Asian Architecture Case Study Paper Final paper submission BY: MAHI ABDUL MUHSIN 0314421
1.0 ABSTRACT
THE INFLUENCE OF THE SUSTAINABLE FEATURES OF MALAYSIAN VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE AT THE PHASE II CHALETS OF BELUM RAINFOREST RESORT IN ACHIEVING THERMAL COMFORT Vernacular architecture has played a significant role in shaping modern architecture and in defining percepJons of sustainability in Malaysia.. The term ‘vernacular’ is constantly evolving and is not limited to the past but lives on in contemporary architecture. Due to its posiJve impact on the environment, building sustainability has become the aim of most designers today. This research paper highlights important aspects of sustainability in Phase 2 chalets of Belum rainforest that are adapted from TradiJonal Malay house. It also elaborately discusses the Extent to which these design strategies perform in achieving a favorable thermal comfort level. In order to gain a deeper understanding of how these chalets personify vernacular architecture, various aspects are invesJgated in depth, which include its contextual surrounding, its orientaJon and spaJal arrangements, its use of fenestraJons to maximize venJlaJon, its building form, its use and applicaJon of locally available raw materials and also the extent to which vegetaJon and greenery is incorporated into the building design. To enhance the scope of research and to determine the similar adaptaJons from vernacular architecture, the chalets are analyzed in relaJon to the Kutai House, found in Perak. In validaJng research findings, literature reviews of varying sources are thoroughly studied as reference in order to enhance the research procedure. InformaJon is mainly obtained through sources from the internet and also library books and documentary videos. A personal experience through the chalets and the surrounding landscape was also obtained via a trip to belum rainforest research center and informaJon collected via a visual presentaJon by the research officer at belum rainforest resort Ahmad Najmi Bin Nik Hassan, himself . Photographs are self captured and the building is well analyzed through a first hand experience. In order to strengthen the credibility of the research, informaJon is studied through a micro site analysis and the building design and orientaJon analyzed with some quanJtaJve weather data as well. In conclusion, the Phase II chalets of Belum are successful in its adaptaJon of vernacular architecture in most ways, and fail to do so in a few aspects. The Present Design also has potenJal of improving the sustainability and venJlaJon prospects through proper vegetaJon and more open windows, as well as an alternaJve orientaJon of fenestraJons in order to make the design compaJble with the wind path. Nevertheless, the chalets show that the concept of merging vernacular architecture and contemporary architecture seems promising.
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CONTENT 1.0 Abstract 2.0 -‐ IntroducJon ........................................................................................................................... 1 2.1-‐ Research QuesJons…………………………………………………………………………………………………….……….2 3.0 -‐ Vernacular Architecture ........................................................................................................ 3 3.1 – Rumah Kutai as an ideal example of Malaysian Vernacular Architecture……………......…………4 4.0 Analysis-‐ Sustainable Features of Vernacular Architecture in the Chalets .................................................................................................. ………….............................. 6 4.1 -‐ Sun Path Analysis………………………………………………………………………………………………….……….……9 4.1.1 = OrientaJon and layout in response to sun path…………………………………………………………..….10 4.2 -‐ Wind Analysis ......................................................................................................................... 11 4.3 -‐ VenJlaJon………………………………………………………………………………….……………………………………...12 4.3.1 raised floor level………………………………………………………………………………....…………………………….13 4.3.2 roof venJlaJon…………………………………………………………………………………………………….……………14 4.3.3 – cross venJlaJon …………………………………………………………………………….………………………………15 4.4 – context and surrounding ………………………………………………………………..………………………………..16 4.4.1 – vegetaJon integraJon in the chalets ……………………………………………………………………………..17 4.5 -‐ usage of materials ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..18 5.0 -‐ conclusion .......................................................... ……………………..........................................…19 6.0 – references …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………20
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2.0 INTRODUCTION Since Malaysia is a country with a hot and humid tropical climate, maximum energy consumpJon goes to venJlaJng and providing cool air inside the building. Due to lack of recycling and shortage of world’s natural resources, energy costs have been significantly rising. Building sustainability and the integraJon of passive design features has thus become the aim of most designers, not only in Malaysia, but all around the globe. Sustainable architecture is not only rewarding for the environment, but is also cost effecJve as it significantly minimizes energy usage. Vernacular architecture evidently shows us the importance of designing in relaJon to site context and as a mere response to how the site and the building benefits each other. whether it be through the building form, usage of materials, the shape of the roof, or simply via the orientaJon of the building to suit the best condiJons of the site. The most important elements of passive design are micro aspects of the site, orientaJon and layout, fenestraJons, thermal mass of materials, applicaJon of shading devices and also a proper venJlaJon mechanism. InsulaJon and thermal mass help to maintain even temperatures, while venJlaJon provides passive cooling as well as improving indoor air quality . All of these features work alongside each other and therefore should be applied in such a way that they all compliment and support each other. For example, large glass windows that admit high levels of natural light will possibly also result in excessive heat gain, especially if they cast light on an area of thermal mass. Similarly, opening windows that provide venJlaJon will also cause some level of noise polluJon. It is evident that many designers in Malaysia akain influences from local vernacular architecture, mostly in chalets and commercial buildings as potenJal means of promoJng local architecture of the past. Nevertheless, these beauJful designs that personify vernacular architecture and gracefully portrays its aestheJcs, are seldom studied and analyzed about regarding its passive designs and how well it responds to its climaJc and environmental condiJons.
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2.0 INTRODUCTION 2.1 -‐ RESEARCH QUESTIONS Revitalizing cultural heritage is always a posiJve cause of design, however we must find that balance between aestheJcs and funcJon of space and building. The building studied in this research paper is the phase 2 chalets of Belum Rainforest Resort in Pulau Banding, Perak. To gain a thorough understanding of the topic discussed, the tradiJonal chalets of the resort are analyzed in depth, in relaJon to the sustainable Vernacular Features of the tradiJonal Kutai house by addressing the following quesJons: 1) What makes the tradiJonal Malay house ( kutai house ) an ideal example of sustainable vernacular architecture? 2 ) how does the phase 2 Chalets of Belum Rainforest Resort portray a successful adaptaJon of the Kutai House in terms of sustainable vernacular architecture? 3) In response to contextual climate, to what extent does the Design Strategies of Belum rainforest Chalets manage to achieve the desired sustainability? 4)How does each of these features act as a soluJon and help in solving the problem of heat gain? 5)How can the design be further improved in response to the immediate site context?
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3.0 VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE The term ‘vernacular’ is derived from the LaJn word vernaculus, meaning naJve, and is most widely used to denote indigenous and tradiJonal architecture. According to Chen (‘Architecture’ The Encyclopedia of Malaysia), vernacular house forms evolved according to different cultural seongs and are the results of long-‐term modificaJon, adaptaJons, shared experiences and various innovaJons. vernacular architecture is a style of architecture exemplifying the commonest building techniques based on the forms and materials of a parJcular historical period, region, or group of people (Ching, 1995). TradiJonal Malay houses are typically raised on Jmber sJlts and made of materials which were easily available from the tropical forests such as bamboo, rakan, tree roots and coconut palm leaves. The houses usually have pitched or sloped roofs, porches in front, high ceilings and lots of grand openings, mainly for venJlaJon purposes as well as a symbol of the culture. Although these characterisJcs are parJcularly common in all Malay houses throughout the Peninsular Malaysia, their shapes and sizes differ from state to state. RESPONSE TO CLIMATE Since Malaysia is located at the very central part of Southeast Asia, it is bordered by longitudes 100 degrees and 120 degrees east; and by LaJtudes of the Equator and 7 degrees North. The country is sunny, hot and humid all year round with temperatures range from 25 C to 34 C. Due to heavy monsoon rains, the roofs of the Malay vernacular houses are built rather steep. In certain areas, heavy rainfall frequently causes flooding and damage to the surrounding vegetaJon. To solve this problem, some houses have used Jmber sJlts to elevate the building significantly above the ground level. The warm climate also effects the style of the Malay vernacular architecture. For venJlaJon purposes, many buildings have full verJcal openings on the sides, mostly fixed and not operable, as well as grilles are provided at high level in gable ends. Houses raised on sJlts are provided with beker natural venJlaJon as they catch wind at high velocity below the floor level. USAGE OF MATERIALS Since Malaysia has a tropical climate, most building material is easy accessible from local forests and various sites as the most abundantly used materials is Jmber, rakan, tree roots, bamboo and coconut palm leaves. In a tradiJonal Malay house, Jmber is used for the building structures, rakan and tree roots are used for tying up joints whereas bamboo and leaves are used for floors and walls. Figure 3.0 – design strategies in a tradiJonal Malay house
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3.0 VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE
3. 1-‐ RUMAH KUTAI In this paper, focus is given on the sustainable features present in vernacular architecture rather than its cultural influences, hence the The sustainable features of the Rumah Kutai is analyzed in depth as a comparison for the phase 2 chalets of Belum Rainforest resort.
Figure 4.0 – exterior perspecJve of a kutai house
The Rumah Kutai or kutai house is a tradiJonal type of malay house that is indigenous to perak, and has been in existence since the 1800’s, hence the name ‘kutai’ which means old or ancient. The historical and heritage significance of the Rumah Kutai cannot be denied. It was the only type of house where locals lived more than 200 years ago and that sJll exists today. Every Rumah Kutai faces the river as the river was the lifeline of the community back the. It generally has the same design and measurements, with only a few variaJons in the quality of materials and ornamentaJon, depending on the owner’s wealth. It is possible to have a beker understanding of the lifestyle and culture of the Malays of old by studying the Rumah Kutai’s unique architecture. PILLARS The Kutai house sits on 12 or 16 main pillars/columns called Jang seri or Jang adat. These are made of cengal, merbau or damar wood and come in different shapes and dimensions; round, square or octagonal. Some houses have straight pillars whereas some are cut so that the bokom of the pillar is bigger than the top, resulJng in a more stable pillar. The fascinaJng technique of the pillars are that they are not planted into the ground but just laid onto a base made of cut stone, bricks or concrete. THE ROOF The Rumah Kutai has a long and high roof that is made of sago (rumbia ) or nipah palm. Nowadays, many Rumah Kutai owners have replaced the palm roof with zinc roofing as it is easier to maintain. The roof is supported by small tree trunks called kayu bulat ( round wood ) And wooden posts. Some houses also have hollow bamboo pieces to channel The flow of rain water. The roof of the kutai house is sloped to as much as 30 to 45 degrees resulJng in run-‐off rainwater which provides a soluJon against water absorpJon, seepage and subsequent leaks which might occur if water was collected on the roof overJme. The large overhangs provided by the roof also acts as a shading device in the home. The area underneath the roof overhang is leq open to allow for venJlaJon so that the interior of the house is neither hot nor damp.
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3.0 VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE
3. 1-‐ RUMAH KUTAI FLOOR The floor of the rumah kutai is raised to about two metres from the ground and is usually made of wood from the Ficus plant species or wooden plants from the sawmill. There are also those that are made from strips of cyrtostachya lakka ( pinang ) palm trunk or from hollow bamboo about 5-‐6 cm wide. These strips are arranged on top of wood of strips, there are gaps of about 2 cm so that the house does not float away in the event of a flood. In addiJon, one can find a wooden beam, called bendul encirculed for the floor, as well as withing the house, serving to divide the house into its various rooms and secJons.
Figure 5.0 – interior view of a kutai house walkway with illuminaJon from the openings
Figure 6.0 – kutai house with its context
Figure 7.0 – Jmber construcJon details of Rumah Kutai
Structural Components As a lightweight Jmber structure, a tradiJonal Malay house regularly uses posts and a lintel Jmber structure. The posts rest on concrete or stone fooJngs without any foundaJon required (Yuan, 1987). The structural framework for the house consists of several posts braced by floor joists and the r o o f i s c o n s t r u c t e d U s i n g prefabricated methods ( figure 7.0 ) where all the structural components are constructed and assembled on site. this allows the house to be dismantled, stored down and reassembled again elsewhere on a different site.
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4.0 ANALYSIS the sustainable features of tradiJonal Malay Kutai houses are summarized below. The following features are used as reference in invesJgaJng the sustainability of the chalets of Belum Rainforest Resort.
LAYOUT Random and scakered arrangement of houses to ensure that wind velocity is not obstructed
ORIENTATION
Orientated with the shorter facades facing East-‐west to minimize exposure to the sun. For religious reasons, most tradiJonal Malay houses are oriented to face Mecca (east-‐ west direcJon), which indirectly minimizes the area of exposed walls to direct solar radiaJon during the day (Yuan, 2011)
CROSS VENTILATION Elongated open floor plans which allow easy Air passage and efficient cross venJlaJon
ROOF SPACE VENTILATION Roof spaces are properly venJlated using VenJlaJon joints and double slope roofs
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4.0 ANALYSIS
VENTILATION AT BODY LEVEL Open fenestraJons such as full length windows And open rooms allow venJlaJon at body level
MATERIALS
Is made of lightweight materials such as wood and other natural materials. Their low thermal capacity holds likle heat and cools adequately at night
VEGETATION crop-‐bearing trees such as coconut trees and high-‐ branched fruity trees are planted .These trees have various funcJons, such as to indicate individual boundaries, provide fruits, and shade the pedestrian walkways
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4.0 -‐ ANALYSIS
OVERVIEW
Sustainable Features of Vernacular Architecture Adopted at the phase 2 chalets of Belum Rainforest resort, Perak.
Figure 8.0 -‐ An Overall birds eye view of the Chalets at Belum Rainforest Resort (Image by Mahi Abdul Muhsin)
Cultural tourism plays an important role in the architecture industry to akract visitors and promote the country's heritage through design. Although Malaysia has given less akenJon to revitalizaJon of vernacular architecture in the past, the trend of mimicking architecture of the ‘past’ is evidently growing lately as it shows potenJal market to promote culture. According to the website of Belum rainforest resort, the phase 2 chalets or ‘kampong villa’s‘ of the resort are designed with ‘ecological design in mind’. based on the talk given during our site visit, the research coordinator specified that all the buildings in the resort were designed to respond to the immediate context of the site, resulJng in an ‘inJmate relaJonship with nature’. According to him, the ideas evolved around the scheme of the resort are “rain, sound, aroma and sun.” To put short, the buildings of the resort are all designed to be sustainable. This research will study the the features menJoned in the table 5.0 exhibited by Belum rainforest resorts chalets in comparison to the Kutai House, and qualitaJvely conclude how successful the vernacular features are in providing sustainability.
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4.0 -‐ ANALYSIS
4.1 – SUN PATH A building’s sustainable performance is greatly influenced by its orientaJon. OrientaJon is a factor underlined in ‘basic building design’ to promote opJmum thermal comfort. This is done by analyzing the micro site and carefully determining where open fenestraJons, courtyards, balconies of a building should or should not be placed, in response to the site analysis of sun path and wind path of a parJcular site. in clause 4.3 of MS 1525 (Department of Standards Malaysia, 2007), it is stated that “ For all climaJc zones near the equator, the most ideal orientaJon for any building is with the long direcJonal axis of the design facing North-‐South, greatly minimizing the East-‐ West orientaJon of the building.” It is also advised to reduce the amount of openings in a building on the East and West facades of the building. The ideology behind this is to greatly eliminate excessive heat gain in the building. Figure 9.0 -‐ showing opJmum direcJon of OrientaJon for climaJc zones near the equator
Layout – chalets of Belum Rainforest resort
Layout – kutai house
w
Figure 10 -‐ showing linear and concentric layout of kutai house
The linear, yet scakered arrangement of Malay houses indirectly helps to reduce the risk of strong winds where seklements along coastal areas experience higher wind speed than inland regions (Hanafi, 1994). The characters of a Malay Kampong are detached, and dispersed units with ample external spaces between them to allow fresh air circulaJon (Hanafi, 1994).
E
Figure 11 -‐ showing linear arrangement of The Chalets, facing the river
In terms of the orientaJon and layout, the Chalets of Belum rainforest follow the linear arrangement of the typical Kutai house, overlooking down to the river from the west. It is also orientated with its longer façade facing North-‐South, minimizing the East-‐ West orientaJon.
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4.0 -‐ ANALYSIS 4.1.1 – ORIENTATION AND LAYOUT IN RESPONSE TO SUN PATH
1
1 2
Chalet 1
E
3
W
Chalet2
OrientaJon of Chalets at Belum Rainforest Resort (floor plans – courtesy of the Resort Website)
Chalet 3
Analyzing the floor plans of the chalets in detail, it is observed that there are variaJons in the placement of windows in the three different chalet types. The chalets are also orientated in a slightly south west direcJon. In the 1-‐bedroom chalet, the façade with the most openings is the North-‐west façade, while in the 2-‐bedroom chalet, the Southwest façade has the most openings. In the 3-‐ bedrooms chalet, the most openings are found on the South-‐east façade of the structure. According to the observaJon, all 3 chalets responds to the sun path data varyingly. The important aspect of building sustainably in relaJon to the sun path analysis is to have the longer façade facing North and South direcJon, as well as to minimize the number of openings on the East and West. These features are carefully followed by the 1-‐bedroom and 3-‐bedroom chalet. The 2-‐bedroom chalets, however, have many openings on the West, which is not recommended in a hot tropical climate like Malaysia. However, these openings are aided by a porch, simultaneously shaded by an overhanding roof, which could be the reason for the openings in the 2-‐bedroom chalet, where the glazed porJons are not exposed to the sun due to the shading devices. It might also be to provide the best views in response to the site analysis. Other than the purpose of aestheJcs, it is also possible that the openings of the 2-‐bedroom chalet are more responsive towards the wind rather than the sun.
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4.0 -‐ ANALYSIS 4.2 – WIND PATH ANALYSIS
E
1 2
Chalet 1
3
W
Chalet 2
Chalet 3
WIND ROSE DIAGRAM, PULAU BANDING, PERAK (source – windfinder/ wind path on website )
The wind-‐rose diagram on the leq ( pulau banding) shows that the prevailing winds come from the East-‐Northeast and West-‐Northwest direcJons. Based on this informaJon, it is suggested that openings of the chalets are preferably placed on the North-‐West and North-‐East facades. Despite not all the chalets equally responding to the sun path data, it is quite obvious that the layout of the chalets are orientated in West-‐ Northwest direcJon in response to the wind analysis data.
Figure 12 -‐ climate design strategies of a typical Malay house
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4.0 -‐ ANALYSIS 4.3 – VENTILATION
VenIlaIon is the introducJon of outside air into an enclosed space. VenJlaJon is mainly used to control the indoor air quality by diluJng and displacing indoor pollutants. It is mostly used for purposes of thermal comfort or dehumidificaJon. The level of how efficiently a building is VenJlated is proporJonate to how responsive it is to the wind analysis of the parJcular site as well as how carefully it is designed to doge the effects of excessive solar radiaJon on the building. The size of the openings, growth of vegetaJon, heights of sJlts, as well as the roof design is analyzed further in the paper to gain a deeper understanding of the chalet’s venJlaJon efficiency. FENESTRATIONS IN THE CHALETS ( Images of chalets taken by author )
Figure 13 -‐ Full length windows
Figure 14 – open deck allowing air to pass Between rooms
Figure 15 – shaded porch with overhanding roofs
Figure 16 – full length openings and raised floor Level of the Kutai house
reason to why tradiJonal Kutai houses are so successful in applying natural venJlaJon is due to their full length windows and doors, in addiJon to them being raised off the ground by sJlts. As seen in the figures, the fenestraJons of the Chalets are mainly all full length verJcal, operabele windows with Jmber frames, and the building is raised about 30cm by steel I beam sJlts .
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4.3 VENTILATION 4.3.1 RAISED FLOOR LEVEL BY STILTS
What fascinates me most about the Malay house is that the usable floor level is always raised off the ground by 30cm to 2m in height. This approach of building design, in several ways, has various benefits from a thermal, funcJonal and safety point of view to the residents and also the building itself. The raised floor, which is built higher than the ground, is built in such a way as to catch winds of a higher velocity (Yuan, 1987: 71), and the use of Jmber planks for the floor, which have small gaps between them, can bring the air to the inner space. Hanafi (1994) suggests that moist ground requires more sunlight to dry, and a raised floor is one of the soluJons to this problem. SJlt heights vary between Kutai houses located in the northern and southern regions due to the damage caused by flooding in different regions. Research findings on sJlt heights in tradiJonal Malay houses have proved those in the northern region have more height than those in the southern region (Figure 16). The underneath space allocated by the raised floor provides shelter for the livestock, working space, and a laundry-‐drying area during rainy seasons. Figure 17 -‐ Rumah Kutai raised on wooden sJlts
Although the raised plaworm of The chalets Do not funcJon as storage space, the same concept of higher nothern Ground is applied by ( 1.5m ) high sJlts in the northern chalets compared to the southern chalets ( raised 30 – 50cm above ground ) of Belum Rainforest Resort. This is also coincidentally due to the topography of the site, which in return aids in providing winds at high velocity.
Figure 18 -‐ Southern Chalets ( 300mm sJlts ) figure 19 -‐ northern chalets ( 1.5m – 2m sJlts ) ARC60403/ARC2234 Asian Architecture 13
4.3 VENTILATION 4.3.2 ROOF VENTILATION Roof spaces in local kutai house is sufficiently venJlated by the installaJon of venJlaJon joints and panels in the roof construcJon (Yuan, 1987: 75). Figure 20 shows the roof ’s opening on either sides to aid wind path and circulaJon (Hanafi, 1994). As one of the naJve materials, the akap roof used in Malay houses has a low thermal capacity. This material does not retain heat and cools within an extremely short amount of Jme. Another climaJc responsive design of a double-‐slope roof is its gable ends. Having various moJve designs, this component also has venJlaJon panels which allow air to flow into the roof space and cool the house (Yuan, 1987:111). The roofs also have Large overhangs and the low exposed verJcal areas (windows and walls) in a tradiJonal Kutai house provide adequate protecJon against driving rain, good shading, and allow the windows to be leq open most of the Jme for venJlaJon.
Figure 20 -‐SecJon of Chalet, Belum Rainforest Resort
Figure 21 -‐ VenJlaJon Openings in the Roof of TradiJonal Malay House (KALAM, 1986)
As seen by the figures below, the roofs of the chalets are pitched just as much as a tradiJonal Kutai house, however does not have the feature of double slope like that on a Kutai house which allows venJlaJon through the roof. This reduces the roof venJlaJon space. Furthermore, unlike how tradiJonal Malay houses are properly venJlated using venJlaJon joints, this characterisJc is not present in the chalets.
Figure 22 – sloped roof designs of the Chalets of Belum Rainforest Resort
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4.3 VENTILATION 4.3.3 CROSS VENTILATION Openings should be installed on opposite walls of an enclosed space for opJmum cross venJlaJon effecJveness. In cases where this is not possible, windows can be placed on the adjacent Walls as well. It is also stated that in the placement of openings, it is generally best not to place them directly across one another in a space as it may result in an uneven distribuJon of fresh air. According to the author of the website, challengeforsustainability.org, The windward wall should ideally be oriented to be perpendicular to prevailing wind; perpendicular orientaJon may not always be possible in exisJng buildings. The building itself should ideally be relaJvely narrow to ensure fresh air is distributed throughout the building. Extensive internal parJJons will inhibit air flow and render cross venJlaJon impracJcal. Assuming a building’s locaJon and orientaJon allow for adequate cross venJlaJon, operable windows/ openings are required on opposite ends to ensure effecJve venJlaJon. Also, equal inlet and outlet areas are prefered to maximize air flow. These features are analyzed in the floor plans of the Belum Rainforest Chalets. 1-‐bedroom chalet
2-‐bedroom chalet
3-‐bedroom chalet
Analyzing the floor plan , It is clearly seen that cross venJlaJon . However, it is not fully uJlized. In the 3-‐ bedroom chalet, for instance, cross-‐venJlaJon is not used to its full potenJal. openings are not directly parallel or even diagonally placed across each other. In the other two chalets, cross-‐ venJlaJon is more effecJve, however is sJll not used to its maximum design potenJal in response to the prevailing wind direcJon. Looking at the placement of the openings, they are not placed directly across one another, which help distribute the air. Unlike what is suggested by MS 1525, the number of inlets and outlets are unequal for each chalets on opposite sides. Also, although not many, there is a few obstrucJons that may decrease the effecJveness of cross-‐venJlaJon. These factors decrease the effecJveness of cross venJlaJon. However, in the 2nd and 3rd chalet design, The separaJon of the rooms with the open deck promotes a direct flow of air in the main gathering space.
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4.4 CONTEXT
From the site plan, it is clear that the chalets are engulfed by a beauJful arrangement of plantaJon down a sloping contour. Similarly to how coconut trees and other crop bearing trees are used as a natural shading device around tradiJonal Malay houses, the trees surrounding the chalet, Also play a significant role in providing shade to the users, from every direcJon of sun path. In comparison to the local Kutai house, trees are usually arranged at quite a distance from one another, where as the tradiJonal kutai house has a courtyard of plantaJon, the trees here are randomly scakered. The reason behind this is to allow space for wind to travel between the trees hence resulJng in more effecJve venJlaJon and also for means as providing walkways between the nature. It is also preferable that the vegetaJon around a building be grown in a fashion that it does not impede air circulaJon. From the pictures below, it is evidently seen that the chalets are almost camouflaging with the surrounding due to the dense growth of trees. Since the trees around the chalet are quite densely laid out, this provides adequate shading to the chalets, as well as a fresh supply of air.
Figure 23 – chalets engulfed in a dense growth of vegetaJon
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4.4 VENTILATION 4.4.1 VEGETATION INTEGRATION Figure 24 – plants are grown on the railings and walls of the chalets
Figure 25 – plants filling up the empty wall spaces
Figure 26 – vegetaJon in the open garden spaces Figure 27– sloped roofs peeking above the vegetaJon ARC60403/ARC2234 Asian Architecture 17
4.0 -‐ ANALYSIS 4.5 USAGE OF MATERIALS THE FOLLOWING TABLE OUTLINES THE MATERIALS USED IN A TRADITIONAL KUTAI HOUSE. STRUCTURE
MATERIAL
Columns, beams, joists
Cengal, Petaling, Merbau, Damar Laut
Walls, windows, doors
MeranJ, Bamboo
Roof
Nipah, Bertam, Rumbia
KUTAI HOUSE
Figure 28 -‐ Floor joist with gaps between them
MeranJ panels Concrete
MeranJ weather board MeranJ window frames Figure 29 – birds eye view of chalets showing materials
STRUCTURE
MATERIALS
Exterior columns
cengal
SJlts
Steel I beams
Window and door frames
meranJ
wall
MeranJ panels, concrete, brick
Flooring
Merbau
roof
MeranJ Panels
Walls – brick, concrete, meranJ
merbau MATERIALS USED IN THE CHALETS In comparison to the materials used in the Rumah Kutai, it can be concluded that in terms of of the usage of materias the chalets are quite similar to the tradiJonal Malay house. The materials used are light weight and has
Steel I beam SJlts
Floor joist with gaps between them
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5.0 -‐ CONCLUSION In a nutshell, it can be concluded that the phase 2 chalets of the Belum Rainforest personify Malaysian vernacular architecture to a very high extent. There are many ways that it has elaborated on the features and some where it has fallen short of using the features as means of responsing to the site. On the posiJve side, the elevated floors, full-‐length windows on the perimeter walls (all the windows are operable and can be shut and open separately, while most of the tradiJonal kutai house uses fixed openings. The former system allow airs in according to residents needs ) the beauJful arrangement and usage and integraJon of vegetaJon plays an important role in providing effecJve venJlaJon to the users of the chalets. Although the chalets are built inspired by the vernacular architecture of the Kutai house, and has various similariJes, components such as roof venJlaJon and the height of sJlts of the chalets do differ to that of the tradiJonal Kutai house. The roof design and slope is one less effecJve feature of the chalets compared to the Kutai house. looking at the sustainable elements that were invesJgated, it is resolved that in terms of response to the sun, the chalets were not fully successful due to the placement of the windows and fenestraJons. Nevertheless, In terms of wind analysis, the open fenestraJons are installed in accordance to the prevailing wind direcJon, indicaJng that it promotes natural venJlaJon. However, in reference to cross-‐venJlaJon, it sJll has potenJal to be further uJlized to provide users with a more opJmum comfort level than the current design. This was also a result of how the chalets were placed on the site. Finally, the materials used in the chalets are of high similarity to the tradiJonal Malay house. Kutai house uses lightweight materials such as Jmber, bamboo and akap roofing which have a great advantage in Malaysia’s climate. The chalets have replaced the use of akap with Jmber panel roofs and flooring and wall finishes with Cengal and meranJ enhances the chalet’s sustainable performance. The implementaJon of modern touches alongside local vernacular architecture is seemingly not so popular as a trend in Malaysia however the idea has the potenJal of being a rather beauJful and successful design applicaJon both aestheJcally and funcJonally if, built as a response to the immediate site.
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6.0 -‐ REFERENCES Ching. F.D.K. (1995). A Visual DicIonary of Architecture. New York: John Wiley & Son epartment of Standards Malaysia. (2007). MS 1525: Code of PracIce on Energy Efficiency and Use of Renewable Energy for Non-‐ResidenIal Buildings . Cyberjaya: Department of Standards Malaysia Malaysia Resorts | Belum Rainforest Resort | Banding Island | Official Site (n.d). from hkp://www.belumresort.com Firrdhaus Sahabuddin (2014 ) Vernacular Architecture in Malaysia hkps://www.academia.edu/ 2377416Chapter_2_Malaysian_Vernacular_Architecture_and_Its_RelaJonship_to_Clima te Lim. J. Y. (1987).The Malay House: Rediscovering Malaysia's Indigenous Shelter System . Kuala Lumpur: InsJtut Masyarakat Katherine, S. (1965) My Kampong House The Straits Times Annual 1965 p.p. 74-‐77. Yuan, L.J. (1979) Relief of Clima+c Stress in Housing in Malaysia Architect Journal Vol. 4:79 December 1979
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