Asian arch final paper submission ( including of abstract proposal and questions focused )

1. Asian Architecture
Case
Study
Paper
Final
paper
submission
BY:
MAHI
ABDUL
MUHSIN
0314421

2.
THE
INFLUENCE
OF
THE
SUSTAINABLE
FEATURES
OF
MALAYSIAN
VERNACULAR
ARCHITECTURE
AT
THE
PHASE
II
CHALETS
OF
BELUM
RAINFOREST
RESORT
IN
ACHIEVING
THERMAL
COMFORT
Vernacular
architecture
has
played
a
significant
role
in
shaping
modern
architecture
and
in
defining
percepJons
of
sustainability
in
Malaysia..
The
term
‘vernacular’
is
constantly
evolving
and
is
not
limited
to
the
past
but
lives
on
in
contemporary
architecture.
Due
to
its
posiJve
impact
on
the
environment,
building
sustainability
has
become
the
aim
of
most
designers
today.
This
research
paper
highlights
important
aspects
of
sustainability
in
Phase
2
chalets
of
Belum
rainforest
that
are
adapted
from
TradiJonal
Malay
house.
It
also
elaborately
discusses
the
Extent
to
which
these
design
strategies
perform
in
achieving
a
favorable
thermal
comfort
level.
In
order
to
gain
a
deeper
understanding
of
how
these
chalets
personify
vernacular
architecture,
various
aspects
are
invesJgated
in
depth,
which
include
its
contextual
surrounding,
its
orientaJon
and
spaJal
arrangements,
its
use
of
fenestraJons
to
maximize
venJlaJon,
its
building
form,
its
use
and
applicaJon
of
locally
available
raw
materials
and
also
the
extent
to
which
vegetaJon
and
greenery
is
incorporated
into
the
building
design.
To
enhance
the
scope
of
research
and
to
determine
the
similar
adaptaJons
from
vernacular
architecture,
the
chalets
are
analyzed
in
relaJon
to
the
Kutai
House,
found
in
Perak.
In
validaJng
research
findings,
literature
reviews
of
varying
sources
are
thoroughly
studied
as
reference
in
order
to
enhance
the
research
procedure.
InformaJon
is
mainly
obtained
through
sources
from
the
internet
and
also
library
books
and
documentary
videos.
A
personal
experience
through
the
chalets
and
the
surrounding
landscape
was
also
obtained
via
a
trip
to
belum
rainforest
research
center
and
informaJon
collected
via
a
visual
presentaJon
by
the
research
officer
at
belum
rainforest
resort
Ahmad
Najmi
Bin
Nik
Hassan,
himself
.
Photographs
are
self
captured
and
the
building
is
well
analyzed
through
a
first
hand
experience.
In
order
to
strengthen
the
credibility
of
the
research,
informaJon
is
studied
through
a
micro
site
analysis
and
the
building
design
and
orientaJon
analyzed
with
some
quanJtaJve
weather
data
as
well.
In
conclusion,
the
Phase
II
chalets
of
Belum
are
successful
in
its
adaptaJon
of
vernacular
architecture
in
most
ways,
and
fail
to
do
so
in
a
few
aspects.
The
Present
Design
also
has
potenJal
of
improving
the
sustainability
and
venJlaJon
prospects
through
proper
vegetaJon
and
more
open
windows,
as
well
as
an
alternaJve
orientaJon
of
fenestraJons
in
order
to
make
the
design
compaJble
with
the
wind
path.
Nevertheless,
the
chalets
show
that
the
concept
of
merging
vernacular
architecture
and
contemporary
architecture
seems
promising.
1.0
ABSTRACT
ARC60403/ARC2234
Asian
Architecture
1

3. CONTENT
1.0
Abstract
2.0
-­‐
IntroducJon
...........................................................................................................................
1
2.1-­‐
Research
QuesJons…………………………………………………………………………………………………….……….2
3.0
-­‐
Vernacular
Architecture
........................................................................................................
3
3.1
–
Rumah
Kutai
as
an
ideal
example
of
Malaysian
Vernacular
Architecture……………......…………4
4.0
Analysis-­‐
Sustainable
Features
of
Vernacular
Architecture
in
the
Chalets
..................................................................................................
…………..............................
6
4.1
-­‐
Sun
Path
Analysis………………………………………………………………………………………………….……….……9
4.1.1
=
OrientaJon
and
layout
in
response
to
sun
path…………………………………………………………..….10
4.2
-­‐
Wind
Analysis
.........................................................................................................................
11
4.3
-­‐
VenJlaJon………………………………………………………………………………….……………………………………...12
4.3.1
raised
floor
level………………………………………………………………………………....…………………………….13
4.3.2
roof
venJlaJon…………………………………………………………………………………………………….……………14
4.3.3
–
cross
venJlaJon
…………………………………………………………………………….………………………………15
4.4
–
context
and
surrounding
………………………………………………………………..………………………………..16
4.4.1
–
vegetaJon
integraJon
in
the
chalets
……………………………………………………………………………..17
4.5
-­‐
usage
of
materials
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………..18
5.0
-­‐
conclusion
..........................................................
……………………..........................................…19
6.0
–
references
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………20
ARC60403/ARC2234
Asian
Architecture

4. 2.0
INTRODUCTION
Since
Malaysia
is
a
country
with
a
hot
and
humid
tropical
climate,
maximum
energy
consumpJon
goes
to
venJlaJng
and
providing
cool
air
inside
the
building.
Due
to
lack
of
recycling
and
shortage
of
world’s
natural
resources,
energy
costs
have
been
significantly
rising.
Building
sustainability
and
the
integraJon
of
passive
design
features
has
thus
become
the
aim
of
most
designers,
not
only
in
Malaysia,
but
all
around
the
globe.
Sustainable
architecture
is
not
only
rewarding
for
the
environment,
but
is
also
cost
effecJve
as
it
significantly
minimizes
energy
usage.
Vernacular
architecture
evidently
shows
us
the
importance
of
designing
in
relaJon
to
site
context
and
as
a
mere
response
to
how
the
site
and
the
building
benefits
each
other.
whether
it
be
through
the
building
form,
usage
of
materials,
the
shape
of
the
roof,
or
simply
via
the
orientaJon
of
the
building
to
suit
the
best
condiJons
of
the
site.
The
most
important
elements
of
passive
design
are
micro
aspects
of
the
site,
orientaJon
and
layout,
fenestraJons,
thermal
mass
of
materials,
applicaJon
of
shading
devices
and
also
a
proper
venJlaJon
mechanism.
InsulaJon
and
thermal
mass
help
to
maintain
even
temperatures,
while
venJlaJon
provides
passive
cooling
as
well
as
improving
indoor
air
quality
.
All
of
these
features
work
alongside
each
other
and
therefore
should
be
applied
in
such
a
way
that
they
all
compliment
and
support
each
other.
For
example,
large
glass
windows
that
admit
high
levels
of
natural
light
will
possibly
also
result
in
excessive
heat
gain,
especially
if
they
cast
light
on
an
area
of
thermal
mass.
Similarly,
opening
windows
that
provide
venJlaJon
will
also
cause
some
level
of
noise
polluJon.
It
is
evident
that
many
designers
in
Malaysia
akain
influences
from
local
vernacular
architecture,
mostly
in
chalets
and
commercial
buildings
as
potenJal
means
of
promoJng
local
architecture
of
the
past.
Nevertheless,
these
beauJful
designs
that
personify
vernacular
architecture
and
gracefully
portrays
its
aestheJcs,
are
seldom
studied
and
analyzed
about
regarding
its
passive
designs
and
how
well
it
responds
to
its
climaJc
and
environmental
condiJons.
ARC60403/ARC2234
Asian
Architecture
1

5. Revitalizing
cultural
heritage
is
always
a
posiJve
cause
of
design,
however
we
must
find
that
balance
between
aestheJcs
and
funcJon
of
space
and
building.
The
building
studied
in
this
research
paper
is
the
phase
2
chalets
of
Belum
Rainforest
Resort
in
Pulau
Banding,
Perak.
To
gain
a
thorough
understanding
of
the
topic
discussed,
the
tradiJonal
chalets
of
the
resort
are
analyzed
in
depth,
in
relaJon
to
the
sustainable
Vernacular
Features
of
the
tradiJonal
Kutai
house
by
addressing
the
following
quesJons:
1)
What
makes
the
tradiJonal
Malay
house
(
kutai
house
)
an
ideal
example
of
sustainable
vernacular
architecture?
2
)
how
does
the
phase
2
Chalets
of
Belum
Rainforest
Resort
portray
a
successful
adaptaJon
of
the
Kutai
House
in
terms
of
sustainable
vernacular
architecture?
3)
In
response
to
contextual
climate,
to
what
extent
does
the
Design
Strategies
of
Belum
rainforest
Chalets
manage
to
achieve
the
desired
sustainability?
4)How
does
each
of
these
features
act
as
a
soluJon
and
help
in
solving
the
problem
of
heat
gain?
5)How
can
the
design
be
further
improved
in
response
to
the
immediate
site
context?
2.1
-­‐
RESEARCH
QUESTIONS
ARC60403/ARC2234
Asian
Architecture
2
2.0
INTRODUCTION

6.
The
term
‘vernacular’
is
derived
from
the
LaJn
word
vernaculus,
meaning
naJve,
and
is
most
widely
used
to
denote
indigenous
and
tradiJonal
architecture.
According
to
Chen
(‘Architecture’
The
Encyclopedia
of
Malaysia),
vernacular
house
forms
evolved
according
to
different
cultural
seongs
and
are
the
results
of
long-­‐term
modificaJon,
adaptaJons,
shared
experiences
and
various
innovaJons.
vernacular
architecture
is
a
style
of
architecture
exemplifying
the
commonest
building
techniques
based
on
the
forms
and
materials
of
a
parJcular
historical
period,
region,
or
group
of
people
(Ching,
1995).
TradiJonal
Malay
houses
are
typically
raised
on
Jmber
sJlts
and
made
of
materials
which
were
easily
available
from
the
tropical
forests
such
as
bamboo,
rakan,
tree
roots
and
coconut
palm
leaves.
The
houses
usually
have
pitched
or
sloped
roofs,
porches
in
front,
high
ceilings
and
lots
of
grand
openings,
mainly
for
venJlaJon
purposes
as
well
as
a
symbol
of
the
culture.
Although
these
characterisJcs
are
parJcularly
common
in
all
Malay
houses
throughout
the
Peninsular
Malaysia,
their
shapes
and
sizes
differ
from
state
to
state.
RESPONSE
TO
CLIMATE
Since
Malaysia
is
located
at
the
very
central
part
of
Southeast
Asia,
it
is
bordered
by
longitudes
100
degrees
and
120
degrees
east;
and
by
LaJtudes
of
the
Equator
and
7
degrees
North.
The
country
is
sunny,
hot
and
humid
all
year
round
with
temperatures
range
from
25
C
to
34
C.
Due
to
heavy
monsoon
rains,
the
roofs
of
the
Malay
vernacular
houses
are
built
rather
steep.
In
certain
areas,
heavy
rainfall
frequently
causes
flooding
and
damage
to
the
surrounding
vegetaJon.
To
solve
this
problem,
some
houses
have
used
Jmber
sJlts
to
elevate
the
building
significantly
above
the
ground
level.
The
warm
climate
also
effects
the
style
of
the
Malay
vernacular
architecture.
For
venJlaJon
purposes,
many
buildings
have
full
verJcal
openings
on
the
sides,
mostly
fixed
and
not
operable,
as
well
as
grilles
are
provided
at
high
level
in
gable
ends.
Houses
raised
on
sJlts
are
provided
with
beker
natural
venJlaJon
as
they
catch
wind
at
high
velocity
below
the
floor
level.
USAGE
OF
MATERIALS
Since
Malaysia
has
a
tropical
climate,
most
building
material
is
easy
accessible
from
local
forests
and
various
sites
as
the
most
abundantly
used
materials
is
Jmber,
rakan,
tree
roots,
bamboo
and
coconut
palm
leaves.
In
a
tradiJonal
Malay
house,
Jmber
is
used
for
the
building
structures,
rakan
and
tree
roots
are
used
for
tying
up
joints
whereas
bamboo
and
leaves
are
used
for
floors
and
walls.
3.0
VERNACULAR
ARCHITECTURE
ARC60403/ARC2234
Asian
Architecture
3
Figure
3.0
–
design
strategies
in
a
tradiJonal
Malay
house

7.
In
this
paper,
focus
is
given
on
the
sustainable
features
present
in
vernacular
architecture
rather
than
its
cultural
influences,
hence
the
The
sustainable
features
of
the
Rumah
Kutai
is
analyzed
in
depth
as
a
comparison
for
the
phase
2
chalets
of
Belum
Rainforest
resort.
The
Rumah
Kutai
or
kutai
house
is
a
tradiJonal
type
of
malay
house
that
is
indigenous
to
perak,
and
has
been
in
existence
since
the
1800’s,
hence
the
name
‘kutai’
which
means
old
or
ancient.
The
historical
and
heritage
significance
of
the
Rumah
Kutai
cannot
be
denied.
It
was
the
only
type
of
house
where
locals
lived
more
than
200
years
ago
and
that
sJll
exists
today.
Every
Rumah
Kutai
faces
the
river
as
the
river
was
the
lifeline
of
the
community
back
the.
It
generally
has
the
same
design
and
measurements,
with
only
a
few
variaJons
in
the
quality
of
materials
and
ornamentaJon,
depending
on
the
owner’s
wealth.
It
is
possible
to
have
a
beker
understanding
of
the
lifestyle
and
culture
of
the
Malays
of
old
by
studying
the
Rumah
Kutai’s
unique
architecture.
PILLARS
The
Kutai
house
sits
on
12
or
16
main
pillars/columns
called
Jang
seri
or
Jang
adat.
These
are
made
of
cengal,
merbau
or
damar
wood
and
come
in
different
shapes
and
dimensions;
round,
square
or
octagonal.
Some
houses
have
straight
pillars
whereas
some
are
cut
so
that
the
bokom
of
the
pillar
is
bigger
than
the
top,
resulJng
in
a
more
stable
pillar.
The
fascinaJng
technique
of
the
pillars
are
that
they
are
not
planted
into
the
ground
but
just
laid
onto
a
base
made
of
cut
stone,
bricks
or
concrete.
THE
ROOF
The
Rumah
Kutai
has
a
long
and
high
roof
that
is
made
of
sago
(rumbia
)
or
nipah
palm.
Nowadays,
many
Rumah
Kutai
owners
have
replaced
the
palm
roof
with
zinc
roofing
as
it
is
easier
to
maintain.
The
roof
is
supported
by
small
tree
trunks
called
kayu
bulat
(
round
wood
)
And
wooden
posts.
Some
houses
also
have
hollow
bamboo
pieces
to
channel
The
flow
of
rain
water.
The
roof
of
the
kutai
house
is
sloped
to
as
much
as
30
to
45
degrees
resulJng
in
run-­‐off
rainwater
which
provides
a
soluJon
against
water
absorpJon,
seepage
and
subsequent
leaks
which
might
occur
if
water
was
collected
on
the
roof
overJme.
The
large
overhangs
provided
by
the
roof
also
acts
as
a
shading
device
in
the
home.
The
area
underneath
the
roof
overhang
is
leq
open
to
allow
for
venJlaJon
so
that
the
interior
of
the
house
is
neither
hot
nor
damp.
ARC60403/ARC2234
Asian
Architecture
4
3.
1-­‐
RUMAH
KUTAI
3.0
VERNACULAR
ARCHITECTURE
Figure
4.0
–
exterior
perspecJve
of
a
kutai
house

8.
FLOOR
The
floor
of
the
rumah
kutai
is
raised
to
about
two
metres
from
the
ground
and
is
usually
made
of
wood
from
the
Ficus
plant
species
or
wooden
plants
from
the
sawmill.
There
are
also
those
that
are
made
from
strips
of
cyrtostachya
lakka
(
pinang
)
palm
trunk
or
from
hollow
bamboo
about
5-­‐6
cm
wide.
These
strips
are
arranged
on
top
of
wood
of
strips,
there
are
gaps
of
about
2
cm
so
that
the
house
does
not
float
away
in
the
event
of
a
flood.
In
addiJon,
one
can
find
a
wooden
beam,
called
bendul
encirculed
for
the
floor,
as
well
as
withing
the
house,
serving
to
divide
the
house
into
its
various
rooms
and
secJons.
Structural
Components
As
a
lightweight
Jmber
structure,
a
tradiJonal
Malay
house
regularly
uses
posts
and
a
lintel
Jmber
structure.
The
posts
rest
on
concrete
or
stone
fooJngs
without
any
foundaJon
required
(Yuan,
1987).
The
structural
framework
for
the
house
consists
of
several
posts
braced
by
floor
joists
and
the
roof
is
constructed
Using
prefabricated
methods
(
figure
7.0
)
where
all
the
structural
components
are
constructed
and
assembled
on
site.
this
allows
the
house
to
be
dismantled,
stored
down
and
reassembled
again
elsewhere
on
a
different
site.
ARC60403/ARC2234
Asian
Architecture
5
3.
1-­‐
RUMAH
KUTAI
3.0
VERNACULAR
ARCHITECTURE
Figure
5.0
–
interior
view
of
a
kutai
house
walkway
with
illuminaJon
from
the
openings
Figure
6.0
–
kutai
house
with
its
context
Figure
7.0
–
Jmber
construcJon
details
of
Rumah
Kutai

9. the
sustainable
features
of
tradiJonal
Malay
Kutai
houses
are
summarized
below.
The
following
features
are
used
as
reference
in
invesJgaJng
the
sustainability
of
the
chalets
of
Belum
Rainforest
Resort.
4.0
ANALYSIS
ORIENTATION
CROSS
VENTILATION
ROOF
SPACE
VENTILATION
LAYOUT
Random
and
scakered
arrangement
of
houses
to
ensure
that
wind
velocity
is
not
obstructed
Orientated
with
the
shorter
facades
facing
East-­‐west
to
minimize
exposure
to
the
sun.
For
religious
reasons,
most
tradiJonal
Malay
houses
are
oriented
to
face
Mecca
(east-­‐
west
direcJon),
which
indirectly
minimizes
the
area
of
exposed
walls
to
direct
solar
radiaJon
during
the
day
(Yuan,
2011)
Elongated
open
floor
plans
which
allow
easy
Air
passage
and
efficient
cross
venJlaJon
Roof
spaces
are
properly
venJlated
using
VenJlaJon
joints
and
double
slope
roofs
ARC60403/ARC2234
Asian
Architecture
6

10. 4.0
ANALYSIS
VENTILATION
AT
BODY
LEVEL
MATERIALS
VEGETATION
Open
fenestraJons
such
as
full
length
windows
And
open
rooms
allow
venJlaJon
at
body
level
Is
made
of
lightweight
materials
such
as
wood
and
other
natural
materials.
Their
low
thermal
capacity
holds
likle
heat
and
cools
adequately
at
night
crop-­‐bearing
trees
such
as
coconut
trees
and
high-­‐
branched
fruity
trees
are
planted
.These
trees
have
various
funcJons,
such
as
to
indicate
individual
boundaries,
provide
fruits,
and
shade
the
pedestrian
walkways
ARC60403/ARC2234
Asian
Architecture
7

11. Figure
8.0
-­‐
An
Overall
birds
eye
view
of
the
Chalets
at
Belum
Rainforest
Resort
(Image
by
Mahi
Abdul
Muhsin)
Cultural
tourism
plays
an
important
role
in
the
architecture
industry
to
akract
visitors
and
promote
the
country's
heritage
through
design.
Although
Malaysia
has
given
less
akenJon
to
revitalizaJon
of
vernacular
architecture
in
the
past,
the
trend
of
mimicking
architecture
of
the
‘past’
is
evidently
growing
lately
as
it
shows
potenJal
market
to
promote
culture.
According
to
the
website
of
Belum
rainforest
resort,
the
phase
2
chalets
or
‘kampong
villa’s‘
of
the
resort
are
designed
with
‘ecological
design
in
mind’.
based
on
the
talk
given
during
our
site
visit,
the
research
coordinator
specified
that
all
the
buildings
in
the
resort
were
designed
to
respond
to
the
immediate
context
of
the
site,
resulJng
in
an
‘inJmate
relaJonship
with
nature’.
According
to
him,
the
ideas
evolved
around
the
scheme
of
the
resort
are
“rain,
sound,
aroma
and
sun.”
To
put
short,
the
buildings
of
the
resort
are
all
designed
to
be
sustainable.
This
research
will
study
the
the
features
menJoned
in
the
table
5.0
exhibited
by
Belum
rainforest
resorts
chalets
in
comparison
to
the
Kutai
House,
and
qualitaJvely
conclude
how
successful
the
vernacular
features
are
in
providing
sustainability.
ARC60403/ARC2234
Asian
Architecture
8
Sustainable
Features
of
Vernacular
Architecture
Adopted
at
the
phase
2
chalets
of
Belum
Rainforest
resort,
Perak.
4.0
-­‐
ANALYSIS
OVERVIEW

12. A
building’s
sustainable
performance
is
greatly
influenced
by
its
orientaJon.
OrientaJon
is
a
factor
underlined
in
‘basic
building
design’
to
promote
opJmum
thermal
comfort.
This
is
done
by
analyzing
the
micro
site
and
carefully
determining
where
open
fenestraJons,
courtyards,
balconies
of
a
building
should
or
should
not
be
placed,
in
response
to
the
site
analysis
of
sun
path
and
wind
path
of
a
parJcular
site.
The
linear,
yet
scakered
arrangement
of
Malay
houses
indirectly
helps
to
reduce
the
risk
of
strong
winds
where
seklements
along
coastal
areas
experience
higher
wind
speed
than
inland
regions
(Hanafi,
1994).
The
characters
of
a
Malay
Kampong
are
detached,
and
dispersed
units
with
ample
external
spaces
between
them
to
allow
fresh
air
circulaJon
(Hanafi,
1994).
in
clause
4.3
of
MS
1525
(Department
of
Standards
Malaysia,
2007),
it
is
stated
that
“
For
all
climaJc
zones
near
the
equator,
the
most
ideal
orientaJon
for
any
building
is
with
the
long
direcJonal
axis
of
the
design
facing
North-­‐South,
greatly
minimizing
the
East-­‐
West
orientaJon
of
the
building.”
It
is
also
advised
to
reduce
the
amount
of
openings
in
a
building
on
the
East
and
West
facades
of
the
building.
The
ideology
behind
this
is
to
greatly
eliminate
excessive
heat
gain
in
the
building.
Figure
9.0
-­‐
showing
opJmum
direcJon
of
OrientaJon
for
climaJc
zones
near
the
equator
E
w
In
terms
of
the
orientaJon
and
layout,
the
Chalets
of
Belum
rainforest
follow
the
linear
arrangement
of
the
typical
Kutai
house,
overlooking
down
to
the
river
from
the
west.
It
is
also
orientated
with
its
longer
façade
facing
North-­‐South,
minimizing
the
East-­‐
West
orientaJon.
Layout
–
kutai
house
Layout
–
chalets
of
Belum
Rainforest
resort
ARC60403/ARC2234
Asian
Architecture
9
4.1
–
SUN
PATH
4.0
-­‐
ANALYSIS
Figure
10
-­‐
showing
linear
and
concentric
layout
of
kutai
house
Figure
11
-­‐
showing
linear
arrangement
of
The
Chalets,
facing
the
river

13. W
E
1
1
2
3
OrientaJon
of
Chalets
at
Belum
Rainforest
Resort
(floor
plans
–
courtesy
of
the
Resort
Website)
Chalet
1
Chalet2
Chalet
3
Analyzing
the
floor
plans
of
the
chalets
in
detail,
it
is
observed
that
there
are
variaJons
in
the
placement
of
windows
in
the
three
different
chalet
types.
The
chalets
are
also
orientated
in
a
slightly
south
west
direcJon.
In
the
1-­‐bedroom
chalet,
the
façade
with
the
most
openings
is
the
North-­‐west
façade,
while
in
the
2-­‐bedroom
chalet,
the
Southwest
façade
has
the
most
openings.
In
the
3-­‐
bedrooms
chalet,
the
most
openings
are
found
on
the
South-­‐east
façade
of
the
structure.
According
to
the
observaJon,
all
3
chalets
responds
to
the
sun
path
data
varyingly.
The
important
aspect
of
building
sustainably
in
relaJon
to
the
sun
path
analysis
is
to
have
the
longer
façade
facing
North
and
South
direcJon,
as
well
as
to
minimize
the
number
of
openings
on
the
East
and
West.
These
features
are
carefully
followed
by
the
1-­‐bedroom
and
3-­‐bedroom
chalet.
The
2-­‐bedroom
chalets,
however,
have
many
openings
on
the
West,
which
is
not
recommended
in
a
hot
tropical
climate
like
Malaysia.
However,
these
openings
are
aided
by
a
porch,
simultaneously
shaded
by
an
overhanding
roof,
which
could
be
the
reason
for
the
openings
in
the
2-­‐bedroom
chalet,
where
the
glazed
porJons
are
not
exposed
to
the
sun
due
to
the
shading
devices.
It
might
also
be
to
provide
the
best
views
in
response
to
the
site
analysis.
Other
than
the
purpose
of
aestheJcs,
it
is
also
possible
that
the
openings
of
the
2-­‐bedroom
chalet
are
more
responsive
towards
the
wind
rather
than
the
sun.
ARC60403/ARC2234
Asian
Architecture
10
4.1.1
–
ORIENTATION
AND
LAYOUT
IN
RESPONSE
TO
SUN
PATH
4.0
-­‐
ANALYSIS

14. W
Chalet
1
Chalet
2
Chalet
3
E
WIND
ROSE
DIAGRAM,
PULAU
BANDING,
PERAK
(source
–
windfinder/
wind
path
on
website
)
The
wind-­‐rose
diagram
on
the
leq
(
pulau
banding)
shows
that
the
prevailing
winds
come
from
the
East-­‐Northeast
and
West-­‐Northwest
direcJons.
Based
on
this
informaJon,
it
is
suggested
that
openings
of
the
chalets
are
preferably
placed
on
the
North-­‐West
and
North-­‐East
facades.
Despite
not
all
the
chalets
equally
responding
to
the
sun
path
data,
it
is
quite
obvious
that
the
layout
of
the
chalets
are
orientated
in
West-­‐
Northwest
direcJon
in
response
to
the
wind
analysis
data.
1
2
3
ARC60403/ARC2234
Asian
Architecture
11
4.2
–
WIND
PATH
ANALYSIS
4.0
-­‐
ANALYSIS
Figure
12
-­‐
climate
design
strategies
of
a
typical
Malay
house

15.
VenIlaIon
is
the
introducJon
of
outside
air
into
an
enclosed
space.
VenJlaJon
is
mainly
used
to
control
the
indoor
air
quality
by
diluJng
and
displacing
indoor
pollutants.
It
is
mostly
used
for
purposes
of
thermal
comfort
or
dehumidificaJon.
The
level
of
how
efficiently
a
building
is
VenJlated
is
proporJonate
to
how
responsive
it
is
to
the
wind
analysis
of
the
parJcular
site
as
well
as
how
carefully
it
is
designed
to
doge
the
effects
of
excessive
solar
radiaJon
on
the
building.
The
size
of
the
openings,
growth
of
vegetaJon,
heights
of
sJlts,
as
well
as
the
roof
design
is
analyzed
further
in
the
paper
to
gain
a
deeper
understanding
of
the
chalet’s
venJlaJon
efficiency.
FENESTRATIONS
IN
THE
CHALETS
(
Images
of
chalets
taken
by
author
)
reason
to
why
tradiJonal
Kutai
houses
are
so
successful
in
applying
natural
venJlaJon
is
due
to
their
full
length
windows
and
doors,
in
addiJon
to
them
being
raised
off
the
ground
by
sJlts.
As
seen
in
the
figures,
the
fenestraJons
of
the
Chalets
are
mainly
all
full
length
verJcal,
operabele
windows
with
Jmber
frames,
and
the
building
is
raised
about
30cm
by
steel
I
beam
sJlts
.
Figure
13
-­‐
Full
length
windows
ARC60403/ARC2234
Asian
Architecture
12
4.3
–
VENTILATION
4.0
-­‐
ANALYSIS
Figure
14
–
open
deck
allowing
air
to
pass
Between
rooms
Figure
15
–
shaded
porch
with
overhanding
roofs
Figure
16
–
full
length
openings
and
raised
floor
Level
of
the
Kutai
house

16. Figure
18
-­‐
Southern
Chalets
(
300mm
sJlts
)
figure
19
-­‐
northern
chalets
(
1.5m
–
2m
sJlts
)
4.3.1
RAISED
FLOOR
LEVEL
BY
STILTS
4.3
VENTILATION
What
fascinates
me
most
about
the
Malay
house
is
that
the
usable
floor
level
is
always
raised
off
the
ground
by
30cm
to
2m
in
height.
This
approach
of
building
design,
in
several
ways,
has
various
benefits
from
a
thermal,
funcJonal
and
safety
point
of
view
to
the
residents
and
also
the
building
itself.
The
raised
floor,
which
is
built
higher
than
the
ground,
is
built
in
such
a
way
as
to
catch
winds
of
a
higher
velocity
(Yuan,
1987:
71),
and
the
use
of
Jmber
planks
for
the
floor,
which
have
small
gaps
between
them,
can
bring
the
air
to
the
inner
space.
Hanafi
(1994)
suggests
that
moist
ground
requires
more
sunlight
to
dry,
and
a
raised
floor
is
one
of
the
soluJons
to
this
problem.
SJlt
heights
vary
between
Kutai
houses
located
in
the
northern
and
southern
regions
due
to
the
damage
caused
by
flooding
in
different
regions.
Research
findings
on
sJlt
heights
in
tradiJonal
Malay
houses
have
proved
those
in
the
northern
region
have
more
height
than
those
in
the
southern
region
(Figure
16).
The
underneath
space
allocated
by
the
raised
floor
provides
shelter
for
the
livestock,
working
space,
and
a
laundry-­‐drying
area
during
rainy
seasons.
Figure
17
-­‐
Rumah
Kutai
raised
on
wooden
sJlts
Although
the
raised
plaworm
of
The
chalets
Do
not
funcJon
as
storage
space,
the
same
concept
of
higher
nothern
Ground
is
applied
by
(
1.5m
)
high
sJlts
in
the
northern
chalets
compared
to
the
southern
chalets
(
raised
30
–
50cm
above
ground
)
of
Belum
Rainforest
Resort.
This
is
also
coincidentally
due
to
the
topography
of
the
site,
which
in
return
aids
in
providing
winds
at
high
velocity.
ARC60403/ARC2234
Asian
Architecture
13

17. Roof
spaces
in
local
kutai
house
is
sufficiently
venJlated
by
the
installaJon
of
venJlaJon
joints
and
panels
in
the
roof
construcJon
(Yuan,
1987:
75).
Figure
20
shows
the
roof
’s
opening
on
either
sides
to
aid
wind
path
and
circulaJon
(Hanafi,
1994).
As
one
of
the
naJve
materials,
the
akap
roof
used
in
Malay
houses
has
a
low
thermal
capacity.
This
material
does
not
retain
heat
and
cools
within
an
extremely
short
amount
of
Jme.
Another
climaJc
responsive
design
of
a
double-­‐slope
roof
is
its
gable
ends.
Having
various
moJve
designs,
this
component
also
has
venJlaJon
panels
which
allow
air
to
flow
into
the
roof
space
and
cool
the
house
(Yuan,
1987:111).
The
roofs
also
have
Large
overhangs
and
the
low
exposed
verJcal
areas
(windows
and
walls)
in
a
tradiJonal
Kutai
house
provide
adequate
protecJon
against
driving
rain,
good
shading,
and
allow
the
windows
to
be
leq
open
most
of
the
Jme
for
venJlaJon.
Figure
21
-­‐
VenJlaJon
Openings
in
the
Roof
of
TradiJonal
Malay
House
(KALAM,
1986)
As
seen
by
the
figures
below,
the
roofs
of
the
chalets
are
pitched
just
as
much
as
a
tradiJonal
Kutai
house,
however
does
not
have
the
feature
of
double
slope
like
that
on
a
Kutai
house
which
allows
venJlaJon
through
the
roof.
This
reduces
the
roof
venJlaJon
space.
Furthermore,
unlike
how
tradiJonal
Malay
houses
are
properly
venJlated
using
venJlaJon
joints,
this
characterisJc
is
not
present
in
the
chalets.
Figure
20
-­‐SecJon
of
Chalet,
Belum
Rainforest
Resort
ARC60403/ARC2234
Asian
Architecture
14
4.3.2
ROOF
VENTILATION
4.3
VENTILATION
Figure
22
–
sloped
roof
designs
of
the
Chalets
of
Belum
Rainforest
Resort

18. Openings
should
be
installed
on
opposite
walls
of
an
enclosed
space
for
opJmum
cross
venJlaJon
effecJveness.
In
cases
where
this
is
not
possible,
windows
can
be
placed
on
the
adjacent
Walls
as
well.
It
is
also
stated
that
in
the
placement
of
openings,
it
is
generally
best
not
to
place
them
directly
across
one
another
in
a
space
as
it
may
result
in
an
uneven
distribuJon
of
fresh
air.
According
to
the
author
of
the
website,
challengeforsustainability.org,
The
windward
wall
should
ideally
be
oriented
to
be
perpendicular
to
prevailing
wind;
perpendicular
orientaJon
may
not
always
be
possible
in
exisJng
buildings.
The
building
itself
should
ideally
be
relaJvely
narrow
to
ensure
fresh
air
is
distributed
throughout
the
building.
Extensive
internal
parJJons
will
inhibit
air
flow
and
render
cross
venJlaJon
impracJcal.
Assuming
a
building’s
locaJon
and
orientaJon
allow
for
adequate
cross
venJlaJon,
operable
windows/
openings
are
required
on
opposite
ends
to
ensure
effecJve
venJlaJon.
Also,
equal
inlet
and
outlet
areas
are
prefered
to
maximize
air
flow.
These
features
are
analyzed
in
the
floor
plans
of
the
Belum
Rainforest
Chalets.
1-­‐bedroom
chalet
2-­‐bedroom
chalet
3-­‐bedroom
chalet
Analyzing
the
floor
plan
,
It
is
clearly
seen
that
cross
venJlaJon
.
However,
it
is
not
fully
uJlized.
In
the
3-­‐
bedroom
chalet,
for
instance,
cross-­‐venJlaJon
is
not
used
to
its
full
potenJal.
openings
are
not
directly
parallel
or
even
diagonally
placed
across
each
other.
In
the
other
two
chalets,
cross-­‐
venJlaJon
is
more
effecJve,
however
is
sJll
not
used
to
its
maximum
design
potenJal
in
response
to
the
prevailing
wind
direcJon.
Looking
at
the
placement
of
the
openings,
they
are
not
placed
directly
across
one
another,
which
help
distribute
the
air.
Unlike
what
is
suggested
by
MS
1525,
the
number
of
inlets
and
outlets
are
unequal
for
each
chalets
on
opposite
sides.
Also,
although
not
many,
there
is
a
few
obstrucJons
that
may
decrease
the
effecJveness
of
cross-­‐venJlaJon.
These
factors
decrease
the
effecJveness
of
cross
venJlaJon.
However,
in
the
2nd
and
3rd
chalet
design,
The
separaJon
of
the
rooms
with
the
open
deck
promotes
a
direct
flow
of
air
in
the
main
gathering
space.
ARC60403/ARC2234
Asian
Architecture
15
4.3.3
CROSS
VENTILATION
4.3
VENTILATION

19. 4.4
CONTEXT
From
the
site
plan,
it
is
clear
that
the
chalets
are
engulfed
by
a
beauJful
arrangement
of
plantaJon
down
a
sloping
contour.
Similarly
to
how
coconut
trees
and
other
crop
bearing
trees
are
used
as
a
natural
shading
device
around
tradiJonal
Malay
houses,
the
trees
surrounding
the
chalet,
Also
play
a
significant
role
in
providing
shade
to
the
users,
from
every
direcJon
of
sun
path.
In
comparison
to
the
local
Kutai
house,
trees
are
usually
arranged
at
quite
a
distance
from
one
another,
where
as
the
tradiJonal
kutai
house
has
a
courtyard
of
plantaJon,
the
trees
here
are
randomly
scakered.
The
reason
behind
this
is
to
allow
space
for
wind
to
travel
between
the
trees
hence
resulJng
in
more
effecJve
venJlaJon
and
also
for
means
as
providing
walkways
between
the
nature.
It
is
also
preferable
that
the
vegetaJon
around
a
building
be
grown
in
a
fashion
that
it
does
not
impede
air
circulaJon.
From
the
pictures
below,
it
is
evidently
seen
that
the
chalets
are
almost
camouflaging
with
the
surrounding
due
to
the
dense
growth
of
trees.
Since
the
trees
around
the
chalet
are
quite
densely
laid
out,
this
provides
adequate
shading
to
the
chalets,
as
well
as
a
fresh
supply
of
air.
ARC60403/ARC2234
Asian
Architecture
16
Figure
23
–
chalets
engulfed
in
a
dense
growth
of
vegetaJon

20.
ARC60403/ARC2234
Asian
Architecture
17
4.4.1
VEGETATION
INTEGRATION
4.4
VENTILATION
Figure
24
–
plants
are
grown
on
the
railings
and
walls
of
the
chalets
Figure
25
–
plants
filling
up
the
empty
wall
spaces
Figure
26
–
vegetaJon
in
the
open
garden
spaces
Figure
27–
sloped
roofs
peeking
above
the
vegetaJon

21. STRUCTURE
MATERIAL
Columns,
beams,
joists
Cengal,
Petaling,
Merbau,
Damar
Laut
Walls,
windows,
doors
MeranJ,
Bamboo
Roof
Nipah,
Bertam,
Rumbia
STRUCTURE
MATERIALS
Exterior
columns
cengal
SJlts
Steel
I
beams
Window
and
door
frames
meranJ
wall
MeranJ
panels,
concrete,
brick
Flooring
Merbau
roof
MeranJ
Panels
Concrete
MeranJ
window
frames
MeranJ
panels
MeranJ
weather
board
merbau
Steel
I
beam
SJlts
Walls
–
brick,
concrete,
meranJ
Floor
joist
with
gaps
between
them
Figure
28
-­‐
Floor
joist
with
gaps
between
them
In
comparison
to
the
materials
used
in
the
Rumah
Kutai,
it
can
be
concluded
that
in
terms
of
of
the
usage
of
materias
the
chalets
are
quite
similar
to
the
tradiJonal
Malay
house.
The
materials
used
are
light
weight
and
has
THE
FOLLOWING
TABLE
OUTLINES
THE
MATERIALS
USED
IN
A
TRADITIONAL
KUTAI
HOUSE.
MATERIALS
USED
IN
THE
CHALETS
KUTAI
HOUSE
ARC60403/ARC2234
Asian
Architecture
18
4.5
USAGE
OF
MATERIALS
4.0
-­‐
ANALYSIS
Figure
29
–
birds
eye
view
of
chalets
showing
materials

22. 5.0
-­‐
CONCLUSION
In
a
nutshell,
it
can
be
concluded
that
the
phase
2
chalets
of
the
Belum
Rainforest
personify
Malaysian
vernacular
architecture
to
a
very
high
extent.
There
are
many
ways
that
it
has
elaborated
on
the
features
and
some
where
it
has
fallen
short
of
using
the
features
as
means
of
responsing
to
the
site.
On
the
posiJve
side,
the
elevated
floors,
full-­‐length
windows
on
the
perimeter
walls
(all
the
windows
are
operable
and
can
be
shut
and
open
separately,
while
most
of
the
tradiJonal
kutai
house
uses
fixed
openings.
The
former
system
allow
airs
in
according
to
residents
needs
)
the
beauJful
arrangement
and
usage
and
integraJon
of
vegetaJon
plays
an
important
role
in
providing
effecJve
venJlaJon
to
the
users
of
the
chalets.
Although
the
chalets
are
built
inspired
by
the
vernacular
architecture
of
the
Kutai
house,
and
has
various
similariJes,
components
such
as
roof
venJlaJon
and
the
height
of
sJlts
of
the
chalets
do
differ
to
that
of
the
tradiJonal
Kutai
house.
The
roof
design
and
slope
is
one
less
effecJve
feature
of
the
chalets
compared
to
the
Kutai
house.
looking
at
the
sustainable
elements
that
were
invesJgated,
it
is
resolved
that
in
terms
of
response
to
the
sun,
the
chalets
were
not
fully
successful
due
to
the
placement
of
the
windows
and
fenestraJons.
Nevertheless,
In
terms
of
wind
analysis,
the
open
fenestraJons
are
installed
in
accordance
to
the
prevailing
wind
direcJon,
indicaJng
that
it
promotes
natural
venJlaJon.
However,
in
reference
to
cross-­‐venJlaJon,
it
sJll
has
potenJal
to
be
further
uJlized
to
provide
users
with
a
more
opJmum
comfort
level
than
the
current
design.
This
was
also
a
result
of
how
the
chalets
were
placed
on
the
site.
Finally,
the
materials
used
in
the
chalets
are
of
high
similarity
to
the
tradiJonal
Malay
house.
Kutai
house
uses
lightweight
materials
such
as
Jmber,
bamboo
and
akap
roofing
which
have
a
great
advantage
in
Malaysia’s
climate.
The
chalets
have
replaced
the
use
of
akap
with
Jmber
panel
roofs
and
flooring
and
wall
finishes
with
Cengal
and
meranJ
enhances
the
chalet’s
sustainable
performance.
The
implementaJon
of
modern
touches
alongside
local
vernacular
architecture
is
seemingly
not
so
popular
as
a
trend
in
Malaysia
however
the
idea
has
the
potenJal
of
being
a
rather
beauJful
and
successful
design
applicaJon
both
aestheJcally
and
funcJonally
if,
built
as
a
response
to
the
immediate
site.
THANK
YOU
ARC60403/ARC2234
Asian
Architecture
19

23. 6.0
-­‐
REFERENCES
Ching.
F.D.K.
(1995).
A
Visual
DicIonary
of
Architecture.
New
York:
John
Wiley
&
Son
epartment
of
Standards
Malaysia.
(2007).
MS
1525:
Code
of
PracIce
on
Energy
Efficiency
and
Use
of
Renewable
Energy
for
Non-­‐ResidenIal
Buildings
.
Cyberjaya:
Department
of
Standards
Malaysia
Malaysia
Resorts
|
Belum
Rainforest
Resort
|
Banding
Island
|
Official
Site
(n.d).
from
hkp://www.belumresort.com
Firrdhaus
Sahabuddin
(2014
)
Vernacular
Architecture
in
Malaysia
hkps://www.academia.edu/
2377416Chapter_2_Malaysian_Vernacular_Architecture_and_Its_RelaJonship_to_Clima
te
Lim.
J.
Y.
(1987).The
Malay
House:
Rediscovering
Malaysia's
Indigenous
Shelter
System
.
Kuala
Lumpur:
InsJtut
Masyarakat
Katherine,
S.
(1965)
My
Kampong
House
The
Straits
Times
Annual
1965
p.p.
74-­‐77.
Yuan,
L.J.
(1979)
Relief
of
Clima+c
Stress
in
Housing
in
Malaysia
Architect
Journal
Vol.
4:79
December
1979
ARC60403/ARC2234
Asian
Architecture
20

24. REFERENCES

25. REFERENCES