Acoustical investigation of open-plan offices in green building: Simulation experiment

The authors have previously reported on the measurement results from the investigation and evaluation done on the acoustical performance of open-plan offices in green buildings in Malaysia. This research uses the results from field measurements for verification on the optimum modeling process for two existing open-plan office in term of calculation time and accuracy of the simulation. Two models of open-plan office layout were constructed in four different level of model detailing utilizing 3D modeling tool. Using ODEON Room Acoustic Simulation Software, the authors examined the effects of the geometrical properties to identify the appropriate model setting for further simulation process. The simulated results of two acoustical parameters; reverberation time (RT) and speech transmission index (STI) for each model setup are then compared between each other, and further compared with field measurement results. The study concludes that the modeling process in term of number of surfaces is affecting the acoustical parameters. The discrepancy of simulated RT and STI data between model setup will be discussed

Role of architectural historical precedent in aesthetic design of contemporary architecture: Safavid architecture / Bahram Shahedi, Nila Keumala, Naziaty Mohd Yaacob

This study essentially examined the architecture of historical precedent of Iranian architecture, and focused on Safavid Architecture from experts' perspective. The study is mainly qualitative in nature, and explained, why historical precedent is important and how it could be applicable to the formation of aesthetic design in contemporary architecture. We collected the data through semi-structured interview with experts, which were guided by the literature and theoretical foundation. The account of the interviews was recorded, transcribed and the content analyzed, examined and evaluated for evidence. Three themes emerged, including aesthetic design attributes, aesthetic design values and application of architectural precedent in the aesthetic design of contemporary architecture. We discussed the themes in the light of the research questions; following drew a conclusion, which recognized the most perceivable concepts as to be applicable in the design aesthetic of contemporary architecture. In addition, it has theorized that the reality and essence of a social phenomenon in the contemporary architecture is in the character of architectural precedent

The application of Malay wood carving on contemporary architecture in Malaysia

Malay wood carving has been identified as one of the most important element in Malay Traditional Architecture. The application of this special element has its own philosophy and its purpose was meant to enrich the architecture character values. Issues are currently raised that the application of the Malay wood carving on contemporary architecture in Malaysia has ignored its unique original concept and philosophy. This indicate that the development of Malay Wood Carving requires attention and need more encouragement in order to catch up with the vast development of architecture in Malaysia, and overcome the problem of introducing more meaningful Malay wood carving in contemporary architecture building. A research has been conducted to investigate the thread of the development and application of Malay wood carving in contemporary architecture based on case study of a five star hotel in Kuala Lumpur

Office Occupants’ Mood and Preference of Task Ambient Lighting in the Tropics

Office lighting is vital for energy savings and occupant’s visual comfort being. Energy efficient lighting has been studied extensively in the aspect of daylighting harvesting and task ambient lighting, predominantly in Temperate developed countries. However, the lack of evident on the effectiveness of low ambient task lighting in the Tropics has prompted this paper to investigate the practicality of such lighting design for the Tropics. This paper explores into the office occupant’s mood and preferences of low ambient daylight and usage of task light for the office in the Tropics. It also discusses the recorded work plane illumination level upon the usage of such lighting system. It studies the impact of such lighting design on people’s preference, work plane illumination for three office spaces with the different luminous environment. In regards to the source of ambient lighting, two offices harvest daylight, and another uses the conventional overhead lights in accordance with MS1525 recommendations. Three of the offices have 15 samples respectively and the workspace horizontal illuminance level is measured across a month. The results of before and after the provision of task light reveal that the acceptance for low ambient task lighting system and it is widely preferred. However, the task light is not necessary utilized as some people are adapted to do computer work under low ambient lighting (~50-150lux). It shows that people’s preference for work plane illuminance varies greatly. Many agree that they are in control with their personal lighting environment when an appropriate glare-free task light is being used. The paper recommends that office luminous measurement shall take other lighting parameters such as the vertical illuminance and luminance ratio into consideration for future research

Office Occupants’ Mood and Preference of Task Ambient Lighting in the Tropics

Office lighting is vital for energy savings and occupant’s visual comfort being. Energy efficient lighting has been studied extensively in the aspect of daylighting harvesting and task ambient lighting, predominantly in Temperate developed countries. However, the lack of evident on the effectiveness of low ambient task lighting in the Tropics has prompted this paper to investigate the practicality of such lighting design for the Tropics. This paper explores into the office occupant’s mood and preferences of low ambient daylight and usage of task light for the office in the Tropics. It also discusses the recorded work plane illumination level upon the usage of such lighting system. It studies the impact of such lighting design on people’s preference, work plane illumination for three office spaces with the different luminous environment. In regards to the source of ambient lighting, two offices harvest daylight, and another uses the conventional overhead lights in accordance with MS1525 recommendations. Three of the offices have 15 samples respectively and the workspace horizontal illuminance level is measured across a month. The results of before and after the provision of task light reveal that the acceptance for low ambient task lighting system and it is widely preferred. However, the task light is not necessary utilized as some people are adapted to do computer work under low ambient lighting (~50-150lux). It shows that people’s preference for work plane illuminance varies greatly. Many agree that they are in control with their personal lighting environment when an appropriate glare-free task light is being used. The paper recommends that office luminous measurement shall take other lighting parameters such as the vertical illuminance and luminance ratio into consideration for future research

The Suitability of Adaptive Reuse Practices on Historic Residential Buildings to National Memorials

In order to prolong the life of the old buildings in the country through building conservation practices, there is a tendency by the government to acquire and reuse Malaysian leadership figures’ residential buildings as memorials. However, it raises the question of whether there is any adaptive reuse guidelines to reuse historic residential buildings in Malaysia as national memorials in maintaining those buildings as an exhibition space on the history of their leadership. The absence of guidelines raises questions about how to implement the process accordingly. The objective of this research is to find the best formula for reusing historic residential buildings as national memorials based on that issue by reviewing and identify the principles of adaptive reuse practices of historic residential buildings as national memorials that implemented in Malaysia. The case studies were conducted on three samples of historic residential buildings that reused as national memorials and those buildings were selected based on a list of the study population, which are Rumah Kelahiran Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad (The Birthplace of Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad), Rumah Merdeka (Freedom House) and Memorial Tun Abdul Ghafar Baba (The Tun Abdul Ghafar Baba Memorial). The sample may be determined by the sampling method and evaluated using the checklist provided. Based on the results of the case studies that were analyzed and discussed, it can be concluded that aspects of building code (local) requirements as well as environmental and conservation requirements are not met in implementing adaptive reuse process on historic residential buildings to national memorials which needs suggestions for improvement

Users’ Perceptions of Aesthetic Design Approach of Safavid Architecture, Iran

In this study, the aesthetic design approach of architectural precedents of Safavid Architecture was examined based on users' perceptions, which were obtained by using perception questionnaire instrument. The research method included concurrent qualitative and quantitative analyses of data. Data analysis procedure was conducted through descriptive statistical analysis and by sorting thematic information for Initial categories, which were defined by the theoretical foundation. The researchers found that users' perceptions fell into two distinct groups. The first: structural honesty, expressions, identity, design feature, interaction as design values in the sense of aesthetic. The second: design principle, design concept, characteristic, minimalism, and style as an attribute. Such findings revealed how Safavid architectural concepts were aesthetically integrated into the diversity aspects of its architectural precedents

A case study to assess the near-glazed workplace thermal performance

Passive solar control solutions have been widely used in buildings in tropic countries like Malaysia. It is assumed that these solutions may notably control the heat-gain of buildings. However, there is a lack of empirical studies that assess the extent of green-glazed techniques to sufficiently control solar heat-gain. The current study uses a case study approach to examine the thermal indoor performance, particularly the near-glazed workplace area. The performance of the ST Diamond Building (in Putra Jaya, Malaysia) has been examined in terms of: outdoor/indoor dry bulb temperature; glass surface temperature; heat flux through glazing; outdoor/indoor air movement; lux and; solar radiation. The results of the field analysis indicated that ST Diamond Building’s green-glazed solutions are efficient to control solar heat gain, which in turn will lead to reduce energy consumption for controlling solar heat loads