Setia International Centre Analysis Report

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SETIA INTERNATIONAL CENTRE
Location : Lot 215, Pantai Baru, Jalan Bangsar,, 59200 Kuala Lumpur
Year : 2012
Architect : GDP Architects
Developer : S P Setia Berhad
Project type : Sales gallery, Offices
PURPOSE OF BUILDING
SIC offers investors and potential buyers the opportunity to view the group's local and international
investment-grade products under one roof. At SIC, investors can compare and contrast multiple
investment opportunities available to them based on their specific property needs or investment
criteria. The showcased developments at the sales gallery include KL Eco City, located right beside
SIC, which expected completion is in the year 2016. Hence, SIC houses the site office for the project
as well.
CERTIFICATION
Green Building Index (GBI) Gold provisional certification
GREEN DESIGN FEATURES
Day-lighting
Day-lighting can be seen primarily in the main sales gallery and reception area, where large skylights
are placed to maximise the natural light coming into the building. This minimises the usage of
electricity in the switching on of lights when it is bright outside (Figure 1 & 2). Clear glass panels are
also used at the front section of the building, allowing ample sunlight into the building
(Figure 3, 4, 5).

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Figure 1: Skylights in the main sales gallery.
[Taken by: Lee Jia Xin]
Figure 2: Main sales gallery with skylight.
[Source: http://khimmy.smugmug.com/Architecture/KL-EcoCity-SIC/i-PwG8Mnm]

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Figure 3: Glass panel roof.
Figure 4: Glass walls at front façade.
[Taken by: Charlene Chan]

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Figure 5: Glass walls at side of the building.

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Solar panels
Solar panels are being installed on the roof of the building. These panels capture sunlight and solar
energy. These energy are then converted into electrical energy, generating efficient electricity to
light up parts of the building.
Figure 6: Solar Panels on the rooftop
Rainwater harvesting and recycling
The International Centre also has rainwater harvesting features. Piping are installed to collect the
rainwater from the roof. These water are then being recycled for other usage such as to fill up the
water in the pool.
Efficient air-conditioning system
The air-conditioning in the building is designed for occupancy comfort and low energy consumption.
The efficient system saves much energy and also a sum for the expenses of the building.
Sun-shading
Several sun-shading devices are used in the building, such as louvers, egg-crate sun-shading device
and outdoor walkway canopy.
Louvers are placed over the skylights to prevent excessive sunlight from shining into the offices
(Figure 6). This is to prevent sun glare. Another type of louver is the manually adjustable ones fitted
under the skylights so that the amount of sunlight shining in can be controlled accordingly (Figure 7
& 8).

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Figure 6: Louvers over skylights.
Figure 7 & 8: Manually adjustable louvers fitted under the skylight.
Walkway canopies on the side of the building shades users walking from the car park to the sales
gallery and office (Figure 9). Egg-crate sun-shading devices are also placed outside windows to
minimise the direct penetration of sunlight into the building (Figure 10).
Refer passive design elements for further elaboration.

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Figure 9: Walkway canopy for shade.
Figure 10: Egg-crate sun-shading devices at windows.

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LOCATION MAP/SITE PLAN
Setia International Centre (SIC) is located along Jalan Bangsar adjacent to the Abdullah Hukum LRT
Station within the premises of the KL Eco City project by Malaysia's leading property developer, SP
Setia.

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Climate Data
Chart 1
Chart 1 shows the climate summary of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia during the year 2011. The temperature
in Kuala Lumpur is quite constant as it does not have a rapid change in temperature. The maximum
temperature recorded is 34 degree Celsius and the minimum temperature is 22 degree Celsius.
However, the average temperature in Kuala Lumpur is around 28 degree Celsius. Temperature is
usually lower at the end of the year and higher during April and May.

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Relative Humidity
Chart 2
The chart states average relative humidity of Kuala Lumpur during the year 2011. According to the
statistic, the highest humidity recorded is 85% of the average relative humidity, and it only takes place
at the South-East and South-West directions. On the other hand, the lowest humidity recorded is 15%
of the average relative humidity for all directions except for North-East direction. The most frequent
average relative humidity of Kuala Lumpur is 55%.

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Wind Studies
Chart 3
The chart above shows the wind frequency of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from the 1st
of January to the
31st
of December 2011. According to the chart, the highest wind frequency happens in all directions
which are less than 22 hours; the lowest wind frequency happens at the North direction which is
more than 228 hours. It can be concluded that the wind frequency is the highest at the east
direction and lowest at the North-West and South-West direction. Therefore, the architect of Setia
International Centre designed the entrance of the building facing east in order to have maximum air
ventilation.

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SUN PATH ANALYSIS
SUNPATH 2ND APRIL 0900
Figure 11
Figure 11 shows the sun path on 2nd
of April 0900. During that time, the North-West side of the building is
completely shaded.

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Figure 12
of April 1200. During that time, the North-East side of the building is still
completely shaded but less shadow was casted on the ground.

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Figure 13
of April 1600. During that time, the surface of the building facing North-
West is shaded while other parts are exposed to the sunlight.

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SUNPATH 21st JUNE 0900
Figure 14
Figure 14 shows the sun path on 21st of June 0900. During that time, the building surfaces facing north-east
are completely shaded.

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Figure 15
are completely shaded but there is no shadow casted on the ground.

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Figure 16
and south-east are completely shaded.

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According to the diagrams, every side of the building will be completely exposed to the
sunlight at a certain period of time. In order to control the amount of sunlight from
penetrating into the interior space, the architect places vine plants at the front façade to
block some of the sunlight from penetrating into the building. While other parts of the
building he uses egg crate shading devices to control the amount of sunlight.

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Egg crate shading device
2ND APRIL 0900
During 2nd of April 0900, the egg crate shading device helps to block 85% of the sunlight
from penetrating into the interior space.
2ND APRIL 1200
During 2nd of April 1200, the egg crate shading device helps to block 90% of the sunlight

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21st JUNE 0900
During 21st of April 0900, the egg crate shading device helps to block 99% of the sunlight
21st JUNE 1200
During 21st of April 1200, the egg crate shading device helps to block 96% of the sunlight

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2 Main Passive Design Features
a) Sun Shading
Setia International Centre faces east, and has a longer front and rear façade, compared to the side
facades of the building. Thus longer hours of sunlight are transmitted into the rear façade of the
building, as compared to the other facades. The spaces that are exposed to the long hours of
daylight everyday are the office and restrooms. These spaces do not require a large amount of
sunlight throughout the day, therefore the rear façade of the building has installed many sun
shading devices, blocking a large amount of sunlight from the spaces in the building. However,
exterior shadings are greatly preferred over interior shadings as it is important to keep the solar
radiation or heat from entering the building.
- Egg-crate shading device
The egg-crate solar shading device is a combination of vertical and horizontal shading elements.
They are more commonly used in hot climate regions like Malaysia, because of their high shading
efficiencies. The horizontal elements control ground glare from reflected solar rays, while the
vertical elements control direct penetration of sunlight into the spaces throughout the day.
Figure 17
Figure 17 shows eggcrate sun-shading devices being installed onto the walls of the rear façade of the building.
Sunlight are immediately shaded from the building, and only a limited amount of daylight has entered the
building.

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Sketch 1
Sketch 1 shows how the sunlight ray is blocked from the spaces inside by the eggcrate device. The eggcrate
sun-shading device is also arranged in a way where the view of the surrounding is not restricted from the
spaces inside, and yet being able to shade the spaces.
Figure 18
Figure 18 shows a simplified diagram on how the different arrangements of eggcrate sun-shading device can
affect its efficiency for blocking the penetration of daylight into the building throughout the day.

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Sketch 2
Sketch 2 shows how the vegetation has blocked the penetration of the direct sunlight into the building. The
vegetation also gives a cooling effect on the opposite side of the sunlight, leaving a cool atmosphere in the
building.
Sketch 3
Sketch 3 shows another view of how sunlight is blocked by the vegetation, and shading is given to the bulding.

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Sketch 4
Sketch 4 shows how heat and light from the sun is omitted once it reaches the tint of the window. Thus, the
spaces in the building is cooler and dimmer, giving a comfortable range of environment to the users inside.
Figure 19
Figure 19 shows the different types of eggcrate sun-shading device that would vary the level of shading into
the building.

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- Walkway Canopy
Walkway Canopy is designed and placed at the entrance of the building, and the pathway towards
the building from the car park. This is to shade the visitors as they walk to and fro the building during
the day, when the sun is at its hottest. The roof panels of the walkway canopy are made up of
polycarbonate panels, with aluminium framing. These polycarbonate panels have a range of solar
tints that block damaging UV rays while allowing various levels of light transmission onto the
walkways.
Figure 20
Figure 20 shows polycarbonate panels shading effectively along the walkway canopy.
Figure 21
Figure 21 shows the walkway canopy being placed at the entrance of the building to shade the visitors as they
enter or depart the building.

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- Tinted Black Windows
Tinted glazing windows are used at the west elevations and south elevations of the buildings, where
most of the daylight are transmitted into the spaces such as office and restrooms. The tinted glazing
windows reduce glare from the bright outdoors and reduce the amount of solar energy transmitted
through the glass into the building, allowing a visual comfort to the users inside the building
throughout the day.
Figure 22
Figure 22 shows tinted glazed curtain wall of the rear façade of the building, allowing only a certain amount of
light into the building.
Figure 23
Figure 23 shows tinted glazed windows at the side façade of the building.

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- Vegetation Shading
Vegetation is in fact a powerful tool in shading, as well as in reducing solar radiation, wind and
precipitation and trees planted well can save up to 30 percent of a building's total energy
requirement. Trees and vegetation can be used to provide shade where it is seasonally beneficial. In
hot places, plants and trees, planted in front of a window do not only reduce solar radiation but also
the evaporation process also helps to cool the air.
Figure 24
Figure 24 shows vegetative shading on the curtain wall of the front façade of the building.
Figure 25
Figure 25 shows vegetative shading installed along the entire front façade of the building, to keep the interior
of the building cool and shaded.

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Interior
- Blinds
Blinds are used in the spaces that are facing east and north of the buildings, to control the amount of
light emitted into the building during the day, depending on the activities carried out in the spaces.
Figure 26
Figure 26 shows blinds being installed to manipulate the amount of daylight entering the space to the user’s
desire.

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b) Day Lighting
Setia International Centre is designed to achieve GBI gold rating, featuring daylight harvesting. It is
designed for comfort of occupants and low energy consumption.
Façade studies:
The façade of Setia International Centre faces east, where the sun rises. It has a longer front façade,
compared to the side facades of the building. By manipulating the orientation of the building,
sunlight is brought into the building. The façade of the building uses clear glass panels, allowing large
amount of sunlight to penetrate through the building. The spaces that receive sunlight through the
front façade include the reception counter and multipurpose hall. The side facades of the building
have minimal openings to avoid unnecessary heat penetration to the building to maintain thermal
comfort for the occupants. Also, most of the spaces in the side facades do not require much amount
of daylight throughout the day.
Figure 27
Figure 27 shows clear glass panels installed in the Banquet to allow maximum daylight to enter the space
throughout the day.

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- Skylights
Skylights are widely used in Setia International Centre. Skylight elements are designed to bring in
light to centralized area of the building. Other than on top of the exhibition space, it can be also
found in offices. Other than that, Setia International Centre uses light coloured walls as reflecting
elements, taking the captured daylight to reflect it further inside. By maximizing daylighting in these
spaces, less electrical lighting will be used, thus saving costs to the building and also reducing
environmental impacts.
Although skylight elements are used sufficiently, daylights that penetrate through the building are
often found glaring. To resolve the problem, the architect has come to a conclusion to add in
translucent roller blinds below the skylight elements, having occupants to control the brightness of
the spaces themselves. Other than that, in more public spaces, louvers are added on top of the
skylight elements to control the amount of daylight that penetrates through to the spaces below.
Figure 28
Figure 28 shows several skylights installed into the ceiling to allow maximum sunlight to enter the lobby area,
as to showcase the exhibitions held there.

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Sketch 5
Sketch 5 shows sufficient daylight is allowed to penetrate through window opening into offices. Partial of
daylight is blocked to avoid glare from sunlight.
A B
Sketch 6
Sketch 6 (A) shows louvers that is adjustable created under skylight, to control the amount of daylight that
penetrate through into the office.
Sketch 6 (B) shows another type of louver created, instead of being indoor and adjustable, it is outdoor and
unable to adjust. This is also to control amount of sunlight that shines into the office.

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- Supplementary Lightings
Halogen downlights are used as supplement lightings for the excellent quality of light produced. It is
sharp, reliable and mimic natural light. By using Halogen downlights, it balances out light brought in
by skylight and retains visual comfort for the occupants. LED lights are not used due to the concerns
of lower CRI (colour rendering index) which will affect the faithfulness of the colours of the
showcases.
Figure 29
Figure 29 shows the design of a halogen downlight that is installed onto the ceilings of the building.
Sketch 7
Sketch 7 shows that skylight units are placed focus on exhibition space, which requires more light into the
space for visual comfort.

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- Lux Level Sensor
Lux Level Sensor is placed near external glazing and close to sunlight to control the dimness of the
electrical lightings. When skylight brings in sufficient light to the spaces, electrical supplementary
lightings will be reduced. This is done to retain visual comfort of the spaces.
Figure 30
Figure 30 shows the lux level sensor that is installed onto the ceiling of the building.

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Summary Chart
Below is a summary of the passive design features used in the building mentioned, Setia
International Centre, Kuala Lumpur. The following design strategy has been used by the
building to aid in the passive design aspect (sun-shading and daylighting) of the building.
No. Building Science Aspect Design Strategy
1. Sun shading Egg-crate sun-shading
Walkway Canopy
Tinted Black Windows
Vegetation Shading
Blinds (Interior)
2. Daylighting Skylights throughout the whole building
Supplementary lightings
Lux Level Sensor
Figure 31
Figure 31 shows the area of passive design features used in the building.

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REFERENCES
IEN Consultants, NA. Setia International Centre. [online] Available at:
http://www.ien.com.my/projects/sic.html [Accessed 5 May 2014]
Local Pages MY, 2014. Setia International Centre. [online] Available at:
http://www.localpages.my/listing/setia-international-centre.html [Accessed 5 May 2014]
SmugMug, 2014. Setia International Centre. [online] Available at:
http://khimmy.smugmug.com/Architecture/KL-EcoCity-SIC/i-PwG8Mnm [Accessed 7 May 2014]
Thermal-Guides, NA. Shading devices. [online] Available at: http://www.usc.edu/dept-
00/dept/architecture/mbs/tools/thermal/shadedevice.html [Accessed 6 May 2014]
American Institute of Architects, 2012. The Carbon Neutral Design Project. [online] Available at:
http://www.tboake.com/carbon-aia/strategies1b.html [Accessed 5 May 2014]
Craft Bilt Materials Ltd, 2014. Clear or transluscent patio covers and sunroom glazing. [online]
Available at: http://craft-bilt.com/patio-covers/polycarbonate-roof/solarium/ [Accessed 6 May
2012]
Windows, for high performance commercial buildings. [online] Available at:
http://www.commercialwindows.org/tints.php [Accessed 6 May 2012]
KL Eco City SIC. [online] Available at:
http://khimmy.smugmug.com/Architecture/KL-EcoCity-SIC/i-zrc8z8p [Accessed 6 May 2012]

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Setia International Centre Analysis Report