Post Occupancy Evaluation of Space Energy Intensity on Green Building Index Energy Efficiency (EE) Criteria

Green interior tool sustainable benchmarking system in Malaysian is relatively new. Despite of the launch of Malaysian Green Building Councils very own Green Interior Tools (GBI-IT) and implementation, there is still deficiency in post-occupancy measure being conducted in evaluating the holistic sustainability level on the post-certified interior project. The lacking is in particular related to the Space Energy Intensity (SEI). Thus, embark the study problem whether the certified project sustainability level is in accord to pre-occupancy rating score as parallel to vision by the designers upon occupation, in particular on Energy Efficiency (EE). The study objectives is to examine the SEI, to identify similarities and discrepancies of SEI and to weigh the main EE sub-criteria which effect SEI in order to enhance continuing sustainable EE after one year occupation. The SEI equation method and implementation approach are conducted in this concept paper by measuring the total space energy consumption per year/interior space area. The study design are devised into three key phases; 1. Content analysis of GBI-IT EE core criteria; 2. Comparative data analysis between post-occupancy and simulated pre-occupancy scoring level and; 3. Evaluation of key EE sub-criteria that affect SEI in order to improve continuing sustainability after occupation. The findings and discussions based on SEI comparative analysis will improve sustainability practice towards continuing sustainable agenda and will facilitate further enhancement for future sustainable approach in interior SEI

Energy consumption in open and enclosed layout of shopping malls in Malaysia

Shopping mall requires a huge amount of energy, in terms of embodied and operational energy needed to operate. This research aim is to investigate the total energy electricity usage based on different types of shopping mall design layout while understanding the awareness of end user toward the building characterizes pertinent to energy uses of shopping malls. This research was conducted at two low-rise shopping malls of AEON AU2 and AEON Alpha Angle in Klang Valley. The field study was conducted to explore the building configuration including the size, building form, orientation and opening. The data were collected and analyzed in order to have better understanding of total energy usage in these case studies. The Building Energy Index (BEI) in the case studies was calculated and the results are be compared. The results of study find that the BEI for open building has lower value than enclosed building

The Development of the Vulnerability Index (VI) using Principal Component Analysis (PCA)

Climate change elevates the rate of emergence of urban heat islands (UHIs), especially in the tropics. UHIs severely affect human comfort and health. Many studies have suggested that urban areas should be properly mitigated or planned. To cope with this, it is best to present the issue using easy-to-understand approaches to allow for better decision-making, especially during urban planning. Based on the information, adaptations and mitigation strategies can be suggested in order to reduce the impact. Hence, this research was aimed at determining the heat vulnerability index (HVI) of urban areas. This study was conducted in Malaysia in the Klang Valley, a tropical city with a complex urban morphology. Remote sensing techniques were employed to extract and derive the spatial index values for exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. A principal component analysis (PCA) was used to estimate the vulnerability as well as to generate the HVI. The most vulnerable districts were found to be Petaling (1.00), Kuala Lumpur (0.99), and Putrajaya (0.95). Kuala Lumpur had a level of exposure that was high (0.56), a level of sensitivity that was high (0.84), and capacity to adapt that was low (0.54), while Petaling had a high exposure value (0.56), very high sensitivity (1), and high adaptive capacity (0.72). A Pearson’s correlation (r) test also revealed that the variables used were highly correlated. From the preliminary findings, the vulnerability of the population to high temperatures in the Klang Valley can be identified to help develop adaptative plans that are targeted as a response to rapid warming in the future in Malaysia

Public perception and awareness towards Shah Alam Low Carbon City Program.

Climate change and global warming is the real phenomenon that is affecting the well-being of human and living things on earth. The main contributor to this problem is from the greenhouse gases (GHG) emission that consist of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the uncontrolled development which is from urbanisation, economic growth and population growth. Under the Low Carbon City Framework, there are four elements highlighted but, in this research, only one element will be studied which is Transportation Element. The reason why transportation element was chosen is because it is closer to the society and the related information regarding the element are easy to obtain. Aspect such as Private Transport or Single Occupancy Vehicles, Public Transport, Low Carbon Transport, Walking and Cycling, Traffic management were assessed through public approach in order to understand the situation better. Therefore, public involvement is a must to help reducing the global warming effect. Shah Alam is known for its approach to achieve Low Carbon City by 2030. Numerous program and facilities were held and provided to show that authorities are taking serious action about this matter, thus prove that they played an important role. Therefore, Shah Alam under the jurisdiction of MBSA were chosen as case study for the implementation of Low Carbon City Program

Post occupancy assessment comparative analysis towards sustainable township development

Sustainable township development is the foundation of a sustainable society; however, the development of sustainable neighbourhoods as it currently stands will not permit all stakeholders, particularly end users, to effectively address current or anticipated unforeseen situations that are beyond the scope of physical development. Thus, it is crucial to determine if a pre-occupancy sustainable neighbourhood concept or a certified green project acknowledged sustainable dimension pillars (SDP) adaptive measures after occupancy. The purpose of the study was to identify the post-occupation township development's based on of sustainable criteria. The Stakeholders-Inclusion Approach and Post-Occupancy Evaluation Model were utilised as evaluation tools. This study's objective is to assess and classify the SDP gap in environmental, social, and economic responsiveness and balance methodology towards progressive developments in sustainable and resilient neighbourhood development at the community and individual levels. The respondents of this study are end-users or homeowners who have resided in these developments for over a year. In post-occupancy sustainable neighbourhoods, the findings revealed SDP adaptation gaps. As a result, it provides significant identified criteria measures for further improvement and refinement towards the development of a resilient and sustainable ASEAN neighbourhood

Portable Modular Pool Prototyping for Military Training and Testing in Remote Environment

Military training and periodical assessment are essential in preparing a well-built soldier physically and mentally for the Malaysian Army Forces. One of them is the water survival training test. The test consists of a series of aquatic tasks conducted in a remote area. As a matter of fact, it requires a water-pool facility which is durable and portable. Therefore, this research aims to design and prototype a modular portable swimming pool for floating exercises and assessment for military personnel. The study is conducted in partnership with the Royal Army Engineers Regiment, with the objectives being to design, simulate, prototype, and build the modular portable swimming pool for military uses. The study output was tested, evaluated, and appraised on the swimming pool workability on site. The methodology is divided into 4 phases; (i) Content Studies and Design Profiling, (ii) Digital Prototyping, Evaluation and Testing, (iii) Physical Prototyping - Materials and Method; and (iv) Application and Measurement. The study seeks to maximise the training of military personnel and reduce the transportation time and resource costs of building a permanent pool by placing it with a modular portable swimming pool, which is more cost-efficient and user-friendly. The findings of Phase 1 prototyping required improvement on design structure where it indicated disadvantages in sustaining water volume ability at targeted level due to structural integrity. Upon improvement of Phase 2 prototyping using metal with bracing frame the pool are able to sustain the desired water volume at 5200 l3. Moreover, this study, also responds to the approaches of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 9, 16 and 17 towards harmonizing and interconnecting the three core elements of sustainability, economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental protection for human well-being

Psychology Impact of Design-Based Students during Covid-19 Pandemic in Malaysia

COVID-19 Pandemic has created a new-norm society throughout the world. This is also impacting the architectural education conduct of university students. The aim of this study is to assess psychological impact of design-based students during Covid-19 pandemic. The objective of the study is to measure 18 psychological impact factor level of UiTM students' using five points Likert scale during the pandemic. The major findings indicate varies factors hierarchical level of impacts on design-based students and remedial actions should be taken to minimize the impacts

Obstacles in Implementing Green Building Projects in Malaysia

Abstract: Widespread concern about energy conservation, global warming and depletion of the planet's non-renewable resources has given birth to the green building movement, with its idea of sustainable architecture that seems to be mushrooming across the world. Simply put, green buildings represent design and construction that are sensitive to the environment now and in the future. Green building is not a common practice in Malaysia because of the unique challenges these programs face. This research was conducted to identify the main obstacles to the advancements of green buildings developments in the country and how to include more involvement from the parties in the construction industry to adopt this approach. The opinions and views of related parties in building industry were obtained from structured interviews and case studies which have been identified to give a clearer picture of the current situation of the green building developments in Malaysia. Suggestions on how to gain more exposure for green buildings were also acquired. Based on the findings, it was concluded that the main hurdles are lack of awareness, education and information on the benefits of the construction of green buildings. It is important for us Malaysians to get a paradigm shift and start looking at greener options which are more environmentally friendly and reduces energy consumption. Creating awareness also is the first and biggest step to ensure that green buildings are here to stay

Conceptual post occupancy evaluation model for neighborhood assessment towards sustainable urban development

This research present the preliminary study of a post occupancy evaluation (POE) model on neighborhood assessment criteria towards sustainable urban development. The aim of the study is to develop a POE model based on sustainable pillar dimensions. The preliminary objective of this study is to identify and formulate a theoretical framework of POE towards sustainable neighborhood development and to implement the model in evaluating Green Building Index (GBI) certified neighborhood in Malaysia. The survey questionnaires and interviews are used in this research in order to gather experts’ opinion regarding the proposed POE model for sustainable neighborhood development for the certified GBI neighborhood project. The significant contribution of this study is the theoretical POE model towards sustainable neighborhood development for Malaysia and similar development phenomenon in ASEAN nations and another country throughout the world. KEYWORDS: post occupancy evaluation, neighborhood, sustainable developmen

Visual responses of visitors towards daylighting in museums: A case study of Malaysia

Daylighting in historic buildings is not easy to manage as natural light fluctuates. This study aims to evaluate visitors’ visual responses and opinions towards daylighting in four selected galleries in museums. Intensity of illumination and visitors feedback were obtained through fieldwork. Instruments employed were data logger management system and light sensors at test points on showcases and display panels. The questionnaire was on the respondents’ perception of daylight conditions at two different display panels (against window wall-AWW and opposite window wall-OWW). The illuminance assessment and evaluation indicated that the display placement affected daylight distribution pattern while the daylighting pattern affected the visitors’ viewing satisfaction. The study examines daylight distributions and the visitors’ visual perception and satisfaction in relation to the exhibits and interior configuration of the museums. The study found significant effect of exhibit condition and interior design parameters on indoor daylight performance and visual comfort. The results of this study contribute to the planning of appropriate lighting to minimise visual discomfort in museums