ALFA INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE

SUBJECT : BUILDING SCIENCE

ASSIGNMENT 1 BUILDING ECOLOGY

Full Name Student ID Class Lecturer Name

: Quah Qiu Yu : ALFA2013-0065 : AR13B : Mr Wan Mohd Fakhzan Wan Zakaria

Submission Date : 10th February 2014

CONTENTS 1.0 Introduction

1.1 Definition of Ecology 1.2 Definition of Building Ecology 1.3 Ecological Components

3 3 4 6 12 12 19 37 38

2.0 Case Study

2.1 Existing Ecological Building 2.2 Existing Building

3.0 Conclusion 4.0 References

1.0

INTRODUCTION

1.1

Definition of Ecology Ecology is the study of interactions among organisms and their environment, such as the interactions organisms have with each other and with their abiotic environment.

1.1.1 Biotic Component (Living Environment) The biotic or living elements are all of the local species and local ecosystems - including humans and urban ecologies - that interact with the site. Biotic factors include human influence. 1.1.2 Abiotic Component (Non-living Environment) Non-living chemical and physical factors in the environment, which affect ecosystems and the organisms in it, such as temperature, light, moisture, air currents, etc.

Figure 1: Ecology
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1.2

Definition of Building Ecology A way of conceiving of buildings so as to concentrate on the relationships and connections between buildings, occupants, and the larger environment, emphasizing indoor environmental quality and sustainability.

1.2.1 Building Ecology Components The ecological building as a system approach requires designers to explicitly and consciously consider the interactions between the primary components comprising the system: Building enclosure (design, materials, spaces, construction) Occupants (anthropometric, size, comfort) Environment (orientation, details, shading devices, opening, foundation, roof)

1.3

Ecological Components

1. Building Enclosure The major considerations were identified as: i. ii. iii. iv. Design principles Materials used Spaces utilized Construction methods

Table 1: Enclosure Design

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Figure 3: Design principles of passive house Compact building design, favourable orientation Thermally insulated and airtight envelope Energy-efficient windows with outside shading Ventilation system with heat recovery Natural night ventilation

2. Occupants The design of the building enclosure must account the size and anthropometric measure in order to provide visual comfort to the occupants. Buildings are often classified according to the primary drivers for space conditioning loads. This translates into two major profiles of buildings: skin-load dominated; and internal load dominated. i. Skin-Load Dominated Buildings Has the largest proportion of space Relatively low occupant density Passive solar heating strategies in cold climates and solar shading and natural ventilation strategies in hot climates. Include houses, apartment buildings, small commercial and institutional buildings.

Figure 4: Skin-load dominated buildings system.

ii.

Internal-Load Dominated Buildings High occupant densities High demands on ventilation and cooling that are further driven by solar gains Office towers and large retail facilities like shopping

Figure 5: Internal-load dominated buildings system.

3. Environment

Figure 6: Types of environment.

The environment has been defined in many different ways, including climate zones, urban or rural locations, or, above all, specific natural resources (air, water, forests and soils, mainly).

Physical/Natural The environment is seen as a landscape whose features (the climate, the soil, the geology, etc) have not been changed by the human impact.

The local geology is defined by the soil type, substrata, local land use, and water patterns of the site and its surroundings. The local climate is made up of the weather patterns, wind patterns, solar patterns, and pollution patterns for the site and its surroundings.

 Geographical It takes into account the man-made changes, usually distinguishing between the inhabited and the uninhabited landscape, the urban and the rural one, etc. Nowadays, one of the most prominent investigations lines, as it can be seen further, is the relative importance quantification of the human and the natural factors in the environmental change. Ecological The environment is seen as the external or environmental conditions where animals and plants live.

Figure 7: Environmental conditions.

Environmental conditions, both internal and external, establish the physical phenomena that impact the performance of the building enclosure. In order to be durable and provide adequate moderation of the environment, the building enclosure must be designed to provide a threshold of control over, or resistance to, these phenomena.

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Figure 2: Building Ecosystem. Harmonization of these components is the key to well-performing ecological buildings.

Diagram 1: Relationship between building, occupants and environment.

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2.0 CASE STUDY

2.1 Case Study of Existing Ecological Building The Skyline Residence by Belzberg Architects

Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA Project Type: Residential Surface area: 5,800 sq ft Construction: 2007
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The Skyline Residence is located in the Hollywood Hills. It is open to the northwest where it overlooks downtown Los Angeles, Laurel Canyon and the San Fernando Valley. The main residence and guesthouse are situated on a narrow linear plot that abuts a steep hillside on two sides. The premise of the design was protection from the harsh direct sunlight and the layout of spaces to make full use of views. In fact, the positioning of walls revolves around this. Each room has magnificent views of the surroundings through large floor-to-ceiling glass walls. The difficulty of the terrain and the dense granite below the surface permitted only minimum excavation for the foundations, which was also among the priorities of the project. The removed granite was decomposed and reused to level drain pipes under the concrete slab. It was also used as a drainage field under the infinity pool and on the viewing deck over the garage.

Space planning

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The Skyline Residence is barely visible from afar. Its placement in the middle of a natural setting is very subtle. The main house and the guestroom share the same social space but are two physically differentiated volumes. The choice of locally sourced material was a priority to avoid the environmentally impact of transport. The choice of vegetaion was for low water use (xerogardening).

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The orientation of the building allows each room to have a full glass wall. The opposite side faces southwest and has spaces protected from solar radiation by overlapping slats. Large eaves extend over the sides of the main house and cast shade over the glazed surfaces.

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Because the living area is laid out numerous openings, it takes on the characteristics of an exterior space, not only physically but visually. The sparing use of furniture adds to the effect.

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Thermal buffer placed between the inner skin of the bedrooms and the exterior create a ventilated area that is protected from the sun.

Natural ventilation
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The wind coming from the valleys enters the house from both sides and produces a sensation of being outdoors. This is accentuated by the placement of large glass doors in the living area. The pool is visually connected to the living areas through large floor-to-ceiling windows. Magnificent views over Los Angeles can be appreciated from the inside. Good use is made of prevailing winds in the area to ensure adequate circulation in all rooms, avoiding the need for air conditioning and reducing total energy use in the house.

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2.2 Case Study of Existing Building Sri Wangsa 2 Apartment

Location: Jelutong, Penang, Malaysia Project Type: Residential (Apartment) Surface area: 660 sq ft Sri Wangsa is set along the busy Jalan Penawar 1 in Penang. It is part of a twoblock medium-cost apartment development built on freehold land. This apartment is 17 storeys high and consists of 3-bedroom units measuring about 600 sq ft each. Facilities include covered parking and 24-hour security. Sri Wangsa is easily accessible via the Jelutong highway, Jalan Perak and Jalan Free School.

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1. Building Enclosure Building Orientation Function: Sri Wangsa 2 along off Perak lane is orientated with its building faade facing towards 76 Jalan Penawar Satu instead of the main road, Perak lane. Thus, traffic along the roads via the Jelutong highway, Jalan Perak and Jalan Free School has the back view of the building. There is a left turn along the Perak lane into 76 Jalan Penawar Satu to access to the guardhouse of the apartment (main entry). Usage: This orientation can prohibit difficulties for the residents to access the building. This is because the Perak lane gets heavy congestion during peak hours but with this strategic orientation, Sri Wangsas residents will be able to make in-andout way from the apartment as 76 Jalan Penawar Satu only consists traffic from the occupants of the residential area.

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Building Design & Construction Function: Sri Wangsa is designated a 17-storeys medium-low cost apartment. There are house units each storey. The occupants can access to their homes either by three lifts or staircases facilitated. The building has a simple and clean faade in pale yellow and light orange colours. There is also a skylight at the center of the apartment building and hence, the building is not fully roofed. A covered multi-storey parking lot is also built and linked to the apartment building to facilitate the occupants of the apartment. Usage: Although Sri Wangsa Apartment does not have attractive faade design but this apartment is functionally and sustainably designed. The design of the building facilitated with parking lots, lifts and staircases ease and maximize the accessibility of the occupants in the building. The presence of skylight at the center of the building also enables sufficient daylight and good ventilation into the building and the surrounding.

Sri Wangsa Apartment faade

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Skylight at the center of the apartment building

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Covered multi-storey parking lot

Staircases & lifts

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Building Spaces Function: Each apartment unit is measured 660 sq ft in size with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Below is the space planning of the house unit:

Master Bedroom

Living Room

Bedroom

Dining Room

Bedroom

room

room

Bath

Bath

Usage: The arrangement of spaces in 660 sq ft is well-planned as the living and dining room are the first approach when enter the house. The kitchen and bathrooms which are often being utilized are arranged close to the entrance which can easily access and these spaces needed more ventilation so, it is better to be arranged facing outwards of the house to receive natural ventilation through the windows. Whereas, the bedrooms are located away from the bathrooms and kitchen. Conclusion, there is a good circulation in the spaces planning of the apartment unit.

hen

Kitc

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View of apartment units

View of living room from the entrance

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View of living and dining room from kitchen

View of two bedrooms and living room from dining room

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View of dining room and kitchen from living room

View of bathrooms

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2. Occupants

Furniture arrangement in living room. The living area space fits a three-seating sofa and a television cabinet.

A dining table for four in dining area.

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Comfortable anthropometric size of bathrooms and kitchen.

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Furniture arrangement in bedroom A queen-sized bed and a wardrobe can be placed in the bedroom. Problem: There is limited space for other activities in the room. Solution: The bed size can be reduced to have more spaces for free activities and ease the movements in the room.

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The furniture arrangement (queen-sized bed, study desk, wardrobe) in master bedroom.
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3. Environment Lighting and Ventilation of Sri Wangsa 2 apartment house unit:

The living room, kitchen, bathrooms and each bedroom have windows to receive daylight for natural lighting. Therefore, during the daytime, the energy consumption can reduce to minimum. The windows also provide natural ventilation and cooling to the house.

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Surrounding of Sri Wangsa 2 apartment:

Jalan Perak (main road to access to Sri Wangsa apartment)

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Jalan Penawar Satu (road faced by the Sri Wangsa 2 faade)

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Chinese temple located at Jalan Penawar Satu

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Turn in to Jalan Penawar Satu via Jalan Perak

Walking distance caf from Sri Wangsa apartment

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3.0 CONCLUSION
To conclude, I have gained wider knowledge about the building ecology components and its relationships after accomplishing this assignment. I learnt that the three components which are building enclosure, occupants and environment rely and influence one another. These components must take in account to achieve an ecological building. Ecological building is a positive design goal that sets out to increase beneficial interactions. With Ecological Building, the designer acknowledges that humans can play an integral, beneficial role in improving and sustaining the health and vitality of their local ecology. Based on my case studied and comparison between the Skyline Residence and Sri Wangsa 2, the Skyline Residence designed by the Belzberg Architects, this contemporary ecological building is undoubtedly impressive from both the exterior and interior. The Skyline Residence is an environmentally sensitive building and it was built within a limited budget, even though it doesnt seem to. During the construction, the architects incorporated sustainable building product systems. In short, it has a passive solar energy, cross ventilation, faucets with water-saving systems, material sourced from the site and terraced terrain. However, on the other hand, Sri Wangsa 2 does not reflect much ecological components in the building. Despite that, it is still a sustainability and durability building providing functions and comfort to the occupants. This building can yet to be developed into an ecological building in the future. With that, I would like to express my gratitude to ALFA College and lecturer, Mr. Wan for giving me the opportunity to do this assignment. Thank you.

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4.0 REFERENCES
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecological_Building http://www.wbdg.org/resources/buildingscienceconcepts.php http://www.contemporist.com/2009/03/21/the-skyline-residence-by-belzbergarchitects/ http://pdf.archiexpo.com/pdf/isover-saint-gobain/multi-comfort-house-hotclimate/51881-34514-_28.html New Green Homes by Collins Design

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