Assignment 1
Passive Green Building Case Studies Poster & Booklet
The first steps to optimise the benefits provided by the specific environment is to look at the contextual climate and site. This assignment nails down the basic approaches towards good passive design, which include strategies to orientate, to shade, to insulate, to ventilate and to maximise daylight. All these work together to provide an internal environment which is comfortable and complements the purpose of the building. The architectural passive design consideration in designing a building is primarily influenced by its responsiveness to its site context. Important factors include site planning and orientation, daylighting, facade design, natural ventilation, thermal insulation and strategic landscaping.
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Objectives
To critically appraise application of chosen strategies within different cases.
To analyze theories and principles of passive green building design strategies.
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Task
In a group of 5 people, two case studies are chosen and compared on their application of passive sustainable design strategies:
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Case Study 1: Aemulus The Runway | Penang, Malaysia [ Tropical Climate ]
Case Study 2: The Crystal | London, United KIngdom [ Humid Temperate Oceanic Climate ]
Project Outcome: Poster
Project Outcome: Booklet
Reflection
Through this assignment, I feel I am able to describe passive sustainable design better. I am able to not just state, but elaborate on the specific green strategies applied. It is interesting how certain design unexpectedly inform a green strategy. For example, the Crystal in London. From the outside, one might just look at it as an iconic, modern 'sharp-edged' design, but in fact the form is designed to be self-shading to reduce heat gain. This assignment taught me the importance of research and analysis in green design, as well as creative ways to apply the principles of green design.
