Sustainable architectural design features of Negeri Sembilan Malay houses: an analysis of indoor thermal comfort

Abstract

Abstract To manage indoor thermal comfort, artificial cooling, such as air-conditioners, has mainly substituted natural ventilation. However, research indicates that the occupants’ well-being is negatively impacted due to disagreeable ventilation systems. To acquire ideal indoor conditions, it is essential to comprehend environmental elements, such as building design and context. In Malaysia, traditional Malay houses (TMH) were built in hot-humid tropical climates to provide maximum thermal comfort via natural ventilation. Thus, this study aims to analyse the thermal comfort of rumah berserambi dua dan beranjung (RBDB) in Negeri Sembilan. The assessment employed the predictive static model (PS) by measuring the indoor thermal environment and evaluating it using the ACS by ASHRAE 55. ACS shows that Δt o of anjung and serambi was still within 80% of acceptability limits whereas rumah ibu and rumah tengah are lower than 80%. This study identified that the design strategy at anjung and serambi, can be characterized as sustainable design which can adapt to the local current tropical climate. The finding revealed three sustainable design features of RBDB that primarily affect indoor thermal comfort: fenestration systems, open yard areas and vegetation, and building orientation. This aspires to offer beneficial insights into sensible climatic design approaches in a TMH.