Natural Ventilation Vernacular Mosque Architecture Design: Case Study of Masjid Lama Linggi, Negeri Sembilan

Abstract

The design of vernacular mosques is enriched with passive elements such as numerous windows, wide openings, lattice screens, ventilation blocks, and tiered roof openings. These strategies reflect the initiatives of earlier designers to achieve user comfort through efficient natural ventilation while preserving heritage values and the local context. The Uniform Building By-Laws (UBBL) stipulate a minimum natural ventilation requirement of 10% of the floor area, with at least 5% unobstructed openings. However, this provision is often treated as a basic limit by designers without further exploration of more efficient design potentials. This limitation may result in designs that fall short of delivering optimal comfort for users, particularly in terms of natural ventilation needs. This study evaluates the impact of varying opening percentages on the performance of natural ventilation in mosques, in comparison to the minimum standard set by the UBBL. The research approach includes a literature review, observation, and field study of the Masjid Lama Linggi as a case study. The findings reveal that increasing the opening percentage from 10% to 60%, combined with additional elements such as lattice screens, ventilation blocks, and roof openings, can significantly improve ventilation performance and enhance user comfort. These findings can serve as a guide for contemporary designers in formulating more efficient and sustainable mosque design strategies without compromising traditional vernacular values.