Asian Architecture Final Case Study Report

1. Asian Architecture [ARC 2234/ARC 60403]
Project 1: Case Study Paper
Design Approach of Natural Air
Ventilation to Achieve Thermal
Comfort in Glass Shed, Sekeping
Serendah
Student Name : Kelvin Ng
Student ID : 0315081
Semester : July 2015
Tutor : Ms Sharrianne

2. Design Approach of Natural Air Ventilation to Achieve Thermal Comfort in Glass Shed, Sekeping Serendah
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Table of Content
Abstract………………………………………………………………………………………………………..……………2
1.0 Introduction……………………………………………………………………………………….…………….3
2.0 Thermal Comfort in Malaysia…………………………………………………………………………..4
3.0 Passive Ventilation Design………………………………………………………………..……………..5
3.1 Orientation……………………………………………………………………………………..………………7
3.2 Massing…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..9
3.3 Fenestration………………………………………………………………………………………………….10
4.0 Vernacular and Climatic Adaptation……………………………………………………………….11
5.0 Materiality………………………………………………………………………………………..……………13
6.0 Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………………….…………..15
7.0 References………………………………………………………………………………………….………….16

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Abstract
Purpose of this research is to study the influence of design approach in natural air ventilation to achieve
thermal comfort in the tropical rainforest climate of Glass Shed, Sekeping Serendah.
Currently, mechanical ventilation is very convenient as it helps to achieve thermal comfort easily but
consumes electricity energy in order to run it. Passive design approaches are promoted in Glass Shed of Sekeping
Serendah to achieve thermal comfort by conserving energy. It is also to suit the concept of nature retreat Sekeping
Serendah by promoting sustainable design as much as possible, and simultaneously raising the awareness of
conserving the natural environment.
Literature reviews based on various sources indicate the consequence of design approaches such as the
orientation, fenestration, massing, and material that has successfully accelerated the air velocity, cooling the
surrounding temperature and controlling the humidity.
Sekeping’s projects are famous for using local material such as timber, steel and bricks in their design. Glass
Shed carries the same architectural language but with new type of modern materials. The climatic design
characteristic can be found in traditional Malay house like Chief Abu Seman’s House which is relocated from Kedah
to Kuala Lumpur in 1996. Glass Shed is elevated like traditional Malay house as the traditional Malay house raised
stilts to promote the ventilation and providing the privacy for the building at the same time.
Glass Shed used low thermal capacity materials such as brick, timber and concrete to reduce the heat
absorbance for the interior spaces and high thermal capacity material such as the façade to release the heat faster
whereas the trees provide natural shading from sunlight. In addition, orientation of the fenestration allows the
building to have stack and cross ventilation synchronously, thus increasing the air velocity.
The unique characteristic of modern material carrying vernacular architecture language yet promoting
sustainable design of Glass Shed had proven that the design approaches of natural air ventilation have significant
role in achieving thermal comfort. This approach consumes less energy by reducing the usage of mechanical
ventilation such as air-conditioning.
Research Questions:
1. What is Thermal Comfort? How to achieve Thermal Comfort?
2. How does passive design promote natural air ventilation of Glass Shed?
3. What is the influence of vernacular Malay houses design to Glass Shed?
4. What type of local material are introduced and used in Glass Shed to enhance ventilation or to achieve
thermal comfort?

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1.0 Introduction
Sekeping Serendah Retreat is situated in the town of Serendah, nearby Rawang, Malaysia. This nature retreat is
surrounded by exotic forest that promotes the idea of openness and minimalism. It was designed by Ng Sek San with
his Sekeping group with the idea of connecting nature with human by providing simple shelters that is ‘’glorified’’
with elegant look. Sekeping group approach of designing this project is to challenge them to push the design without
disturbing the context on difficult terrain.
This nature retreat is very famous among local communities especially those who live in big city like Kuala
Lumpur. The retreat offered a temporary getaway from hectic lifestyle and to be interacting with nature at the most
direct way by staying inside the small forest with basic shelter. Sekeping Serendah has 5 different types of chalets
which included timber shed, glass box, glass shed, warehouse and mud shed.
The focus of the research will run around Glass Shed with its contemporary material that carrying the vernacular
architecture language like traditional Malay houses.
Figure 1.0.1 Mapping of Sekeping Serendah

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2.0 Thermal Comfort in Malaysia
Thermal comfort is the satisfaction of the surrounding thermal environment. We can assess thermal comfort
by using subjective evaluation of ANSI or ASHRAE standard 55. In Malaysia, we use ASHRAE standard to evaluate
thermal comfort. Psychometric chart is used to assist the designer or engineering to achieve thermal comfort by
ASHRAE standard.
Factors that affecting Thermal Comfort
 Metabolic rate
 Clothing insulation
 Air Temperature
 Mean Radiant Temperature
 Operative Temperature
 Air Speed
 Relative Humidity
Figure 2.0.1 Psychometric chart with comfort zone by ASHRAE standard
(Source: Alexandra Iaccarino, System, Site, and Building 2013
https://alexandraiaccarino.wordpress.com/2013/10/17/human-adaptation-resilience-between-body-and-
structure/)
In hot and humid climatic country of Malaysia, ventilation is the key to achieve thermal comfort. Good
ventilation has high air velocity and reduces the humidity level in the air as the air keep moving. The fastest way out
of achieving thermal comfort is by using active ventilation like electric fan or air-conditioning.

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3.0 Passive Ventilation Design
Passive ventilation design is essential for a design of the building as it help to conserve electricity used to run
the active ventilation. In another word, passive ventilation design promotes natural air ventilation to ventilate the
space exchanging the air between interior and exterior.
Nowadays, global warming is becoming an issue that increasing global temperature every year by 0.2 degree
Celsius. In order to fight or reduce global warming, active ventilation is not entirely effective and only scratching the
surface of the problem.
There are two types of passive ventilation that Glass Shed, Sekeping Serendah applied which is cross
ventilation and stack ventilation.
Figure 3.0.1 Cross Ventilation
(Source: BUILD,2015 retrieve from http://www.build.com.au/natural-ventilation-systems)
Cross ventilation happen on same level of the building, allowing air to enter from opening to exchange air between
interior and exterior.

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Figure 3.0.2 Stack Ventilation
(Source: BUILD, 2015 retrieve from http://www.build.com.au/natural-ventilation-systems)
Stack ventilation happen because of the particle of the air that is hotter rises and creating pressure to force the cold
air to flow into the building while hot air pushes out from the building just like in the Figure 3.0.2.

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3.1 Orientation
Orientation of the glass shed playing very important role as it is to allow the prevailing wind to flow through
the Glass Shed.
Figure 3.1.1 Mapping of Sekeping Serendah with Indication of Monsoon
Malaysia is affected by Southwest Monsoon from May to September and Northeast Monsoon from
November to March. Within this two monsoon the direction of the prevailing wind changes, the placement of the
openings are affected and orientated accordingly to allow the wind to enter glass shed and enhance the velocity of
the air as it reduce the obstacle like walls or partitions.
The orientation of the Glass Shed also allow morning sun light to penetrate through the glass window while
shaded from afternoon sun as the glass shed was situated beside a slope.
Northeast Monsoon
November - March
Southwest Monsoon
May - September

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Figure 3.1.2 a photo from South of Glass Shed, Sekeping Serendah
As shown in Figure 2.1.2, both Glass Sheds are mounted on a slope on their west façade, shading them from
blazing afternoon sun along with shading of tree leaves which create comfortable atmosphere surrounded by trees.
Orientations also affecting choices of material used for the façade as in the photo we can clearly see that the
South and East of the Glass Shed are covered by glass reflecting tree leaves that create privacy for the user.

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3.2 Massing
Glass Shed is carefully designed to fit in the context and maximizing the user experience. Glass Shed is
elevated from ground level, supported by steel beam which allow the wind to flow through the glass shed and cool
down the building.
The design of the Glass Shed celebrates the concept of openness by its material and massing. As Glass Shed
is mounted on a slope, it enhances the wind velocity and the wind can move through every part of the building,
effectively replacing fresh air into the Glass Shed.
Figure 3.2.1 a photo from East of the interior of Glass Shed
In addition, in considering of reducing the obstacle for the air to flow through the space, the design of the
future like the chair is made of steel frame that is promote the idea of ‘invisible’ furniture combining aesthetical
value and function at the same time as we can actually look through the furniture.

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3.3 Fenestration
Window and door are carefully placed in Glass Shed to allow maximum amount of light and wind penetrate
into the interior. Two different types of windows are installed in Glass Shed which is louvre window and casement
window.
Figure 3.3.1 a photo showing installation of louvre window and casement window
Figure 3.3.2 Louvre Window Figure 3.3.3 Casement Window
On east and south façade of the Glass shed, casement window are installed to allow light to penetrate in
while for west and north façade are covered with louvre window. This is also to allow maximum control of the
ventilation by control the size of the fenestration. Casement window are mainly is to promote the view of the forest
while louvre window giving maximum shade and allow ventilation at the same time.

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4.0 Vernacular and Climatic Adaptation
Malaysia is situated on equator that having hot and humid climate throughout the year, favorite condition
for fungus and moss to grow especially when have poor ventilation and humid thermal environment. However, the
vernacular design and climatic adaptation is practice few centuries ago by Malay reflecting their traditional
architecture to overcome issue such as ventilation, safety or reducing humidity.
Figure 4.0.1 Climatic Design of Malay Houses (The Malay House, 1987)
Similar climatic adaptation of traditional Malay houses can also be found in Glass Shed especially elevated
the floor level from ground creating space under the building allowing ventilation and creating privacy at the same
time by installing stilts. This is increasing the height from ground and allowing it to ventilate lower part of our body
which is much more comfortable. The roof system is also adapted from traditional Malay house but with interpreting
with single peach roof. Glass shed is build surrounded by tall trees, allowing it to be ventilate as it reduce obstacles
of wind passage.

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Figure 4.0.2 a sectional view of typical Malay house design (The Malay House, 1987)
Figure 4.0.3 a sectional view of Glass Shed, Sekeping Serendah
As show from sections above as comparison, Glass Shed can also be describe as a Malay house with modern
material and technology that interpreting similar architecture language of Malay houses vernacular design.

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5.0 Materiality
For Glass Shed, the unique interpretation of vernacular Malay houses architecture with different type of
material is shown with same architecture language especially contextual design. Sekeping group tend to design
glass shed with sustainable local material.
In Glass Shed, material can be group into two different groups which is modern material and traditional
material.
Modern Material
- Steel
- Glass
- Concrete
Traditional Material
- Timber
- Bricks
Figure 5.0.1 Application materials in Glass Shed
Regularly, modern material have smoother texture and lighter mass in mass compared with traditional
material. Both material are used together to create an poetic atmophere which mixing two different types of mood
from the material.
In Glass Shed, some of the materials are purposely left unfinished with finishing exposing the value of
honesty and promoting contrast of the materiality.
However, materials used for glass shed are chosen in order to achieve thermal comfort. Material such as
concrete, timber, bricks and wood have low thermal capacity to reduce the absorption of heat when the material is
exposed under the sun.

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Figure 5.0.2 Steel
Heat conducting material such as steel is also use but with the purpose of channeling the heat in the mass of
the material and releasing it when it is shaded. Although some part of the steel are exposed to the sun light yet the
total area exposed to the air had overcome the issue of releasing heat that trapped inside the mass of the material.
Steel panel on the west side of the glass shed which is shaded from sun light is used to channel away the heat of the
glass shed.
Figure 5.0.3 Glass
Glass is the iconic material for the glass shed as the façade of the glass shed if filled with casement window
and curtain glass wall. Transparency of glass allow the light to penetrate into glass shed yet the light reflecting
characteristic created privacy and promoting aesthetical value at the same time.
Figure 5.0.4 Timber
Timber flooring is used for glass shed as timber is a good natural heat insulator. Low thermal capacity and
heat conductivity characteristic of timber making it ideal for the material for floor as no matter if the floor exposed
or not expose to the sun light, the floor will remain cool and comfortable. The gaps in between timber flooring
actually promoting the stacking ventilation as the air is able to pass through it, enhancing the user experience.
Figure 5.0.5 Concrete and Bricks
Concrete and bricks are applied for the sink area in the toilet due to its low thermal capacity characteristic
and water resistant. Concrete and bricks are materials that portrait raw and brutalism mood that creating iconic
poetic feeling of ‘concrete jungle’ of Seksan design just like Plan B with its iconic bricks façade.

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Figure 5.0.1 my visit to Plan B, Ipoh
6.0 Conclusion
In a nutshell, materiality is one of the key that pushed Sekeping Serendah into its iconic design famous and
successful. The perfect match of modern and traditional material that having different kind of mood yet similar
architecture language impress visitor with nostalgia feeling that interpreted transition of time.
The design of Glass Shed carried the architectural language of traditional Malay houses yet by using the new
modern material, the façade is polish and elegant compare with traditional houses. In addition, climatic design
adaptation is pretty well pictured in Glass Shed as they use different type of window for the façade to control
ventilation and frame view to show the essence of architecture.
Thermal comfort is achieved by Glass Shed design strategies of passive ventilation design, materiality and
vernacular design adaptation. Glass shed is dramatically pictured the identity as a green and sustainable building
design.

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7.0 References
1. Lim, J. Y. (1987). The Malay house: rediscovering Malaysia's indigenous shelter system/Lim Jee Yuan. Institut
Masyarakat.
2. Home and Garden Magazine. (2010). Different Types of Views: A Guide to Windows. Retrieved 22 November,
2015, from http://www.homeandgardenmag.com/different-views-a-guide-to-windows/
3. IndiaHomeTipscom. (2015). Types of Windows. Retrieved 22 November, 2015, from
http://www.indiahometips.com/window-types.html
4. Buildcomau. (2015). BUILD. Retrieved 22 November, 2015, from http://www.build.com.au/natural-
ventilation-systems
5. Wordpresscom. (2013). Alexandra Iaccarino, Systems, Sites, and Building 2013. Retrieved 22 November,
2015, from https://alexandraiaccarino.wordpress.com/2013/10/17/human-adaptation-resilience-between-
body-and-structure/
6. de Dear, R. J., & Brager, G. S. (2002). Thermal comfort in naturally ventilated buildings: revisions to ASHRAE
Standard 55. Energy and buildings, 34(6), 549-561.
7. Jean. (2015, no-date). A Trip to Glass Shed, Sekeping Serendah. [Weblog]. Retrieved 24 November
2015, from http://www.j-e-a-n.com/2011/02/sekeping-serendah-2d1n-bbq-retreat.html
8. Dexxynet. (2015, no-date). A Day Tour to Sekeping Serendah. [Weblog]. Retrieved 24 November 2015, from
http://dexxy.net/2010/11/a-day-tour-to-sekeping-serendah/

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