Research Methods for Visual Comfort Study

Research method in visual comfort area developed from a general to a more specific framework: from a consideration of window and lighting of office buildings in general to the specific daylight assessment of an experimental office. The investigation is divided into 4 parts: the survey-questionnaire, the field measurement, the subjective assessment under controlled daylight experiment and the advanced lighting calculation (computer simulation). This paper describes each method of data collection, the equipment used, and limitations

Assessment of window and lighting design in office buildings under daylight condition of a hot-humid climate, Malaysia

The study explores the potential use of daylight in the office environment in a hot-humid climate of Malaysia, thus, to reduce the dependency on electric lighting and to create the potential for a more pleasing daylit environment. The thesis has investigated glare, seating orientations, window design, preference of lighting, lighting and visual comfort regulation, visual comfort and visual performance and computer simulation on glare in Malaysian offices. It has developed tools for assessing the visual environment in offices (in the field), focusing on the Malaysian conditions of daylight in office design. Specifically, it has investigated the current window and lighting application in office buildings through office workers' assessment using a questionnaire survey. It has assessed the current window and lighting application in office buildings based on field measurements. It has assessed visual and lighting condition and visual task performance using a Landolt Ring chart under a daylit office environment. Finally, it has analysed glare of a daylit office using computer simulation, Radiance. The major findings of the thesis show that a daylit office can be successfully used to provide an acceptable visual environment and reduce electric lighting within. However, there are some qualifications to this conclusion. Firstly, it has been found that daylight should be controlled either using timed glazing or shading devices. Secondly, the acceptable of a daylit environment depends on a certain extent on seating positions relative to windows. Interestingly, the best rated seating position reported by subjects is the least productive for visual task performance. Finally, it appears that glare calculation used in the advanced computer program is not suitable to calculate glare for Malaysian daylight condition. The western guidelines for visual comfort can be applied as general guidelines, with caution that Malaysian daylit conditions are expected to include a wider range of daylight level

Beyond vernacular Malay architecture : the perception on the conservation and adaptive reuse of old townhouses at Jalan Doraisamy, Kuala Lumpur

The research focuses on one ofthe latest conservation work done in Kuala Lumpur city, Dang Wangi area called Heritage Ro\v, beyond the Malay Vernacular Architecture in urban settings. The conservation of the historical buildings had revived the area to become one of the most frequently visited spot by the locals and tourists. The transformation from a tow"nhouse built during 1920's to a leisure and entertainment business area is considered refreshing, compared to the old condition which was almost an abandoned part of the city. Most of people agreed that the conservation works were worthwhile and an excellent effort in enhancing the architecture, business and tourism of the city. The renovation works done on the external parts are still considered minimum in conserving the old structure and building image. The interior parts of these buildings were drastically changed to cater for the new functions. The evidences indicated that the area had become more of a collection of international fine dining restaurants and pubs as well as one of the favourite food and beverage area for tourist and locals

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

A study on daylight performance through various complex shading devices in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

A lot of Shading Devices designs have been developed over the years to filter daylight into buildings. Complex shading devices which are characterised such as geometrical pattern, intense egg-grate configurations and irregular organic shapes are popular in Malaysia and rarely been investigated. These types of shading devices are significant in the language of Malaysian architecture as they are frequently characterized as having the identity of Malaysian Architecture. This paper aims to investigate the daylight performance through the complex shading devices based on three buildings located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The data is based on field measurement, observation and the subjective response of occupants in the buildings. The results will show the range of light illumination besides the satisfaction of occupants while doing their tasks by assistance of daylight in office building.The findings cover the illuminance level and subjective responses of the occupants

The Minangkabau architecture: students' personal experience at Pariangan Village, West Sumatera

Living within the community one is studying, is one of the best (qualitative) method to experience and learn the architecture of the particular community. Architectural education requires students of architecture to experience, communicate and understands explicitly the living environment of people whom they are assigned to design the subjects' habitat so as to match the needs effectively. Sensitivity to other cultures and belief systems would inculcate the sense of respect and appreciation towards others and their surroundings apart from ones own. This chapter captures twenty nine (29) architectural students perspective and experiences in appreciating the Minangkabau architecture and cultures through HUM Heritage Studies course field work to Sumatra, Indonesia. HUM Heritage Studies (AAR 3301) course is a core course for the Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies programme in International Islamic University Malaysia that enable students to experience a brief life of the community whom they researched, on their architecture, history and culture. The Heritage Studies for year 2009 was carried out at a Minangkabau village ofPariangan, located in West Sumatera, Indonesia. The students' tasks were to learn and appreciate the Minangkabau architecture through learning of the customs (odat) that influence the architecture, the surrounding environment where the society live, the cuisine, the music and most importantly the basic physical structures built (the buildings) for daily living. For these students, despite initial difficulty in adapting to the village life, the experiences they had was unforgettable. Their positive feedback as outcome of this field study confirmed the importance of having fieldwork as the core part of the architectural education and should therefore be continued to enhance the teaching and learning of architecture outside the studio environment

Cultural Sustainability and Islamic Perspectives in Introducing a Cohesive Retirement Village for Muslims

AbstractThe growing elderly population indicated a shift in the cultural context in Malaysia and the needs of elderly care facilities. This paper looks at the cultural sustainability issues and Islamic perspectives requirements through a review on the recommendations outlined in the Quran and Hadiths; surveys and case studies on the available elderly care facilities in Malaysia. The results indicated the perception of the respondents on the idea of having elderly care for the Muslim community and also the preferred type of care facilities. The research findings outlined the criteria for a cohesive retirement village for Muslims

Climate responsive strategies versus the cultural and religioud dimensions in the architecture of Malay traditional house

It is common knmvledge that the vernacular architecture of a place is a result of considerations on climatic, cultural and religious factors of the people; however, thorough analyses on the mentioned considerations have rarely been discussed. This article states in detail the multi-dimensional considerations in the architecture of the Malay traditional houses (MTH) that response to the climatic design strategies and the cultural and religious dimension in form of architectural elements. The discussions also focus on generic elements ofMTH in Peninsular Malaysia (irrelevant to their regions) with analysis on their response to the environment and vice-versa. The analyses indicate that the architectural elements incorporated in the design of the MTH are related to at least one of the mentioned considerations, i.e. culture, religion, climate. The fmdings are vital in sustaining the socio-cultural dimension in the provisions ofconducive public housing in Malaysia

Ratio determination of solids and voids for traditional Malay carvings: a preparation for environmental performance

Carvings in forms of openings, roof ends and walls have been incorporated as aesthetic and climatic element in the Malay traditional buildings. Determining the ratio of solids and voids on carvings elements is seen as an essential step to gain insight on the performance of carvings as a shading devices to control sunlight and air flow. The research objectives are to inventory and digitize the carvings to determine the ratio of solid and voids, and predict their performances. The carvings sampled from all states in Peninsular Malaysia are digitized using AutoCAd to determine the area of solid and void. The ratio of solid and voids ranges from 1:1 to 99:1 and the most common ratio are 3:2. The ratio study is a preliminary findings towards a detail study on the daylight and ventilation control in the traditional houses. Index Terms—carvings, climatic performance, ratio, solid and void

An observation of seating provision and users’ behaviour in the regional shopping complexes in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Increasing numbers of shopping complex development in Malaysia, especially in Kuala Lumpur were obviously seen for the past 10 years. Big shopping complexes seem to attract lots of visitors due to their commercial variations and outlook images. The bigger the shopping complex, the longer time-spend at the shopping complexes. Conveniences to shop and rest were major factors in influencing the mood to shop, to enjoy leisure activities or just window shopping. As shopping complexes becoming most frequently visited places in urban area, comfort has become an important issue. Comfort on seating facilities has become an issue to shoppers, at regional size shopping complexes. Investigation on seating provision require further research to ensure shoppers are comfortable and will attracted to visit the shopping complex frequently. Thus, the paper presents a finding on the observation of seating provision and its impact on the shoppers’ behavior. The consideration of few aspects of seating such as type, arrangement, location, material and number of seating has been identified. The research found that the aspects of seating at three selected shopping complexes meet the users’ satisfaction level. However, total number of seating at Suria KLCC is inadequate as compared to One Utama Shopping Center and Mid Valley Megamall. Based on the findings also, seating is in need due to the activities done in shopping complexes which is related to the users’ duration of stay. Consideration on the provision of seating seems to have positive feedback by the users’ thus it enhances the business and benefited the shopping complexes management