CASE STUDY:
Shading and Lighting
This is a group work in which we are required to form a group of 4 and to choose a space to research the passive design strategies as a case study. We are to analyze the shading and lighting of spaces in the chosen building and use apps to do the measuring in the space and record the data in tables to highlight the importance to the studies. Additionally, to analyse the thermal comfort of a person in space by referring to the MS1525, UBBL and GBI and suggesting passive solutions for shading and lighting.
Lighting
After choosing the space, we were to conduct a series of procedures to improve the lighting in the space. We had to measure the lux level in the space and produce the heat contour plan together with the sun path diagram for analysis. Also, we need to study the materials that appear in the room which might affect the lux level. Moreover, daylight factor needs to be calculated and conduct research on PSALI and according to MS1525 to propose suitable passive solutions for the room, resulting in thermal comfort.
Shading
For shading, we had to measure the temperature, wind speed, and humidity of indoor and outdoor in order to make a comparison with the online charts and to analyze the data findings. By looking at the sun chart and sun path diagram, we studied the sun movement to extract out the weaknesses to propose passive solutions. U-value calculations are done by referring to the MS1525 to suggest that passive ventilation and heat insulation achieve the thermal comfort level in the space.
REFLECTION
This module has taught me about the relationship between humans, buildings, and the environment and how each of them affects one another positively and negatively. Through examining the environmental factors, to achieve the comfort zone in a building, passive and active design strategies are important. By understanding the sun movement, wind direction, and the psychrometric chart of the region, it is useful to help me to propose suitable passive building design strategies in order to achieve the comfort level in the tropical climate.