Chempenai House

1. asian architecture | pn yati
chen ee dong | 0321181

2.  Evidence and analysis of research
 User comfort
 Safety issue
 Creating poetic spaces
 Conclusion
 Literature review

3.  Bubble diagram/concept mapping of RT, RQ etc

4. - Chempenai House, also known as Tropical Box
House
- Located on the sloping topology of Bukit
Damansara (Damansara Heights)
- Design concept: Integrate building with nature

5. RESEARCH QUESTION #1:
What is the significance of egg-crate structure in encouraging natural ventilation and sun-shading properties in
promoting higher user comfort?
 Data collection from site using thermometer + online weather data collector
 Afternoon timing is considered only: results are determined for 11 am – 4 pm (deemed hottest time of the
day)
 Daily results are then tabulated and averaged
 Floor plans are analysed
 Outdoor temperature: overall temperature of outdoor surrounding
 Indoor temperature: temperature gathered from indoors
 Windspeed and direction: twice per day average

6. Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat
W1 outdoor 34.0 35.0 34.0 33.0 34.0 33.0 34.0
W1 indoor 32.0 34.0 34.0 32.0 33.5 32.0 32.0
W2 outdoor 34.0 32.0 36.0 35.0 35.0 33.0 32.0
W2 indoor 32.0 30.5 35.5 33.5 34.0 33.5 30.0
27.0
28.0
29.0
30.0
31.0
32.0
33.0
34.0
35.0
36.0
37.0Temperature/°C
Outdoor and indoor temperature comparison (afternoon)/ °C

7. The egg-crate structure is applied as a solution
• to filter and fragment the sunlight
• allow air to flow through
as a passive design strategy to reduce uncomfortable glare
and provide a cooler, more comfortable interior
It is recorded that the indoor temperature is 2 °C lower than
outdoor temperature on average.
Figure: Difference between direct sunlight penetration, no sunlight penetration and fragmented
sunlight penetration.

8. Lattice roof opens up the
interior to the sky
Open ended structure
found at the southern
end
Lattice of perforations on
west-facing wall
The egg-crate structure
is primarily found as an
envelop in:
• West-facing wall
• Southern end of the
roof structure
Figure: Roof plan N.T.S

9. time speed/mph direction
11.00 AM 3.0 N-S
12.00 PM 1.0 S-N
1.00 PM 2.0 SW-NE
2.00 PM 2.0 SW-NE
3.00 PM 3.0 W-E
4.00 PM 1.0 NE-SW
Daily results using afternoon timing
(benchmarked as hottest times of the day)
Average speed: 2 mph from southwest direction
Figure : Average direction of wind in Chempenai House

10. Figure: Evidence photos of trees enveloping the egg-crate
structure
The egg-crate façade is also
surrounded by a lush jungle of
trees.
With dense growth and thick
foliage it acts as a secondary barrier
to filter out the harsh sunlight,
similar to Malay vernacular
dwellings.
Figure: Ground floor plan allowing wind strategically
enter the building
TREES AS THE
SECONDARY
BARRIER

11. Living spaces
Private spaces
(bedroom & private
bath)
Mechanical & services
The strategic placement of the egg-
crate structure optimizes natural
elements from the site (sunlight +
wind) at the living spaces, similar to a
Traditional Malay House.
Private spaces are bounded by solid
concrete walls to maintain occupant
privacy.
Service rooms remain bounded by
solid concrete walls to shield from
rain.
Figure: Living
spaces of
traditional Malay
house arranged in
open floor plan in
achieving passive
design.
Figure: Egg-crate structure strategically envelops living spaces; private spaces remain enclosed.

12. RESEARCH QUESTION #2:
How does the application of the egg-crate structure jeopardize the overall
household security of Chempenai House?
The large perforations on the egg-crate structure might help ventilate
and cool down the building, but are there presence of any security
threats towards the household?
METHODOLOGY
Measuring size of perforations of the egg-crate structure

13. Figure: The large
openings of the egg-
crate structure can
accommodate a size of
a human
Dimensions of the perforations
on the egg-crate structure are
approximately:
• 700 mm wide
• 1400 – 1500 mm tall

14. Figure: The egg-
crate façade hovers
above ground level
and there is no
direct landing
There is presence of security threats, but this issue is slightly
mitigated by a few adjustments:
• The whole building is elevated above ground, allowing
no alternative routes to enter the ground level except
main entrance ramp.
• There is no direct landing where egg-crate wall is
positioned (void space)
Figure: Entrance
ramp leading into
building

15. RESEARCH QUESTION #3:
How is the quality of space enhanced through the use of egg-crate structure?
In what way does the egg-crate structure influence the overall spatial quality of the building?
How does egg-crate structure blur the boundary between interior and exterior space? (view-framing)
METHODOLOGY
On-site photography | analysis on design properties | response from architect

16. • A similar, unified design language
• Rectilinear lattice of varying sizes, creating stoic poetry of
brutalist architecture in a natural landscape.
• Off-form concrete ages well throughout time

17. THE GARDEN IN A BOX
Maintaining constant visual
permeability and connectivity
between exterior and interior
environments.
Blurring boundaries, integrating living
spaces with nature.

19. source research methodology theory findings / results
Ang, B.C. (2016, April 20). Conversations with the
Situation. Lecture presented at PAM Public Lecture
in Publika Black Box, Kuala Lumpur.
Direct source To design is to solve a
problem pertaining a situation
(site)
Detailed walkthrough on WHBC’s
featured projects works on
paper.
Chan, S., Ar. (2009). Applying MS1525:2007 Code of
Practice on Energy Efficiency and Use of Renewable
Energy for Non-Residential Buildings (pp. 1-22,
Publication No. MS1525). Pertubuhan Arkitek
Malaysia. Retrieved May 22, 2016, from
http://www.greenbuildingindex.org/Resources/2009
0214 - GBI MS1525-2007 Seminar/20090214 - GBI
MS1525-2007 Seminar (CSA) Notes.pdf
Self-publish paper for PAM Energy Efficiency and Use of
Renewable Energy for Non-
Residential Buildings
Effect of shading devices on
temperature.
Lee, A., Liong, S.Y., Lim, W.Z. (2015). Experiencing
Malaysian Architecture. Retrieved April 25, 2016,
from
https://issuu.com/jessielyee/docs/theories_of_malays
ian_architecture/1
Site visit and student write-up,
with external references
Spatial experience in the
Chempenai House
Write-ups about spatial
experiences from visitations to
mentioned buildings.
Tropical Box House / WHBC Architects. (2015, May
27). Retrieved April 25, 2016, from
http://www.archdaily.com/635387/house-tropical-
box-whbc-architects
Site visit and interview by
ArchDaily
Integration of nature in
building
Using the site as a design
inspiration

20. source research methodology theory findings / results
Roslan, Q., Ibrahim, S. H., Affandi, R., Nawi, M. N.,
& Baharun, A. (2016). A literature review on the
improvement strategies of passive design for the
roofing system of the modern house in a hot and
humid climate region. Frontiers of Architectural
Research, 5(1), 126-133.
doi:10.1016/j.foar.2015.10.002
Intensive research on roofing Improvement strategies of
passive design
Roof sections, materiality