The University of Sheffield

School of Architecture

ARC 6989: Reflections on Architectural Design Process (MAAD)

Name: Xianfeng Wu

Registration No: 120185403

Bioclimatology - other way of doing High-rise building

Abstracts

As the construction climax of high-rise building emerges all over the world, architects increasingly focus on how to weaken inevitable and irresistible issues. Therefore, many design methods and research strategies are proposed to minimize or even conquer these obstacles.

The essay first introduces the background and trend about developing history of skyscrapers and also discusses pros and cons on skyscrapers. Then, the definition of Bioclimatic Skyscrapers is presented. After that, analysis on how to develop this method to guide skyscrapers is introduced. Besides, one case study, Menara Mesiniaga, designed by architect Ken Yeang, in Subang Jaya , , is introduced. In this case study, I introduce how to reflect design process in three ways – site, response and make. Finally, the limitation of bioclimatic design is argued and the theory response to the design process is concluded. The paper aims to demonstrate how bioclimatology reflects design process. The strategy of skyscrapers design responses to cultural, professional and economic context.

Background

As an architectural student, with a background of design practice through academic courses and researches, I am gradually interested in high-rise building and focusing on the ways of designing high-rise building. Each coin has its two sides. High-rise building is no exception. The advantages of high-rise building are obvious while the disadvantages are tough to be settled down. Many constructed or constructing high-rise buildings are still in the state of environment-unfriendly, low standard and efficiency, high consumption and pollution, and featureless (Feng & Wu, 2011). Architects concentrate on how to weaken inevitable and irresistible issues. Therefore, many design methods and research strategies are proposed to minimize or even conquer these obstacles.

Floorplan and spatial configuration are main traditional strategies. Architects organize and make different spaces to meet the requirement of variety functions. For example, in order to rationally use the natural resources, the direction toward of tall building is considered by designers. Researches have been done to demonstrate that the same building which towards to east or west will have more energy load than to north and south. The cores of tall building should be arranged at the east-west direction to keep the main body from direct sunlight, thus saving air conditioning energy consumption and minimize the heat loss (Feng &Wu, 2011). Other strategies, like the forming of high-rise building, adding local culture and styles etc., are also excellent to tackle drawbacks of tall building. Besides, with the deterioration of the environment, people have increasingly realized the importance of ‘Green’ concept, which can helps to improve and protect the environment (Stuart, 1993). The need to conserve energy and design for a sustainable future is becoming imperative for all designers (Yeang, 1996).

Before Ken Yeang`s research, many architects also think about how to make the high-rise building sustainable and harmony with environment. For architects, the greater challenge comes from the use of form and space to achieve ‘green’ building, this approach is more low-cost, more sustainable results, more readable, fuller of architectural features. Architectural form has a close relationship with shaping space through the ‘building’ space to ‘building’ people's behavior, so the initial impact of the creative design, to building ‘green’ at the starting line (Gissen, 2002). However Ken Yeang has pioneered the passive low-energy design of tall buildings, which he calls the ‘bioclimatic skyscraper’. Ken Yeang is an expert in new building technology and the modern world. However, he is interested in low-tech building and believes the simplest and efficiency solutions can be found by using natural resources. In his architectural practice, tall building could be reconsidered as ‘an environmentally sensitive mechanism’. The core conception is high rise building models in tropical climates. Traditional modern tall building is air-conditional and artificial building interior environment. Conversely, Ken Yeang presents his skyscrapers that consist of natural light and ventilation in interior environment and are decorated by variety vegetation. The sense of nature in urban life is addressed but not added within the building. The buildings he created are response to surrounding environment.

In my essay, the definition of Bioclimatic Skyscrapers is presented. After that, analysis on how to develop this method to guide skyscrapers is introduced. Then, one case study, Menara Mesiniaga, designed by architect Ken Yeang, in Subang Jaya Selangor, Malaysia, is introduced. Through case study designed by Ken Yeang, this essay mainly discuss about how tall building with bioclimatic technology reflects its site, make and even cultural section. Finally, the bioclimatic method of doing skyscrapers is reflected to my studio design. Definition Typically, the definition of Bioclimatic skyscrapers is that ‘one which uses passive low energy techniques to produce buildings which are environmentally interactive, efficient and increase occupant comfort’ (Yeang, 1996). Three basic elements are related: buildings (i.e. architecture), environment (i.e. climate) and comfort. The relationships between these three elements are, according to Dean Hawkes, described by Vitruvius's tri-partite model. Vitruvius in his ‘Ten Books on Architecture' describes the fundamental relationships between climate, comfort and architecture in his model of environment. This is illustrated in Figure 1. (Davies, 1999) This model defines the building primarily linked climate and the comfort and ignore the influence of technology. Technology improved the building to a new direction since the Indudtrial Revolution. Mr. Olgyay (1963) developed the Vitruvian`s model and believed that a method of controlling environment could be found through working with climate. This is shown in Figure 2.

Figure 1 Figure 2 We can define the bioclimatic skyscraper as a tall building whose built form is configured by design... to relate to the site`s climate and meteorological data... (Yeang, K., 1996)

In his opinion, the key character of the bioclimatic design that using passive ways to shape the building configuration and choose building materials is encouraged. After reviewing a few of the buildings, you will find that climate is the most important factor considered by Ken Yeang. He concentrates on how to make a comfortable interior and exterior of the tall building based on tropical climate. Therefore, it is really important to understand what the climate is like in Malaysia where most of his architecture practices have been built.

The climates in three cities in Malaysia with two cities in Europe are compared to distinguish different zones of climate. This data clearly demonstrates the difference between a tropical climate, e.g. Malaysian, and a temperate climate, e.g. European. Malaysia has typically tropical characters: high temperatures and wet months throughout the year. The temperatures change little all the day and night. Wind speed is the most important influence in Malaysia in mitigating the oppressive sultry heat (Pearce & Smith, 1990). Conversely, the weather changes frequently from day to day in Germany and the United Kingdom.

The adopting and implementation of these ‘Green’ concepts including green space, green building and green behavior delivers the intention of using environmentally friendly architecture design to bring people a better life (James, 2000). Indeed, the green design provides us a natural-feeling environment. How to apply the bioclimatic strategies to influences the design process?

Case study

1. Introduction

Menara Mesiniaga, designed by architect Ken Yeang, in Subang Jaya Selangor, Malaysia. This is a headquarters building for an electronics and business machine company (IBM`s Malaysia agency). This building is considered as a masterwork to arrange the relationship between building and its surrounding climate. Both external and internal design features use a bioclimatic approach to produce an operationally low-energy building that makes the most of the pleasant ambient tropical climate. Though Ken Yeang is a specialist in Sustainable technology, Menara Mesiniaga is also designed to assembling variety of passive ways to make the building sustainable.

2. Site

How is site understood?

Menara Mesiniaga is designed as a high rise building. The surrounding environment is a mixture of unplanned and beautifully lush places. Residential complexes, living houses, office buildings and beautiful natural views could be seen from the tall building. The largest shopping center is located within walking distance of the skyscraper and the medical center can also be seen. In summary, the surrounding buildings are all in low levels-1 to 2. Low density buildings and beautiful natural views could all be seen from high rise building. The natural landscape is really beautiful. A substantial amount of growth within the area is very eye catching. With the help of federal highway, the transportation flow is acceptable.

High rise building might be the idea of clients. However, when realizing such a beautiful view surrounds the site, even not the purpose of clients, architects would suggest clients to build a higher building. How height the high rise building is? The question also gets connection with site. IBM Company is a leading enterprise in the computer world. Tall building not only provides a beautiful view, but also stands as a landmark.

How is local architecture style?

The style of new building is always designed to have relationships with local architecture. Architects, who designing a consistent or contrasting building style, should investigate local building style first. In this case, local architectural character combines vernacular style with modern and contemporary style. As a British colonial, style of the United Kingdom is obvious. Chinese style affects local culture, especially the shop house. Typical style of the Mesiniaga buildings is the ‘shop house’, which is the most consistent one. The initial Chinese merchant`s house is the prototype. Subsequent types are evolved from it. The ‘shop house’ types are considered as three forms: functionalism (no decoration), ‘Neo-classical’ and ‘Art Deco’. The shop house provides space to do domestic and economic activity in one building. The commercial activities are arranged downstairs and living space for the families upstairs. The upper storey projects over the street provide pedestrians for a shelter. (Lumpur, 1992) After the Second World War, European influence was followed. Typical feature was tall buildings with high plot ratios to hold more people. Recently, high-tech building is very popular in Malaysia. Under this background, Ken Yeang presents a tall building with green-tech façade (Figure 3), which followed the trend of modern building development.

Figure 3 Figure 4

How does the climate response?

Climatic issue is a huge topic all over the world. Mr. Yeang devotes himself into doing research on this topic. The climate of Malaysia is very hot and humid with little temperature fluctuation. The East coast drops more rain than the west coast, which lead to expansion of urban and agricultural land on the west coast. Weather guides the density of people in different area. Consequently, most of the people gather together in this area. Because of the climate, people gathered at here. Because of huge population, tall building is designed to hold them. In other words, tall building is a strategy to solve this social problem. Which kind of tall building is more suitable for this area? What are the differences of tall building in different climate area? Figure 4 demonstrates the results researched by Ken Yeang. He divides the whole earth into several sections based on climate character and find that green plants in tropical area could always live because of little temperature fluctuation. Besides, hot temperature normally mainly is taken away by the wind. Tall building can be designed to help ventilation by chimney effect. Meanwhile, the green plants are arranged on the façade of the tower, which provides building more shadows. When the building is designed like nature environment, the wind could take away heat by blowing through the interstice.

How is Site Represented?

Previous site investigation is really important in this case study. Mr. Yeang was born in Malaysia. He knows a lot about the local climate. The comparison of different climate in different area is discussed as Figure 2 shows. The investigation of site provides more details about the local architecture style and local culture. Then he drew analysis graphs (Figure 5) to help him design the building. In terms of site, Menara Mesiniaga completely integrates building into the city with harmony.

Figure 5

3. Make

In this section, I will introduce more details how this case study makes to reflect the design process. a. Planting

Integrating green plantings into facade is common in green design. However, the most interesting design character in this case study is that the plants start from ‘a three-stoery-high planted mound’ and spiraling up the face of the building (Figure 6). Triple-height recessed terraces towards the upper part of the building are also planted (Lumpur, 1992). All the plants provide an oxygen-rich atmosphere for the interior space. These atriums (Figure 7) provide shadows to cool down the air which go through the transitional space.

Figure 6 Figure 7 b. Assembling Many parts of the building components are made to response designer`s idea. Curtan wall is used less. Instead, aluminium fins and louvres are used to build the hot east and west faces, which can provide more shades and decrease the temperature in the result of the solar radiation. Curtain walls are all glazed to allow indirect sunlight comes into the room when required. Public spaces like Lift lobbies, stairwells and toilets are designed to natural ventilation and sunlight. Some solutions are adopted to prevent heat into the top of building in Tropical roof-top sun terrace. In this study, Ken Yeang elaborately designs the roof-top sun terrace, which covered with a sun roof of trussed steel and aluminium. This shades and filters light on to the swimming pool and the curved gymnasium roof (it also provides space for the possible future fixing of solar cells). (Lumpur, 1992) The core tube, along with enclosed rooms surrounding around, are all arranged into the centre of the building. Conversely, the outer space could be supplied by well natural lighting. All the building has no dark corners because of the circle plain (Figure 8). c. Response

Apparently, the case study shows the ambitions of the designer to put his theory into practice. In other way, the clients support this opportunity to him to fulfill his scheme. Almost all the green technologies those days are integrated into this building. Besides, a range of automated systems are arranged into the building to reduce energy consumption by equipment and the air-conditioning plant. Nowadays, it is still hard to say how much energy is saved to build a green building by passive strategies. However, the clients could afford those moneys (Figure 9) and make this bioclimatic skyscraper done.

Figure 8 Figure 9

Reflection

I am in studio one-Behind the Mask. I want to design a city museum with a tower and combine it in the nature. In Complex Material Assembly section, I suppose to design a green wall (Figure 10). In normal time, the walls are open, people could see outside perspective from interior space through green wall. When storms come or it is windy, the walls are closed to keep exhibits from being destroyed. The small scale model is made to express opinions and design ideas on green wall. At the same time, the model is like an experiment, whether it is achieved in real world still need to be examined. The experimenting design is used in my design process. It is not simply a brainstorm about green technology and then adding them in or warping on the façade. The design process should think about how to achieve ‘green’ and experimenting method should be reflected back to the design process.

Figure 10

Conclusion

In summary, bioclimatology is a strategy to design buildings. The society is eager to get a green world. In such a social background, bioclimatic strategy is a procedure of every design. It requires architects to focus on surrounding environment and response to the design process. It is a way of understanding and representation to the environmental issues; a strategy architects design green in low-tech direction. People all have equal rights to enjoy benign environment instead of harsh one. Technologies could help us to fulfill this hope. Low-tech theory, I mean, bioclimatology is also a good strategy to make our world more sustainable. The great obstacle and challenge is how to transform modern people` opinion and habits to low-tech.

Reference Feng, P. & Wu, X., (2011), Sustainable development of high-rise building, Procedia Engineering, 21, 943-947. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877705811049320 Stuart, J. (1993), Greener buildings: environmental impact of property, Basingstoke: Macmillan. Yeang, K. (1996), the Skyscraper Bioclimatically Considered, Academy, . Gissen, D. (Ed.). (2002). Big & green: toward sustainable architecture in the 21st century, New York: Princeton Architectural Press.

Davies, E. (1999), Understanding Bioclimatic skyscrapers http://www.idbe.org/uploads/Davies%20E1%20-%20IDBE4%20-%20Understanding%20bioclimac tic%20skyscrapers.pdf Olgyay, V. (1963), Design With Climate, New Jersey, Princeton University Press. Pearce, E. A. & Smith, C. G., (1990), The Times Books world weather guide, Times Books/Random House. James, W. (2000), Green architecture, London: Taschen. Lumpur, K. (1992), Menara Mesiniaga, the Aga Khan Award for Architecture http://www.skyscrapers.com/ http://www.emporis.com/building/menaramesiniaga-subangjaya-malaysia http://www.aiaplus2030.org/ http://architecture2030.org/