Building Science I

Project : Case Study: Analyzing Passive Building Design Strategies

Basic building design does not require mechanical heating or cooling. Buildings that are passively designed take advantage of natural climate to maintain thermal comfort.

Objectives of the Project :

To identify and define the principles of heat transfer in relation to building and people
To understand what is thermal comfort and discuss factors relating to thermal comfort
To analyze the effect of thermal comfort factors in a person and in a space
To be able to criticize design of the space in terms of thermal comfort by referring to MS1525, UBBL
and GBI standards
Explain the effects of the sun on the thermal performance of buildings
Explain the effect of insulation, thermal mass and air movement on thermal performance of buildings.
Identify environmental conditions related to site conditions, climate, etc.

Project Details :
Research should contain the following:

Building Introduction (images, pictures, diagrams, drawings and description)
Site analysis; micro (wind, sun, topography, etc.)
Concept and analysis of buildings basic design strategies and proposed passive design strategy.
A proposal to achieve thermal comfort in the chosen space/building, elaborate design features with details, the effect on thermal comfort and importance of it.
Appropriate visuals and diagrams (tables, charts, etc.) with appropriate referencing and citation where applicable.

Research Board to be printed on 2 A3 Coloured and neatly compiled. All components must be presented in a well-organized and logical manner.

Building Science 1

Module Teaching Objectives
The module is an introduction to the factors that affect the thermal performance of buildings. Its aim is to facilitate students to create acceptable designs which are sustainable (minimizing the use of mechanical cooling systems) and comfortable. The emphasis is on creating acceptable indoor thermal conditions thus minimizing the use of space heating and cooling. Students will also be introduced to MS1525 which provides guidelines to creating a more sustainable design in Malaysia.

Final A3 Boards

Final Studio

Water pond plays a passive cooling system in the building.

Stack and cross ventilation in the cafeteria improves the rate of air change.

Extended roof gives shading which reduces the solar heat gain to the building.

Reflection:

From this module, I understand that shading is very important especially in the tropical countries.Shading is a crucial device used by most of the architects to reduce the solar heat gain of a building. Once the solar heat gain of the building is low, comfort zone can be achieved. Not only that, constructing the building with passive design such as the water element and landscape(trees) are able to drop the temperature of the building and also the surrounding. Hence, to help the building cooler, a good ventilation has to be done, such as cross ventilation and stack ventilation. Those methods able to improve the rate of air change and freshness in the space. Internal barrier should also be avoided in order to have a better ventilation. I appreciate that this module really brings a lot of practical strategies to design my building.