when the heat flows through a solid. As for convection, the movement of gases and liquids caused by heat transfer. A gas or liquid is warm when heated, expands and rises because it is less dense resulting in natural convection. Radiation occurs when there's electromagnetic waves pass through space. When these waves from sunlight hit an object, they transfer heat to that object. Basically, heat is transfer from higher temperature body to lower temperature body until it achieved thermal equilibrium.

For the case study of Shelter@Rainforest Sabah, the used of low thermal mass material from local site such as timber reduces the absorption of heat into the building. In addition to that , timber also known as air permeable materials. As mention, Shelter@Rainforest located in hot and humid climate, the use of timber cladding in the building, atmosphere circumstances such as humidity, rain wetting and condensation. Timber is a permeable materials which allows the air to flow freely through the materials. Hence, this reduces the absorption of heat gain, meanwhile, allow the air flows in the building.

In addition to that, Shether@Rainforest located in remote area in forest surrounded by trees. The surrounding site itself promote wind and enable air flow to the building. Air is well ventilated in this building.

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Application of design features to Reduce Heat Gain in order to achieve zero energy in Shelter@Rainforest Sabah 3.2 Thermal Comfort Performance According to ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 55 ( 2004), thermal comfort is defines as a condition of mind that expresses satisfaction with the thermal atmosphere and is assessed by subjective evaluation. Heat balance which also know as thermal equilibrium refers to equilibrium between the rate of heat production and the rate of heat loss. In addition, thermal comfort can be maintained only when the is heat produced by metabolism equals the heat loss from the body.

There are two factors affecting human's thermal comfort which are the environmental factor and physiological factor. Thermal comfort level for every individual is different, it mostly depends on the clothing level and metabolic rate of every individual. In addition to that, the measurable environment factors such as the relative humidity, air movement and temperature and solar radiation also affect the thermal comfort level.

Most of the building nowadays uses Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning (HVAC) unit to control their thermal environment. But as for case study of Shelter@Rainforest Sabah, it uses nature air ventilation and do not rely on mechanical system to provide thermal comfort. Due to hot and humid climate of the site, the building is properly designed with the installation of various openings to promote air circulation. The heat air in the building enable to flow out from the building, in other way to explain it, is the exchange of cool air from the surrounding forest to the interior hot air in the building occurs. The exchange between hot and cool air balanced the temperature. Hence, the thermal equilibrium occurs, thermal comfort is achieved.

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Application of design features to Reduce Heat Gain in order to achieve zero energy in Shelter@Rainforest Sabah

4.0 Design Features 4.1 Openings Installation of openings in building is a necessary, not only for the penetration of sunlight but also the air circulation from exterior to interior of the building. As for the case study of Shelter@Rainforest, openings can be consider as one of the intention of the design. Due the facts that the building is located in hot and humid site, openings is very significant element to allow the air movement happens. The installation of various openings allow the nature ventilation to happens, this design feature allow to reduce heat gain in the buildings. Hence, the user no longer depends the use of Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning (HVAC) unit to control the temperature of the building, this can achieve zero energy.

Figure 4.1.1 Interior perspective to show the portable sliding door as openings on right hand side Source: Images.adsttc.com,.

(2015). Retrieved 17 November 2015, from

http://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5031/9bd6/28ba/0d18/3000/08c7/mediu m_jpg/stringio.jpg?1414424980

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Application of design features to Reduce Heat Gain in order to achieve zero energy in Shelter@Rainforest Sabah

Figure 4.1.2 Perspective from veranda Source: (2015).

Retrieved 17 November 2015, from

http://assets.inhabitat.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2012/08/Shelter-atRainforest-Marra-Yeh-11.jpg Figure 4.1.1 show the interior perspective of guest room. Portable sliding as the partition to divide the interior space which is the guest room from the exterior space which is the long veranda where people will hang over, where conversation is the only entertainment. Along the long veranda, it captured the view of forest. The installation of the portable sliding doors that faced the forest can be said is well designed. The portable sliding doors enable to open anytime if needed, to allow the wind from the forest to enter the building. This created a temperature difference between the interior and exterior environments to facilitate evaporation and heat dissipation. From figure 4.1.2, the perspective from veranda, the left side walkway is the long veranda mention previously. The image clearly shown that the portable sliding doors is not only installed at the partition facing the forest, but also installed along the centre walkway (right side) of the building. In nutshell, the openings design installing in this building promote air flow, the building can be justifies as well ventilated .

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Application of design features to Reduce Heat Gain in order to achieve zero energy in Shelter@Rainforest Sabah 4.2 Spatial Layout Spatial layout of the building will affect the heat gain or lost in the building. As for the case study for Shelter@Rainforest Sabah, the spatial layout of the building considered the site context. The building is benefit as it is located at surrounding of forest which is more shaded and encourage air flows. The house is thus layout as two mirrored halves that joined by an entry ' dog run' and a long veranda overlooking the wildscape. This design intention of the spatial layout, basically promote the air to flow between the spaces. As shown in figure 4.2.1, the spatial layout is not compact and the runway facing forest, which means, there is opportunity for wind to flow across the spaces, hence, no heat will be trapped in the space.

Figure 4.2.1 Not to scale floor plan Source: (2015).

Images.adsttc.com,. (2015). Retrieved 17 November 2015, from

http://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5031/9bde/28ba/0d18/3000/08ca/large_ jpg/stringio.jpg?1414424988

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Application of design features to Reduce Heat Gain in order to achieve zero energy in Shelter@Rainforest Sabah 4.3 Local Material To reduce the material usage and waste, Shelter@Rainforest Sabah was built with locally sourced timber that was specially cut to maximize the trees' yield. The main building materials used in this building is locally harvested and milled timber,

constrained to just two small section sizes, 100x 50 and 50 x 50, addressing the present reality of scarce resources, increasing the yield of exploitable timber per tree plus logistical matters such as manual handling of all building materials.

Locally made plywood is basically used as the diaphragm for both walls and floors, serving also as the module standard. In addition to that, the used of timber is not only convenient as it is a source that can easily harvesting from site, but it is actually also inspired by traditional Iban Longhouse. Traditionally, most of the materials used in Iban Longhouse is locally sourced.

Figure 4.3.1 Interior perspective Shelter@Rainforest Sabah Source: (2015). Assets.inhabitat.com,.

(2015). Retrieved 17 November 2015,

from http://assets.inhabitat.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2012/08/Shelter-atRainforest-Marra-Yeh-9.jpg

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Application of design features to Reduce Heat Gain in order to achieve zero energy in Shelter@Rainforest Sabah

Figure 4.3.2 Interior perspective of Shelter@Rainforest Sabah Source: (2015). Assets.inhabitat.com,.

(2015). Retrieved 17 November 2015,

from http://assets.inhabitat.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2012/08/Shelter-atRainforest-Marra-Yeh-6.jpg Figure 4.3.1 shows one the interior perspective of the building. Clearly shown that timber is used as main material in this building. From the structure system, walls, flooring and also the furniture were made by timber. Timber is low thermal mass material that does not store heat. In addition to that, the thermal performance of the timber suits hot, humid and high rain fall weather. Moreover, the used of low thermal mass cladding materials, it helps to reduce the heat gain in the building , meanwhile, the heat is easily transfer out from the building.

Moreover, timber is actually air permeable material, that does not trapped heat, promotes natural cross ventilation. This is important for cooling in the hot and humid weather.

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Application of design features to Reduce Heat Gain in order to achieve zero energy in Shelter@Rainforest Sabah 4.4 Renewable Energy

Figure 4.4.1 Exterior Perspective - Rooftop solar photovoltaic Source: Media2.architecturemedia.net,.

(2015). Retrieved 17 November 2015,

fromhttp://media2.architecturemedia.net/site_media/media/cache/38/f4/38f49cf0 e8da4d652c72571b3dd84b85.jpg

Figure 4.4.2 Exterior Perspective - Rainwater collection Source: Assets.inhabitat.com,.

(2015). Retrieved 17 November 2015, from

http://assets.inhabitat.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2012/08/Shelter-atRainforest-Marra-Yeh-3-537x357.jpg ARC 2213/2234 Asian Architecture

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Application of design features to Reduce Heat Gain in order to achieve zero energy in Shelter@Rainforest Sabah

In general, renewable energy refers to energy that comes from resources which are naturally replenished such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, waves and geothermal heat. Basicallly, renewable energy can replace conventional fuels.

In Shelter@Rainforest Sabah, autonomous systems were used, such as solor energy, rainwater collection, greywater treatment via biowales and biogas that actually provides both cooking fuel and organic fertilizer for small scale agriculture. Figure 4.4 shows the rooftop solar photovoltaic is installed, to produce electricity power for the building. The photovoltaic system converts sunlight into direct current (DC) by taking advantage of the photoelectric effect (Reuters,

2015).Besides

that,

biogas

units

is

also

used

in

this

Shelter@Rainforest Sabah to provide power for the shelter. Meanwhile, in figure 4.4.2 show the water system in the building. The water is sourced via rainwater collected on the roof and stored in cistern in the house. The renewable energy used in Shelter@Rainforest Sabah allow the residents to live simply and self sufficiently. The installation of renewable energy system allows the building to achieved zero energy .

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Application of design features to Reduce Heat Gain in order to achieve zero energy in Shelter@Rainforest Sabah 4.5 Overhanging Roof A proper size and installation of roof overhangs can be most effectively shade the sunlight. In tropical climate, it enable to reduces the heat gain in the buildings and gives out the maximum of cooling effect to the building.

Figure 4.5 Section of Shelter@Rainforest Sabah Source: Images.adsttc.com,.

(2015). Retrieved 21 November 2015, from

http://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5031/9be2/28ba/0d18/3000/08cc/large_ jpg/stringio.jpg?1414424994

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Application of design features to Reduce Heat Gain in order to achieve zero energy in Shelter@Rainforest Sabah

Figure 4.5.1 Overhangs roof at long run veranda Source: Assets.inhabitat.com,.

(2015). Retrieved 21 November 2015, from

http://assets.inhabitat.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2012/08/Shelter-atRainforest-Marra-Yeh-7.jpg

One of the passive design feature used in Shelter@Rainforest Sabah is the overhanging

roof.

In

figure

4.5,

shown

the

section

drawing

of

Shelter@Rainforest Sabah; figure 4.5.1 shown the overhanging roof at the long run veranda. The intention of passive design feature in Shelter@Rainforest Sabah, enable to reduce the heat gain in the building, give out cooling effect for the interior space. In addition to that, the daylight is indirectly bounced into the interiors. Regardless of the tropical latitude, the interior temperature peaks around 26C at high noon, a full 8 - 10 degrees lower than the outdoor environment (Phaidon Atlas, 2015).

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Application of design features to Reduce Heat Gain in order to achieve zero energy in Shelter@Rainforest Sabah

5.0 Conclusion In a nutshell, eventhough Shelter@Rainforest Sabah located in a remote inland location deep in the jungle of Borneo. Basically, it has overcome all the problems, using modular system as design base, local material as part of the design features and building materials due to the difficulties of remote location, lack of infrastructure and few skilled builders. In addition to that, the building is low cost and uses autonomous systems to generate their own energy supplies such as electricity and water. Various of passive designs were installed in Shelter@Rainforest Sabah, providing self sufficiency and sustainability for the building.

Shelter@Rainforest Sabah is a successful zero energy house in the deep jungle of Borneo. The design features of Shelter@Rainforest Sabah is able to overcome the heat gain issue in order to achieve the zero energy

by

implementing all the design features as mention, such as local materials is used, autonomous systems to generate energy, spatial layout of the building, various openings for air circulation and so on. The successful of passive design installed in this building allow the air flow continuously via cross ventilation.

Also, the influences of Traditional Iban House contributed to the solution of overcoming the heat gain.

Before starting a design, is it significant to understand the surrounding context especially the climate. Passive design strategies and design principles is very significant as it act as the fundamental idea of design. Shelter@Rainforest Sabah implemented this fundamental effectively.

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Application of design features to Reduce Heat Gain in order to achieve zero energy in Shelter@Rainforest Sabah

6.0 References (2015). Retrieved 17 November 2015, from http://assets.inhabitat.com/wpcontent/blogs.dir/1/files/2012/08/Shelter-at-Rainforest-Marra-Yeh-11.jpg Assets.inhabitat.com,. (2015). Retrieved 17 November 2015, from http://assets.inhabitat.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2012/08/Shelter-at-RainforestMarra-Yeh-9.jpg Assets.inhabitat.com,. (2015). Retrieved 17 November 2015, from http://assets.inhabitat.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2012/08/Shelter-at-RainforestMarra-Yeh-6.jpg Assets.inhabitat.com,. (2015). Retrieved 17 November 2015, from http://assets.inhabitat.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/1/files/2012/08/Shelter-at-RainforestMarra-Yeh-3-537x357.jpg Images.adsttc.com,. (2015). Retrieved 17 November 2015, from http://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5031/9bd6/28ba/0d18/3000/08c7/medium_jpg/stri ngio.jpg?1414424980 Images.adsttc.com,. (2015). Retrieved 17 November 2015, from http://images.adsttc.com/media/images/5031/9bde/28ba/0d18/3000/08ca/large_jpg/stringi o.jpg?1414424988 Media2.architecturemedia.net,. (2015). Retrieved 17 November 2015, from http://media2.architecturemedia.net/site_media/media/cache/38/f4/38f49cf0e8da4d652c72 571b3dd84b85.jpg Reuters, T. (2015). Renewable and Sustainable energy Reviews. Web Of Science (Science Ed).

Phaidon Atlas,. (2015). Shelter at Rainforest. Retrieved 17 November 2015, from http://phaidonatlas.com/building/shelter-rainforest/459471 ArchDaily,. (2012). Shelter @ Rainforest / Marra + Yeh Architects. Retrieved 17 November 2015, from http://www.archdaily.com/257002/shelter-rainforest-marra-yeh-architects Inhabitat.com,. (2015). Shelter@Rainforest: Self-Sufficient Net Zero Longhouse Supports Sustainable Reforestation in Malaysia. Retrieved 17 November 2015, from http://inhabitat.com/shelterrainforest-self-sufficient-net-zero-longhouse-supportssustainable-reforestation-in-malaysia/ Thermal mass and How it works. (n.d.). Retrieved from

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Application of design features to Reduce Heat Gain in order to achieve zero energy in Shelter@Rainforest Sabah http://www.level.org.nz/passive-design/thermal-mass/how-thermal-mass-works/ Thermal mass | YourHome. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.yourhome.gov.au/passive-design/thermal-mass

Hootman, T. (2012). Net zero energy design: A guide for commercial architecture.

Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

Dinwoodie, J. M., & Building Research Establishment. (2000). Timber, its nature and behaviour.

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