AA Final Report

1. 0
Asian Architecture [ARC 2213/2234]
PROJECT 2B: CASE STUDY report
The deck house. Janda baik
Integration of the Passive Design Strategies from
Traditional Malay House into the Deck House, in Order to
Correspond with the Malaysia Local Climate to Achieve
Thermal Comfort.
NAME: KEVIN FONG JIA ZHENG
STUDENT ID: 0317166
LECTURER: MS. ALIA AHAMAD

2. 1
Table contents Page.
Abstract
Introduction
1.0 passive design strategies in the deck house
1.1 sun shading device
1.2 passive cooling strategies
2.0 Design configuration response with environment
3.0 reformation with modernbuildingmaterials
Conclusion
References
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3
4
5-7
8-10
11-13
14-15
16
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3. 2
ABSTRACT
Thepurposeofthis study paperisto analyzetheintegrationof the architecturaldesignstrategies
which extracted from the traditional vernacular architecture into the contemporary architecture.
By correspondwith the site contextandclimate,itableto achievethermalcomfortinarchitecture.
Due to the geographical location of Malaysia, it result summer all the year round. Various
methods have been devised to deal with hot and humid environmental conditions. Lacking of
interpretation of vernacular planning led to poor relation of site surrounding and natural
environment. Therefore, thermal comfortturn into the main issue to serve when we design a
building. In this urbanization developing era, the Deck House where located at Janda Baik,
Pahang is an outstanding example thatused as the precedentstudy for this paper, which bring
back the ideas of vernacular architecture and implement into modern design which able to
minimize heatgain ofthe building. Notonly in term of form, spatial arrangement, materials and
also the passive designed strategies. In assisting the validation of research, literature reviews
based on various sources regarding ofthe Malay houses were also conducted to enhance the
process. By taking advantages ofthe use oftraditional passive design ideas, suchas open plan
layout with tall ceiling to promote better stack ventilation, overhang pitched roofto create buffer
areaforthe air circulation,ampleopeningsforefficientventilation.Thebuildingisableto regulate
heat effectively by itself. While preserving the Malay vernaculararchitecture, The Deck House
have successfully illustrated one of the new exploration ofMalaysia contemporary architecture.
The integration of the traditional Malay vernacular architecture into contemporary era is an
innovative method to conserve the Malaysia’s identity while adapting the changes of the
environment, culture and user’s need throughdecades.

4. 3
Introduction .
The Deck House is a 2-1/2 storey
house located in the lush greenery of the
Janda Baik forest, at the foothill of Genting
Highlands. This house consists of 3
bedrooms, 3 baths with approximately
370m2. of enclosed and outdoor area.
The building was completed in 2012
and it was designed by Ar Choo Gim Wah.
The brief from the Client was to design a
simple, unassuming and modern looking
house.
This case study report will focus on
how the traditional vernacular architecture
integrate with modern housing design in
order to correspond with the local climate to
achieve thermal comfort.
By going in deep,several research questions will be explain according to the case study.
1. How is the passive design strategies to minimizethe heatgain ofthe Deck House?
2. What is the design configuration implementinto the building structural components to
response with the site environment?
3. How is the modern building materials which replacedthe traditional local material used
to enhance the thermal comfortexperience?

5. 4
1.0 Passive Design Strategies Introduction .
Passive design refers to a design approach thatuses natural elements, often sunlight, to heat, cool,
or light a building. Passive solar or passive cooling designs take advantage of the sun’s energy to
maximize heating or cooling based on a building’s sun exposure. Systems that employ passive
design require very little maintenance and reduce a building’s energy consumption by minimizing or
eliminating mechanical systems used to regulate indoor temperature and lighting.
The passive design approach can include the structure of the building itself, including building
orientation, window placement, skylight installation, insulation and building materials, or specific
elements of a building, such as windows and window shades. For example, installing operable
windows, or windows that can be manually opened and closed, allows residents to control the
amount of air entering a space, and placing operable windows directly across from each other can
directbreezes into a building, creating natural ventilation.
The Deck House is a well-known building which introduce the passive design and integrate into the
building design. Passive designs can be branch into several approach. On this chapter, the research
will focus on the passive cooling design strategies that help to reduce the heat gain of the building,
which is an issue to deal with the Malaysia local climate.
Passive cooling design strategies:
1.1 sun shading strategies
1.2 passive cooling strategies

6. 5
1.1 Sun Shading Device .
Sun shading device is a feature that used to control the amountofsunlight that admitted into a
building.It is notonly function asa passiveheatingbutalsopassivecooling.Theclimateistaken
as a consideration during the design process of the shading device. In the Deck House, the
shading device that used are mainly use for passive cooling due to its geographical location,
Malaysia. Malaysiais a country which located atthe equator, which resulthotand humid climate
throughoutyears. Therefore, passive coolingstrategies haven been well consideredby the local
architects.
1.12 Large Overhang Eaves
The Deck House
From the figure, we can see thatthe eaves
located in frontof the bedroom is extended
longer. This large overhang feature
provideabiggerareaofprotectionfrom the
direct sunlight which encourage outdoor
movement. Different with traditional Malay
house, the Deck house use glass to form
the skin of the building, which allow
maximum sunlight seep into the interior.
Therefore, much area will be exposed if
there is not shading device. So, this large
overhang eaves is used to reduce the
direct sunlight that heated up the interior
and also provide protection from driving
rain to preventdiscomfort.
Figure 1.1 the balcony from main bedroom
Source: (Archdaily, 2013)

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1.12 Surrounding Vegetation
Traditional Malay house
Theextendedeavesandthelowexposed
vertical area (windows and walls) in the
traditional Malay house provide
protection to the occupants from the
driving rain, provide sun shading, and
allow window to be left open mostof the
time for ventilation.
The Deck House
The Deck House located atthe tropical
forest which it naturally provide a great
shading to the building itself and have
lower average temperature compare to
the normal Malay house. The forest
surroundedalso allow the Deck house
to be built open to nature but preserve
a sense of privacy to the occupants.
Traditional Malay House
Traditional Malay house usually
surrounded by tall tree to provide
shading to the surrounding area and
reduce glaze for the opening windows.
The vegetation surrounding create a
wind passageandcreatecomforttothe
occupants.
Figure 1.2 an exterior view of Malay house
Source: (Mmadventure, 2008)
Figure 1.3 an exterior view of the Deck House
Source: (Archdaily, 2013)
Figure 1.4 an exterior view of the Emas house
Source: (thedusun, 2005)

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1.13 Building Orientation
The Deck house orientated based on the sun orientation. Brick wall are used on the east-
west facade to minimize the area thatexposed to the directsolar radiation, therefore reduce
the heatgain.Thelongerfacadefacingnorthwhichhavemoreopeningallowindirectsunlight
brightup the interior and provide thermal comfort.
Traditional Malay houses are often oriented to face east-west direction for religious
reasons. The east-west orientation minimizes areas exposed to solar radiation. This
orientation also suits the wind patterns in Malaysia (north-eastand south-west).
Figure 1.5 plan of the Deck House
Source: (Archdaily, 2013)
Figure 1.6 plan of the typical Malay house
Source: (Anzasca, 2002)

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1.2 Passive Cooling Strategies .
Passive cooling is a building design approach that focuses on heat gain control and heat
dissipation in a building in order to improve the indoor thermal comfortwith low energy
consumption. Thisapproachworkseitherby preventingheatfrom enteringtheinterior(heatgain
prevention) or by removing heatfrom the building (natural cooling).Natural cooling utilizes on-
site energy, available from the natural environment, combined with the architectural design of
building components (e.g. building envelope),rather than mechanical systems to dissipate heat.
Passive cooling uses free, renewable sources of energy such as the sun and wind to provide
cooling, ventilation and lighting needs for a household. It can also reduce levels of energy use
and environmental impacts such as greenhousegas emissions.
1.21 Tall Ceiling
The added height at the middle of the Malay
house allow the air to regulate which let the
hot air in the house rise to the top and cool air
to sink ( convection). Basically the added
height function as a ventilated roof space to
cool the house.
Figure 1.7 view to the interior ceiling of Malay house
Source: (Anzasca, 2009)
Figure 1.8 interiorview of the Deck House
Source: (Archdaily, 2013)
The double volume design in the Deck house enhance the idea of ventilated roof design
which provide larger space for the air convection. The hotair rise to the ceiling area and the
louvers which installed at the top part of the wall help discharge the hot air out from the
interior to cool the house and improve thermal comfort.

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1.22 Aluminum Louvers
The Aluminum louvers actas a ventto allow the
stack ventilation occurs. The louversinstalled at
the top part of the Deck House provide
protection for the occupants from the excessive
heat and guarantee pleasant temperatures
without the use of technological systems.
Figure 1.9 section of Malay house
Source: (Anzasca, 2002)
The traditional Malay house welly utilized the
roof joint or the connection of roof to ventilate
the house throughout day and night time. The
spaces created by the roof joints allow the air
flow in and out.
Figure 1.10 view of balcony from main bedroom
Source: (Archdaily, 2013)

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1.23 Opening
Traditional Malay house have
a lotof openingsuchaswindows
and doors. By coordinate with
the external device, the windows
can be open throughoutthe day.
The windows and doors which
installed at the body level height
help bring the heat away from
the interior of the house.
The Deck house are mainly
used glasses to form the skin of
the building. The full panel glass
window are operable and open
for the ventilation. A passage is
createdwhen the windows open,
it allow the air to flow across the
interior.
Figure 1.11 section of Malay house
Source: (Anzasca, 2002)
Figure 1.12 elevation of the Deck House
Source: (Archdaily, 2013)

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2.0 Design ConfigurationResponsewith Environment.
The Deck House which located at Janda Baik is built in the tropical forest. In order to built a
building which create strong connection with the nature, several design configurations are
Implementinto the building structural componentwhich response to the site environment. The
profile and section of this house hugs the terrain with minimum interference of the existing
slope. Despite its steel and glass construction, the house functions like a traditional tropical
house with tall ceiling heights, well-lit interior spaces, and sufficient ventilation with windows on
mostwalls and aluminum louversatthe highestpartof building for the hot air to escape.
2.1 Pitched Roof
Duo-pitched roofconstructed by same-length
rafters and joined in the middle. It provide
excellent water drainage, leading to fewer
leak and longer life span. Besides, it also
providemorespaceforthe attic to allowbetter
ventilation. The main disadvantage is the
added height make it vulnerable to strong
winds and tornado.
A mono-pitched roof allow the ceilings tilts
higherandallowrainwater to runoff. It provide
a space for clerestory windows belowthe eye
level. This would also allow much more
sunlight into the interior. Moreover mono-
pitchedroofwould alsohelpto createasense
of enlarged space.
Figure 2.1 elevation of the Deck House
Source: (Archdaily, 2013)
Figure 2.2 section of the Malay House
Source: (Anzasca, 2002)

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2.2 Elevated Foundation
2.3 Open Plan Layout
Figure 2.6 interiorview of the Deck House
Source: (Archdaily, 2013)
Figure 2.5 interiorview of Malay House
Source: (Alamy, 2011)
Figure 2.4 exterior view of the Deck House
Source: (Archdaily, 2013)
Figure 2.3 exterior view of the Malay House
Source: (Mmadvanture, 2008)
Elevate the building from the groundwhich
surround by obstacles allow the house to
catch higher velocity wind. Besides, the
elevatedMalayhouseprotecttheoccupant
from the animal attack and flooding. It also
provide privacy for the occupants which
away from the eye level view.
By adapting the building to the hilly
rainforest environment. Stilt foundation
can protect the building from damage of
flooding and soil shifting. It also create
lesser impactto the site context.
There are operable partitions and minimal
walls in the house, which allow for the
flexible useofthe spaces.Minimizeinterior
wall also allow well ventilation and lighting
of the interior.
The deck house applied the idea of open
plan into the space planning. There is no
any partition wall separate the kitchen,
living and dining area. This arrangement
visually enlarge the interior space.

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2.4 Cantilevered Deck
2.5 Glass Wall
Figure 2.10 exterior view of Deck House
Source: (Archdaily, 2013)
Figure 2.9 exterior view of Malay House
Source: (Sabrizain, 2012)
Figure 2.8 balcony of the Deck House
Source: (Archdaily, 2013)
Figure 2.7 balcony of the Malay House
Source: (Mmadvanture, 2013)
Someofthe traditional Malayhousebuiltan
extension out from the main hall. It fully
covered by the overhang eaves extend
from the main roof and provide shading to
the occupants. The verandah are mainly
serve for outdoor activity and relaxation.
By creating an intimate connection with the
surround environment, a cantilevered deck
is created to promote outdoor movement
and allow the inhabitant to enjoy the
surroundingforestview.
Most of the traditional Malay houses are
construct by local building material, timber
which minimal the cost. Solid wall create
privacy to the interior and isolate from the
surrounding. The main issues are to
preservefromthedecayingeffectof tropical
weather as well as termite problems.
By challenging the normal traditional Malay
house, the building extensive use of glass
form the skin of the building to blur out the
interior and exterior space. Glass walls
maximizethesunlightandallowit penetrate
into the interior, so the building is able to
self-sustain.

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3.0 Reformation with Modern Building Materials .
The traditional Malay house mainly constructed by timber which is low thermal capacity. In the
deck house which represent the contemporary architecture of Malaysia, it challenge the
traditional way and replace the timber with modern material such as steel, glass and concrete.
Concrete for the stability of foundation, steel for the lightweight structure and glass for the self-
sustainability.
Medium hardwood
Wall
Meranti
The traditional Malay house used hard wood as the structural frame. Timber is also use as
the non-structural part, which is the doors, walls and windows. The roof finishes are made
from nipah, rubmia or bertam.
Roof finish
Rumbia
Flooring
Balau
Heavy hardwood
Main structure
Cengal
Figure 3.0 construction detail of Malay House
Source: (seindahkampung, 2007)

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Building Materials used in the Deck House
Figure 3.1 Building materials of the Deck House
Source: (Archdaily, 2013)
STEEL STRUCTURE
Light weight material which
combined with glass to reduce the
massiveness ofthe building.
GLASS WINDOWS
Glass walls maximize the sunlight
and allow it penetrate into the
interior, so the building is able to
self-sustain.
TIMBER FLOORING
The extensive use of timber has
created a rich and warm texture
which complementing the forest
nearby.
CONCRETE FOUNDATION
High durability material which strong
enough to support whole structure
and the cantilevered feature with
long life span.

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4.0 Conclusion .
After completed this researchpaper, we can see that the building thathave been chose for this
analysis, The Deck House, this contemporary building is perfectly implement the idea of
traditional vernacular architecture into the modern building design. The Malay vernacular
architecture is geared towards based on the ventilation and solar radiation control through the
implementation of site response and environmental context to provide climatic comfortfor the
house. Ar Choo willing to explore and challenge the ordinary way ofthinking which combinethe
traditional Malay house idea with modern building material and illustrated a new kind of
contemporary architecture ofMalaysia.

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5.0 References .
1. Chapter 2: MalaysianVernacularArchitecture and Its Relationship to Climate.
(2016). Academia.edu.Retrieved 28 June2016, from
http://www.academia.edu/2377416/Chapter_2_Malaysian_Vernacular_Architecture_and_It
s_Relationship_to_Climate
2. Gang, d. (2013). JOMBalik Kampung: Chapter3 The Malay
House. Seindahkampung.blogspot.my. Retrieved28 June 2016, from
http://seindahkampung.blogspot.my/2013/08/chapter-3-malay-house.html
3. Malay Houses. (2011). VernacularArchitecture. Retrieved28 June 2016, from
https://vernaculararchitecture.wordpress.com/2011/12/30/hello-world/
4. Passive cooling | YourHome.(2016).Yourhome.gov.au. Retrieved28 June 2016, from
http://www.yourhome.gov.au/passive-design/passive-cooling
5. Shading | YourHome.(2016). Yourhome.gov.au. Retrieved28 June 2016, from
http://www.yourhome.gov.au/passive-design/shading
6. Sustainable Design Part Three: The Basic Principles of Passive Design.
(2016). Slideshare.net.Retrieved 28 June2016, from
http://www.slideshare.net/tboake/sustainable-design-part-three-the-basic-principles-of-
passive-design
7. The Deck House. (2016). Architizer.Retrieved 28 June2016, from
http://architizer.com/projects/the-deck-house/
8. The Deck House / Choo Gim Wah Architect. (2013). ArchDaily. Retrieved 28 June 2016,
from http://www.archdaily.com/424699/the-deck-house-choo-gim-wah-architect

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