The document summarizes the re-adaptation of Malay vernacular architecture in Sekeping Serendah, Selangor to achieve thermal comfort. Some key features of traditional Malay houses that provide thermal comfort include elevated structures, large openings and overhangs to promote air flow, and use of sustainable materials. Sekeping Serendah incorporates these features, such as elevated rooms within the surrounding tropical forest and large openings covered by overhangs. The document examines how these vernacular design strategies help minimize environmental factors and provide thermal comfort, while maintaining aesthetic qualities in the modern retreat architecture.

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ASIAN ARCHITECTURE
CASE STUDY PAPER
Re-adaptation of Malay vernacular Architecture to achieve thermal
comfort in Sekeping Serendah, Selangor.
Bibi Ameerah Peerun: 0313939
Tutor: Mr Koh Jing Hao

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TABLE OF CONTENT
Abstract
Acknowledgement
1.0 Introduction
2.0 Overview of Sekeping Serendah retreat
3.0 Overview of Thermal Comfort
3.1 Tropical climate
3.2 Thermal comfort
3.3 Factors that affect Thermal Comfort
3.4 Design Consideration
3.5 Malay traditional House Characteristics
4.0 Integration of Malays vernacular architectural qualities in Sekeping
Serendah to reach thermal effectiveness
4.1 Sustainable materials
4.2 Elevated structure and rooms
4.3 Surrounding and orientation
4.4 Openings
4.5 Structural form
5.0 Sekeping Serendah, a strategies to minimize environmental factors
6.0 Limitation of those factors to reach thermal comfort as well as maintaining
the aesthetic.
7.0 Conclusion
8.0 References

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Abstract
Currently, when we consider environment factors; the indoor environment affects the
resident’s mental and physical condition. So, the reason of studying the re-adaptation
of Malay traditional architectural characteristics in Sekeping Sendah retreat is to
examine on the efficiency of these features to obtain thermal comfort. Malaysia being
an example due to its tropical climate, in helping the authentication of research,
literatures analysis based on several foundations to emphasize reachment of thermal
comfort with the implementation of Malay traditional houses properties to improve
the procedure. In order to provide with a more thorough research, it is essential to
debate on content that can showcase the principle of Traditional Malay house in
which Sekeping Serendah precisely is taken to denote the architectural elegance of the
retreat. Environmental issues such as air temperature, humidity, wind and radiant
temperature to offer comfortable living area disturb the Malay vernacular house
design. The architecture style objective to reach thermal comfort via various methods
using passive design. The design standard from Malay vernacular architecture such as
materials, elevated designs, roof design and taking into consideration the neighboring
values are encapsulated into Seeking Serendah design. The incorporation of
vernacular and modern architecture improves the design of the building. Therefore, on
a conclusive note both of these architectural designs depict large contrast between
each other in terms of how the architectural styles has been implemented to adapt
with development. While one demonstrates a dense cultural significance, the other
portrays a direct impact to environment.

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1.0 Introduction
The traditional Malay vernacular house is very well designed to adjust with the hot
and humid tropical climate in Malaysia and also contributes in attaining thermal
comfort in hot climate edifices.
Though, the design of modern-contemporary architecture often predominated the
vernacular design techniques in this skyrocketing mechanized era. Nowadays, the
society are often lured by luxury and economical sleek design created by architectural
magazines. Buildings with absence of environmental and contextual concern
disregards the passive cooling methods applied in vernacular design but frequently
substituted by devices to reach thermal comfort. The re-adaptation of vernacular
design qualities in contemporary structure will In fact encourage energy efficient
building. To further analyze this research, Sekeping Serendah retreat was targeted to
do an analysis, as it is one of the modern-contemporary designs, which is
encapsulated with Malay characteristics. Thermal stability aspects are taken into
consideration in regards of air temperature, air fluidity, humidity and the length of
exposure to high temperature environment to acceptable human condition. This case
study paper discuss about the efficiency of reaching human thermal comfort via
execution and application of Malay vernacular characteristics as well as the limitation
of each features to maintain the aesthetic of the Retreat.

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Thermal Comfort
Environmental Factors
Air Temparature Humidity Air Mouvement Radiant Temparature
Features
To achieve thermal
comfort
Traditional Malay House Sekeping Serendah,
Selangor
Materials Sustainabl
e
Materials
Elevated Vegetation Openings Topical
Forest
Overhang
Roof
Overhang
Roof
Elevated
Rooms
Opening

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Research Questions:
1. What is thermal comfort and what are the factors the affect the level of
comfort?
2. What are the Malays vernacular architectural qualities employed in Sekeping
Serendah to reach thermal effectiveness?
3. According to the natural aspects, how does each of the characteristics
contributed in incorporating the modern design in tropical region of Sekeping
Serendah?
4. How does the methods act as a strategies and help in minimizing the
environment factors.
5. To what extend may the vernacular architecture be adapted to contemporary
buildings in order to create a better interior environment for the occupants as
well as maintaining the aesthetic of the specific building

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2.0 Overview of Sekeping Serendah retreat
The construction of the retreat began when the architect won the “ week-end retreat in
the forest of Serenda”. It was important to unveil that individuals could build and live
pleasantly with nature accordingly. That leads the thermal comfort achievement. Ten
sheds designed with various, which surround by exotic forest that not so much as a
conventional. Each of the sheds is built based on the Malaysian vernacular style in
keeping the natural land terrain and strategically planning throughout the trees in
order to respect the greenery and the provoked landscape as well as achieving thermal
comfort for the occupants. Sekeping Serendah retreat in Selangor highlight the idea of
having a semi-outdoor design in the forest surrounding, aiming on the contextual
surrounding via blurring of the barrier of the interior and exterior. The interesting part
about this retreat is that it function like the traditional Malay house despite the
modernity of the building.
3. Thermal comfort
3.1 Tropical Climate
Malaysia fell into the category of traditional equatorial region, which experiences
warm and high humidity climate throughout the year (A.S.Hassan, 2011).
Furthermore Malaysia experiences two-monsoon season every year. The tropical
forest that covers wind in Malaysia is normally light which leads to high temperature
throughout the year. (Nasir, 1996)
Figure 3.1.1: Diagram showing the traditional Malay house in relation to the climate
http://www.hbp.usm.my/conservation/Measured%20Drawings/malaysun.jpg

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3.2 Thermal comfort
(ASHRAE, 2004) has stated that the thermal comfort zone level is a situation of mind
which utters gratifications with the thermal environment. Humans body retains its
temperature fixed at 37 – 0.5 C and can adapt to various environments. Numerous
factors such as for example, “Environmental factors and personal features can be
distributed by the human thermal comfort, under a stable and natural condition”.
(ASHRAE, 2014)
Figure 3.2.1: The comfort chart
http://courses.washington.edu/me333afe/Comfort_Health.pdf
3.3 Factors that affect thermal comfort
• Relative humidity is described as the amount of evaporation there is in the air.
There is a variation in the temperature tolerance, with constant changes in the
relative humidity. Skin is able to evaporate both at a higher rate in hot and dry
environment. (ASHRAE, 2014)

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• The radiation produced from the sunlight hit directly on different part of the
body surfaces, and thus causes the skin to produce warm temperature
surrounding the air. Therefore when the radiation hits on clothes, the heat is
transferred within clothing to body. According to ASHRAE, “A person is
more subtle with the asymmetric radiation triggered through snug celling. This
arise by the hot and cold vertical surfaces” demonstrated in figure 3.3.3
(ASHRAE, 2014)
Figure: 3.3.3: radiation Diagram
• Air velocity disrupt thermal stability at various temperature, it increases heat
dissipation while moving air is less than our body temperature.
• The air temperature disturbs thermal solace and ecological condition for
individual inhabitance. ASHRAE mentions that, “There are sizable
dissimilarity in both physiologically and psychologically, from one to another
individual. The environmental condition needed for comfort is not the
identical for every individual. Consequently, temperature, for comfort zone
must be around 22 C, which is depicted in the following diagram.

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Figure 3.3.1 Diagram showing location of comfort zone
3.4 Design Consideration
Making shade and ventilation, plays a core part in housing, to deliver thermal
comfort. The houses in tropical region are design taking into account the natural
ventilation of the indoor spaces by using large windows, by creating shades, or by
raising the structure to a certain level, which contribute to capture prevailing wind,
avoiding flooding and degradation of the earth. Key designs elements of a tropical
Malay house are fundamental, due to the fact that they are the contributing aspect to
picture a house with the attention to attain thermal effectiveness. The 5 prominent
design principles of a tropical house are:
a) Envelope of the Retreat
b) Ventilations across the retreat
c) Materials used (sustainable and recycled)
d) The Green Surrounding
Building components must take into account those principles to priorities the
implementation of shading devices, increasing wind factor and decreased heat
penetration. The next part of the research will further examine on how modern
architects implement vernacular design feature into the design, just like the example
of Sekeping Serendah Retreat.

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3.5 The Features of traditional Malay House
Conferring to JLim Jee Yuan The Malay House: Reviving Malaysia’s Indigenous
Shelter System. In the present time, in Malaysia, architects use Malay traditional
house as an investigation of the paradigm for its excellent analysis of environmental
design. (Lim, 1987).
Malay traditional dwelling is centered mainly on natural ventilation with the
understanding of airflow ventilating from the exterior to interior and then leave the
house with the warm air that has been trapped. Customary community from the
villages obtained knowledge and comprehension of the ecosystem’s stability, which
allowed them to, built accordingly with the nature, using lightweight materials and
raised the structure.
Figure: 3.5.1 Picture showing characteristic of traditional Malay house
http://www.hbp.usm.my/conservation/Measured%20Drawings/malaysun.jpg

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4. Integration of Malays vernacular architectural qualities in
Sekeping Serendah to reach thermal effectiveness
4.1 Sustainable materials.
Inventive uses of the natural material in Malay house are designed in such a way to
meet the climate, to control heat and improve ventilation, as in bamboo screen; Nipah
leaves wall and Attap roof.
Sekeping Serendah used a huge variety of materials for instance: glass timber, mud
and steel, with the prior of achieving thermal comfort. As the architect mentions
during an interview, “I don’t have any favorite materials as commonly perceived
by others. I just use whatever is appropriate at the time of construction. I prefer
to use local materials”. (Yoong,2012). The sheds are erected mainly by using timber
found around the site. Concrete and brick are also used to merge with the timber and
to give a new architectural style. One of the specification of the timber is it that is it a
organic material, which its thermal, acoustic and aesthetic create a comfortable and
cozy space.
As the figure 4.1.1 and 4.1.2 shows below
Figure: 4.1.1 the use of timber for flooring (elegant feeling)
http://www.uniqhotels.com/media/hotels/6d/glasshouse%201-sst-0669.jpg

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Figure 4.1.2: The use if timber for roof support and decoration
http://www.sekeping.com/serendah/p/wh1-02.jpg
Muds sheds, are originally created, from the combination of different type of
concrete, and bricks. All these heavy-duty materials are performed as a thermal mass,
for absorbing and storing heat energy. During day time, the thermal mass will mop up
the sunlight heat while at night, release it to keep the retreat comfy. Although
Sekeping Serendah in also made also of large window frames, therefore the cooling of
the retreat is still effective.
Figure: 4.1.3 mud sheds combines with concrete
http://www.hellochubbybunny.com/uploads/1/0/8/3/10834924/23154_orig.jpg
The materials of the roof are important features in order to reflect of radiant solar .The
truss roof of Sekeping Serendah is partially open however some part is cover with
steel sheets. Furthermore, Steel is an alloy of (carbon and iron), which has a higher
heat conductivity compared to other materials.

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Figure: 4.1.4 Picture showing the roof structure
http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/04/c5/c4/9b/warehouse-1.jpg
4.2 Elevated structure and rooms
The redesign has suggested the same concept by raising the structure based on stilts. “
Having structure built on a high-level position acquires benefits for aspect of thermal
study” (Lim 1897). By obtaining the openness and minimalism of the retreat, stilt is
widely used in order to be an essential vertical structure, to lift upward and withstand
the slab and roof during construction. By the raised of the structure, there are benefits
of trapping wind with a greater velocity. In the retreat, not only the structure is
elevated but the rooms as well. The sleeping area is supported by thin steel bar as
shown in figure 4.2.1. It allows free passage of the wind in the lower level without
any obstruction as well as providing a minimum of privacy to the user. In Order to
achieve that, the architect made use of steel to reflect the lightness of the structure
merging with the very thin tree trunk to enhance the fragility of the structure.

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Figure: 4.2.1 Picture showing elevated rooms of Sekeping Serendah
http://theweddingnotebook.com/wp-content/uploads/2004/03/sekeping-serendah.jpg
Figure: 4.2.2 Picture showing raised structure of Sekeping Serendah
https://jeelazulkifli.files.wordpress.com/2015/02/gs1-02.jpg

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4.3 Surrounding and orientation
Moreover, the traditional Malay houses are generally built in order to face East and
West and is situated in surrounding greeneries. Thus many incorporated modern
design is also applied in the same idea, by having to building oriented and in a proper
manner. The large overhangs roof is fitted, to maintain the glares.
In relation to the surrounding, The Retreat is protected in a tropical rainforest with
abundant of lush greenery and large trees surrounding and improve the function of the
trees while they act as walls to prevent the sun. Besides, it allows the refinement of
air, interior cooling effect as well as moderation of temperature changes at night.
Large trees locate all along the warehouse “one and two”, gives the best cooling
shades.
Figure: 4.3.1 Map showing the orientation of the Retreat
http://www.sekeping.com/serendah/layout.png
N

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Figure:4.3.2 Picture showing the green surrounding of the Retreat
http://static.panoramio.com/photos/large/18254881.jpg
4.4 Openings
In traditional Malay house, ventilation is allowed by having many full-length
windows and doors at body level. (Lim, 1991). Sekeping and Serendah depict an
unenclosed floor plan, designed without any segment to allow continuous airflow.
The architect also mention during an interview “ It’s the idea of “opening-up” the
house in a tropical climate and being able to sit in a semi-outdoor environment”
reported by ( Siok Hui, 2010). This strategy encourages the flow of air throughout the
whole building, and these two warehouses are planned in order to accommodate
minimum 10 occupants organized with the heat-producing appliances around the
kitchen. Therefore, large doors panels are used as the main openings for some of the
sheds of Sekeping and Serendah, such as the glass boxes and glass sheds.
Figure 4.4.1 Picture showing large openings of the Retreat
http://www.sekeping.com/serendah/p/gs1-04.jpg

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Figure 4.4.2 Picture showing large open spaces inside the retreat
https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8251/8544264455_a725a65ab4_b.jpg
4.5 Structural form
Sekeping Retreat has been implemented the same idea by opening the plan in the
modern framework. Thus it is the reason why Architects chooses to raise up the
sleeping area. This specific design creates a connection through the free spaces and
effectively uses such spaces as a passage of ventilation.
Therefore, Buildings requires a high ceiling with a double volume spaces in order to
create a stacking of the ventilation in the interior. The stack ventilation is able to
support the buoyancy of warmth which rises and is released the heat through the
openings at higher openings

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Figure 4.5.1 Picture showing the special layout of the retreat
Figure 4.5.2 : Picture showing height ceiling with multiple volume
http://syokmelancong.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/sekeping-serendah.jpg

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5.0Sekeping serendah, A strategy to minimize environmental
factors
Re-adapting Traditional Malay vernacular features in modern design does not only
help in achieving thermal comfort. In addition to what has been discussing previously,
Re-adaptation act as a strategy to minimize environmental factors toward the nature.
It’s like a chain: if the nature is affected, thus our comfort level will be affected.
‘Sekeping Serendah being the prime example in this regard. The architect used
recycling materials to rescue materials and us. If we look closely to the design of the
Retreat, it looks unfinished. The architect believe that is it too expensive to buy
luxury materials and yet not sustainable. (Kenny, 2013) Sekeping Serendah applies
recycling materials in a simple and elegant way by not destroying its surrounding and
climate.
Figure 5.1 Figure 5.2
Figure 5.3 Figure 5.4
Figure 5.1 to 5.4 Picture showing the Kitchen in Sekeping Serendah Using recycling
Materials

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6.0 Limitation of those features to reach thermal comfort as well as
maintaining the aesthetic.
To end this research paper, Applying vernacular architecture feature at 100% to
contemporary one are intrusive example to building problems as sustainable solutions.
Yet these solutions have limit in term of application and some assume to be
inapplicable to contemporary design (Rashid, Rahat Ara, 2015, p.46) due to the fact
that their could not meet the aesthetic requirement of the design. Therefore nowadays
architects combine both traditional and modern design to become a new architectural
style just like Sekeping Serendah where the architect kept in mind the traditional
features by implementing it through the use of new materials, new site etc.… in order
to satisfy both environment and the occupants.
7.0 Conclusion
To conclude, Sekeping serendah successfully integrated the Malay vernacular
architecture design to solve the main problem of thermal comfort as well as keeping
the aesthetic of the tropical dwelling design to satisfy the occupant. In addition, the
design of the retreat responds well to the site. Integration of Traditional Malay house
contributes very well to provide good ventilation and reduce heat gain without
machines. Thus it is nor impossible to reach thermal comfort in a more friendly way.
Characteristics Malay Vernacular House Sekeping Serendah
Climate consideration Yes Yes
Sustainable Materials Yes Yes
Natural ventilation At body Level Large openings allowing
cross and stack
Surrounding Restricted Tropical Forest
Thermal efficiency Yes Yes
Materials Natural: Nipah leaves,
Bamboo. Attap
Recycling materials, steel,
concrete, brick (mixture)
Contextual response Yes Yes

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8.0 references
1- Indoor Air Quality and Energy Efficiency. (n.d.). Retrieved November 5, 2015,
retrieved from http://www2.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/indoor-air-quality-and-
energy-efficiency
2-Kenny, M. (2013, July 19). Getting away…without leaving town. Retrieved
November 10, 2015, retrieved from
http://www.themalaymailonline.com/travel/article/getting-away...without-
leaving-town
3- Nasir. A.H (1989) Introduction of traditional Malay House: Peninsular .Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur. Darul Fikir
4- Lim, J. (1987). The Malay house: Rediscovering Malaysia's indigenous shelter
system. Pinang: Institut Masyarakat
5- Lim, J. (1991). The Malay house: Rediscovering Malaysia's indigenous shelter
system. Pinang], Pulau Pinang, Malaysia: Institut Masyarakat.
6-The traditional Malay house. (1996). Shah Alam: Fajar Bakti
7- Third World inspiration. (2010, March 27). Retrieved November 5, 2015, from
http://www.thestar.com.my/story/?file=/2010/3/27/lifeliving/5843938&sec=lifeliving
8- Rashid, M., & Ara, D. (2015). Modernity in tradition: Reflections on building
design and technology in the Asian vernacular. Frontiers of Architectural Research,
4(1), 46-55. Retrieved November 16, 2015, from
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095263514000715
9- Yoong, Y. (2012, April 1). THE SEKEPING PROJECTS, APRIL 2012 A
conversation with Yvonne Yoong from The New Straits Times. Retrieved October 10,
2015, from http://www.seksan.com/txt_sekeping.html

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