Zuraini Denan

An Assessment on Glare from Daylight through Various Designs of Shading Devices in Hot Humid Climate, Case Study in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Glare is one of the main problems that cause daylight to be visually undesirable in a hot humid country such as Malaysia. However, the design of modern buildings in Malaysia applies large glass windows and some partially covered with various design of shading devices, which are merely for aesthetic reason. Having sun shading devices have not solved the glare problems instead create either dark interiors or force for interior blinds and use of electrical lighting. Thus, this paper aims to investigate the glare performance under daylight through most common types of shading devices used in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The four most common shading devices are: vertical, horizontal, egg-crate and geometrical pattern. The experiment covers the luminance, illuminance level and subjective responses of the occupants. The result indicates that under the vertical shading devices has spotted the highest glare values, in contrast subjective response indicate that the vertical shading devices provide most comfortable environment.

An Analysis of Privacy in the Space Organisation of Traditional Malay Houses in Peninsular Malaysia

This study contested that privacy was important in the traditional Malay culture and was translated into the traditional Malay houses despite suggestions that privacy was not given emphasis in the traditional Malay society. The study employs analysis of plans of traditional Malay houses from different states in Malaysia to evaluate consideration for privacy in the traditional Malay houses in relation to the conception of privacy and privacy regulation in traditional Malay culture. The results show that privacy was provided in the traditional Malay houses consistent with the conception of privacy which emphasis on community intimacy, the role of women in the house, respect for elders and modesty. Privacy of individual privacy was not emphasised as in the Western cultures. Findings also indicated that different level of privacy was provided at both public and private level in the house through the space organisation, design of openings within each of the traditional Malay houses and regulated by traditional Malay culture which is coterminous with Islam as a way of life as important privacy regulating mechanisms. Differences in terms of level of privacy required influenced the traditional houses in different states.

Ratio determination of solids and voids for traditional Malay carvings: a preparation for environmental performance

Carvings in forms of openings, roof ends and walls have been incorporated as aesthetic and climatic element in the Malay traditional buildings. Determining the ratio of solids and voids on carvings elements is seen as an essential step to gain insight on the performance of carvings as a shading devices to control sunlight and air flow. The research objectives are to inventory and digitize the carvings to determine the ratio of solid and voids, and predict their performances. The carvings sampled from all states in Peninsular Malaysia are digitized using AutoCAd to determine the area of solid and void. The ratio of solid and voids ranges from 1:1 to 99:1 and the most common ratio are 3:2. The ratio study is a preliminary findings towards a detail study on the daylight and ventilation control in the traditional houses. Index Terms—carvings, climatic performance, ratio, solid and void.

Cultural preservations through digital reconstruction of Bytul Anwar, Kuala Kangsar, Perak, Malaysia

Preservation of heritage building is one of the most important aspects in preserving the cultural identity of a nation. Therefore, the heritage buildings should be documented as it is to conserve old buildings for the future generation. Due to the current state of the heritage buildings and lack of funding many heritage buildings has been left dilapidated. Reconstructing buildings through digital media help to document and preserve the building virtually at minimum cost. The study was conducted on Bytul Anwar that has remained standing from 1912 until now and has undergone transition processes through time. Bytul Anwar was one of the palaces designed by Raja Harun Al-Rasyid who was the crown prince at that time. It is located in the royal compound of Bukit Chandan in Kuala Kangsar that consists of palaces and noble dwellings for the royal family of Perak. This paper presents digital reconstruction of Bytul Anwar and describes the morphology of the buildings from 1912 to 2010. The reconstruction of the heritage building is based on the following method; interviews, field measurements and computer graphic simulation to reconstruct the house in stages. The research has reconstructed the building digitally to document the additions and renovations including the changes in function of the palace through time. The digital media provides a sound background for documentation and further discussion in cultural heritage.