Asian Architecture Report

ASIAN ARCHITECTURE [ARC2213/2234] PROJECT 1: CASE STUDY

A Study on Achieving Energy Efficiency through the Application of Passive Design Features in Wooi Residence, Shah Alam.

NAME: TE LI THENG (JUSTINE) STUDENT ID: 0314198 TUTOR: MR. KOH JING HAO SUBMISSION DATE: 24TH NOVEMBER 2015

A Study on Achieving Energy Efficiency through the Application of Passive Design Features in Wooi Residence, Shah Alam.

A Study on Achieving Energy Efficiency through the Application of Passive Design Features in Wooi Residence, Shah Alam.

Table of Contents

Page

Abstract

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1.0 Introduction 1.1 Overview of the Wooi’s Residence

2 2

1.2 Research Questions 2.0 Energy Efficiency 2.1 Introduction of Energy Efficiency 2.2 Factor of Energy Efficiency 3.0 Passive Design Features 3.1 Sun Shading Strategies 3.1.1 Overhang Roof 3.1.2 Interior Device 3.1.3 Vegetation 3.2 Cooling Strategies 3.2.1 Cross Ventilation 3.2.2 Stack Ventilation 3.3 Daylighting Strategies 3.3.1 Apertures 3.3.2 Massing and Orientation of the Building 3.4 Material Selection 3.4.1 Bricks 3.4.2 Timber 3.4.3 Concrete

3 4 4 5 6 7 8 9-10 11-12 13 13-16 17-18 19 19-21 22-23 24 25 26 27

4.0 Conclusion

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5.0 References

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ARC 2213/2234 Asian Architecture

A Study on Achieving Energy Efficiency through the Application of Passive Design Features in Wooi Residence, Shah Alam.

Abstract The fundamental target of this research paper is to investigate and understand the significance of passive design features connected in Wooi Residence to accomplish energy efficiency. Hence, this research paper focuses on several passive design strategies that was used in Wooi’s residence, such as how shading strategies with using of building’s overhang roof, interior shading device and surrounding vegetation affect the energy efficiency of the Wooi’s residence. Furthermore, evaporative cooling system, cross and stack ventilation was used to minimize the usage of air conditional by using the natural ventilation of air. Good daylight framework and low embodied energy materials was also utilized to accomplish max solace and less energy effectiveness. Besides that, strategies such as size and placement of apertures, massing and orientation of the building will be discuss further in the research paper. In assisting the validation of research, photographs, document analysis from case studies, online resources was used as investigation approaches to complete this research and request of visiting and interviewing at Wooi’s residence with the Ar.Wooi was sent so that I can personally experience the work of such beautiful masterpiece. Hence, it has come to a conclusion where nowadays designing a building that is sustainable is possible by integrating vernacular architecture. Due to the modern technology, energy can also be used appropriately by implementing passive design features in the building.

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A Study on Achieving Energy Efficiency through the Application of Passive Design Features in Wooi Residence, Shah Alam.

1.0 Introduction 1.1 Overview of the Wooi’s Residence Wooi’s Residence is a two-storeyed bungalow that is designed by Wooi Lok Kuang, the architect himself for his family with a self-contained studio at the basement. This residential building is situated on a hilltop in Shah Alam. It is one of the very few residential design that takes after all the inclusive idea of being ecologically well disposed and energy efficient as could reasonably be expected. Whereby, the architect allows the building to blend in beautifully with the aspects of surrounding into its design. According to press article, this well-known project is awarded an Honorary Mention in the Single Residential Building category in the Malaysian Institute of Architects by PAM in 2004 for its excellence in the construction of an energy efficient and environmentally friendly bungalow (Chor Wah, 2004).

Figure 1 shows the exterior view from the turf area looking up to the roof (Lower Ground) Source: (Li Theng, 2015)

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A Study on Achieving Energy Efficiency through the Application of Passive Design Features in Wooi Residence, Shah Alam.

1.2 Research Questions The report will be looking at Asian Architecture and how the energy efficiency is important in the design of green buildings in the Asian culture. Through the building chosen in the case study, we are able to answer the following question:

What is the factors to achieve energy efficiency?

How does the sun shading strategies affect the energy efficiency of Wooi Residence?

How does the cooling strategies affect the energy efficiency of Wooi Residence?

How does the material selection affect the energy efficiency of the building?

How does the daylighting system affect the energy efficiency of the building?

Figure 2 shows the concept mapping of the case study paper

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A Study on Achieving Energy Efficiency through the Application of Passive Design Features in Wooi Residence, Shah Alam.

2.0 Energy Efficiency 2.1 Introduction to energy efficiency The chosen case study of Wooi’s residence revolves around energy efficiency. We can see clearly from the materials used to the designs and fittings in the building that Ar. Wooi has developed a deep understanding of energy efficiency.

What is energy efficiency?

We depend mostly on the energy throughout our day to heat and light our homes, power our computers and equipment at work, and fuel our cars and trucks for delivering goods. Indeed, our entire economies and lives rely on the use of energy (Turnbackthetide.ca, 2015).

However, there are variety of ways to achieve energy efficiency such as designing a building that take advantage of natural resources and minimize the energy waste. Besides, positioning a building also play an important role because with appropriate apertures and getting shade from trees is an example of using passive heating and cooling to reduce the energy consumption of the building (Alaskarenewableenergy.org, 2015).

Therefore, being energy efficiency means using minimal energy to achieve the same task. For instance, a well-insulated house has a better energy efficiency than a non-insulated house because there will be less heat escapes and subsequently a lesser amount of heat desires to maintain a comfortable living environment (Alaskarenewableenergy.org, 2015).

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A Study on Achieving Energy Efficiency through the Application of Passive Design Features in Wooi Residence, Shah Alam.

2.2 Factor of Energy Efficiency The importance of increasing the energy efficiency is to reduce the impact on the environment (Networklobby.org, 2015). This statement is true because energy efficiency helps to control local pollution as well as saving the cost of operation of a company. Energy efficiency has reduced electricity bills and lower the greenhouse gas emissions in homes, business and industry (Resourcesandenergy.nsw.gov.au, 2015).

Energy efficiency also helps to improve the quality of life using natural resources such as sun light to make a home or office more comfortable for living (Alaskarenewableenergy.org, 2015). Just like Wooi’s design allows sunlight to penetrate into the house, therefore the electrical lights are not needed during the day and it reduces the expenses of the house.

Figure 3 shows the advantage of energy efficiency Source: (Nrcan.gc.ca,. 2014)

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A Study on Achieving Energy Efficiency through the Application of Passive Design Features in Wooi Residence, Shah Alam.

3.0 Passive Design Features Energy efficiency can be achieved through the usage of passive design features of the building such as:

1. Design based on the consideration of local climate and environmental conditions.

2. Attempt to control user’s comfort (heating and cooling) without consuming fuels.

3. Using the advantage of building orientation to control the heat gain and loss.

4. Control the air flow of the building with appropriate aperture.

5. Control the heat through the selection of materials.

6. Maximizes the usage of solar energy for heating and lighting.

7. Implementation of shading device to control heat gain.

Figure 4 shows the usage of passive design features to achieve energy efficiency Source: (Fabions.com,2015)

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A Study on Achieving Energy Efficiency through the Application of Passive Design Features in Wooi Residence, Shah Alam.

3.1 Sun Shading Strategies "The windows account for the greatest amounts of heat entering the building and therefore shading them, offers the greatest protections" (Olgay, 1963, p72). Hence, the windows should be well threatened from the sun to reduce the heat in the building during the day time (Usc.edu, 2015). Shading device does not only applies to certain day or time yet the entire lifespan of the building. Hence, a good shading device should properly positioned and rely mostly on the sun orientation and local climate condition in order to achieve energy efficiency.

In Wooi’s residence, the sun shading strategy is widely used mainly on the roofing system. As the property is located in Malaysia, a country located near the equatorial, it is also essential to understand the direction of the sun during the daytime in order to determine the orientation of the building. Besides that, interior shading devices also play a minor part to control the heat of the building in order to achieve occupants comfort. Other than that, sun shading strategies that applied for the case study is surrounding vegetation. Tall and thick vegetation in abundance can provide good sun shading for a building naturally although it is hardly applied in hot and sunny countries.

Figure 5 shows the sun shading strategy used in Wooi’s Residence Source: (Li Theng, 2015)

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A Study on Achieving Energy Efficiency through the Application of Passive Design Features in Wooi Residence, Shah Alam.

3.1.1 Overhang Roof An overhang roof is a horizontal shading device that provide shades to the building that plays an important role of passive design in a tropical country like Malaysia. Overhang roof have several functions as they can protect exterior doors and windows and siding from rain; able to provide shade windows when heat gain is undesirable; and it can also help to keep the bottom floors and crawl spaces dry (GreenBuildingAdvisor.com, 2014).

According to the interview with Ar. Wooi, Wooi’s Residence is designed with a shorter overhanging roof on the west and east sides because he wanted to make use of the low angle morning and afternoon sun to heat up walls during day time and release the heat during night time. Whereas the south and north doors, walls and windows can be easily protected by overhanging roof in the middle of the day.

Building shape Figure 6 shows the building is covered by different size of overhang roof (Roof Plan)

Figure 7 shows the overhang roof of Wooi Residence from turf (South Elevation) Source: (Li Theng, 2015)

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Figure 8 shows how the position of overhang roof affect the angle of sun penetrate into the space Source: (TreeHugger,2015)

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A Study on Achieving Energy Efficiency through the Application of Passive Design Features in Wooi Residence, Shah Alam.

3.1.2 Interior Device Horizontal shading such as overhang roof on the East and West elevation is slightly difficult because of the low angle sun. Therefore, it requires special devices such as louvres, fins or blinds in order to control direct gain from overheating the spaces. Even though internal shading is less effective at reducing solar heat gain than external shading because the solar radiation has already come through the glass, it can still benefit places where sun penetrates for a short period of time on the East and West elevation (Level.org.nz, 2015).

No matter how much Ar.Wooi loves natural lighting, he still uses interior shading devices which attached above windows opening on both East and West elevations of Wooi’s residence to control the direct sunlight from entering the interior space. In fact, interior shading devices able to increases users comfort by reducing glare (Greenglobes.com, 2014).

Therefore, louvres were used instead of curtain because louvre is able to reduce and adjust the incoming light from the sun at the same time remaining the external views from interior (Figure 10 & 11). Besides that, usage of louvres also able to allow a slight amount of air to circulate through windows opening into the interior space.

Master Bedroom

Bedroom 1

Figure 9 highlight the location of louvres that attached above windows opening (First Floor Plan)

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A Study on Achieving Energy Efficiency through the Application of Passive Design Features in Wooi Residence, Shah Alam.

Figure 10 shows the interior shading device used in master bedroom Source: (Li Theng, 2015)

Figure 11 shows the interior shading device used in bedroom 1 Source: (Li Theng, 2015)

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A Study on Achieving Energy Efficiency through the Application of Passive Design Features in Wooi Residence, Shah Alam.

3.1.3 Vegetation In tropical climate like Malaysia, plants and trees that planted in front of a window able to lower solar radiation and the evaporation process also aids air cooling to the building. If the trees are carefully planted into the surroundings, it could save up to 30% of a building’s total energy requirement (Usc.edu, 2015). Therefore, vegetation is a sustainable and economical tools for shading.

According to JMP Holdings Australia, bamboo is one of the fastest growing plant on the planet. Besides that, bamboo’s growth rate is 10 times faster than wood and it can grow up to about 25m height within a short period of time (JMP Holdings, 2015). Therefore, Ar. Wooi uses bamboo as the main vegetation to plant around the house. By making use of bamboo, Wooi’s residence is well shaded and privacy to the upper floors (Figure 14 & 15). Other than that, bamboo has low maintenance and it can easily fit into any garden and landscape.

Figure 12 shows the location of bamboo planted at Lower Ground Floor

Figure 13 shows the location of bamboo planted at Ground Floor

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A Study on Achieving Energy Efficiency through the Application of Passive Design Features in Wooi Residence, Shah Alam.

Figure 14 shows the bamboo shading the observation deck on Ground Floor Source: (Li Theng, 2015)

Figure 15 shows the growth of bamboo provides privacy for study deck on First Floor Source: (Li Theng, 2015)

According to Ar. Wooi, another reason of choosing bamboo is because bamboo has the ability to release more oxygen and absorbs more carbon dioxide than normal plants. This is proven by JMP Holdings that bamboo able to release 35% more oxygen and absorbs more than 4 times carbon dioxide (JMP Holdings, 2015). Hence, the house does not has the necessity to use any air conditioning in order to provide fresh air because bamboo enhances the quality of the surrounding environment. As a result, the energy used in the building will be decrease.

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A Study on Achieving Energy Efficiency through the Application of Passive Design Features in Wooi Residence, Shah Alam.

3.2 Cooling Strategies While most residential houses in Malaysia rely on air-condition and other form of energy consuming mechanical cooling system, Wooi’s residence rely on natural ventilation with specific small detail strategies all around the house to create thermal comfort for the people living inside. With passive cooling strategies adopted by Wooi’s residence such as cross ventilation and stack ventilation, it reduces energy consumption therefore increasing the energy efficiency. Other than that, the lap pool situated near the building also provides indirect evaporative cooling to the surrounding.

3.2.1 Cross Ventilation Wind ventilation is the simplest, most basic, and often least expensive form of passive cooling and ventilation. Wooi’s residence was designed based on the influence of a traditional kampong house (Wooiarchitect.com, 2015). Hence, he believes that applying cross ventilation effectively is the most natural way to keep the house cool and enhance the users comfort most of the time without needing air condition around the house in such hot humid climate. Opening through excessive openings to almost every inch of the house give interior space a free flow of air and wind to perform the cooling and carry out warm humid air. In Wooi residence, it can be seen in the picture beside how the house has been designed for cross ventilation. The hot air exits the building through the gaps between the roof and the glass panel (Figure 16).

Figure 16 shows the hot air exits through the roof gap Source: (Li Theng, 2015)

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A Study on Achieving Energy Efficiency through the Application of Passive Design Features in Wooi Residence, Shah Alam.

Wooi Architect constructed unusual window framework for Wooi’s Residence in order to maximize the air ventilation throughout the building. For example, the windows are kept open to allow the air flow constant into the building (Figure 17 & 18). Besides that, windows are designed in such way that is not attached directly onto the wall, instead a small gap is left in between to allow constant air flow as well (Figure 19-20). Ar. Wooi also implemented horizontal or vertical louvered design for all the doors to allow airflow into the building even when it remains closed (Figure 21 & 22).

Figure 17 shows the zoomed out of window framework (Living Room) Source: (Li Theng, 2015)

Figure 18 shows the zoomed in detailing of window framework Source: (Li Theng, 2015)

Figure 19 shows the zoomed out of window separated with brick wall (Study Deck) Source: (Li Theng, 2015)

Figure 20 shows the zoomed in detailing the gap between window frame and brick wall Source: (Li Theng, 2015)

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A Study on Achieving Energy Efficiency through the Application of Passive Design Features in Wooi Residence, Shah Alam.

Figure 21 shows the zoomed out of door at Lower ground floor Source: (Li Theng, 2015)

Figure 22 shows the zoomed in detailing of timber arranged on the door Source: (Li Theng, 2015)

Air movement

Figure 23 shows the natural cross ventilation in Wooi’s Residence

As figure 23 shows that there are many air movement in Wooi’s Residence due to roof, windows and doors design. This also proved that Wooi’s residence is able to use minimal operation cost to maintain occupants comfort in the building. Hence, utilizing cross ventilation enhances the energy efficiency of the building.

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A Study on Achieving Energy Efficiency through the Application of Passive Design Features in Wooi Residence, Shah Alam.

Figure 24 shows the aperture underneath the bench allows air to flow through (Living Room) Source: (Li Theng, 2015)

Figure 25 shows the vertical timber place separately to allows air flow through (Stairways) Source: (Li Theng, 2015)

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A Study on Achieving Energy Efficiency through the Application of Passive Design Features in Wooi Residence, Shah Alam.

3.2.2 Stack Ventilation Other than cross ventilation, Wooi residence has also adapted stack ventilation which uses difference in the air pressure and temperature in order to create ventilation throughout the three storey building. Hot air rises because it is lower in pressure and its low pressure sucks in fresh cooling air from outside (Sustainabilityworkshop.autodesk.com, 2015). Hence, hotter exhaust air will exits the building through the higher openings used in the cross ventilation strategy, while cold air enters the building through the low inlet openings such as the gaps between the door and the wall.

Figure 26 shows the example of the air movement through stacking effect Source: (NEP Energy Service, 2015)

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A Study on Achieving Energy Efficiency through the Application of Passive Design Features in Wooi Residence, Shah Alam.

As explained by Ar. Wooi during the site visit, the spaces between the steps on the stairs are designed to allow stack ventilation to occur (Figure 30). Besides that, the columns and vertical louvre design are built between the stairs to allow the hot air to flow upwards more efficiently (Figure 28 & 29).

Air movement

Figure 27 shows the stacking effect in Wooi’s Residence on Section Plan

Figure 28 shows the air rises from Lower ground floor to Ground Floor Source: (Archnet.org, 2015)

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Figure 29 shows the air rises through the stairs gap to First Floor Source: (Archnet.org, 2015)

Figure 30 shows the air rises through the stairs gap from Ground floor to First Floor Source: (Li Theng, 2015)

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A Study on Achieving Energy Efficiency through the Application of Passive Design Features in Wooi Residence, Shah Alam.

3.3 Daylighting Strategies Daylighting strategy is limiting the amount of natural light entering the building to reduce the use of electricity to produce light energy (Wbdg.org, 2015). Without forgetting the importance of achieving luminous comfort, the key consideration when using this strategy is orientation and massing, size and placement of apertures, glazing and shading systems, and geometry and reflectance of interior surfaces.

Other than daylight performance, non-daylight performance such as privacy, thermal comfort and safety should also be considered. The design used very much depends on the height and orientation of the building. This strategy is a key factor to energy efficiency as it replaces one of the most commonly used electricity appliance we use at home which are light bulbs, LED lights, halogen lights and other form of electrical light-emitting appliances by using natural light. In Wooi residence, the strategy adapted is opening and the massing and orientation of the building.

3.3.1 Apertures In Wooi residence for aperture strategies, side-lighting and core-lighting strategy can be found everywhere in the house. As shown in the following photo (Figure 31), the exterior of the side of the study deck, is made up mostly of glass and wood. The wooden vertical screening facade around the windows limits the amount of light entering the building.

Figure 31 shows the exterior view of study deck from the entrance Source: (Li Theng, 2015)

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A Study on Achieving Energy Efficiency through the Application of Passive Design Features in Wooi Residence, Shah Alam.

Instead of using a solid wall, bricks are constructed in columns not only allow free movement of natural ventilation but also to allow daylight to penetrates into the building during day time. Besides that, these brick structure also acts as a load bearing column to support the building.

Figure 32 shows the arrangement of brick columns from the entrance (Ground Floor) Source: (Li Theng, 2015)

Figure 33 shows the placement of brick columns at living room (Ground Floor) Source: (Li Theng, 2015)

Doors in Wooi’s residence are all custom made by Wooi Architect to provide sufficiency energy usage in the building. The doors are made with smaller gap in between enable to create a semi private feeling to the space without enclosing it with an ordinary solid wooden door. By using the design of this wooden door, it allows Ar. Wooi to save the cost on lighting and air conditioning. This is because the lights are able to emit through the gap between the timber during day and night time and the ventilation next to the space are able to flow through the door. Therefore, it helps to increase the energy efficiency of the building.

Figure 34 shows the customized timber door design used in Wooi’s Residence Source: (Li Theng, 2015)

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A Study on Achieving Energy Efficiency through the Application of Passive Design Features in Wooi Residence, Shah Alam.

Other than that, the most common way to allow daylight to enter is through window and apertures. The position and size of windows and apertures will affect the amount of daylight entering the space. Hence, Ar. Wooi maximize the usage of window and apertures throughout the whole building in order to achieve regular ventilation and daylighting.

Figure 35 shows the direct sunlight enter through the clear glass at the living and dining area.

Source: (Archnet.org, 2015)

Figure 36 shows the small aperture along the stairs lights up the stairways Source: (Archnet.org, 2015)

Therefore, with the adequate lighting that Wooi’s residence provided individually from daylighting has the capability to reduce electric lighting power of the house.

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A Study on Achieving Energy Efficiency through the Application of Passive Design Features in Wooi Residence, Shah Alam.

3.3.2 Massing and Orientation of the Building Massing and orientation of the building also play an important design factors to consider for visual comfort, or daylighting. However, appropriate orientation able to help and reduce the additional heating and cooling in the building and reduces greenhouse gas emissions and improved occupants comfort in the space.

Wooi Residence is designed based to the hill on the north side and making use of the hill able to allow Ar. Wooi to apply appropriate openings and spatial organization throughout the entire building. Hence, Ar.Wooi uses his understanding of building orientation and design carefully to achieve the result that he wants. For example, the interior spaces that require most light and heating should locate at the south face of the building. According to (Greenbuildingadvisor.com, 2010), the right quadrant for living room should be facing south due to the strongest sunlight the space will receive throughout the day. Hence, the figure show the positioning of living room that Ar. Wooi located to gain the maximum daylight in Wooi’s residence.

Figure 36 shows the living room is placed facing the south to get maximum daylighting Source: (Li Theng, 2015)

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A Study on Achieving Energy Efficiency through the Application of Passive Design Features in Wooi Residence, Shah Alam.

Figure 37 shows the location of living room in Wooi’s Residence

As for the spaces that on north side, it has least natural light. Therefore, spaces such as bathrooms, utility rooms have great potential to be locate at North side where natural light isn’t as important (Greenbuildingadvisor.com, 2010).

Figure 38 shows the location of bathrooms facing north in Wooi’s Residence

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A Study on Achieving Energy Efficiency through the Application of Passive Design Features in Wooi Residence, Shah Alam.

3.4 Material Selection Today, architecture has a greater focus on preserving the environment and its resources.

Most non-renewable energy sources are running out. We need to think of new solutions to lower the consumption of raw material and energy. The most common method is to improve energy consumption during the building stage of a particular architecture or engineering project. The energy consumed during the process of building a house is enormous. A Life Cycle Assessment can help to find the solution by identifying the most energy efficient materials and methods used in building the structure.

The material used for constructing Wooi’s Residence are carefully selected to reduce energy consumption. Ar. Wooi uses mostly low embodied energy material (LEEM) for the entire house. Low embodied energy material is a great solution to the world because it plays a major role in energy consumption that can be remove and reduce through planning and predicting the process of constructing a building and all the activities in connection. The materials that Wooi Architect used are bricks, timbers and concrete. This three type of materials are under the low embodied energy criteria.

Figure 39 shows that concrete, bricks and timber are low embodied energy material Source: (Appropedia.org, 2015)

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A Study on Achieving Energy Efficiency through the Application of Passive Design Features in Wooi Residence, Shah Alam.

3.4.1 Bricks Ar.Wooi uses burnt clay bricks as the external wall façade because they have good thermal resistance and good regulating property against humidity which is very suitable for tropical climate in Malaysia. With the property that brick has, brick is able save energy by absorbing the heat during the day time and releasing the heat during the night time to maintain the comfortable condition in the interior spaces. According to Ar.Wooi, the untreated bricks that used in building Wooi’s residence are locally manufactured from Klang. The bricks were left untreated when Ar. Wooi choose to purchase it because untreated bricks consumed less manufacturing cost and process. Other than that, purchasing local materials without importing able to reduce the fuel used for transporting materials to building site and decreases the air pollutants of carbon monoxide (CO) from vehicles and trucks. In addition, bricks can be recycled and reused as the construction material again during the process of demolishing the building. In summary, bricks that Ar. Wooi used to construct has low embodied energy and operational energy.

Figure 40 shows the untreated brick come with different sizes are secured with concrete in between Source: (Li Theng, 2015)

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A Study on Achieving Energy Efficiency through the Application of Passive Design Features in Wooi Residence, Shah Alam.

3.4.2 Timber Using timber perhaps is a good choice for building as timber is one of the natural building material. It is safe to handle due to timber does not have any toxic or leak chemical vapour.

Besides that, timber is a renewable resources where trees in the forests and plantations still continues being grown. Timber will continue to be available if there are new trees planted to replace the harvested. It takes very few energy to produce a timber from the wood in trees in order to be used in building. Hence, timber is one of the material that has low embodied energy.

There are 4 types of timber that is used in Wooi’s Residence which are resak, cengal, balau and meranti. Due to the fact that all the local timber that Wooi architect used are harvested from certified forest, he purchased the exact amount of timber and fully utilized the timber without any extra wastage, Ar. Wooi says. He uses timber in many methods such as stairways, door panels, timber roof truss, vertical and horizontal louvre screening and etc.

Other than that, the timber that he uses are not treated as well where it actually increases the chances for termite to start nesting in the wood. Hence, he uses steel as the connection for timber to attach with brick wall (Figure 41) in order to stop the termite from entering to the wood. In result, the lifespan of the timber will be longer and least maintenance is needed during the operation of the building. When building come to the stage of demolish, timber can be recycle in the most plenty way for its disposal. By recycling timber material able to preserve and protect our environment and forests. In conclusion, timber is low embodied and operational energy material.

Figure 41 shows the steel that attached to brick wall in order to stop the termite from entering the timber Source: (Li Theng, 2015)

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A Study on Achieving Energy Efficiency through the Application of Passive Design Features in Wooi Residence, Shah Alam.

3.4.3 Concrete Concrete is made out of cement, water and aggregates which the process of construction on site requires very little of energy. Hence, there are only a certain amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) is released to the air. Concrete has many characteristics that can improve the sustainability performance of the building such as excellent sound insulation and high thermal mass. Concrete absorb heat during day time and release the heat during night time to provide maximum thermal comfort for occupants in the space. Besides that, concrete can last for very long time with very less maintenance desired whereas this absolutely increases the energy efficiency of the building.

Figure 42 shows the concrete flooring in Wooi’s Residence Source: (Li Theng, 2015)

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A Study on Achieving Energy Efficiency through the Application of Passive Design Features in Wooi Residence, Shah Alam.

4.0 Conclusion In summary, the passive design features that Wooi’s Residence practices has increases the energy efficiency throughout the entire house whereby the sun shading device that Wooi architect used is located appropriately and able to maximize shades for the building. Hence, it reduces unnecessary direct heat gain to the building. Besides, the cooling strategies such as stack and cross ventilation has also achieve the minimum usage and cost of electricity. The usage of daylighting also helps to increase the energy efficiency of the building because Wooi’s Residence uses mostly from natural lighting and appropriate apertures to penetrate into the building during the day time and this reduces the energy consumption for indoor lighting. Last but not least, the choice of material that plays quite important role because applying the suitable material used in the building able to determine whether the material is energy efficient enough. Therefore, in order to select an energy efficiency material, we need to have understanding towards the material beforehand. Overall, Wooi’s Residence is a home that achieved through minimal usage of energy to do the same work as other buildings.

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A Study on Achieving Energy Efficiency through the Application of Passive Design Features in Wooi Residence, Shah Alam.

5.0 References Alaskarenewableenergy.org,. (2015). What Is Energy Efficiency & Why Is It Important | alaskarenewableenergy.org. Retrieved 20 November 2015, from http://alaskarenewableenergy.org/what-is-energy-efficiency-why-is-it-important/ Appropedia.org,. (2015). Dominican Republic alternative building analysis - Appropedia: The sustainability wiki. Retrieved 22 November 2015, from http://www.appropedia.org/Dominican_Republic_alternative_building_analysis Archnet.org,. (2015). Wooi Residence and Studio | Staircase detail at lower ground floor looking up on the staircase above | Archnet. Retrieved 21 November 2015, from http://archnet.org/sites/6760/media_contents/69107 Chor Wah, L. (2015). Wooi Residence - Press Articles. Wooiarchitect.com. Retrieved 20 November 2015, from http://wooiarchitect.com/article3.php Fabions.com,. (2015). Energy Efficient Contemporary House Plans | Architects in Coimbatore.

Retrieved 22 November 2015, from http://www.fabions.com/contemporary-house-plans-byarchitects-in-coimbatore/ Greenbuildingadvisor.com,. (2010). Siting with the Sun: Passive Heating and Daylighting. Retrieved 22 November 2015, from http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/green-basics/siting-sun-passiveheating-and-daylighting GreenBuildingAdvisor.com,. (2014). Every House Needs Roof Overhangs. Retrieved 20 November 2015, from http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blogs/dept/musings/every-house-needsroof-overhangs Greenglobes.com,. (2015). Interior Shading Devices. Retrieved 21 November 2015, from http://www.greenglobes.com/advancedbuildings/_frames/fr_t_lighting_int_shading_devices.ht m JMP Holdings,. (2015). A4 Paper | Copy Paper | Cheap Paper | Office Paper | Printer Paper. Retrieved 21 November 2015, from http://jmpholdings.com.au/bamboo-copy-paper/ Level.org.nz,. (2015). Internal shading and the sun. Retrieved 20 November 2015, from http://www.level.org.nz/passive-design/shading/internal-shading/

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A Study on Achieving Energy Efficiency through the Application of Passive Design Features in Wooi Residence, Shah Alam.

Networklobby.org,. (2015). Why is energy efficiency important? | NETWORK. Retrieved 20 November 2015, from http://www.networklobby.org/faq/why-energy-efficiency-important Nrcan.gc.ca,. (2014). Advantages of energy efficiency | Natural Resources Canada. Retrieved 21 November 2015, from http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy/efficiency/buildings/eeb/3949 Resourcesandenergy.nsw.gov.au,. (2015). Energy efficiency - NSW Resources and Energy. Retrieved 20 November 2015, from http://www.resourcesandenergy.nsw.gov.au/energyconsumers/sustainable-energy/efficiency Sustainabilityworkshop.autodesk.com,. (2015). Stack Ventilation and Bernoulli's Principle | Sustainability Workshop. Retrieved 21 November 2015, from http://sustainabilityworkshop.autodesk.com/buildings/stack-ventilation-and-bernoullis-principle Thinkbrick.com.au,. (2015). Life Cycle Assessment of Bricks - Think Brick Australia - ThinkBrick.

Retrieved 22 November 2015, from http://www.thinkbrick.com.au/why-brick/life-cycleassessment TreeHugger,. (2015). What Ever Happened To Roof Overhangs?. Retrieved 22 November 2015, from http://www.treehugger.com/green-architecture/what-ever-happened-roof-overhangs.html Turnbackthetide.ca,. (2015). What Is Energy Efficiency?. Retrieved 20 November 2015, from http://www.turnbackthetide.ca/understanding/what-is-energy-efficiency.shtml#.VlMq1nYrJD8 Usc.edu,. (2015). SHADING DEVICES. Retrieved 20 November 2015, from http://www.usc.edu/dept00/dept/architecture/mbs/tools/thermal/shadedevice.html Wbdg.org,. (2015). Daylighting | Whole Building Design Guide. Retrieved 21 November 2015, from http://www.wbdg.org/resources/daylighting.php Wooiarchitect.com,. (2015). Wooden Hut - Press Articles. Retrieved 21 November 2015, from http://wooiarchitect.com/article4.php

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