Case Studies for Office Buildings

Pusat Tenaga Malaysia Zero Energy Office Building

×Location: Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor in Malaysia

×Gross Floor Area: 4,000 m²

×Project status: March 2006 – October 2007

×Architect/s: Dato Ruslan Khalid Architects

The Pusat Tenaga Malaysia Zero Energy Office Building (ZEO Building) was built a prototype of an achievable example of a carbon neutral, zero net energy commercial-scale office building.

ZNE and carbon neutral status is achieved through the incorporation of many energy efficiency and renewable energy producing technologies and strategies.

Features×Double-pane windows reduce heat gain but

provide natural light. ×Day lighting with integrated blinds and light

shelves.×High efficiency pumps and fans.×Desiccant heat wheel dehumidification.×Concrete slab thermal cooling and storage.×Wet/ trickling water night cooling roof.×Thermal Wall

Natural Ventilation

The building incorporates features utilizing passive techniques as well as orientation and vegetation, balanced with active features seen in efficient lighting systems, floor slab cooling, double-glazed windows as well as a thermal wall at its east- and west-facing façades.

The implementation of high performance glazing and sealed double-glazing also complements the call for energy efficiency. This is reflected in its ability to harness high visible light at low infra-red (IR) and ultra-violet (UV) transmittance.

UNEP and UN-HABITAT Office

×Location: Nairobi, Kenya in Africa

×Gross Floor Area: 16,000 m²

×Project status: May 2009 – 2010

×Architect/s: David Beglin and Si Simon Woods

Nairobi enjoys one of the kindest climates in the world. Daytime temperatures are typically in the mid-20s Celsius, while evenings are sometimes cool enough to warrant a log fire. Two rainy seasons – typically from late March until early May, and mid-November until mid-December and the ‘winter’ months of July and August bring cloud and cooler days, but the city and its surroundings offer a comfortable and pleasant climate all year round.

Climate

Features

×All cooling will be taken care of by natural ventilation. Green zones and wells of natural light have been designed in to the interior space, with the atrium's translucent vaulted roof allowing daylight to illuminate the central area. 

×The gently rolling land around the building is newly planted with more indigenous trees, which will grow to create valuable shade and encourage biodiversity while helping absorb CO2 from the atmosphere. Indigenous plants are also more drought-resistant and encourage birds and other smaller wildlife.

× In addition, the building is designed to use natural flow of air as a substitute to air conditioning.

×The building is passively and naturally ventilated through cross ventilation because all office windows can be opened and closed and by the chimney effect of warm air rising through the landscaped atrium, which in turn draws through cooler external air from offices.

×90% of all offices have been converted to a predominantly open plan environment, which has maximized office usage and improved the use of natural light and ventilation throughout the office floors. 

×Four buildings, linked by airy walkways, flooded with natural light, and with green areas individually landscaped and themed.

× Inventive design that maximizes cooling natural airflow through the building, all contribute further to sustainability.

×Chimney design ensures good airflow and comfortable internal temperatures.

×The building’s open office layouts not only encourage a cooperative working atmosphere, but also greatly assist in airflow and temperature regulation.

×Where local materials were not a viable option, the highest quality materials were imported from elsewhere. These include the frameless curved glass and spider fittings on the stunning, full height, east and west entrances.

× The windows are fitted with solar glass to prevent heat penetration from sunlight and insulates the building – helping to keep it cool in hot weather and warm in cold weather.

Materials

TERI Office Building

×Location: Domlur, Bangalore in India

×Project status: Ongoing

×Architect/s: Sanjay Mohe and V Tushar

×Comfort requirements are met through dexterous use of the five basic natural elements – sun, air, earth, water and sky to ensure natural lighting, ventilation and space conditioning.

×The building opens to the north to take maximum advantage of glare-free light. Continuations of skylight spaces carry natural light into the building.

Features

×Adequate natural lighting and ventilation is provided through an optimized combination of solar passive design, energy-efficient equipment, renewable sources of energy and materials with low embodied energy.

×A cavity wall on the southern side insulates the building from solar heat gain.

×Gardens along with earth berms provide good heat insulation and moderates fluctuations in temperature.

×Openings have been designed such that requirement of artificial lighting is minimal throughout the day when the building is under maximum usage.

×By creating atrium spaces with skylights, the section of the building is such that natural light enters into the interiors of the building, considerably reducing the dependence on artificial lighting.

Day Lighting

×Atrium space with skylight

×Strategic window placement for daylight optimization

×A blank wall towards the south (facing the drain) allows the breeze to flow over the building. This creates a negative pressure which pulls fresh air from the north into the building.

×The sections are designed such that hot air rises to the top and make the building breathe.

×Air in the cavity in the south wall on the south creates negative pressure, thereby enhancing the convection currents in the building.

Natural Ventilation

Roof Garden

Submitted By:Campollo, Larimae J.

Nicolas, Iana Clarice C.Ar1121 / Tropical Architecture

Submitted To:Arch. A. Verdote