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1006AH78373
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SUBMISSION DATE:
11 NOVEMBER 2014
Table of Contents
Page
Abstract ........................................................................................................................ 3
1.0
Introduction ..................................................................................................... 4
2.0
3.0
3.1
Timber ......................................................................................................... 6
3.2
Bamboo....................................................................................................... 6
3.3
4.0
4.1
Temperature ............................................................................................... 8
4.2
Humidity ...................................................................................................... 8
5.0
5.1
Timber ......................................................................................................... 9
5.2
Bamboo..................................................................................................... 11
5.3
Abstract
The purpose of this report is to identify the applications of natural materials in
building design to achieve thermal comfort in Belum Rainforest Resort. Through this, a
better understanding of how each natural material addresses the issues of achieving
thermal comfort by taking into considerations of factors such as temperature and
humidity. Literature reviews were conducted to further support the case study through
various sources regarding the topic. Materiality plays a big role in building design.
Through the application of certain materials, it helps to enhance the quality of a space,
as well as achieving sustainability. It could also contribute in reducing environmental
impact while taking into consideration of thermal comfort. Belum Rainforest Resort had
well applied natural materials into their building design to achieve thermal comfort.. By
doing so, it also strengthens the relationship between surrounding nature and the
building itself. Thermal comfort can be broken down into various factors such as
environmental factors and personal factors. However the two of the factors that were
focused on included both temperature and humidity. Further studies on each of the
factors as to how it will affect the spaces and building design were carried out. Some of
the natural materials that can be found at Belum Rainforest Resort are timber, bamboo
and rammed earth. Each of the natural materials was studied to obtain their respective
properties and characteristics. An analysis was conducted to understand the
relationship of each natural materials and how it contributes in achieving thermal
comfort. After obtaining all the relevant information, this paper focuses on how the
application of each natural material into various spaces and building design achieves
thermal comfort in Belum Rainforest Resort. In conclusion, the selection of natural
materials complements each other and the applications of natural materials in Belum
Rainforest Resorts building design manages to achieve thermal comfort.
1.0 Introduction
Belum Rainforest Resort is located in Pulau Banding, Perak. It is set in a
tropical paradise surrounded by nature and known to be one of the main unharmed
forest reserves in Peninsular Malaysia. It is home to a vast number of species of
animals and plants such as the hornbills and rafflesia (Belum Rainforest Resort, 2014).
Unique in its own way, the resort provides amazing experience on the beauty of the
jungle and its surrounding for nature lovers. Besides outdoor activities, guest can
choose to relax indoors as well. The resort provides restaurants and bar with
spectacular views of the lake, as well as a swimming pool. Belum Rainforest Resort
also caters to guests who prefer to stay in with variety of rooms to accommodate their
likings.
Natural materials can easily be obtained and transported around Pulau Banding.
Some of the natural materials that can be found at the resort are timber, bamboo and
rammed earth. Belum Rainforest Resort has well applied natural materials into their
building design. By doing so, they manage to achieve thermal comfort while decreasing
energy cost.
3.1 Timber
Timber is known to be one of the common natural materials that can be found.
As a construction material, timber is strong, lightweight and easy to work with (Ching &
Eckler, 2013). It is aesthetically pleasing as well. They are frequently used as floorings,
walls, furniture and roofing in a building. In Belum Rainforest Resort, timber is used
throughout the Phase 1 and Phase 2 building, as well as the Orang Asli Houses in
Tanjung Satu. Some of the properties of timber are high in thermal insulation and high
in moisture content. This allows low heat transfer between the outside surrounding and
inside of a building (Deplazes, 2005). Moisture content of timber depends on the
absorption and release of moisture in the surrounding air. Timber is required to be well
ventilated to avoid rotting.
3.2 Bamboo
Bamboo is considered a safe natural material for construction. It can be used in
different ways such as building faade and furniture seen in both Belum Rainforest
Resort and the Orang Asli Houses in Tanjung Satu. Its capacity to survive an
earthquake or a hurricane is well known (Jenssen, n.d.). This is due to the high
compressive strength within bamboos. Some bamboos are known to be stronger
compared to timber, as a smaller piece of bamboo can carry a higher load. Bamboos
are also high in moisture content. It varies and is very much influenced by the age of
the bamboo. A younger shoot has a high relative moisture content as compared to and
older shoot. The moisture content is higher in the inner part than the outer part.
4.1 Temperature
Air temperature is one of the six basic environmental factors of thermal comfort,
also known as the measure of heat. Temperature of the outer air and radiant heat such
as the sun affects the air temperature in a building. Radiant temperature has a greater
influence than air temperature (The Six Basic Factors, n.d.). This is due to the fact that
we absorb radiant energy more. By using natural materials with properties that
contribute in thermal comfort, we are able to maintain the temperature of a building and
providing a satisfactory environment. Belum Rainforest resort has applied this strategy
very well in their building design to obtain optimum temperature throughout the resort.
4.2 Humidity
Another major environmental factor is the humidity. Relative humidity is the ratio
between the actual amount of water vapour in the air and the maximum amount of
water vapour that the air can hold at that air temperature (This Six Basic Factos, n.d.).
This means that relative humidity relies on temperature. Moisture in the air increases
as the temperature increase. A humid building provides better thermal comfort than a
dry space, as it prevents evaporation of sweat. The relative humidity and air
temperature for indoor spaces varies according to climate at the particular region.
Materials chosen for the design is as equally important as it has specific property such
as moisture content that contributes to humidity of a space.
5.1 Timber
Timber is suitable in all sorts of applications. As seen in the Belum Rainforest
Resort, timber is used as walls, flooring, stairs, windows, fenestrations, building facade,
and roofing. This is due to the easy access of natural materials around Pulau Banding,
Perak. The Belum Rainforest Resort is mainly design with timber to strengthen the
relationship between the surrounding nature and the building itself.
Moisture content is one of the main factors in achieving thermal comfort. Timber
as studied above is very much suitable for moisture storage applications. It allows
controlling and maintaining the humidity of the space. Belum Rainforest Resort uses
timber in both outdoor and indoor aspects of the building to moderate the respective
humidity changes. The usage of timber gives off a cooling effect towards the space.
High in thermal insulation, timber are commonly used in walls and roofing
system. This is adopted in the Belum Rainforest Resort design as well. Thermal
insulations help in reducing heat transfer from the outdoor space to the indoor space. It
reflects the thermal radiation from the sun and other sources, therefore maintaining low
temperature throughout the indoor spaces.
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5.2 Bamboo
Bamboo stands out as a building material due to its properties, especially in
tropical countries. Its popularity is increasing as a building material. As aesthetically
pleasing, the usage of bamboos enhances the sustainability of a building. It is a natural
resource that can be found throughout the site, as well as non-polluting.
11
Due to its structure, bamboos have high moisture content allowing it to maintain
the humidity of a space. As the temperature increases, bamboos releases moisture
stored within the material to stabilize the humidity while reducing the temperature. The
evaporation of water vapour gives off a cooling effect in the spaces (Stein & Reynolds,
2010).
Belum Rainforest Resort has well adapted bamboo as a building material. The
usage of bamboos can be seen throughout the resort. One of the main spaces is the
reception area as the faade and roofing uses bamboo material. This is to provide
great thermal comfort for the users while providing optimal air temperature and
humidity.
12
Figure 5: Bamboo as a materials for Belum Rainforest Resort wall and roof
design (Source: Syed Hussain, S. D.)
13
Advantages of using rammed earth are low in cost, high availability, easy
workability and suitable for construction material in different parts of the building. It can
be used as walls, flooring, and stairs.
14
Rammed earth has properties like high thermal capacity, low thermal
conductivity and high moisture content. Is also has an excellent heat insulation capacity
(Gezer, 2003). The usage of rammed earth in a building design enhances thermal
comfort while addressing issues such as temperature and humidity. Due to the material
being high in thermal capacity and low in thermal conductivity, heat transferred
between the outer space to the inner space is low. Rammed earth has low absorption
of heat as well, which helps in maintaining a lower temperature of the particular space.
As to increase of humidity, rammed earth has high moisture content. All these
properties contribute on providing thermal comfort towards the building.
Belum Rainforest Resort has applied this natural material to its building design.
The features walls that are seen in front of the Phase 2 rooms, provides both aesthetic
values and thermal comfort as it helps in blocking direct heat transfer between the
spaces. Rammed earth was also adapted into the traditional houses located along the
lake in Belum Rainforest Resort.
Figure 7: Traditional house with rammed earth wall design in Belum Rainforest
Resort (Source: Syed Hussain, S. D.)
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6.0 Conclusion
Materials do play a big part in building design. Through the application of
certain materials, it helps to enhance the quality of a space. Not only does it provide
aesthetic values, it also contributes in building sustainability. Each of the natural
materials such as timber, bamboo and rammed earth with their respective properties
and characteristics are well applied in Belum Rainforest Resort design. The natural
materials manage to address the issues of achieving thermal comfort by taking into
consideration of the environmental factors such as temperature and humidity. This also
allows a strong relationship between the surrounding nature and the building itself. The
selection of natural materials complements each other and helps to increase the
effectiveness of achieving thermal comfort
Belum Rainforest Resort offers both amazing experience indoors and outdoors.
The building design is very well planned with the surrounding context and provides
great comfort throughout the resort. Architecturally, Belum Rainforest Resort has
applied the use of natural materials into the building design successfully in order to
achieve thermal comfort for the users.
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7.0 References
Belum
Rainforest
Resort.
(2014).
Retrieved
from
http://www.belumresort.com/index.htm
Ching, F., & Eckler, J. (2013). Introduction to Architecture. New Jersey: John Wiley &
Sons
Buildings.
Retrieved
September
24,
2014,
from
http://etd.lib.metu.edu.tr/upload/4/1104645/index.pdf
Hall, M. (Ed.). (2010). Materials for Energy Efficiency and Thermal Comfort in Buildings.
Woodhead Publishing.
Liese,
W.
(n.d.).
Anatomy
and
Properties
of
Bamboo.
Retrieved
from
file:///C:/Users/L/Downloads/inbar_pr_03_1.pdf
Stein, B., & Reynolds, J. (2010). Mechanical and Electrical Equipment for Buildings.
New Jersey: J. Wiley & Sons.
The
Six
Basic
Factors.
(n.d.).
Retrieved
September
20,
2014,
from
2014,
from
http://www.hse.gov.uk/temperature/thermal/factors.htm
What
is
Thermal
Comfort.
(n.d.).
Retrieved
September
20,
http://www.hse.gov.uk/temperature/thermal/explained.htm
17