Case Studies of Sustainable Housing for Sustainable Living in Malaysia for Better Future Siti Hajar binti Mohd Shahrain, Faculty of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.
What is needed is architecture of change – an architecture that moves the field beyond the design of buildings and toward the design of new processes of engagement with communities. Bryan Bell, 2008
This study is carried out to identify the potential of sustainable housing implementation in Malaysia, as a respond to the environmental problem we faced today. This paper will focus on eleven case studies of sustainable housing in promoting sustainable communities as well as sustainable development over the world. This study will also prove how sustainable housing works successfully as an alternative and tools for better future in promoting sustainable communities and overcome the environmental issues globally. Keywords: Sustainable; Housing; Living; Environmental 1.
In order to respond to future
INTRODUCTION As the world evolves, our natural
resources are depleting at a worrisome rate, while our needs for fossil fuels and generated energy only keep on to increase. Our current way of living will require a drastic revamp in the next ten to twenty
insufficiencies,
we
must
rethink
of
architectural responses as a whole from at a very early stage. As a result of awareness on the
importance
of
conservation
and
preservation of environmental resources, the concept of sustainable housing emerges.
years and as designers of spaces and places, we are the key to the evolution of how society and nature need to join along to overhaul the environment.
2.
SUSTAINABLE HOUSING AS A
METHODOLOGY FUTURE
FOR
BETTER
Almost half the world’s carbon
3.
CASE
STUDIES
OF
dioxide emissions come from heating and
SUSTAINABLE HOUSING AROUND
running
THE WORLD
commercial
and
residential
buildings, and three million new homes are expected to be built by 2020 (Architecture 2030).
Observations on several case studies consist of extensive information on selected projects. These are mainly draws from development built around the globe. For comparison four schemes are included according
to
regions
namely
Europe,
America, Australia, and Asia with varied climates as a key factor on the success key of the sustainable housing application. Figure 1:
Buildings consume more energy
than any other sector. Source: Architecture 2030
The case study schemes have been selected not for their dramatic architecture
In conjunction with that, over the last 30 to 40 years back, there has been a development of a large-scale movement of sustainable housing experimenting with new
but because each illustrates one or more of the issues which are central to sustainable housing. Together the case studies cover a range of these issues:
practices and initiating such ideas. However,
● Dwelling Number include the site area
lots of their innovations have not been
and the units’ number. This is to measure
widely disseminated especially in Asian region.
the
success
level
of
the
sustainable
communities’ development. UK is now leading in developing
sustainable housing because there is critical demand calling to make sure that new and existing homes are more sustainable and well adapted to the changing climate, since by 2050 the UK government targets to reduce 80% of their carbon dioxide emitted from buildings.
● Construction methods and materials on many of the schemes meet the new demands of energy conservation and avoidance of waste. Some schemes illustrate the use of prefabrication and off-site construction. Taken together, the case studies provide a complex picture of sustainable housing issues. No one scheme provides a perfect
blueprint
for
success.
Achieving
Heating/
Gas to power
Cooling
the district
nature is
heating,
heating
converted
connected to
into district
district heating
heating and
network
sustainability in housing is a complex
system
process. It requires good environmental design to address global concerns. It also needs good planning design, which can
Biofuel from
Skirting-board
electricity Water
Rainwater
Gardens,
achieve both visual quality and good
from yards
landscaping and
and roofs is
play areas using
amenity together with a high level of
drained into
rain water
Hammarby
collection in
Lake
streams and
security. Importantly, it requires strong and
ponds.
stable communities committed to the longterm success of their neighborhoods. Each
Open
Communal
Public green
Private, semi-
Spaces
open space,
spaces – 15m2
private & public
private
courtyard
open spaces,
of these issues is illustrated in one or more
garden
of the case study schemes.
2
space, 300m
gardens for
park area for
tenants
every unit
Table 1. Europe Case Studies ( Arid Climate) Project
BedZED, UK
Traffic
Reduced car
Public
Car free, car
Hammarby
Biological
ownership,
transport –
parking on
Sjostad,
Bldg. Estate,
promote
light rail link,
periphery –
Stockholm
Germany
bicycles
ferries and
mostly covered
ownership
carpool
Architect/
Bill Dunster,
Jan Inghe-
Buckhard M
Planners
BioReginal,
Hagstrom, C.
Sambeth,
Waste
Composting
Separation
Composting and
Peabody
F. Moller
Joachim Eble
Disposal
and sorted
according to
sorted
Trust & Arup
Architects
according to
type,
according to
82 Units
8000 units
111 units
type
composting,
type
Site Area
16, 500 sqm
130 hectare
13, 000 sqm
Social
High quality
Promoting
Healthy
Careful
Healthy, dry
Use of
Concept
of social
cultural
social living,
Building
choices of
and
recyclable
living,
activities –
communal open
materials,
environment-
materials
neighborhood
shared
spaces
reclaimed &
ally sound.
Dwelling Number
recycle
recyclable materials. Energy
High quality of
renewal
greenhouse,
encouraged
agenda.
playgrounds
neighborhood contact.
Glazed
for active
Combine both
Combine both
Passive solar
sunspaces/
games.
passive and
passive and
energy systems,
balconies &
active solar
active solar
optimizing the
private
energy
energy
floor plans
systems.
systems.
according to
Floor
Integrating
Renewable
ventilation,
Plans
fuels, biogas
functional
products and
requirements of
within a
central living
reuse of waste
apartments &
compact
room
heat.
illumination.
cross-section
gardens. Lay-out
Apartments
workspace &
oriented for
built on open
housing
passive solar
plan around
Design
Benefitting
Built as
Follows
useful
staggered
traditional
amounts of
modules,
building of
day-lighting,
creating
nearby hamlet
passive solar
unique homes
gain, &
with rich day
outdoor
lighting &
spaces.
Table 2. Australia Case Studies (Temperate Climate) Project
Halifax EcoCity
Christie Walk
Project Architect/
Paul F. Downton,
Paul F. Downton,
Planners
Ecopolis Design Team
Ecopolis Architects Pty.
Dwelling
350 units
27 units
22, 000 sqm
2, 000 sqm
Ltd.
splendid
Number
views of the
Site Area
waterside. The design
Healthy
Use of recycled and
Use of recycled and
Building
recyclable materials.
recyclable materials.
also gives room to private
Careful choice of
Careful choice of
materials for non-toxic
materials for non-toxic
internal environment.
internal environment.
outdoor Energy
spaces & terraces. Comments
Demonstrates
The
Despite high
a holistic
sustainable
site occupancy
approach of
approach is
of buildings,
sustainable
continuous
project offers
communities
throughout
exceptional
to promote
the building
qualities to
sustainable
life cycle –
residents &
economy and
from
human scale.
developments
construction
Extremely
. BedZED is
phase to
flexible space
energy
operational
planning
efficient &
phase and
obtained by
water
possible later
combining
efficient. The
decompositio
healthy
building
n phase.
construction
used were
techniques.
selected from
Ecological
renewable/
design
recycled
explicitly
sources
appreciated by
within
residents.
Passive solar energy, floor plans optimized
accordingly to
accordingly to
ventilation,
ventilation, illumination
illumination, and
and functional
functional
requirements of
requirements of
apartments. Solar water
apartments. Solar
heaters. Low primary
water heaters.
energy building
Photovoltaic, power to
materials. Photovoltaic,
grid.
power to grid.
Heating/
Solar heating primarily
Just solar & body heat.
Cooling
and solar cooling via
High mass/high
passive climate
insulation designs
responsive design.
strategy.
High mass/ high insulation design
materials &
materials
Passive solar energy, floor plans optimized
strategy. Rain water collection.
Rain water collected for
Reuse collected
irrigation & toilet
sewage water &
flushing. Sewage mine
treated on-site
installed.
Open
Private, semi private &
Private, semi private &
Space
public; high vegetation
public; roof gardens,
roof gardens. Facades
community garden area.
covered with
Facades covered with
vegetation. Link to
vegetation.
Water
35miles of the site.
rural revegetation project Traffic
Car free, car parking
Car-free inner open
on periphery &
spaces, accessibility by
underground
footpath
Waste
Communal
Communal composting
Disposal
composting and sorted
and sorted according to
according to type
type
Communal open
Communal open spaces,
Social Concept
spaces, and various
and various community
community buildings
buildings encouraged
encouraged
neighborhood contact
neighborhood contact Floor
Variety of design
Variety of design
Plans
approaches in plans.
approaches in plans.
Project
Arcosanti,
Ithaca Eco
Habitat 67,
Phoenix
Village, New
Montreal
York Architect/
Paolo Soleri
Moshe Safdie
Dwelling
No
Number
information
Site Area
101, 171 sqm
30 units
175 acres
158 units
No information
Lay-out oriented for
open-plan system.
passive solar.
Healthy
Bed of silt are
Prefabrication
Detail design
Apartments built on
Building
cast by
process of
developed with future
open-plan system. Detail
concrete
modular shape
residents through
design developed with
panels tilt-up
was modeled
‘barefoot architecture’
future residents through
acquired from
in a reinforced
‘barefoot architecture’
surrounding
steel cage. The
program.
area, giving
on-site
Multi-layered design.
the concrete
prefabrication
Primarily high density
Low medium rise with 2-
unique texture
system should
& medium rise with 2-
5 storey buildings, varied
& color that
have reduced
5 storey buildings.
architecture in general
helps it blend
the production
Rendered facades
unified urban structure.
Multi-layered design.
with landscape
cost
Energy
Passive solar techniques
techniques
Heating/
Passive solar
Radiant floor
Central
in tradition of city with
Cooling
techniques
heating
heating
balconies &
Water
rammed earth, timber
Street facades in
windows all double-
tradition of city with
glazed. Street facades
balconies & verandahs.
Passive solar
Rainwater catchment
verandahs. Comments
Joan Bokaer & Liz Walker
Planners
Apartments built on
program.
Design
Table 3. America Case Studies (Arid Climate)
system
Human scale and car-
Human scale and car-
free environmental
free environmental
Open
Outdoor
90% of the
Private roof
project. Demonstrated
project. Demonstrates
Space
amphitheater,
land is left as
garden, private
potential that was not
importance of committed
community
open space for
terraces
realized in real urban
developer, architect and
swimming
organic
context.
community based
pool, camp
agriculture &
builder. Economical
area,
natural habitat,
project but required high
greenhouses,
private garden,
challenge on cost
gardens
public park
control.
Traffic
Automobiles
Car free, car
Parking
are eliminated.
parking on
facilities are
Pedestrian-
periphery
separated from tenant’s
oriented city.
circulation routes Waste
Separation,
Separation,
Separation,
Disposal
composting
composting
composting
Social
Educational
Concept
Communal
High quality
kitchen,
of social living
Table 4. Asia Case Studies (Tropical Climate) Project
growing
a, Sri Lanka
community Floor
Layout of
Several
Plans
building is
options for
intricate &
lay-out of
organic, with a
dwellings
Thailand
Planners
Shramadana,
Malyan, Sime
Tantasavasdi,
Ministry of
Darby
Torwong
Environment &
Property of
Chevidyakarn,
Natural
Malaysia
Maniporn
Resources
of space
Prefab concrete
Dwelling
Pichaisak
70 units
1 unit
30 units
5 acres
No info
No info Integrating all
Number Site Area
architectural
forms,
design
arranged in
Healthy
Locally
Reinterpret
various
Building
available
Malay
the
materials such
Kampong
programmatic
principles aimed toward
combinations.
the designer of
These units
as earth bricks
house to
requirements,
hyper-
are varying in
& roof tiles are
promote
the result from
structure
sizes &
prioritized for
passive design
climatic study
habitats of
configurations.
construction
by careful
& passive
extremely
Private terrace
orientation &
cooling & heat
high human
connecting
minimal
gain reduction
population
each unit.
exposure to
techniques
low angled
density Comments
House Prototype,
Chalermwat
all elements.
set of
House, Malaysia
Broadway
accessibility to
Creates a sense
Low Cost
Sarvodaya
maximum
Arcology is a
The Idea
Architect/
goal of
Design
Damniyangam
Efficient
More
sun
To illustrate Energy
Solar panels are
PV panels
Passive &
circulation of
participatory
alternative
people &
& community
lifestyle by
provided for
generate
some active
each houses
green
solar energy systems
resources
driven design.
flexible and
makes the
An intentional
dynamic
electricity to
system work
community
design with
power the
together.
provides
considerations
house.
healthy,
on the climate
Heating/
Passive cooling
Passive
Passive
socially rich
and basic
Cooling
techniques
cooling
cooling
lifestyle
human needs.
techniques
techniques –
focused in
ventilative
minimizing the
cooling (wind
ecological
orientated),
impact on
evaporative
humans
cooling (falling water), & thermal mass cooling (wall materials)
Water
Rainwater
Equipped
Rainwater
All the
harvesting
with water
harvesting
buildings were
dwelling is
spaces are
tanks are
recycling
pond
designed to
designed to
elevated to
Design
The modular
Primary
constructed for
system,
take maximum
speed up the
second level,
a group of
harnesses
benefit of sun,
construction
passive design
houses
waste water
wind & day
process &
features & an
for reuse
light.
allow for easy
evaporative
Open
Communal
Private,
Communal
expansion by
cooling
Space
open space,
screened
open space,
adding more
element
public square
garden
private garden
modules when
Traffic
the need
Car-free
arises Waste Disposal
Social Concept
Each house has compost bins.
Separation, composting
Garbage
Comments
Demonstrate a
Focus on one
Demonstrate
bigger scale
single
an integrative
sorted according to
social spectrum
building
passive deign
type
of housing with
(experimental
for climate
Future users,
high
new idea) of
change in
to foster a
child-friendly,
architectural
house for the
tropical
activities into
sense of
large natural
quality at
future
country with
the natural
belonging to
play areas,
reasonable cost
Integrate human
Urban spaces
communal
world in a
the
private &
living
sustainable
neighborhood
public spaces
considerations
way. Promote
agreed by both
environmental
tenant &
awareness
owner of built
among the
public housing
residents &
4.
SYNTHESIS
ON
THE
CASE
STUDIES
encourage public participation in environmental initiatives Floor Plan
Orientation for
Cross
Open space of
passive solar,
ventilation &
every house to
zoned floor
maximum
always be
plans
penetration of
located on east
encapsulated
natural
side. Primary
areas with
daylight
spaces are
conservatory,
encouraged
designed to have openings
balcony/
by coupled of
verandah
large internal
on two
secondary
open plan
adjacent walls
structure
spaces with
to encourage
high
natural
adaptability
ventilation.
Figure 2:
Planning of BedZed
BedZed has shows a successful direct planning system and zero energy required to run the building. The scheme is
highly optimized & approached the highest
In the other hand, Christie Walk is a
density for mixed use of capable by
very successful project situated in an urban
benefitting from useful amounts of day-
context. It is an urban fractal with an area of
lighting, passive solar gain, and outdoor
only half acre; it manages to demonstrate
spaces. However, the design scheme could
sustainable
only be adapted for cold climate with the
Downton the Architect, sustainable living
application of heat insulation and no
can be encouraged on a high density
consideration on hot and humid tropical
population, but not necessarily high rise. He
climate
proves it by designing series of town houses
living.
According
to
Paul
that promotes communal activities both on the ground and the roof top.
Figure 3:
Planning of Hammarby Sjostad
Hammarby Sjostad in the other hand is a very unique concept for a sustainable city.
It
is
large
scale
approach
for
sustainable living. The planning concept for every housing is very basic of linearity filled with some pocket urban spaces for the community. The design shows a lot of sensitivity in providing open space both public and private for the residents. In terms of the design details however is only applicable for a cold climate country.
Figure 4:
Planning of Christie Walk
Christie Walk also demonstrates the importance
of
committed
developer,
architect and builder – all based in the community, it is a very independent and strong community base, enjoyed momentum developed through HEP proposal. Since Christie Walk is located in Adelaide which is under temperate climate, the design serves both
for
moderately.
hot
and
cold
temperature,
proper building techniques and arcological philosophy. It is a long term and very large scale project that requires a lot of details and attention,
as
well
as
supportive
communities.
Figure 5:
Planning of Arcosanti
Arcosanti is an experimental town located in a deserted area of Arizona, USA. Indeed, it is quite isolated and properly planned as a big sustainable city project. It is a Paolo Soleri’s masterpiece that requires continuous development with a lot of help from other people. It is a success in terms of the energy and facilities sustainability with
Figure 6:
Planning of Damniyangama
its own infrastructure system, but the fact
Interestingly, Damniyangama is a
that it is quite far has made difficulties for
sustainable living project found in Asian
other people to come and stay here. The
region with a lot of consideration could be
planning design is quite irregular and
taken. The main objective of this project is
central.
to help the Tsunami’s refugee so that they could build a sustainable community. The Arcosanti demonstrates ways on how
to reduce the negative impact on the earth
design approach is holistic in terms of the planning and design details.
and improve urban conditions. After all, Arcosanti is an educational center, with
Materials used are acquired on site
efficient circulation of people and resources,
and since it is located on Sri Lanka, a
multi-use buildings, and solar orientation for
tropical country, the design stressed much
cooling, heating, and lighting. There is also
issues of the hot and humid climate which is
a workshop program for the public, teaches
applicable to Malaysia’s condition.
Basically the planning layout is to have a
natural ventilation each house is planned
central park for the public and all houses
alternately to each other.
surround the park and other facilities building to promote nature surveillance while encouraging sustainable community living.
Basically, it applies passive cooling techniques in three ways;1) ventilative cooling (wind orientated), 2) evaporative cooling (falling water), and 3) thermal mass cooling (wall materials).
5.
DISCUSSIONS From all the case studies that has
been observed and studied, it proves that planning is very important to demonstrate Figure 7:
Planning of Bangkok Low Cost
House Project
sustainable community living. Rather than selfishly planned to maximize the land by
The last case study that has been
building a solid block for sell, we should
analyzed is a Low Cost House Project in
return some portion of the land for the
Bangkok, Thailand. This case study is
public for them to conduct their nature of
selected for its application of passive
living
cooling techniques for the tropical hot and
activities. Just take Christie walk as the best
humid country. The main idea of this case
example, within just half an acre, 40% of the
study is to integrate the design idea into
land was utilized for the resident’s use, and
sustainable community living.
Ithaca Eco Village of 175 acres land, 90% of
–
gatherings
and
community
The planning layout of the project is
them are left as open space for organic
very important and is the key factor of the
agriculture & natural habitat, private garden,
project’s success level. The houses are
public park.
oriented according to the sun and the wind
Besides that, the housing design also
with the main stress of passive cooling. So,
plays an important role for resident’s
in order to allow for wind circulation and
comfort. It should always be designed with its context and respond to the climate.
People always says that the European can
6.
always conduct a green and sustainable
SUSTAINABLE
living because their country is always cold
MALAYSIA
and cozy while here in Malaysia it is always hot and raining.
CONCEPTUAL APPROACH IN HOUSING
IN
It is obvious that the most favored and most affordable type of home in
“We hardly walk under the sun!”
Malaysia is the terraced housing. It has
“Ah, it’s raining. Let’s get home, we can’t do anything, right?”
become
the
typical
typology
in
accommodating the masses and has long been considered as one of the densest
It is not the climate to be blamed for, but how it is a challenge for us here in
models
House Project in Bangkok has actually prove that passive cooling can be obtained through the physical design with some considerations from basic planning until the materials chosen.
property
development
in
Malaysia.
tropical country to make those things happening. The study on the Low Cost
of
Terrace housing in Malaysia has been identified with problems related to poor design, unsightly renovations, safety issues, thermal comfort, social disunity and cultural misfit. According to Abu Hassan Abu Bakar (2007) the quality of housing and its social, economic and environmental
In the nutshell, I believe that the first
performance
is
alarmingly
crucial
to
thing need to be done to promote sustainable
sustainable development but the issue on
community living is to provide comfort for
sustainable housing is still brand-new, and
every people in the community. Passive
unfamiliar, in this country. A good housing
design
energy
area should best accomplish the health
energy
aspects of the building such as domestic
reduce
waste management, clean and potable water
techniques,
zero
considerations,
renewable
application,
materials
local
to
embodied heat, and communal space should
supply, drainage, and suitable ventilation.
all complement each other with the main constraint of the climate.
A strong response and cooperation from
the
public
is
required
in
the
formulation of sustainable housing so that planners can produce and layout a plan of
sustainability and quality. However, what
(GBI)
appears is that the most important phase of
housing in Malaysia.
planning in the arrangement of housing layout is done with zero feedback from the public as the inhabitants. At present, urban planners did the whole planning process without any consultation with the people. Planning cannot be obtained by planners performing
on
their
own.
Active
participation of various groups in society is required in order to improve the quality of living
environments.
participation
of
Response property
and
owners,
when talking about
sustainable
GBI is a recognized body of green rating for buildings in Malaysia’s industry to encourage
sustainability
in
the
built
environment. It is also establish to boost awareness about environmental issues and also to recognize and reward environmental leadership. It serves as a body that is liable for assessment and gives recognition to buildings, including housing, which are categorized as sustainable.
corporate
The issue now is that there are lots
management, community groups or private
of housing projects in the market claimed
organizations should be taken into account
their housing as a sustainable housing - it
and it is essential to create awareness that
does not matter whether they are actually
sustainability can be accomplished at all
recognized by the GBI or by other parties or
levels and not just seen as a mere vision.
they just simply claimed that their housing
professionals,
developers,
projects is sustainable. It occurs that sustainable housing is seen as a theme that is 7.
ISSUES
IN
SUSTAINABLE
There are also projects that are just
HOUSING IN MALAYSIA The
struggle
being sold by developers to generate profits.
which
hit
the
sustainability of existing housing is now considered something that should be given
implementing simple sustainable housing indicators and simply then recognized as sustainable.
immediate attention by the authorities,
It is recommended that sustainable
especially the government as the authority
housing must meet various criteria that have
that
been
approves
housing
projects.
In
specially
set
and
have
proven
equivalent, we should never ignore the
effectiveness of use by the residents
utilization of the Green Building Index
involved. This situation has led to numerous
inquiries from all parties who are still
sustainable housing model should adapt to
wondering about the quality of life and
all neighborhoods and encourage healthy
public facilities with regards to sustainable
ecology with high awareness on the
housing that in accordance with the National
environmental
Housing Policy.
communities.
There are several aspects that have
sustainable
issues After
and all,
housing
attractive
the
and
idea
of
sustainable
been identified as issues surrounding the
community living is just a baby step as a
sustainability of existing housing:
holistic
approach
on
conserving
and
Planning, Climate and Context
preserving our natural resources while
Infrastructures
supporting better living in the future.
Home Design
Mechanical and Electrical
Landscape
7.
REFERENCES
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Awang A. (2007). Project Management
CONCLUSION Malaysia
is
Success Factors for Sustainable Housing: A still
new
in
Framework.
understanding the concept of sustainable housing and we are now moving in the development growth. It is quite instinctive that we may not have satisfying models of a
Choguill
C.
Sustainability
L. of
(1996). Human
Toward
Settlements.
Habitat International.
new and sustainable housing. It is good to
Choguill C. L. (2007). The Search for
excerpt the experiences of neighboring
Policies to Support Sustainable Housing.
countries by learning from their mistakes for
Habitat International.
improvement, organizational
and
solve
problems,
the
housing
during
the
exploration for own models. These studies expected model is to compensate a housing improvement for sustainable communities. The proposed
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