Impacts of Courtyard Geometrical Configurations on Energy Performance of Buildings

The courtyard is an architectural design element often regarded as microclimate modifiers.  It has the potential of improving comfort conditions within the outdoor courtyard space and the enclosing indoor spaces. Harnessing the optimum benefits of courtyards depends on several conditions namely the orientation and configurations of the courtyards, as well as the treatment of the external surfaces of the enclosing building envelopes. As three variables of orientation, number of floors and wall envelope have not been investigated in a single study, therefore, this parametric study was performed to investigate the microclimatic influence of varying courtyard geometric configurations and its enclosing facades in hot and humid climate using IES<VE> simulation tools.  The study observed the environmental impact regarding thermal performance and energy consumption of the enclosing indoor spaces.  The results suggest optimum conditions to harness the potential of courtyards to lower energy consumption of buildings in the tropics.Keywords: courtyard; thermal performance; energy consumption; simulationeISSN: 2398-4287 © 2019. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/e-bpj.v4i10.1637

Microclimatic Conditions of an Urban Square: Role of Built Environment and Geometry

AbstractGeometry plays a dominant role in thermal situations within city structures. This study aims to seek how this role affects thermal comfort of the visitors in an urban square. Computer simulations were performed along with physical measurements in an urban square during peak hot conditions of summer in Isfahan, Iran. In addition to the influence of built environment inside the square, the results confirmed the role of geometry on thermal conditions. The amelioration effect for the aspect ratio was higher than that of the orientation. Findings are useful for urban design strategies dealing with thermal comfort

Travelling Distance for Evacuee in Multi-Storey Residential Building

The study on evacuation safety often an emphasis on the total evacuation time where only few research consider the distance and path needed for evacuee to evacuate the building. Thus, this study focuses on the maximum and average travelling distance need for the elderly and other evacuees in the multi-storey residential building. Pathfinder software is used in this study, and 162 simulations were tested. Results show that the escape route design and staircase condition plays a significant contribution towards occupant travel distance. Other factors such as occupancies and elderly resident also contribute to the increase in travelling distance. Keywords: Multi-Storey, Escape Route Design, Evacuation eISSN: 2398-4287© 2020. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bsby e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v5iSI3.254

Evaluation of Escape Route Design in Public Multi-Storey Housing in Malaysia for Elderly Occupants

Public multi-storey residential buildings in Malaysia are dependent on the passive design approach to ensure maximum safety during an emergency. Elements of escape route design include corridors, exits and staircases. This paper evaluates the escape route distance and duration for the elderly to evacuate the building to safety using Pathfinder simulations. The results show that the staircase has a significant contribution towards providing fast evacuation. Meanwhile, varying the width of the exit doors and corridors had minimal impact on evacuation. On average, the elderlies took longer to evacuate due to their slow speed of movement and limited physical capability. Keywords: Multi-Storey, Escape Route Design, Evacuation, Simulation eISSN: 2398-4287 © 2020. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI: https://doi.org/110.21834/ebpj.v5iSI2.2521

Nurturing Environmental Stewards through Preschool Physical Design

Environmental stewardship starts with education. This paper aims to discuss how preschools can be used to nurture environmental stewards among Malaysian children. In summary, elements of preschool physical environments can be manipulated to enhance environmental education while landscape elements such as vegetation and topography can be manipulated to maximize interaction with nature. Effective interaction with nature is the most important factor to ensure environmental awareness. Findings are useful for Malaysian designers and policy makers to ensure that preschool’s physical settings support environmental education to respond to climate change and preserve the planet for future generations.© 2016. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.Keywords: Malaysian preschool ; Green preschool design ; Children environmental behaviour ; Environmental educatio

Preschool Design and School Readiness

Preschool physical environments significantly affect children behavior and development. Efforts by the Malaysian Government to improve the quality of preschool education shows a lack of emphasis on the physical learning environment - despite overall improvements, school readiness remains moderate. In Malaysia, the impact of preschool physical learning environments on children’s school readiness is still unclear; thus, this paper aims to investigate, highlight and conclude a clear theoretical relationship between these two aspects through literature review. Findings are hoped to lay the groundworks for future research into this matter to improve preschool education in Malaysia.Keywords: Malaysian preschool education; Physical learning environment; Children school readiness; Children developmenteISSN 2398-4279 © 2018. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia

A Review of Aspects and Criteria of Daylighting and Visual Comfort in International Green Building Rating Tools

Architects and building owners are now focusing on how to make their buildings green. Many green councils around the world are currently experimenting with ingenious ways of introducing new energy-efficient buildings. They also implemented various principles and indicators to recognize buildings that contribute to sustainability, efficiency, and improve occupants' health. The paper aims to review the aspects and requirements that the Green Building Councils have recommended. This paper looks at seven of the rating systems available in terms of similarities and differences and presents new rigorous criteria for daylight performance and visual comfort. Keywords: Daylighting, Visual Comfort, Passive Design Strategy, Rating Tools. eISSN: 2398-4287© 2020. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v5i15.249

Information sharing on effects of exposure to building materials in adaptation projects / Sabarinah Sh Ahmad ... [et al.]

Research findings confirm the existence of hazardous and toxic substances in most building materials. There is limited studies and information on building materials and the effects to health and safety. This study develops an evaluation method that is used to identify the presence of hazardous substances from building materials and assess their public health impact. The information allows stakeholders to identify potential risks and could improve knowledge sharing on building materials information on health and safety in the built environment industry

Transformed Pedagogical Environment: Humanoids for social skilling of mentally challenged children

The purpose of the paper is to describe the transformed pedagogical environment in Malaysia with regards to mentally challenged children. Through interviews with teachers and parents of children schooled at the special, integrative classes in Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia, the results indicated non-readiness for the teachers and the parents to embrace the assistive technology, the humanoids. Besides the high cost of purchasing the humanoid for each child to be placed at home, social skilling these special children requires human touch. Cultural, and religious aspects abound that negates the progress of pedagogy using humanoids.© 2016. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies, Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia.Keywords: Pedagogy; children; humanoids; social skil

Optimising Daylighting Performance in Tropical Courtyard and Atrium Buildings for Occupants’ Wellbeing

Daylighting has attracted increasing attention from researchers as an energy-efficient and sustainable building design technique. This research investigates the daylighting of atrium and courtyard building by comparing the performance of various Window to Wall Ratios (WWR) appropriate to Malaysia's tropical climate. The most acceptable option for daylight performance was to specify a moderate WWR value of 30% with shading devices. The results of The Radiance Daylighting Simulations confirmed the daylight performance by a comparison of calculated data and modelling. The findings show the combinations of daylighting parameters that work for courtyard and atrium buildings for the occupants' wellbeing. Keywords: Daylighting Performance, Courtyard, Atrium, Tropical, Radiance Simulations eISSN: 2398-4287© 2021. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians/Africans/Arabians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21834/ebpj.v6i16.271