Ecotect: as part of the learning experience for young architecture students to raise awareness in environmental responsive building design

This study investigates the feasibility of introducing environmental analysis software called Ecotect to final year LAM Part 1 Architecture students in the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM). The study evaluates the students’ response and perception towards the software after completing the environmental analysis assignment. The assignment was given during the Environmental Conscious Design course and the students were required to conduct natural daylight analysis and average indoor thermal analysis of their studio design project using the Ecotect software. A student feedback survey on the Ecotect assignment was conducted among 64 students. Rather positive feedbacks were obtained from the students. In overall, 72% students were fully satisfied and 22% students were neutral with the Ecotect Assignment. However, 89% of the students agreed for the assignment to remain within the Environmental Conscious Design course since they had benefitted from the exercise. Majority of the students suggested the assignment to be introduced at earlier stage. Based on the high percentage of positive feedbacks from the IIUM architecture students, the teaching and exercise of Ecotect should be extended to more students and a brief introduction of such software to students in the 1st year of LAM Part 1 Architectural Studies could make the learning experience more effective

Assessing the potential of augmented reality (AR) as attributes of successful learning of heritage architecture

The usage of Augmented Reality (AR) in architecture field is considered in an infant stage as compared to other disciplines such as medical science and entertainment. Thus, this research explores possibilities of using AR to enhancing architectural representation of heritage buildings. The objectives of the research are to identify potential and challenge of AR in enhancing architectural representation of heritage buildings in Malaysia; to explore the processes of producing architectural virtual modellings of 13 types of the Malay traditional houses, and their AR prototypes; and to recommend how implementation of AR could be used in teaching and learning architecture, specifically in relation to timber construction class and heritage architecture class. This research will be conducted using qualitative approach, with substance of exploratory action research. It is anticipated that this research will contribute in providing clear knowledge on the advancement of Augmented Reality in Architecture; regulating the ranges of process involved in the development and application of Augmented Reality (AR) in architecture; and recommending ranges of possibility of applying AR technology in Architectural learning. The findings of the research may implicate the ways advanced technology is used in architecture, to the extent that visualization of projects could be simulated in a clearer manner prior to construction

The potential of low energy earth pipe cooling in hot and humid Malaysia

This paper presents a study on the performance of Low Energy Earth Pipe Cooling in Malaysia which has hot and humid climate throughout the year. The increasing demand of air-conditioning for cooling purposes motivates this investigation in search for better cooling alternative. The passive technology, where the ground was used as a heat sink to produce cooler air, has not been investigated systematically in hot and humid countries. Therefore, in this work, air and soil temperatures were measured on a test site in Kuala Lumpur. At 1m underground, the result is most significant, where the soil temperature are 6oC and 9oC lower than the maximum ambient temperature during wet and dry season, respectively. Polyethylene pipes were then buried around 0.5m, 1.0m and 1.5m underground and temperature reduction between inlet and outlet were compared in two different seasons; wet and dry seasons. A significant temperature reduction was found in these pipes: up to 6.4oC and 6.9oC depending on the season of the year. The results have shown the potential of Earth Pipe in providing low energy cooling in Malaysia. The temperature reduction is enough to help reduce escalating energy consumption in Malaysia

Architectural history education: students’ perception on mobile augmented reality learning experience

Learning Architectural History in architecture schools remains as a challenge to many students in the built environment institutions. Historical buildings information can be very complicated and complex, that make learning considerably difficult, especially when there are too many variations of building shapes, forms, and treatments. The implementation of traditional learning and teaching method, solely via lecture that is currently still in practice, may have contributed to students’ difficulty to understand and experience historical buildings to the optimum level. As Mobile Augmented Reality (MAR) application's popularity is increasing in the educational field, it inspires researchers to evaluate students’ perception on MAR usage for the architectural history education. Hence, this research aims to explore the usage of Mobile Augmented Reality (MAR) application as a new innovative method for students to learn architectural history intuitively and interestingly. The research has two objectives; firstly, to investigate the MAR current practice on architectural history education, and secondly, to evaluate students’ perception of MAR in assisting students’ learning experience. The researchers adopt mixed methods approaches, consisting of literature reviews, and survey questionnaires. As a conclusion, MAR promises a new wave of the learning experience for students, which provides flexible and intuitive learning activities to them

Materials for the earth air pipe heat exchanger (eaphe) system as a passive ground cooling technology for hot-humid climate

The implementation of the earth-air pipe heat exchanger (EAPHE) system as a passive cooling technology for both residential and commercial buildings in the hot humid climate of Malaysia is relatively new. To date this technology has not been implemented in Malaysia, although it is proven in many studies particularly in drier climates, that it has the potential to reduce energy consumption for passive cooling. Studies by local researchers on EAPHE are also limited as a passive cooling system for the country. Thinner on the ground are the potentials of the appropriate pipe materials for the EAPHE system. The study investigated the most appropriate pipe materials that will predict the optimum air temperature reduction through computer simulation studies for achieving thermal comfort. The study utilizes the EnergyPlus environmental simulation program to investigate the performances of three pipe materials system: single pipe material, hybrid pipes and insulated hybrid pipes system. Through an exhaustive enumeration process the study found that the insulated hybrid pipes system gave the best temperature reduction indicating promising cooling and energy savings potentials. Keywords: EAPHE, pipe materials, temperature reduction, ground cooling, environmental simulation

A numerical investigation on the impacts of voids combinations on natural ventilation of high-rise residential building

This paper aims to investigate the impacts of introducing voids combinations on natural ventilation performance in high-rise residential building living unit. This study was carried out through field measurement and computational fluid dynamics methods. The parameters of the study are void types and sizes, and a wind angle was used to formulate case studies. The results indicate that the provision of a single-sided horizontal void larger by 50% increase the indoor air velocity performance up to 322.37% to 0.471 m/s in the living unit and achieves the required velocity for thermal comfort. Passive design features are the most desirable techniques to enhance natural ventilation performance in the high-rise residential apartments for thermal comfort and indoor air quality purposes

The impact of landscape setting and architectural element on the outdoor and indoor microclimate: a case study of Masjid Al-Mukarramah, Bandar Sri Damansara

Being in the tropical region, Malaysia experience relatively high air temperature and humidity throughout the year. People are trying to avoid the sun. Improper landscape design could contribute further in the increasing outdoor air temperature. This would further affect the indoor microclimate. Nowadays people are turning to the mechanical solution when indoors. Hence, this paper aims to identify the impact of landscape setting and its microclimate, and the architectural dimension on the indoor microclimate of a mosque, by taking the Masjid Al-Mukarramah, Bandar Seri Damansara in Kepong, Kuala Lumpur as a case study. Variables of this study includes environmental data such as relative humidity, solar radiation, wind speed, wind direction, air temperature and surface temperature for the outdoor microclimate, air temperature and relative humidity for the indoor microclimate; landscape setting that involves ground surface material, vegetation, landscape furniture; as well as the orientation of the mosque. Therefore, this paper deals with the understanding of two components which are the architectural dimension and the landscape setting of the mosque that affects its indoor and outdoor environment. For the indoor, the focus is given to the main prayer hall of the mosque. The data were obtained through site inventories and analysis; and the environmental data collection using several equipment. The result shows that the air temperature differ between the west and east area of the indoor prayer hall following the orientation of the mosque

Passive daylighting design strategies of colonial mosques in Malaysia

This study aims to investigate the daylight performance of Colonial Mosques in Malaysia. The first objective of this study is to identify passive daylighting strategies from colonial mosques. The second objective of this study is to evaluate the daylight performance of the colonial mosques. The research methodology consisted of table research, field observation, and daylight analysis simulation of the prayer hall in the Colonial Mosques, using Sefaira daylighting simulation software. The results have shown that the daylight in Colonial Mosques was affected by the building orientation, shading elements, window to wall ratio, and window type. In conclusion, the clerestory window type enhances indoor daylight performance

Passive design strategies of colonial mosques in Malaysia

Mosque architecture in Malaysia has been classified into three different styles; Vernacular, Colonial and Modern. This paper focused on evaluating the passive design strategies adopted in Colonial style mosques. In general, Colonial building styles were built from the 17th to the 20th centuries. This style was brought in by the European, depicting the architecture style of the West. Therefore, this study is intended to evaluate the strategies of climatic adaptation of Colonial Architecture style Mosques in Malaysia climate. The first objective of this study is to identify the passive design elements found in three (3) case studies of Royal Colonial Mosques in Malaysia, while the second objective is to evaluate the significance and effectiveness of the passive design strategies adopted by Colonial style mosques in Malaysia. The study methodology comprises of three stages. Firstly, the observation and literature review on the Colonial Mosques, secondly, the simulation of the indoor environment of three (3) Colonial Mosques case studies, and thirdly, the analysis of results obtained from observation and simulation. It was concluded that colonial design elements found in the three (3) Colonial Mosques are responsive to Malaysian climate and are significant and effective. All three Royal Colonial mosques adopted five passive design strategies. Among the five, the most significant and effective passive design strategies is the Verandah, which gives full protection of the openings from the solar radiation. In addition to that, the introduction of dome into mosque design contributes to the improvement of indoor environment. The dome provides a large roof space, which protect the indoor space from solar radiation. Colonial architecture style Mosques was influenced by the Western architecture, which are usually designed for temperate countries. However, the colonial architecture was adapted to Malaysia climate for Colonial Mosques design and provide comfortable indoor environment to the Mosques