Sabarinah Sh Ahmad

Kuala Lumpur: A hot humid climate

Foreword * Preface * Overview * Part I: Redefining Bioclimatic Housing * Definitions, Concepts and Principles * Trends, Promotion and Performance * Part II: Location, Climate Types and Building Response * The Mediterranean: A Cool Temperate Climate * Adelaide: A Warm Continental Climate * Tehran: A Hot Arid Climate * Tokyo: A Warm Temperate Climate * Brisbane: A Subtropical Climate * Kuala Lumpur: A Hot Humid Climate * Part III: Principles, Elements and Technologies * Design, Elements and Strategies * Green Technologies, Performance and Integration * Index

Urban outdoor thermal comfort prediction for public square in moderate and dry climate

Thermal condition is a decisive factor which impacts the use of outdoor spaces. Concerns on outdoor thermal conditions are on the rise judging by the growing number of research on the subject. However empirical research in the context of urban outdoor in moderate and dry climate is still limited. Predicting thermal comfort of outdoor spaces in a particular setting is essential to ensure continuous return of visitors and users. This paper aims to establish the thermal acceptable temperature range applicable for an urban context in temperate and dry climate zone based on the physiologically equivalent temperature (PET) index. Two fieldwork experiments were conducted through environmental measurements and questionnaire survey performed in winter of 2009 and summer of 2010 at a public square in Esfahan, Iran. These data were used for the thermal comfort assessment, supported by the RayMan model for the calculation of the mean radiant temperature (Tmrt) and PET. The study established the acceptable thermal comfort range to be between 12.3 and 30.9 deg C which is relatively wider then past studies.

Landscape Attributes, Microclimate and Thermal Comfort of an Urban Square in Moderate and Dry Climate

Recent rapid urban growth in major cities highlights the role of public squares, where their success can be gauged by its frequency of use and the outdoor thermal conditions. Despite the growing number of studies on outdoor thermal comfort in temperate and dry climate, those done in the Middle East are still limited. This paper examines the effects of landscape attributes on microclimatic conditions and outdoor thermal comfort based on the physiological equivalent temperature (PET) index in Esfahan, Iran. The thermal comfort prediction and correlation between thermal environment and the use of urban space were also explored. Two fieldwork studies were conducted through simultaneous environmental measurement and questionnaire survey in winter and summer at a public square in Esfahan. The obtained data became the basis for Tmrt (mean radiant temperature) and PET estimations, supported by RayMan model. The thermal environment was investigated with different landscape attributes. The derived thermal acceptable range was found to be considerably wider that those reported in previous studies. A strong correlation was confirmed between the thermal conditions and the use of outdoor spaces. The findings demonstrated the strong positive influence of air velocity and evaporative effect of water on thermal comfort. The findings contribute toward suitable design of public squares in climates similar to Esfahan.

Challenges and the way forward for building materials management in building adaptation projects

Global sustainability issues have led Malaysia, amongst other concerned countries to develop strategies on hazardous materials identification for construction industries. However, very few published literatures are found on the effects of building materials to social health, the environment and economy in building adaptation projects. There is a promising future for better building adaptation materials management but the issues and challenges highlighted require further actions for a positive difference. Encouraging usage of greener building materials and more research could be the way forward.

Analysis of atrium's architectural aspects in office buildings under tropical sky conditions

This paper discusses atrium building typology by analysing the architectural aspects of existing atrium buildings. One hundred sixty commercial office buildings in Klang Valley were identified as the chosen building type for the initial selection process. Thirteen out of 160 office buildings surveyed were further analyzed based on the following architectural aspects: i) atrium spaces that include the description of atrium type, form and shape, physical dimensions, number of floors and height; ii) skylight design and roof fenestration system; and iii) atrium usage/activity and indoor environmental conditions. The atrium designs in these tropical office buildings are briefly described. The results show the most common atrium form is the enclosed central rectangular atrium with 4-storey average height. This study could lead to further research on design considerations for innovative applications to improve daylight performance in tropical office building atrium.

Evaluating the legibility of decorative arabic scripts for Sultan Alauddin mosque using an enhanced soft-computing hybrid algorithm

Ornamental calligraphy features sacred inscriptions in mosques as an integral part of its interior design. This study analyzes the legibility of these Arabic scripts for Malaysian users of mosques, implementing for the first time a quantitative tool for this effort, the ANFIS method. Our purpose is to identify the most influential parameters affecting the readability and understanding of various decorative Arabic scripts. Mosques have important roles in social life and in teaching the Islamic faith to Muslims. We conducted a questionnaire survey handed to the public attending the Sultan Alauddin mosque in Selangor, Malaysia. We subjected the data resulting from this survey to the ANFIS method (the adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system), to identify measurable parameters that play a role in the ability to read decorative Arabic scripts. The ANFIS process for variable selection was implemented in order to detect the predominant variables among the parameters identified. We analyzed how demographic aspects and cognitive skills relate to the ability to correctly interpret these scripts. The results indicated that of the parameters examined, the ability to read Arabic is the one that influences the most, the correct interpretation of ornamental inscriptions of mosques, and the best predictor of accuracy. The social role of mosques.The decoration of mosques features inscriptions.Calligraphy as a form of art.The readability of calligraphy.The most influential parameters related to the readability of Arabic calligraphy.

Extending cultural model of assistive technology design for autism treatment

This paper depicts the prominence of cultural on the adoption of assistive technology, in terms of design, which are particularly anticipated for autism treatment. The researchers believe that cultural aspect should be considered in designing assistive technology in treating autistic individual. It is necessary to assess cultural differences critically so that assistive technology can be accepted extensively. Occasional review on cultural changes is also needed in countries with cultural diversity to ensure that the technological growth is compatible with the current recognition. This paper reviews on disability treatment using assistive technology and proposes an extension for the existing cultural model for assistive technology design.

Review on training policy for teachers and parents in using humanoid for children with autism

Autism spectrum disorder is a life-long development disorder distinguish by impairment related to central nervous system maturation with features include delay in social life development, problem in language, social skills and repetitive behavior. Autism is a global crisis due to prevalence rates higher in several countries and the need for treatment view to be important. This paper reviews on the training policy for teachers and parents in using humanoid for children with autism. In Malaysia, there is no proper and specific training policy for children with autism through implementation of humanoid.

Autism children: Cost and benefit analysis of using humanoid in Malaysia

Autism is a permanent disorder that cause quality of life disturbance. As matter of research, there are no single interventions that can cure the heterogeneous syndrome. Since there is no cure for autism children, perhaps using humanoid can help the autism children in order to have appropriate therapy and treatment programs especially to the young children inflicted with it. Robots are normally used for industrial work, but hardly for therapy. Robots have been used to substitute human way back in the 19th century. They are beneficial to society regardless of the fields that they are being utilized. The health sector has been identified as one of the fields that benefit most as a result of using robotics. For decades, people fascinated with the technologys fiction of robots that look and act like a human Therefore, humanoid robots give benefits towards autism therapy for early detection. Many studies have been done in order to determine the ways to conduct autism treatment However, there is no study on cost and benefit analysis conducted using humanoid as a treatment for autism children. Therefore, this study will focus on the cost and benefit analysis of using humanoid for Malaysian autism children.

Effects of roof insulation on the thermal conditions of a medium scaled tropical enclosed giant freshwater prawn (macrobrachium rosenbergii) hatchery

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of roof thermal insulation on the indoor thermal environment of an existing enclosed giant freshwater prawn hatchery in relation to human thermal comfort and the thermal requirement for optimal larval growth. A typical medium scaled enclosed hatchery in Ipoh, Malaysia was chosen for this study. Thermal performances of five thermal insulation materials installed on the roof of the building were studied using Integrated Environmental Solutions (IES) Virtual Environment software. Results showed no significant differences for indoor air temperatures reduction among the insulation materials. However, the installation of roof insulation gave a cooler indoor thermal environment and provided a suitable water temperature/ improved water thermal condition for the prawn larviculture. The study also suggested the aluminium foil was the best insulation for the partially transparent roof of the building.