what's next . . . . .?

WHAT TO CONSIDER TO SUIT THE TROPICS [when designing a building in Malaysia in particular]

just to remind my own self, of what to consider when designing a building to suit the tropics [a response to the climate]:

first and for all, some of the factual points for us to remember is that after completing the BASIC building requirements such as the necessity of constructing the floor, columns and the roof of the building, effective sun control to prevent undue heat load on the building and occupants is the next step to consider.

it is very important to reduce solar heat gain on the building envelope to maintain the building internal comfortable environment. the following are some strategies to be adopted to construct buildings in the tropics or to be specific in the Equatorial Malaysian environment, to ensure they are comfortable for the occupants:

• appropriate orientation of the building at site to gain and catch prevailing breezes,
• constructing steep pitched roof with large roof overhangs, wide verandahs and generous landscaping schemes to ensure the buildings are effectively shaded,
• provision of extensive operable louvre windows, screens, timber slats, large sliding doors, screen walls and part height internal walls to maximise cross-ventilation through the buildings,
• rotary and gable vents are also good ventilation system to be considered to exhaust hot air,
• roof lighting system is good alternative to provide natural lighting to deep rooms. however, excessive glare and sun penetration through windows should be controlled by adopting appropriate screening system, vegetation and effective building orientation; and last but NOT least
• other active system normally used to modify the internal building climate is the practical installation of ceiling fans in all habitable rooms to complement natural ventilation and provide a low-cost means of increasing internal air-movement within the buildings.