vernacular as a model for contemporary design
TRANSCRIPT
Asian Architecture [ARC 2213/2234]
PROJECT 1: CASE STUDY
Vernacular as a Model for Contemporary Design: A Study of Integration of Malay Vernacular Design and Modern Design
in the Deck House to Achieve Thermal Comfort in Tropical Climate
NAME: LIM JIAN JUN STUDENT ID: 0316867 LECTURER: MS ALIA SUBMISSION DATE: 9th June 2015
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TABLE OF CONTENT PAGE
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Overview of The Deck House, Janda Baik , Pahang
3. Overview of Tropical Architecture
3.1. Tropical Climates And Topography
3.2. Design Considerations
3.3. Malay Traditional House Features
3.4. Modern Contemporary House Features
4. Integration as Solution to Achieve Thermal Comfort
4.1. Built Form
4.2. Orientation and Positioning of Building
4.3. Openings
4.4. Building Material
4.5. Light Weight Construction
5. Conclusion
6. Reference
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Abstract
The purpose of this study paper is to analyze the integration of architectural design of Malay Vernacular
architecture and contemporary architecture in terms of its design features to achieve thermal comfort in
tropical climate (objective). The Malay vernacular house is deliberately designed to cool the building
through acknowledgement of site responses and environmental context in this warm and humid tropical
climate (statement). With urbanization rapidly advances in this fast developing era, the Malay vernacular
architecture often replaced by the modern movement due to the materialistic experiences and social
housing to fulfill economical demands, thus losing its cultural and functions of the design. Lacking of
understanding and respect toward nature and vernacular considerations led to poor relation of built site
and its nature contexts, creating a barrier which causes discomfort to the occupants (issue). There are
cases of built architecture intends to bring back the vernacular design and incorporate into modern design.
The Deck House which built at Janda Baik, Pahang is used as a precedent case to study the effectiveness
of internal comfort level through analysis of the design forms, openings, spatial arrangement and
materials. In order to assist the validation of research, a comparative study of architectural designs
between the traditional Malay house and contemporary architecture was attempted (methodology) to
evaluate how The Deck House employs the Malay Architecture climatic design in modern context (case
study). Findings of the research discovers the use of Malay vernacular element in contemporary design
has touted the favor of maintaining internal comfort level through passive designs. Literature reviews
from varies reference sources reinforce the idea of improvisation the traditional designs with modern
features used in contemporary housing can achieve good result in regulating heat in the building without
eliminating the traditional design elements used in the Malay house (result). This was seen as The Deck
House responding to the climate despite of its semi-open and glass box construction, largely promoting
energy saving system in the modern housing. While converging the importance of cultural features and
natural environment, The Deck house was successfully designed beyond the cultural and climatic
boundary with new solutions and technology. It demonstrates and introduces a new emergence explored
in Malaysia’s contemporary architecture with appreciation of Malay vernacular architecture. The
integration of vernacular values promotes occupants and designers’ responsibility to conserve Malaysia’s
identity in architecture which reflects the way of living of locals adapting to its environment, culture and
user needs. (conclusion)
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1 Introduction
The traditional Malay vernacular house is being classified as one of the richest element in
Malaysia's cultural heritage and it is also exquisitely designed to accommodate the hot and humid tropical
climate in Malaysia. The Malay vernacular design takes site responses and environmental needs into
account by responding to the surrounding contexts. The design does not just fulfilling human needs but
also helps in achieving thermal comfort in tropical buildings.
However, the design movement of contemporary architecture often overrides the vernacular
design approach in this fast growing industrialized era. Society today often attracted to luxurious forms
and economical contemporary designs driven by architectural publications. Buildings with lack of
environmental and contextual consideration neglects the passive cooling strategies implemented in
vernacular designs but often replaced by machines to achieve thermal comfort in contemporary buildings.
Therefore, it is important to have understanding towards vernacular design and utilized them as a model
in designing contemporary architectures due to its reflection of climatic adaptation design reacting to the
nature of tropical climate. The integration of vernacular features and contemporary design in buildings will
indeed promotes energy-efficient building designs in tropical countries and assures in shaping a greener,
sustainable future.
To further analyze this research area, the Deck House which located at Janda Baik, Pahang was
selected as the site to conduct case study as it is one of the contemporary design which was integrated
with Malay vernacular architectural features in Malaysia. The features of the Malay vernacular design
integrated in the Deck House are highlighted to further discuss how integration of both contemporary
and vernacular designs are made to achieve thermal comfort. Detailed analysis and studies are
conducted for every single vernacular features utilized in the selected site. This case study paper will
evaluate the effectiveness of achieving human thermal comfort through application and implementation
of Malay vernacular design features into contemporary design.
Research Question(s):
Main: Why is it needed to design toward contemporary vernacular architecture in relation to achieve thermal comfort?
1.) What are the design consideration of tropical houses?
2.) Why use Malay vernacular design as an approach for contemporary design?
3.) What are the Malay vernacular architectural features used in the Deck House to achieve
thermal comfort?
4.) Why and how the features are adapted in the design?
5.) Responding to the natural factors, how does each of the features helped in the integrated
designs in tropical climates?
6.) Why is integration needed and how does the integration improves the living condition of The
Deck House?
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2 Overview of The Deck House, Janda Baik
The Deck house is designed by Ar. Choo Gim Wah for a discreet owner with the
idea of having a permanent getaway from the hassles. The Deck House is situated on a
forested land near to the foothills of Genting, which hugs the terrain of the forested
surrounding unobtrusively (Choo, 2012). The design of the house is very much inspired by
the slopes of the terrains and the surrounding, with design principles of a tropical Malay
traditional house in modern contexts (Choo, 2012).
Built with 2 and half storey tall with 3 bedrooms and spanning a total area of
372sqm on the terrains, The Deck house highlights the concept of having a semi-outdoor
design in the forested surrounding, focusing on the contextual surroundings through
blurring of the barrier between the interior and the exteriors. The house is also designed
with lightweight materials and glasses so that it sits lightly on the hill and merging into the
natural surroundings, without much interference to the slope and its site context. The
feature about this house is that it functions like a Malay House even if it was built with
glasses. The architect takes consideration of applying Malay house climatic design in The
Deck house to cool the building effectively without the use of technological systems. This
clean and unadorned house does not just built to suit the local climate, it also understatedly
complements the beauty and the tranquility of the nature, giving a thorough exquisite
experience for the occupants.
Figure 1 The Deck House standing on the sloe of hill at Janda Baik Forest. (source: Archdaily , 2013)
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3 Overview of Tropical Architecture 3.1 Tropical Climate
Situated at the heart of South East Asia, Malaysia is a classic equatorial country which
experiences warm and high humidity climate throughout the year. The typical climate
temperature ranges from 20°C to 35°C on average and also experiences seasonal patterns of
rainfall due to monsoon wind seasons.
Malaysia experiences two monsoon seasons every year, which are the Northeast
Monsoon and the Southwest Monsoon. The Northeast Monsoon happens around from
November to March, while the Southwest Monsoon occurs from May to September. In between
two Monsoon season there is transition period in March and October where normal rain still
continue to fall. Wind in Malaysia is usually light and more than half of the land area are covered
by the tropical forest.
The geographical topography of Malaysia affects the microclimates in different zones of
the land, ranges from coastal regions, inland and then highlands as shown in Figure 1. The
altitude creates temperature difference and rainfall patterns in all these three zones (WWF,
2010). The lower are has smaller temperature differences between day and night and the rainfall
pattern is more distinctive where it is more prone to have increase in intensity of heavy
precipitation and storms. While inland area such as forest has greater temperature variation.
Water content in the inland is high and causes higher humidity and is warmer. Highlands such
as Pahang hills is misty and covered with clouds at a higher altitude, reaching 75% of humidity
level and a higher temperature variation too. (Marshall Cavendish Corporation, 2008).
Figure 2 Altitude Zonation of Tropical Forest (WWF, 2010)
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3.2 Design Consideration for Tropical Climate
Weather is conclusively hot and humid and that makes shading and ventilation a critical
role in dwellings design to provide thermal comfort to the occupants. The dwellings in the tropical
countries are usually designed with naturally cross-ventilated spaces, with the utilization of
louvered doors, windows and openings; angled sunshades and eaves that keep the sun at bay;
vertical stilts that elevates the structure and helps to capture higher breeze and prevent flood or
soil damage; and steep roofs to shed direct sun and heavy rainfall. With the needs to perform
the sustainability of dwellings and also the preservation of nature environment, the built
environments should have climatic considerations in design to promote nature cooling and
effective shading as modern tropical architecture design strategy. The main design consideration
of a tropical architecture is very important as they are the factors to design a dwelling with focus
to achieve thermal comfort for the occupants and keeping the house in optimal condition. The 5
main design considerations of a tropical architecture suggested by HPCB are as below. (Jennifer
Sinclair, 2014)
(a) Orientation of building
(b) Envelope of building
(c) Ventilation
(d) Materials
(e) Site Context
To respond effectively to climatic conditions, building structures should take these
considerations into account to prioritize the employment of shade, maximize ventilation and
minimize heat absorption, as the relative air humidity is so high and registered temperatures
remain constant throughout the day (Olgyay 1963; Rapoport, 1969). The next section of the
paper will discuss how the design considerations are applied into traditional and modern tropical
architecture.
In hot climates, the air movement does not reduce the temperature but causes a sensation of
freshness which is due to convection heat loss and to gradual increases in water evaporation
throughout the body. Consequently, as the movement of air increases, the upper limit of
predefined comfort also increases due to the restitution of comfortable temperature parameters
and the feeling of freshness caused by the referenced evaporation is an adequate solution to
counter high temperatures. Therefore, openings to the exterior, through light structures that allow
the maximum possible flow of air is a plausible solution (Olgyay, 1963; Slavid, 2009).
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3.3 Malay Traditional House
According to Lim Jee Yuan’s The Malay House: Rediscovering Malaysia’s Indigenous
Shelter System. Malaysia, architects nowadays uses Malay traditional house as a study
paradigm for its excellent interpretation of environmental design, design versatility and building
systems (Lim, 1987). It is exquisitely designed to accommodate the local climate in relation to
the design considerations of tropical architecture and it is still utilized in the architecture today.
Malay traditional house focuses a lot on natural ventilation with the study of air
movement ventilates from the outside into the building and then escapes the building with the
trapped warm air. It is the most important feature of the design to keep the building cool
throughout the year. From that the Malay house developed its very own identity of the built form
and spatial design to allow ventilation across and throughout the building. Solar control design
plays an important role to keep interior spaces from direct solar and prevent radiant heat through
roof design, materials and surrounding landscape.
Figure 3 Typical Malay vernacular house (source: Lim, 1987)
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Traditional society of the “kampung” gained comprehensive knowledge of ecology
balance and nature’s method and are utilized prevalently in construction of Malay vernacular
house. (Lim, 1987). This design-with-nature traditional Malay house is well resembles the climatic
design of the house. The built form of a Malay house is generally long and separated in parts to
create and acts like funnels channeling air into designed spaces. Malay house are usually light
weight in construction to reduce heat stored in the massive contemporary material for example
concrete wall. The house is elevated with building orientated according to sun path and wind
direction. Low thermal capacity materials such as wood are obtained directly from local resources
to build houses. Double slope roof and roof space are designed for natural ventilation, while large
roof overhangs are used in Malay traditional house to prevent direct or radiant sunlight and
downpours.
Figure 4 Cross ventilation and wind shadow study of Malay houses (source: Building Science, 2014)
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3.4 Modern House
The climatic weather design strategies have been utilized not just only in traditional
architecture but also in the early modernism (Ossen et al., 2008). In Lessons from Modernism:
Environmental Design Considerations in 20th Century Architecture 1925-70, Architect Kevin
Bone was the curator and he discussed about the misconception towards earlier tropical
modernism put environmental considerations secondly after the main design mission. Modern
movement at the earlier stage does have evident of the great architects were in fact much attuned
to the cycles of nature (Bone, 2013). This is to clarify and to distinguish between modern
architecture and modern corporate buildings. Only when the invention of technological systems
comes into the introduction, the design was very much influenced and became less salubrious
towards the environment.
Figure 5 Climatic Responsive Cocoon House by Paul and Ralph, 1951 (source: Kelly, 2013)
Because of the misinterpretation, contemporary architecture designed are out of context
and became environmental disruptive. With advancement of technology, the accessibility to
resources is easier and constructability is more productive. And compared to the material used
in the traditional design is massive and lasting. With the ease of technology and accessibility,
the contemporary architecture are built without much consideration to the nature environment,
thus increasing consumption of energy to cool the building mechanically.
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Modern tropical architecture has been simply an adaptation of modern trends in design
and construction responding to climate, taking some changes in the lifestyle to adapt to the
tropical climate. Often, modern design uses louvers and double skin to prevent direct sun. Design
a;so explores more on open plans with open and semi-open spaces for ventilation, such as
verandas and balconies (Bay, 2006, p. 3). Stacking of forms on top of another was used as an
alternative to create sheltered spaces and minimizes heat absorption through the façade
envelope. Design of wall corners were being studied to allow walls as part of the shading
component to give shade to each other as shown in Figure xx.
Figure 6 Angular corners to give shade to one another (source: Museo Tamayo, 2009)
Modern houses also uses water bodies such as roof pond is introduced as technology
for passive cooling purpose. Others would be using passive cooling design strategies to regulate
the temperature in the interior spaces. Conclusively, modern tropical architecture is more like
acting like independent units which evolved the design strategies mainly in shading devices,
openings, construction methods and material properties.
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4 Integration as Solution to achieve Thermal Comfort
According to the ‘Vernacular Architecture in the Twenty-First Century: Theory Education and
Practice’, the conference aims ‘to further the debate on the importance of vernacular architecture
study and throughout the twenty-first century, not as a study of past traditions, but as a
contribution to new methods, integral solutions and achievements for the future built environment’
(Asquith,2006). This is where integration comes into places providing a new alternatives in
modern designs involving design-with-nature to provide for human comfort in temperature. The
following sections discuss the features of integrated design in achieving thermal comfort in
tropical climate.
4.1 Built Form
The integrated design of a building block of the house revolves mainly around the spatial
organization of the house with open plan layout derived from the Malay houses. This is to allow
efficient natural cross ventilation with minimal walls obstructing the channel of the wind flow and
it also provides optimal use of spaces while encircle multi-functional spaces in an interior. The
Deck House has utilized the same open plan concept in the modern context, having spaces free
up internally with partition walls are kept to a minimum. This design creates connection through
the unobstructed spaces and effectively utilized such spaces as passage of ventilation and
allowing moving air circulates throughout the entire building. Trapped warm air are discharged
out of the building and solves the relative humidity of the surroundings and thus prevent the
building up of heat in the house.
Figure 7 Open plan design without wall partitions (source: Archdaily, 2013)
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The building form of an integrated design suggests high ceiling with double volume
spaces (or more) to create stacking of the ventilation inside the dwelling. The stack ventilation
promotes the buoyancy of warm air to rise and discharge through openings at higher outlets.
Cooler air outside the house enters and replaces the rising warm air through designed openings
and inlets placed near the floor surface. This creates thermal pressure differences in the volume
of space and generate circulation of air inside the dwelling.
Figure 8 Integration of high ceiling spaces for ventilation (sources: KALAM,1986 ;Archdaily, 2013)
Other than the sufficient ventilation in the house, winds are encouraged to flow into and
through the house. The elongated built form of the Deck house is one integration of vernacular
contemporary design acting as a funnel to draw wind across the building. The extension of the
decks and the main structure connecting to the bridge create a series of connection allowing
cross ventilation of building along the sloped terrains.
Figure 9 Elongated form of structure for ventilation (source: Archdaily, 2013)
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4.2 Orientation and Positioning of Building
The orientation and positioning of the building is mainly influenced by the sun path and
wind path comes secondly. Most traditional Malay houses are oriented to face East and West
direction due to religious reasoning, and the house openings are built low to prevent direct glares,
which is very effective in minimizing the area of exposed walls and interior spaces to direct solar
radiation (Lim, 2011). Many integrated contemporary designs also apply the same theory to have
building orientated along the East-West axis facing in North or South direction and orientated to
face the prevailing wind. Large overhang roof added to control glares and give visual comfort to
the occupants according to the building orientation.
Integration design suggests the same idea of having elevated structure built on stilts like
Malay vernacular design. Having structure built on a higher ground position gains advantages
for aspect of thermal study, functions and safety (Lim, 2011). The elevated structure has the
benefit of capturing wind with higher velocity as the wind path is not blocked at a higher position.
Raised floor with stilts can prevent dampness of ground from entering the building (Hanafi, 1994).
The Deck House has showcased a good example of an elevated structures standing un-
obstructively on a sloppy hill and prevent landslide due to removal of rooted vegetation. Stump
and reinforced foundation is an integrated method to strengthen the structure. Surrounding
vegetation remained can provide shades to the building and a cooler environment to the house.
Figure 10 View of the elevated Deck House, Janda Baik (source: Archdaily, 2013)
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4.3 Openings
In traditional tropical architecture, openings such as windows and doors are plentiful to
maximize cross ventilation. Some tropical buildings take the approach to have smaller openings
to reduce solar heat gains. However, natural ventilation is a prior considerations in tropical
climate design strategies. It is one important feature in controlling heat gain with carefully
designed openings while East and West facade shall be avoided to reduce exposure of solar
heat.
The Deck House represents a good integrated model of having operable fenestrations
at designated spaces to allow adequate ventilation of building at all time and also give shelter
from heavy downpours. The high ceiling main hall gives advantage of having stack effect of hot
air and cool air, contributing to facilitate air circulation within the interior. Small ventilative
openings such as grilles and louvers are place at higher place, acting as outlets to discharge hot
air while circulating cool air from the outside into the house. The large roof overhang of the
building is functioning like a veranda and making it possible to have openings remain open most
of the time even if there is rain. It increases the distance between the openings and the sunlight
giving shades to the interior and block out irritating glares to interior space.
Figure 11 Operable doors for ventilation. (Archdaily, 2013) Figure 12 Louvers and large roof overhang. (Archdaily,2013)
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4.4 Building Materials
As one of the main method used to achieve thermal comfort in tropical climate, relatively
light materials with low thermal storage capacity and high insulation properties are suitable to
efficiently absorb and release heat, such as wood and aluminum. It is also important to have the
essential understanding of material behavior when exposed to high humidity because it is
extremely necessary to prevent deterioration of the materials used, especially those in direct
contact with the weather condition and ground (Olgyay, 1963; Stouter, 2008). The materials used
in the vernacular design are usually taken from the local resource due to the ease of accessibility
to all forms of constructible natural materials. Creative use of the natural materials are made into
climate responsive design to mainly control heat gain and boosts ventilation, such as bamboo
wall, nipah finishing wall and attap roof.
The Deck House utilized a diversity of materials accordingly to best suit the design with
the prior of achieving thermal comfort. With the effective cooling strategies design in the building,
the glass is made usable to be utilized in tropical climate. Although the Deck House is glass box
structure, but the cooling of the house is very effective that there is no mechanical cooling
systems used in the design but only depending on natural ventilation. As used in many
contemporary design, glass panels or curtain window are used in a building to allow access of
the view and also allow natural lighting to the interior space. Thermal discomfort is no longer an
issue with low emissive glass and proper ventilation of the interior spaces. With technology
advances glass is made with insulation properties and it functions better than a massive wall
which has high thermal capacity. This feature lifts up the traditional design of having small and
controlled low openings to a full height glass panels to allow occupant thoroughly enjoy the
surrounding contexts.
Figure 13 Extensive use of glass skin enables the
occupants to enjoy the surrounding forest view
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Low thermal capacity material such as wood is used as part of the design which
contributes to the control of heat gain. The extension of the wooden deck in the Deck House
showcases the use of the low thermal capacity and high insulation property material as the
flooring. The use of timber planks for the floor have gaps between them, allow air to cool the
surface of material and spaces around.
Figurexx Use of timber flooring inside and outside. Figure Air enters from the gap between the planks.
The roofing is the design element which requires a greater need for thermal insulation
due to strong thermal impact whereas the shading of the cover is an accessible and easy way to
reduce thermal gains. The material of the roof plays an important feature in order to reflect of
radiant solar and not conducting heat into the house. Aluminum-zinc coated roof offers excellent
thermal efficiency as the material itself has low thermal capacity to keep the building cool. The
use of light color roof reflects both solar and general thermal radiation on roofs, heat flow
transferred into the building is greatly reduced due to minimal heat absorption associated with
such colors.
Figure 14 Large aluminum-zinc overhang roof (Archdaily, 2013) Figure 15 Reflective material to reflect solar radiation
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4.5 Light Weight Construction
Many existing literature suggests masonry house would be cooler than lightweight house
due to time lag effect. However in fact masonry house tends to store heat and it is rather difficult
to cool down mass body temperature during the day (O’Brien, 2006). Dr. David O’Brien reveals
that lightweight houses perform more effectively than masonry houses to achieve thermal
comfort.
Graph 1 Comparison of temperatures inside typical masonry and light weight houses (O’brien, 2005)
The Deck House is made up of lightweight materials, comprising of curtain walls and
steel members in post and lintel structure. Unlike the typical contemporary house, the
construction method is always massive and placed boldly onto the ground. The lightweight
construction of the Deck House has minimum mass and both inside and outside are made up of
a series of connected voids. The entire structure basically constructed up by vertical pillars and
the 10.5m long and a 6.8m wide timber deck supported by a steel structure underneath. The
deck is cantilevered out from its supporting beam to create the effect of an “infinity deck”. Its light
weight structure benefits the house for a better cooling and thermal efficiency to cool the building
than the masonry structure over a time period.
Figure 16 masonry building (O’brien, 2006) Figure 17 Deck house as light weight structure (Archdaily, 2013)
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5 Conclusion
A comparative table is generated according to the general design considerations of Malay
vernacular, contemporary and integrated of both as for the purpose of study of this paper. The
Deck House as an integrated case study has been analyzed to study its thermal performance
and other aspects involving nature sensitivity and dwelling features to provide optimal condition
as alternative solution of housing design with comparison to the existing vernacular and
contemporary design. The table below discuss the beneficial aspects of all three design.
Considerations Malay House The Deck House Contemporary
CLIMATE CONCERN Yes Yes Poor
THERMAL
EFFICIENCY
Good Good Poor
CONTEXUAL
RESPONSES
Yes Yes Poor
STRUCTURES Wooden Post and
Lintel
Concrete and Steels Massive Masonry
BUILDING
MATERIALS
Natural Materials
(short life span)
Contemporary Materials
(Low Thermal Capacity)
Contemporary
Materials
(High Thermal Mass)
VIEWS Restricted Good (Poetic Experiences) Poor (ventilation only)
VENTILATION Body level Cross and Stack Poor
PUBLIC AND
PRIVATE
Communal focused Less privacy (curtain walls) Isolated
LIGHTING Underlighted Naturally Illuminated Artificial lighted
Table 1 Comparison table of Malay vernacular house, contemporary house and ideal integrated house.
To conclude, the integration of contemporary design with utilization of Malay vernacular
design can provide preferred comfort level in tropical dwelling design. With climatic responsive
design strategies, integration can contribute proper ventilation and reduce heat gain in dwelling
design. Integration of the design can exemplify design-with-nature trends through design
considerations in tropical climates. This method creates new alternative to find description of
thermal comfort conditions for a more environmental friendly design that suits not just Malaysia
but other tropical countries with similar environments.
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6 Reference
1. Lim, J.Y. (1987). The Malay House: Rediscovering Malaysia’s Indigenous Shelter System.
Malaysia: Institut Masyarakat.
2. Oliver, P. (2006). Built to Meet Needs: Vernacular Architecture. Oxford: Architectural Press.
3. Nasir, A.H. (1985) Introduction of Traditional Malay House: Peninsular Malaysia. Kuala
Lumpur: Darul Fikir.
4. Asquith L. and Vellinga M. (2005), Vernacular Architecture in the Twenty-First Century: Theory,
Education and Practice, England: Taylor and Francis.
5. Department of Standards Malaysia. (2007) Code of Practice on Energy Efficiency and Use of
Renewable Energy for Non-residential Buildings. Malaysia: Standards Malaysia.
6. O’ Brien D., Lightweight Tropical: Reconnecting Construction Technologies with Thermal
Comfort, Australia: Faculty of Architecture, Building and PaUniversity of Melbourne.
7. Chiko, N. (2013, August 13). Vernacular and modern architecture lessons from Corbusier.
Retrieved May 15, 2015, from http://www.slideshare.net/chikoNcube/vernacular-and-modern-
architecture-lessons-from-corbusier
8. Kamal, K.S. (2007, March 04). Adaptation Design of Traditional Malay House to Meet the
Requirements of Comfort Living in Modern Houses. (2007, March 7). Retrieved May 20, 2015,
from
http://buildingconservation.com/2007/03/adaptation-design-of-traditional-malay.html
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