Bioclimatic Architecture

Asian Architecture [ARC 2213/2234]
PROJECT 1: CASE STUDY
Bioclimatic Architecture:
A Sustainable Design Approach in attempt to Connect with
Nature while Maintaining Building Comfort based on Local
Climate in Sekeping Serendah
NAME: Joanne Bernice Chua Yunn Tze
STUDENT ID: 0315905
LECTURER: Mr. Koh Jing Hao
SUBMISSION DATE: 9 June 2015

Bioclimatic Architecture: A Sustainable Design Approach in attempt to Connect with
Nature while Maintaining Building Comfort based on Local Climate in Sekeping
Serendah
ARC 2213/2234 Asian Architecture 1
Bioclimatic Architecture: A Sustainable Design
Approach in attempt to Connect with Nature while
Maintaining Building Comfort base on Local Climate in
Sekeping Serendah.
Table of Contents Page
Abstract ........................................................................................................................2
1.0 Introduction..........................................................................................................3
2.0 Bioclimatic Architecture .......................................................................................4
2.1 Principles of Bioclimatic Design........................................................................4
2.2 Demand for Bioclimatic Design ........................................................................5
3.0 Building Comfort..................................................................................................6
3.1 Types of Comfort .............................................................................................6
4.0 Local Climate Design Consideration....................................................................8
5.0 Bioclimatic Design Features Adopted in Sekeping Serendah and its Relation to
Building Comfort........................................................................................................9
6.0 Conclusion ........................................................................................................17
7.0 References........................................................................................................18

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Abstract
This research paper will investigate on Bioclimatic Architecture, a sustainable
design approach that attempts to connect with nature while also maintaining building
comfort based on the local climate in Sekeping Serendah. Through literature review, it
was found that this architecture seeks perfect cohesion between design and natural
elements, which then leads to the optimization of environmental resources, thus
reducing energy consumption. With bioclimatic design as the prime passive design
feature of Sekeping Serendah, the understanding of the shed designs at the retreat
were being observed and the capability for the designs to achieve building comfort
without relying on mechanical equipment were discovered. The passive strategies
included suitable material selection, space layout and orientation, openness, passive
ventilation, natural daylighting, shading, vegetation so on and so forth. Further research
and analysis were conducted to determine how each strategy functions in response to
the types of building comfort which includes thermal(heat), hygienic (air quality), visual
(light), auditory (noise), and olfactory (smell). It has come to a conclusion that Sekeping
Serendah being built around nature was able to fulfil building comfort through the basic
principles of bioclimatic architecture.

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1.0 Introduction
Sekeping Serendah is a private eco-themed retreat located in the forests of
Serendah near Rawang, Selangor, roughly an hour drive up north of Kuala Lumpur.
The retreat consists of 10 uniquely designed sheds, though each of them adopts a self-
effacing design, in which they respect and complement the environment without
contrasting it as the design attempts to treat gently on the land. With a ‘non-building’
concept in mind, the sheds hovers over the forest floor with their designs as open and
transparent as possible; being kept minimal, free from lavishness and providing only
fundamental shelters as its inhabitants experience nature entirely as they commute
with the land.
Nature has proven to be a significant part of context in architecture as we
acknowledge that man needs a balanced relationship with it instead of total separation.
Since Sekeping Serendah was modelled with the above philosophy, the sheds were
harmoniously designed with its natural surroundings though without neglecting human
comfort and practiced bioclimatic design as the prime passive design feature. This
paper will investigate on the effectiveness of bioclimatic design adapted in Sekeping
Serendah in maintaining building comfort as it connects with nature based on the local
climate by responding to the following research questions:
Question 1: What is bioclimatic architecture and what are its principles?
Question 2: Is bioclimatic architecture sustainable in the long run? If yes, why is it not
well known?
Question 3: How is the local climate in Malaysia and what effect does it have to
architectural design?
Question 4: How do we define building comfort? Why is it important to maintain it?
Question 5: What are the bioclimatic design features adapted and how do they aid in
achieving building comfort in Sekeping Serendah?

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2.0 Bioclimatic Architecture
According to Oxford Dictionary, bioclimatic relates to the interconnection
between climate and the activities of living organisms, while architecture is the art or
practice of designing and constructing buildings. By merging them to form bioclimatic
architecture, it articulates the idea of building design that takes account of its climate
and environmental state to aid in attaining favourable thermal and visual comfort of
users as it establishes bonds with nature. Architecturally saying, bioclimatic is a
division whereby it dominates the standards of ecology and sustainability. It involves
design which fosters the environment and natural resources, generating buildings that
resolve energy requirements without inducing environmental wreckage.
2.1 Principles of Bioclimatic Design
The key elements of bioclimatic design are passive systems, which run without
being over dependant on mechanical equipment or subsidiary power supply,
dealing exclusively with design and local resources that attains energy efficiency,
and creating an optimum indoor microclimate altogether. In Malaysia, bioclimatic
design is sectioned into three categories; passive solar heat protection, passive
cooling techniques and natural daylighting system.
1. Passive Solar Heat Protection (Minimal heat gain)
This system is achieved by using the appropriate location and orientation of the
building which in return would protect it from overheating by the sun. Being
fashioned more towards shading, its design will be based on the direction of
sun path as well as the presence of surrounding trees or landscaping features,
at the same time focuses on treating the exposed façade by using materials
that absorb significant amount of incident solar heat and radiation.
2. Passive Cooling Technique (Maximum heat loss)
As heat protection does not necessarily guarantee zero heat gain, a
subordinate system is adopted which operates by dissipating heat accumulated
in the building by natural means. Passive cooling incorporates various
techniques such as natural ventilation, night flush cooling, direct and indirect
radiative cooling, evaporative cooling as well as earth coupling. For natural

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ventilation to operate effectively, appropriate placement of openings is to be
done based on the direction of wind.
3. Natural Daylighting System
Daylighting system functions by placing openings or windows and reflective
surfaces at suitable locations of the building based on the sun path which, in
Malaysia it is often encouraged to be at the north and south facing facades.
This provides sufficient diffused natural light and ensures effective internal
lighting during the day while avoiding the problem of glare. This system
maximizes visual comfort and allows reduced energy consumption as less
artificial lighting is used.
2.2 Demand for Bioclimatic Design
Bioclimatic designed buildings are identified to be eco-friendly and cost saving
as they do not require installation and use of overpriced mechanical systems due
to them being self-sustaining. This in fact reduces significantly on the
environmental impacts as less harmful refrigerants such as chlorofluorocarbon
(CFC) and greenhouse gases are being released into the atmosphere. Despite of
its numerous advantages, bioclimatic design is not prominent to modern users and
contemporary architecture. Today, habitation means more than the demand for a
living in a sheltered place. It represents more of a status symbol that should be
adapting to the standards of modern living, taking into account of convenience,
leisure and usually neglecting basic functionalities and is not concerned of saving
the environment. Hence, energy saving and optimizing the use of natural
resources may not fit into these standards. With this ideology set within our minds,
turning on air-conditioning system in an occupied space the whole day may seem
mandatory to maintain a comfortable indoor climate.
Consequently, energy supply companies refuse to innovate and are
disinterested in new technologies for renewable energy. For example, air-
conditioning manufacturers are not immersed in alternate systems which would
make their technology less valuable; natural ventilation does not make money.
They would instead sell and charge consumers for energy to calculate their cost
recovery. Alternatively, architects and builders generally do not want to go through
the trouble of introducing something new to the consumer. By lacking on relevant
information on the matter, the consumer cannot demand for alternative products
that would actually improve the microclimate of the building without damaging the

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environment effectively by maximizing natural resources and without
overspending on their cost of living. (BioclimaticX, 2009)
3.0 Building Comfort
Building comfort associates with many aspects as it is about the physical
environment in its totality. It invokes architectural built form that engages users through
all of their senses and acknowledges the harmonization between them. Buildings that
take comfort into account yields design which foresees and satisfies user needs before
they themselves realized they needed it. However, it is not about increasing building
cost without any actual value, but rather boosts design leverage points by observing on
the users’ lifestyle behaviour, shaping elements of design that complements each other
based on user needs and composing living spaces that are healthy and pleasurable at
the same time to pull off stronger and greater sensory design values for the users.
(Lehman, 2011)
3.1 Types of comfort
Building comfort relating to humans can be sectioned into five categories, which
includes thermal comfort, hygienic comfort, visual comfort, auditory comfort and
olfactory comfort. (Boduch and Fincher, n.d.)
1. Thermal Comfort
The most significant element to the experience of comfort in a space is
temperature. Human beings are susceptible to slight temperature variance as
our bodies operate within an internal temperature range much narrower than
external temperature. Due to metabolism our body generates heat which must
be released into the surrounding air, therefore if the external temperature is too
high, the process may be difficult and troublesome and we may feel warm or
overheated. Vice versa, if the external temperature is too low, our body’s heat
loss is more active, thus we may feel ill-fittingly cold. In relation to this, relative
humidity plays a large role together with temperature. Extreme levels of
humidity may work against the evaporative cooling effects of sweating, leaving
the body prone to discomfort and overheating. If humidity level is too high, the
saturated moisture may be unable to evaporate from the skin, contrarily if
humidity level is too low, therefore our skin feels more dry than usual.
Furthermore, air movement also plays a part in thermal comfort. As the body

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undergo evaporative cooling from sweating, incoming flow of fresh, low-
humidity air is able to eliminate the moisture-filled air around the body, allowing
the continuation sweat evaporation. Thus when evaluating thermal comfort in a
space, it is important to examine the room temperature, heat dissipation,
humidity and air movement within the room.
2. Hygienic Comfort
Hygienic comfort correlates to the issue of indoor air quality and is usually
measured under the circumstances of having a sense of comfort from the air
with no ill-effects to user health. Air quality is affected by gases that include
carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds (VOC), radon, contaminants
such as mold and bacteria and other common pollutants that may cause
unfavourable health effects. Sick Building Syndrome is usually the term given
for condition that occurs when users spend excessive time in a building that is
loaded with contaminants. In order to avoid this, countermeasures and
treatment to poor air quality such as source control through proper material
selection and appropriate sealing of openings, air filtration and ample ventilation
to reduce contaminants are to be practiced.
3. Visual Comfort
Generally, natural lighting is presumed to be an advantage for health and well-
being of users; the effects can be sensed almost immediately or may be in the
long run, maximising proper daylighting is therefore an important consideration.
Visual comfort associates with daylighting that is sufficient to see properly
without too much glare or excessive contrast. Light levels are adjusted
depending on the intensity of visual task at hand. For example, if the spaces are
offices which require doing drawing or fine work, it needs strong optical aid and
a brighter light is mainly required. Inversely, if the space is of receiving proper
rest and of little detailed work such as bedrooms, a dimmer light is desired. This
is due to the fact that darkness is also a relevant factor of visual comfort, as too
much direct sun would cause discomfort and ill-fitted conditions. As our body
requires a balance of light and darkness for the well-being of both physically
and mentally, is it important to strategize and understand proper design that
brings in good natural light without too much glare.
4. Auditory Comfort

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Human hearing is measured through the frequency and magnitude of sound,
whereby sounds that are too loud and with higher frequency are usually termed
as noise or disturbance that users respond with annoyance. In this case,
acoustic insulation is important to maintain auditory comfort. The aspects to
note for sustaining good acoustic performance in a building is about getting
proper building envelope through the right choice of materials and quality
finishes, and using appropriate methods to isolate spaces from noise sources.
5. Olfactory Comfort
Olfactory comfort links to the human perception of smell and it can be either
odour or irritants that enter the nasal cavity. Generally, humans can adapt to
odours relatively fast, but for irritants it may get worse or uncomfortable prior to
longer exposure, moreover if the levels of the irritants are not as noticeable as
odours. Certain smells such as those caused by smoke and harmful substances
released from materials within the space should be reduced or removed as they
may promote headaches, trigger migraines and may be dangerous to users
with asthma and respiratory problems. In order to do so, ways of eliminating
irritants at source or substituting them with products that gives out less or non-
toxic and improving ventilation should be done to retain comfort in the space.
4.0 Local Climate Design Consideration
As the scope of this paper will be primarily focused on Sekeping Serendah,
which is located within Selangor, Malaysia, it is important to understand its geography
and nature of the environment. Located near the equator, Malaysia’s climate is defined
as equatorial or tropical, having hot and humid throughout the year, with its
temperature ranging from 23 to 32°C and has a humidity level between 70 and 90%.
Malaysia also deals with two monsoon winds seasons; the Southwest Monsoon (May
till September) and the Northeast Monsoon (November-March). When designing
buildings for Malaysian climate, it is necessary to remain the indoor temperature at a
range 23 to 26°C and to keep humidity level at 55-70% to ensure users remain
thermally comfortable as based on the Malaysian Standard (MS 1525). The methods to
achieve these are by reducing heat gain and maximizing heat loss, at the same time
optimize the use of natural ventilation to reduce excess moisture present within the
space.

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5.0 Bioclimatic Design Features Adopted in Sekeping Serendah
and its Relation to Building Comfort
1. Shading / Skylight
In Sekeping Serendah retreat, the idea of integrating both corrugated zinc and
corrugated polycarbonate plastic as roofing to shelter sheds from the heated sun
was used. At the same time, it acts as skylights to maximize natural daylighting as
it is very much translucent. While the zinc roof shelters certain areas of the sheds
such as the bedroom, these ‘skylights’ were placed thoughtfully, which are in areas
whereby most light is needed such as the kitchen, living area and foyer.
Furthermore, the surrounding vegetation were incorporated within the space as
shades that would to diffuse light coming in through the “skylights”, In return, it
gives a balance of light and darkness present in the shed without having too much
glare and therefore enhances users’ visual comfort.
Figure 01 Use of corrugated zinc and polycarbonated plastic as roofing with
integrated vegetation at warehouse shed
(Source: Pua Kee Hui, 2015)

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Large overhangs were also used as passive heat protection, decreasing direct
solar radiation onto the glass façade to maintain thermal comfort, and are orientated
based on the direction of sun path. As mentioned before, direct sunlight may cause
unwanted glaring, therefore the application of other shading devices such as louvers,
wooden planks and surrounding vegetation were used which allows diffused sunlight to
enter the space without glare and for visual comfort.
Figure 02 Diffused natural light from ‘skylight’ at warehouse 1 bedroom area
(Source: Joanne Chua, 2015)
Figure 03 Natural daylighting at warehouse 1 living area

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2. Material Selection
A fusion of an organic palette of local materials consisting of reclaimed timber
and mortar bricks together with industrial materials such as concrete, glass and a
balanced amount of various types of metals (iron, copper, steel) were carefully
picked and used in designing the sheds’ envelope. Since most of the materials
were kept raw, the spaces were able to emit a sense of serenity.
Figure 04 Large overhang found in glass shed 1
Figure 05, 06 Wooden plank roof at warehoused 1, timber louvers in timber shed 1

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Lightweight timber is used due to its ability to store carbon and is non-toxic therefore
does not release chemical vapour into building. Bricks on the other hand are widely use
as they can absorb and release moisture due to their porosity, thus regulating the
temperature and humidity in the sheds. Both materials aid in the thermal and hygienic
comfort of the space, and with their natural textures, they depict a rustic and antique
appearance to the space, giving a sense of blending in with nature.
Of the 10 sheds found in the retreat, 4 of them used steel and glass as their main
materials for the façade, maximizing natural lighting and visual comfort in the space.
Concrete is widely used in all of the sheds, mainly due to its durability and high thermal
mass that allows it to store heat from the sun, which in return reduces the heat gain
passively and allows proper thermal comfort.
Figure 07, 08 Timber flooring and mortar brick wall found in timber shed 1
Figure 09, 10 Steel and glass facade and concrete slab found in glass box 1

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3. Open / Double Volume Space with Openings
As Sekeping Serendah is located far from the city and at a more isolated area, the
natural breeze and wind passing through the retreat faces less obstruction. Therefore,
natural ventilation can be integrated as a method for passive cooling. The sheds were
designed with large, open double volume spaces and with openings such as louvers,
casement windows and horizontal sliders that permits the prevailing wind to pass
through. By doing so, the warm heated air inside the shed may be replaced with fresh
cool air from the outside, and moisture that retains within the spaces can also be
reduced, preventing stagnant odours and mold or bacteria from forming. Thus, not only
is thermal comfort maintained, hygienic and olfactory comfort was also achieved.
Figure 11, 12 Casement windows and louvers in glass shed 1
(Source: Sekeping.com, n.d.)
Figure 13 Open double volume space in warehouse 1

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4. Building Placement and Form
Figure 14, 15 Open shower and washroom in timber shed 2
Figure 16 Placement of sheds in Sekeping Serendah

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As referred from above, the sheds in Sekeping Serendah are strategically and
individually placed so that each shed are blended in their own natural surroundings. In
doing so, each shed are isolated from each other and away from human circulation,
reducing the exposure to noise sources, thus improving auditory comfort. By having a
boxy and rectangular layout, the spaces are able to experienced maximum cross
ventilation.
Figure 17 Timber shed 1 wrapped in nature
Figure 18 Warehouse 1 surrounded by vegetation

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All of the sheds were placed on stilts to minimize impact on the land itself, at the same
time allows wind to sweep across the floor underneath, cooling the temperature indoors,
sustaining thermal comfort.
Figure 18, 19 Glass box 1 and 2 almost hidden from view
Figure 20 Use of stilts on concrete footing in timber shed 2

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5.0 Conclusion
In conclusion, Sekeping Serendah retreat has indeed took bioclimatic design
into account as their sustainable passive design approach. By optimizing the use of
bioclimatic design, not only it was able to establish a connection with nature, yet it was
able to fulfil the criteria of building comfort within the spaces in the sheds. Besides that,
it has become an exemplar for the modern era whereby the retreat showcases and
exposes consumers on the idea of bioclimatic architecture, whereby not only is it
important to harness and appreciate nature by treading gently on the land, but also
there are alternate passive ways that would improve comfort within a building without
spending too much on mechanical costs.

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6.0 References
Wikipedia.org (n.d.). Geography of Malaysia. Retrieved April 27, 2015, from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Malaysia
Stein, B., & Reynolds, J. (1992). Mechanical and electrical equipment for buildings (8th
ed.). New York: J. Wiley & Sons.
Bioclimaticx.com (2009, October 10). What is Bioclimatic Architecture? Retrieved June
5, 2015, from http://bioclimaticx.com/bioclimatic-architecture1/
Boduch, M., & Fincher, W. (n.d.). Standards of Human Comfort: Relative and Absolute.
Retrieved June 5, 2015, from
https://soa.utexas.edu/sites/default/disk/preliminary/preliminary/1-Boduch_Fincher-
Standards_of_Human_Comfort.pdf
Lehman, M. (2011, August 9). Building Comfort in Architecture Isn't Just About
Temperature Control. Retrieved June 6, 2015, from
http://sensingarchitecture.com/7628/building-comfort-in-architecture-isnt-just-about-
temperature-control/
John, J. (2012, May 7). Comfort in Buildings. Retrieved June 5, 2015, from
http://www.slideshare.net/JasmineJohn/comfort-in-buildings
Utm.my (n.d.). Code of Practice on Energy Efficiency and Use of Renewable Energy
for Non-Residential Buildings (First Revision). Retrieved June 5, 2015, from
http://www.utm.my/energymanagement/files/2014/07/MS-1525-2007.pdf

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