A thermal response in architecture: Case study (Malaysian residential)

Abstract

This study aims to create an awareness of the indoor and outdoor thermal conditions of a design and how design influences the outcome of as a responsive design. The desirable and undesirable thermal conditions are considered, and an analysis of the cause-and-effect is discussed. While thermal conditions, and its cause-and-effect considerations may be directed to any building, achieving an ideal solution requires careful integration of thermal comfort principles. Refinement through the understanding of thermal comfort principles can achieve significant energy saving without necessarily sacrificing functionality or aesthetics. Precedent studies are being discussed to see the benefits and usage of the materials based on the intention of the design and the function of the space that would impact the indoor quality environment. Based of field observation, data collection and result analysis, solutions are proposed to two different local residential buildings. Key finding shows different design factors, materials and operative conditions can influence the thermal performances of buildings. This analysis may help to improve energy efficiency in built environment and to be used for further study in thermal response in architecture while investigating new ways to design building walls that could possibly be modularized in the future with both external and internal design considerations. This intention is to be further explored with first the basic understandings of layering of materials before the simulations into the spaces.