aa case study paper - s11 house

Effective Integration of Materials with Different Thermal Mass in Spatial Planning and Design

to Increase User’s Comfort in S11 House, Petaling Jaya.

Tan Chiew Nee 0303531 | ARC 2213/2234 Asian Architecture 1

Asian Architecture [ARC 60403]

Project 2 Case Study Paper

Effective Integration of Materials with Different Thermal Mass in

Spatial Planning and Design to Increase User’s Comfort in S11

House, Petaling Jaya.

NAME: TAN CHIEW NEE

STUDENT ID: 0303531

LECTURER: PN. NORHAYATI RAMLI

SUBMISSION DATE: 28th JUNE 2016




Effective Integration of Materials with Different Thermal

Mass in Spatial Planning and Design to Increase User’s

Comfort in S11 House, Petaling Jaya.

Table of Contents Page

Abstract ......................................................................................................... 3 - 4

1.0 Introduction ...................................................................................... 4 - 5

2.0 Overview on S11 House .................................................................. 6 - 7

3.0 Types of materials used in S11 House ............................................ 8 - 11

4.0 Spatial planning and design in S11 House ..................................... 12 - 15

5.0 Factors affecting the effective integration of materials in spatial planning and

design ....................................................................................................... 16 - 19

5.1 Insulation

5.2 Context

5.3 Material application method

6.0 Conclusion ..................................................................................... 20 - 23

7.0 References 24 - 25




Abstract

The purpose of this research is to study on the effectiveness of integrating

materials with different thermal mass into spatial planning and design to increase

user’s comfort level in S11 House (issue). With the rise of contemporary design,

various types of materials have been experimented to complement the architectural

design of spaces while sustaining the natural features of the site and provide a certain

degree of comfort. In this study, thermal mass and effect of materials used in the

building are identified. Besides, spatial planning and design of S11 House is compared

to the spatial layout of traditional Malay house and further analysed. Factors affecting

the effectiveness of the integration to increase users comfort are also

covered(objectives). Interviews have been carried out on the visitors to collect data

regarding the user experiences and comfort level in S11 House. Data analysis on the

material used and its thermal effect have been collected (methodology). Besides, a

case study on the unique arrangement of brickwork of The Termitary House in Da

Nang, Vietnam has been done to support the validity of this effective integration (case

study). The materials used in S11 House consist of both high and low thermal mass.

Performance of high thermal bricks and concrete have been enhanced with the use of

heat reflecting paint and the help of shading devices and glass has been treated to

lower the heat absorbed. A proper cooperation of the right materials with a contextual

responding spatial design would keep the space well function and more adaptive to

the users (findings). The results from it would lead to a drastic improvement of the

overall comfort level and also personal experiences of the users. In the end of this

research, it would provide a better guideline on the selection of materials responding

to the spatial design which adapted the tropical features and further generate a more




sensitive development of the building design in the country by fully utilising the local

essences (conclusion).

1.0 Introduction

In the past many years, context and local cultural influences had often played an

important in developing the architectural style of a country. People respond and rely

on these factors in order to achieve a better standard of living. As time passes, the

people had definitely outgrew a more representative and sensitive design with the

consideration of various issues including the materials used, their properties and effect

to the experiences in a space, producing a better planning of spaces in a house or

building. This could also be known as an introduction to the contextual architecture

that further extended to the existence of vernacular architectural design. It is very

much affected by the factors like the local climate, cultural and local materials.

One of the greatest example of the vernacular architecture will be the traditional

Malay house which strongly reflect the ideas of contextual by using basic local

materials like timber and bamboo, the architectural design also respond closely to the

tropical climate of hot and humid weather all day long. The evolution of this came from

the plenty experiments from the people in the past, at which they tried to understand

the property of every material they could get and incorporating them into designing

their own house in order to help them in achieving a more comfortable living space.

In Malaysia, the local adapted to this idea and further enhancing the building

design with the same intentions but of different and probably better generation of




forms and functions for a higher expectation and requirement of comfort lifestyle. The

concept of fully utilizing materials into spatial designing and planning had definitely

help to create a new wave of effective design as it helped to resolve the issues of

energy conservation while enhancing the overall comfort level and also providing a

better living spaces for the users without extensive use of artificial and mechanical

devices. Due to the reasons above, the factors affecting the effectiveness of this

integration would also need to be looked into in order to provide a more convincing

point of views and evidences to allow the idea to be carried on in the future.

This paper will investigate on the effective integration of materials with different

thermal mass in spatial planning and design to increase user’s comfort by

responding to the following research questions:

1. What are the types of materials used in S11 House?

2. What is the spatial planning and design applied in S11 House?

3. What are the factors considered in integrating materials of different thermal

mass to spatial planning and design of S11 House and how if affect the user’s

comfort?




2.0 Overview on S11 House

S11 House, a significant green building in Malaysia located at the older suburban

area in Petaling Jaya, owned and designed by the architect Dr. Tan Loke Mun. The

concept of this building came from the idea of having a large canopy on the outside

as envelope to the interior spaces while providing a different perspective and

experiences from the inside. Most of the original components and features from the

site itself were remained and regenerated into a whole new form. The vegetation on

site was sustained and made use to act as shading device to the house. Besides,

materials from the demolishment were also reused in the later construction of S11

House. The local architectural essences of this building was brought out and enhanced

with the generous use of the local materials like bricks and hard wood but in a

completely new and much more interesting way and arrangement. The spatial

planning and design had also adapted the traditional way of spaces arrangement

according to the specifications found in a local Malay house which strongly relevant to

the importance and hierarchy of spaces.

Unlike the usual direct application of material in designing and constructing a

space, S11 House has definitely stand out with its interesting new interpretation of the

ordinary materials into a traditional vernacular spatial design. The well proportion and

balance of the integration of materials by considering their properties come along well

with the traditional adaptation of the contextual climatic building design. All these

embellishment had brought S11 House in winning the Tropical Building Category of

the Asean Energy Awards in 2013 besides being the first building in Malaysia to be

rated as Green Building Index (GBI) Platinum (Inhabitat, 2013).




Figure 1 Exterior view of S11 House (H.Lin Ho, 2013)

Figure 1.1 Aerial view on the S11 House in context with its surrounding

(S11 House, 2015)




3.0 Types of Materials Used in S11 House

The very first component we are looking into in this case study paper would be

the most fundamental factor that affect the effectiveness of this integration which are

the types of materials used. Properties of materials vary from many ways and thermal

mass is how the materials react to heat absorption which is relevant to controlling the

heat gained into a building that actually affect the user’s comfort in the building.

Materials are also the basic components in the construction of a building, they will

definitely affect the performance and usage of a space.

The materials used in S11 House are more on the local materials which can be

easily gotten. They are the most basic materials that can be found in a building but

with a proper planning and spatial design, their performance could be much improved.

Next, the types of materials used are listed and categorized based on their thermal

mass. Thermal mass is known as the capacity of heat absorbed in a material, usually

a much higher heat is needed in order to increase the temperature of high thermal

mass materials like concrete and bricks, it would affect the time spend for a material

to be heated up or cooled down. A well planned and proper application of these

materials could have done a great work in providing cooling and reducing heat in a

space (Chris Reardon, 2013).

TYPES OF

MATERIALS USED

AERATED CONCRETE BLOCKS

OLD CLAY BRICKS

LOW – E LAMINATED GLASS

CHENGAL HARDWOOD




Figure 2 Diagram above shows the comparison

between heavy weight (bricks) and light weight

material (timber and aerated concrete blocks)

reacting to the heat transferred (Buildforliving, 2016).

Figure 3 Diagram shows the comparative results of

internal temperature with the application of material

of high and low thermal mass (Green Solar, 2016)

Dense and heavy weight Thin and light weight

High capacity of heat store Low capacity of heat store

Absorb and release heat slowly Absorb and release heat quickly

Need to be insulated Better performance if insulated

The resulted effect from the application of both materials in the building is to maintain

the indoor temperature within the interior spaces. Both materials could perform

effectively based on their physical properties if they are well designed and cooperated.

Old clay bricks Aerated concrete blocks

Glass Timber decking

HIGH THERMAL MASS LOW THERMAL MASS

HIGH THERMAL MASS LOW THERMAL MASS




Figure 4 The floor plan above shows the location of the

materials used integration with the spatial planning and

design.

In S11 House, the architect had cooperated the materials with both high and

low thermal mass into the exterior and also interior spaces by considering the location

and side surroundings of a particular space. Due to the hot and humid climate of

Malaysia, most of the high thermal mass materials like the traditional heavy weight

concrete are replaced with light weight aerated concrete blocks and they are used as

external façade or as building envelope (S11 House, 2015). More importantly, these

materials are either insulated or being shaded by natural vegetation or by the building

canopy. And these thermal materials react to the climate by resisting big amount of

heat gained into the building during the daytime, it prevent the building from being

overheated. Old clay bricks are also arranged in a manner which differed from the

original way of doing it to help in coping with the weather change in the country. High

thermal mass material like glass is avoided to be used on the sun glazing façade, they

are mainly on the north and south sides of the building without being exposed directly.

Figure 4.1 Aerated

concrete blocks are used

at the main east and

west facing façade and

to improve its

performance the external

concrete façades are

coated with heat

reflecting paint.

Figure 4.2 Old clay bricks as the feature wall at the

outdoor space arranged with hollow spaces in

between each brick to encourage more ventilation.




Figure 5 The floor plan above shows the location of the

materials used integration with the spatial planning and

design (Archdaily, 2013)

Besides, the low thermal materials are even more widely used in the interior

spaces. Timber is one of the main component used in S11 House, in hot and humid

climatic place like Malaysia, light-weight materials with low thermal mass would

actually help with its fast release of heat as it also respond instantly to cooling breezes.

It plays a big role in keeping the interior spaces cooled during the daytime. Timber

flooring can be seen applied in the public spaces like the decking and the family room.

Figure 5.2 Lightweight timber decking in

family room at first floor. It fast release of

heat property provide a cooling space for

people to gather around.

Figure 5.1 High thermal mass material like glass is

treated and laminated, low-E glass is been used

here to resist the heat transfer into the building. The

glass openings are mainly on the north south

façade without direct glaze of sunlight.




4.0 Spatial Planning and Design in S11 House

The spatial planning of S11 House has adapted the vernacular architecture

feature which it shows a strong resemblance to the spaces hierarchy in traditional

Malay house following the importance and functions of space. The space planning is

arranged accordingly to a hierarchy at which public spaces are located closer to the

outdoor garden and porch area, while the semi-public spaces are centered, private

spaces like the kitchen and bedroom are far at the back or side of the building. There

is a clear division of spaces with the intention of not having the private spaces

disturbed, and public space as a communication bridge within the user and the

family. There is also an extended deck at first floor known as the verandah that

function as social gathering area of the users with visitors.

All these adaptation and features are found similar to the space planning in a

Malay house as it’s always preferred to have a verandah that’s more known as “anjung”

for the family to gather around while enjoying the nature surrounding.

Figure 6 The floor plan above shows the spatial

planning and arrangement accordingly to the

hierarchy from public-semi public-private.

Figure 6.1 The figure above shows the basic

planning of space in the traditional Malay housing

as similar to S11 House (Shirley, 2012)




Next would be the spatial design identified in S11 House, some of the features

are similar to the traditional housing design like the body level large openings, opened

plan layout of the interior and interior spaces that stay connected to the exterior space

physically. Features like the double volume ceiling, raw finishes of materials are more

on being responsive to the modern architectural design which have also enhance the

sensual quality of spaces. They are well integrated with the choice of material made.

The intelligence of using different materials in rooms of different functions. For

example, the common area used mainly timber as it’s has a warmer tone and give a

natural touch and harmless feeling to the space. It’s an area where everyone gathers,

the light weight hard wood respond to temperate change pretty quickly too and with

this it keeps the users remain comfortable while being in that space. Semi-public

dining hall are made up from raw concrete and marble, they give a sense of serenity

and peace to the users. Private spaces like the bedroom has a cleaner finishes and

elegant look, they are spaces for the users to spend longer time in as the material

selection is extra important in order to provide a comfortable space for the users.

This method used can also be considered as a wayfinding hue, providing better

guidance and route to the users within the building by creating an intangible circulation

without overdoing it but showing the indication of each spaces.

Figure 7 The diagram above shows the illustration of body level large openings

that is found in a traditional Malay house.




Figure 8 Large windows

openings can be found in the

reading area in S11 House.

Figure 8.1 The double volume

ceiling can be seen in the family

room which enhance the vision

quality of the space.

Figure 8.2 A balance between the raw

and clean finishes of the materials

applied, provoking the sensuality of

the users.

Figure 6.1 The figure above shows the basic planning of

space in the traditional Malay housing as similar to S11

House (Shirley, 2012) (Archdaily, 2013)




Figure 8.3 Wooden decking family hall can be

seen extended to the exterior to create a

continuity of spaces within.

(Archdaily, 2013)

Figure 8.4 Raw finishes of material incorporating

with the opened plan layout to enhance the

neutrality of the space.




5.0 Factors Affecting the Integration of Materials into Spatial

Planning and Design

The effectiveness of integrating materials into spatial planning and design to

increase users comfort is very much influenced by these external factors. These

factors serve the purpose of upbringing the initial condition to a higher and better level

and with the help of these, the application of this integration will be more significant

and works more affectively to improve the user’s experience and comfort level.

5.1 Insulation

The main materials used in S11 House are mostly insulated and treated with heat

reflecting paint. In S11 House, the concrete blocks used are firstly insulated and then

coated with reflecting painting to lower down the heat absorbed. Both the east and

west facing façade are also painted with heat reflecting material.

Figure 9 The diagram above shows the results

of air temperature depending on the type of

material and also insulation done to it.

(Southwoodforest, 2010)

Figure 9.1 The picture above shows the external

wall of S11 House coated with camouflage motif

that act as heat reflecting coating.




5.2 Context (Surrounding)

Due to extensive use of curtain walls and glasses as building openings, natural

shading device is relatively important. Low – E treated laminated glass has been used

at different corners of the house and the similarity is the location and connection to

the external spaces. These curtain walls are usually surrounded by plenty of greens

and vegetation to act as a shading region for the interior spaces. Besides that, the

large canopy roof also helped to keep the spaces well covered and protected. All

these would prevent the direct penetration of sunlight into the interior of the building

that would later led to the rise of internal temperature. Instead, it has improved the

user’s experiences by having the view of the exterior without being directly exposed.

Figure 10 The diagram shows the

performance of different type of

materials in relevant to the transmission

of UV ray and heat (Reefcentral, 2010)

The glasses used in S11 House is

9.38mm thick laminated low-e glass with

a 90% openable area that allows natural

ventilation.

Figure 10.1 The picture taken at one

of the corner in S11 House which

shows the large glasses openings in

the house shaded and surrounded by

the existing natural greens at the site

(Archdaily, 2013).




5.3 Material application method

The method of applying materials in designing a space also enhance the overall

performance of it. One of the specialty about it in S11 House is the arrangement used

in laying the bricks work. The bricks are arranged in a manner with hollow spaces in

between one another, these hollow spaces act as vent and openings for ventilation. It

allows the breeze to pass through every corner in the building. Besides functioning as

a ventilation dent, the bricks wall is integrated into the spatial design where it enriched

the users experiences through the light fenestration through these holes, it could

trigger the vision and sensory of the users while also increasing the comfort level by

increasing the poetic quality of the space. The breeze through the tiny holes keeps the

building well ventilated and keep the room temperature in controlled.

Figure 11 The bricks wall in S11 House is

designed in a specific manner to improve the

performance on encourage wind flow into the

building to provide comfort to the users.

(Archdaily, 2013)

Figure 11.1 This photo shows the case

study example in Vietnam which has

also applied a similar way of bricks

arrangement and construction.




Based on the case study on the Termitary House in Vietnam, the building is seemed

to be applying the similar way of bricks arrangement as S11 House. And the reasons

and intention behind this idea was to allow the cold breeze to go through every

single corners of the house as Vietnam is known to have a similar climate to

Malaysia which is hot and humid. Ventilation plays a big role in maintaining the

comfort level of the users in the house as it helps to control the humidity level and

also bringing fresh air into the space. Moreover, the play of lights through these tiny

hollow spaces has successfully brought out the poetic senses of the rooms where

the users got to enjoy different views during daytime and also night time.

Figure 12 The photos above shows the variation of light and shadow to the interior spaces

through the hollow space in between the brickwork. It doesn’t only act as ventilation vent

but also a feature walls that make the interior spaces more lively and interesting. (Vietnam

Green Building Data Base, 2015)




6.0 Conclusion

In conclusion, the overall user’s comfort could actually be increased and

improved to a better stage upon achieving all these mentioned.

Reduction in heat gained

This is done by the proper selection of materials in conjunction with the building

spatial planning and design. The main east and west facing façade which concrete

and bricks were in used to serve the purpose of resisting heat gained into the

building, instead of the traditional way of application light weight aerated concrete

blocks are used and bricks wall are also arranged in special manner to lower the

absorption of heat into the building (Green Solar, 2010). And to enhance the

results, they are all well insulated and shaded by the large canopy roof and the

surrounded by the vegetation on site. Large openings are designed on the north

and south façade instead.

Figure 13 The picture shows part of the spaces covered by the large

canopy roof and surrounded by the greenery on site. (Inhabitat, 2015)




Figure 14 Diagram above shows the wind flow direction

across the building through the large openings at the

center of S11 House. (Archdaily, 2013)

Figure 14.1 The picture above taken at the living room that

shows the low-E glass openings on the south-east facade

and opened plan layout in S11 House that encourage wind

flow across it.

Encouraged ventilation

This is proven by the planning and spaces arrangement in S11 House at which the

middle of the building is exposed to large openings, curtain glass walls on the north

and south façade that allow wind fenestration across the building envelope when

opened. Moreover, this part of the building covers the common area like the living

room and gathering spaces. It has provided a ventilated space that allows the

family or guest of the owner to gather around. Besides that, the bricks walls at the

exterior verandah are designed and arranged in a unique way with hollow spaces

in between to allow more wind flow through these holes and increase the quality of

space in no time.




Provided privacy

The unique yet functional spatial design of the bricks arrangement as the external

walls at the outdoor or the verandah provide a semi-opened space for the users. The

spaces are not completely covered, the hollow spaces in between allow the users to

enjoy the nature surroundings around the building yet at the same time provide them

with a sense of privacy through the semi-enclosed space.

Improved poetic quality of space

The delicate details thought by the architect in designing each and every single spaces

in the building creates a whole new level interpretation of the ordinary materials. It

doesn’t only enhance the building performance physically by providing a comfortable

and pleasing space to live it, it has also enriched the users experiences in the sense

of its poetic quality created with the well play of material texture and contrast in giving

in different thoughts and feeling to the users in the space.

Figure 15 The gap in between each brickwork allows the users to view in and

out from the building without being too exposed to the outdoor besides

encouraging natural ventilation (Archdaily, 2013)




At the end of this research, it has been proven that quality of a space respond closely

to the applications of materials and also spatial design and planning, With the right

selection of material and spatial design that adapt to the context and local climatic

issues, comfort level at a space can be easily achieved without extensive use of other

subsidiary supporting materials and the issues like hot climate and lack of choices of

materials would also be resolved. This would definitely help to improve the future

development of quality sustainable contextual building design in the country that allow

everyone to have a comfortable living spaces.

Figure 16 The play of materials thermal property, texture and tone integrating to the spatial design has

created a variety of experiences within S11 House, providing a comfortable and lively living spaces to

the users in it (Archdaily, 2013).




6.0 References

ArchiCentre, S. (2016). S11 House by ArchiCentre. Mainfact.biz. Retrieved 21 May

2016, from http://mainfact.biz/2016/02/29/s11-house-by-archicentre/

This website talked about the materials used in S11 House and the way it

helped to maintain the least usage of energy with the design innovations.

Good design key for tropical buildings. (2011). Eco-Business. Retrieved 21 May

2016, from http://www.eco-business.com/news/good-design-key-for-tropical-

buildings/

This website included an interview done with the architect of S11 House, Dr.

Tan Loke Mun where he talked about his ideas of developing more green

building in the country and the method and theory used behind this.

S11. (2016). International. Retrieved 21 May 2016, from

http://wp.architecture.com.au/international/archicentre-sdn-bhd-

s11/2013199840_7_archicentre_s11_linho/

This website talked about the specific paint and materials applied, and also

their properties and how it would affect the interior temperature of the

building.

S11 House - Malaysia’s first GBI Platinum (CVA) rated house. (2016).

S11house.com. Retrieved 28 June 2016, from

http://www.s11house.com/#introduction

This website introduced about the concept and ideas that drove the

construction of S11 House, the green design features used and also the

improvisation of old materials.

http://mainfact.biz/2016/02/29/s11-house-by-archicentre/

http://www.eco-business.com/news/good-design-key-for-tropical-buildings/



http://wp.architecture.com.au/international/archicentre-sdn-bhd-s11/2013199840_7_archicentre_s11_linho/



http://www.s11house.com/#introduction




Lim, J. (1981). A comparison of the traditional Malay house and the modern housing-

estate house. Tokyo: United Nations University.

This book gave a clearer view on the traditional Malay house, comparing it to

the modern housing now to give a better understanding on the adaptation of

contextual architecture features to the new modern building.

Hoang, V. (2015). Interesting brickwork of the Termitary House - E4G.org. E4G.org.

Retrieved 28 June 2016, from http://en.e4g.org/interesting-brickwork-termitary-

house/

This was the case study carried out on the brickwork arrangement that is

found similar to the one in S11 House, it acted as a reference in relevant to the

user’s experiences and comfort level in that space.

Weston, R. (2003). Materials, form and architecture. London: Laurence King.

This book introduced and illustrated the use of different materials in

contemporary design considering the quality and properties of a material by

addressing the issues critically through historical, cultural and technical

aspects.

http://en.e4g.org/interesting-brickwork-termitary-house/

http://en.e4g.org/interesting-brickwork-termitary-house/

aa case study paper - s11 house

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