Malaysia Pattern Language

M A LLAA Y YSSI AI A M A

MA L AY S IA

MY MY ///

x PATTERN LANGUAGE MALAYSIA PATTERN LANGUAGES

[TOWNS] 01. Independent regions 02. Agricultural valleys 03. Mosaic of subcultures 04. Nine percent parking 05. Activity nodes 06. Housing in between 07. Hawkers Center 08. Public transport and access 09. Web of drones [BUILDINGS] 10. Access to water 11. Green street 12. Accessible green 13. Building oriented to correct direction 14. Building oriented to prevailing wind 15. Five-foot way 16. Short passages 17. Flexibility for extension 18. Glare controls 19. Openness 20. Moisture proof 21. Good drainage system 22. Large roof eaves 23. Raised on stilts 24. Renewable energy [Construction] 25. Entrance transition 26. Courtyards which live 27. Sunny Place 28. Light on two sides of every room 29. Sleeping to East 30. Zen view 31. Six-foot Balcony 32. Fully openable windows 33. Steeply sloping roof 34. Gaps between overlapping roof eaves 35. Gables fitted with screens 36. Low thermal capacity materials 37.

Floor surface 38. Timber dowels and wedges 39. Air-vent 40. Ornament

MALAYSIA

x

PATTERN LANGUAGE TOWNS . BUILDINGS . CONSTRUCTION

Written by

TAN JIE YING with

PROF. GIUSEPPE RIDOLFI, PhD

ITALY

UNIVERSITY OF FLORENCE 2020

SUMMARY OF THE LANGUAGE TOWNS Patterns

01. - 03.

04. - 05.

06. - 23.

BUILDINGS 24. - 25.

Patterns 26. - 55.

CONSTRUCTION 56. - 57.

Patterns 58. - 89.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT BIBLIOGRAPHY

C

90.

91.

ONTENTS //

Malaysia Pattern Language // 00.

///

M ALAY S I A . . .

x PATTERN LANGUAGE /// Malaysia Pattern Language is presented based on Malaysia’s characteristics with the reference of ‘A Pattern Language’ by Christopher Alexander. This book is intended to provide consumers in Malaysia with alternative to participate and customize their own architecture spaces, but not adapted or modified to ready built spaces.

There is no design can be addressed through ‘one design fits all’.

Malaysia is chosen as the research area to adopt the pattern language due to its prospect of multicultural environment, evolves different living habits and culture which create a big potential market for the use of pattern language.

However, nowadays the most prevalent housing typology in Malaysia are the mass production of terrace houses and apartments, which all the houses shared the same spatial arrangement and language. People are forced to adapt to the fixed spatial spaces and language.

‘Malaysia Pattern Language’describes the detailed patterns for towns, neighbourhoods, houses, gardens, rooms, and materials which practical and efficient to apply in Malaysia’s tropical weather and multicultural environment. Consumers can use these patterns to create their own ideal living space in Malaysia.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 01.

Malaysia Pattern Language will begin with the language which defines a Town and Community.

These patterns can never be ‘designed’ or ‘built’ by individual, but with the practicing of these patterns, an efficient and friendly town can be formed after years.

Towns

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

Independent regions (1) Agricultural valleys (4) Mosaic of subcultures (8) Nine percent parking (22) Activity nodes (30) Housing in between (48) Hawkers center Public transport and access Web of drones

After defined the patterns of towns, now starts the languages for buildings which give characters to spaces and respond to the Tropical environment. Adopted of these patterns maximize the comfort level of space.

Buildings

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

Access to water (25) Green Street (51) Accessible Green (60) Building oriented to correct direction Building oriented to prevailing wind Five-Foot Way Short Passages (132) Flexibility for addition and reduction Glare Controls Openness Damp proofing Good drainage system Large eaves Raised on stilts Renewable energy

* Reference pattern from ‘A Pattern Language’ by Christopher Alexander is cited in bracket () with number of pattern on book.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 02.

After buildings stage, consumer can adopt the construction patterns which applicable for their needs and customized their own ideal space.

Construction

25.

26.

27.

28.

29.

30.

31.

32.

33.

34.

35.

36.

37.

38.

39.

40.

Entrance transition (112) Courtyards which live (115) Sunny Place (161) Light on two sides of every room (159) Sleeping to the East (138) Zen View (134) Six-foot Balcony (167) Fully Openable Windows Steeply sloping roof Gaps between overlapping roof eaves Gables fitted with screens Low thermal capacity materials Floor Surface (233) Timber dowels and wedges Air-vent Ornament (249)

/// * Reference pattern from ‘A Pattern Language’ by Christopher Alexander is cited in bracket () with number of pattern on book.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 03.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 04.

....

Towns

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

Independent regions (1) Agricultural valleys (4) Mosaic of subcultures (8) Nine percent parking (22) Activity nodes (30) Housing in between (48) Hawkers center Public transport and access Web of drones

///

///

x PATTERN LANGUAGE

. . .

M ALAY S I A

Malaysia Pattern Language // 05.

. . .

TOWNS ///

Malaysia Pattern Language // 06.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 07.

I

ndependent regions in Alexander’s ‘A Pattern Language’ is referring to metropolitan regions of self-governing, with a population of 2 to 10 million in each region. However, the independent region in Malaysia Pattern Language is referring to town or community, in a smaller scale of boundary.

Although the scale is different, the concept applied to Independent Regions is similar. When possible, work toward self-sufficient regions, each with own natural and geographic characteristics; each with own economy; each with own energy and food supply. A region which creates energies and fresh food to communities without depending on other towns or states. For example, solar energy can provides daily power supply to community.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 08.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 09.

T

he land which is best for agriculture happens to be best for building too. But it is limited - and once destroyed, it cannot be regained for centuries. (Christopher Alexander, pg. 27) It is important to have open farmland or urban agriculture near the places where people live, to ensure food supply for community is sufficient.

Valleys are suitable for farming, thus it is essential that valley floor within urban region to be left untouched and kept for farming. Once the valleys is destroy with building construction, the farmland will lose its fertility of the soil. Therefore, even when valleys are not cultivated now, keep all the valleys in urban area for farms, parks and wilds. (Christopher Alexander, pg. 27-28)

Malaysia Pattern Language // 10.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 11.

D

o everything possible to enrich the cultures and subcultures of the city, by breaking the city, as far as possible, into a vast mosaic of small and different subcultures, each with its own spatial territory, and each with the power to create its own distinct life style. Make sure that the subcultures are small enough, so that each person has access to the full variety of life styles in the subcultures near his own. (Christopher Alexander, pg. 50) Malaysia is make up of 3 different ethic groups of people, Malay, Chinese and Indian. Each ethic group practice different cultures and lifestyle, mosaic of subcultures pattern is suitable to be adopted in Malaysia to form a harmony and interesting culture mixed society.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 12.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 13.

D

o not allow more than 9 percent of the land in any given area to be used for parking. When the area devoted to parking is too great, it destroys the land. (Christopher Alexander, pg. 121-124) Car owners in Malaysia is growing rapidly. A total number of registered motor vehicles in Malaysia is approximately 18 million. The increase of motor vehicles causes demand of parking increase, it also causes traffic jam and pollution. (Ismail, Hafezi, Nor & Ambak, pg.410) Moreover, the higher the parking requirement, the more it cost to construct a building. A parking space is worth about 18% of an average standard apartment unit, if one car park is required for each dwelling unit. (The Sun, 2018) Therefore, reduced parking requirement and promote public transportation is encouraged.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 14.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 15.

A

ctivity nodes is important in a community to promote interaction between human. Each node must draw together the main paths or intersection area in the surrounding community. It can also be identify in those existing spots in community where action seems to concentrate itself.

Also, the facilities and activities grouped around any one node must be chosen for their symbiotic relationship. (Christopher Alexander, pg. 164167) Or vise versa in future community, people can choose the facilities node which they prefer to.

The function of each node should be versatile to serve every age group of people. For example childcare and playground for kids, study area for student, sport, park, hawker center for adult and elderly.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 16.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 17.

H

osing in between shown in ‘A Pattern Language’ by Alexander is showing the similar idea of shophouses found in Malaysia and Singapore since 1960s. Shophouses is a building type serving commercial shop beneath, residential above. Shophouses were a convenient and efficient design for urban settlement, serving two functions in one building.

Wherever there is a sharp separation between residential and nonresidential parts of town, the non-residential areas will quickly turn to slums. (Christopher Alexander, pg. 257) This shows that residential and non-residential area should be coexist, benefit to each other. Nonresidential not only limited to commercial shops, it also including the schools, public services, universities, offices and others.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 18.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 19.

H

awkers center is a food complex popular in Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong housing many stalls that sell a variety of inexpensive and local food. It can be indoor open-air or even outdoor like street side.

Each stall is owned by different owner, but gather together in a center for the ease of consumer to have different choice and to taste variety of food at one-stop. It normally found in city center, residential area, office area and transport hubs. Tables and chairs are provided in hawkers center and shared by all the stalls, consumers are free to order any food from different stall at one table. Hawker center is a very lively and cultural place where different ethic group of local people eat, chat, interact in Malaysia.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 20.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 21.

M

alaysia, with 93% car ownership, placing third in the world. The country also has the highest incidence of multiple car ownership globally with 54% of households having more than one car.

With owning private vehicles, people in Malaysia seldom use the public transport like buses and metro. Also, metro only exist in capital and big cities, buses interval and routes also not well planning. Besides, due to the tropical hot and humid environment in Malaysia, no one is willing to cycle and travel by foot even the distant is near. The abundance usage of private vehicles caused traffic jam and air pollution.

Nowadays, Malaysia government is having largest single investments on public transport and intended to radically improve inadequate public transport coverage.

A study by Boston Consulting Group showed that Malaysians spend an average of 53 minutes in traffic and 25 minutes to look for parking each day. With the improvement of public transport and access, the time which people spent and stuck in traffic jam for work and school everyday will decrease distinctly.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 22.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 23.

D

rone showing a big potential to be widely usage in future. There are a huge array of companies investigating the possible impact of drones upon their industries, including retail giants like Walmart, Amazon and Google.

The possibilities usage of drones including retail, deliver goods straight to your doorstep. Transportation innovation like flying taxis is being exploring in China and Dubai. Drones can also be utilized in agricultural industry to help monitor farmland, analyze soil samples, spraying fertilizer and insect repellent. Also, it can be used in entertainment industry, rescue missions, home security and construction.

Web of drones is proposed to be included in future building development, in public community space or even like mail box including in every single residential or office building.

....

Buildings

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

Access to water (25) Green Street (51) Accessible Green (60) Building oriented to correct direction Building oriented to prevailing wind Five-Foot Way Short Passages (132) Flexibility for addition & reduction Glare Controls Openness Damp proofing Good drainage system Large eaves Raised on stilts Renewable energy

Malaysia Pattern Language // 24.

///

x PATTERN LANGUAGE

. . .

M ALAY S I A

///

///

. . .

BUILDINGS Malaysia Pattern Language // 25.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 26.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 27.

W

ater elements is precious natural resources. It calms people mind, cool down surrounding temperature, also provides beautiful landscape to people.

In Tropical climate, water served as a vital element for offering coolness and ventilation to surrounding. It can presents in natural bodies like pond, river or in man-made design like pool and water features. ‘When natural bodies of water occur near human settlements, treat them with great respect. Always preserve a belt of common land, immediately beside the water.’ (Christopher Alexander, pg. 137)

Malaysia Pattern Language // 28.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 29.

T

here is too much hot hard asphalt in the world. A local road, which only gives access to buildings, needs a few stones for wheels of the cars; nothing more. Most of it can still be green. (Christopher Alexander, pg.

267) In Malaysia, along asphalt roads are planting row of trees which provides shades for people in urban areas. Street planting with healthy condition have a direct impact on community, for example cooling the streets and city, prevent soil erosion, provide canopy and habitat for wildlife.

For pedestrian street, trees and paving stones with grass surface is recommended. Grass surface cool down the paving stones and asphalt surfaces. Similar to car park area, more green plants and grass should be arranged for a lively and green environment.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 30.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 31.

P

eople need green open places to go to; when they are close they use them. But if the greens are more than three minutes away, the distance overwhelms the need. (Christopher Alexander, pg. 305) Park is vital in a city and places where people live. However, not all the people live within three minutes away from park. This can be solved by having small accessible green around the house or green courtyard inside the house. Small park or small backyard with green is encouraged.

In suburban area in Malaysia, traditional Malay houses are built scattered.

Tall trees like coconut trees are planted at house surrounding to provide good shade but not blocking the passage of winds at house level.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 32.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 33.

M

alaysia enjoys tropical weather, average temperature is around 24°C to 32°C. Weather always hot and humid. Sunlight is intense all the year.

Therefore, to prevent building overheat from intense sunlight, large building facings and openings normally oriented to North and South, providing a cooler and comfort indoor living environment. Also, correct building orientation is important to reduce the glare and reflection of light from building nearby.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 34.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 35.

M

alaysia having intense sunlight and rain all the year due to its Tropical climate. No four seasons exist in Malaysia but Monsoon season do exist.

Malaysia faces two monsoon winds seasons, the Southwest Monsoon from late May to September, and the Northeast Monsoon from October to March. The Northeast Monsoon, originating in China and the north Pacific, brings in more rainfall compared to the Southwest Monsoon, which originates from the deserts of Australia.

Monsoon season brings rainfall also winds. Therefore, building openings which oriented in correct direction can have better ventilation and cooler indoor environment in hot and humid weather.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 36.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 37.

F

ive-foot way (Kaki Lima) is similar to arcade. It is a roofed continuous walkways commonly found in front of shops and shophouses in Malaysia and Singapore.

The name of five-foot way originated from the width of the passageway.

To adapt to Malaysia local climate, which is to shield pedestrians from sun and rain, five-foot way become an important feature in Malaysia architecture.

Five-foot way first served as corridor, it can also served as interaction space, resting place, extension of goods selling place, street food eating place, clothes hanging space and others. It is a very cultural and versatile architecture space.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 38.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 39.

S

hort passages is important for active passage. A long, sterile corridors set the scene for everything bad about modern architecture. (Christopher Alexander, pg. 633) Corridors or passages should not be empty and dark. It should be interaction space for people and lit by natural sunlight. Short interval of resting place with open, green and furnitures along the passage is pleasant compared to dark, endless dead corridor. Keep passage short and active.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 40.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 41.

A

rchitecture normally served a fixed function and not possible for flexible addition and reduction. Flexibility for addition and reduction of space is sustainability, also function of space is possible for changing due to the flexibility.

For example, a family with three bedrooms apartment can reduce or sell the empty bedrooms of their children when the children are away to university or married. This can save energy and also easier for maintenance.

Also, flexibility of extension and reduction of space also possible to make owner to customize the square meter and space arrangement they prefer for living.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 42.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 43.

G

lare control is vital in Malaysia since abundance of sunlight in Tropical climate.

Glare from sunlight can be filtered by planting trees around the building, oriented the openings in correct direction and also by choosing the correct building materials and facades. Glare from direct sun, reflections can make people uncomfortable and reduce the productivity in indoor space.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 44.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 45.

I

n traditional Malay house, the openness in building design reflects the climate adaptation in Malaysia.

Open interior spaces with minimal partitions allow good ventilation in the house. Open plans allow easy passage of air and good cross ventilation. Also full length fully openable windows and doors allow ventilation at body level. The openness design maximize the natural ventilation in a building by allow adequate ventilation for cooling and reducing humidity and heat in interior space.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 46.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 47.

I

n the tropical climate in Malaysia, which is abundance with sun and rain, damp proofing for building exterior is a vital issue. Moisture must be controlled to building walls and floors to prevent moisture from passing into the interior spaces.

Materials widely used for damp proofing include brick, stone, concrete, plastic, stainless steel and others. Also damp proofing can be accomplished by paints coating or applying damp-proof membrane on materials. Damp problems might caused peeling of plaster, crumbling brick and stone, rotting timber, mouldy walls which threatened human health and building safety.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 48.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 49.

M

alaysia average rainfall is 2500mm a year which is abundant and frequent throughout the year.

Good drainage system in building is important to prevent rainwater accumulation which can cause to flooding. Accumulation of stagnant water will encourage mosquitoes breeding and cause dengue.

Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SUDS) is currently recommended techniques towards three major problems in Malaysia which are flash flood, water scarcity and water pollution. Grassed swale, detention storage and on-site stormwater detention help to ensure final discharge of water from a sustainable urban drainage system and not polluted rivers, nor creating flash flood on downstream.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 50.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 51.

L

arge eaves is necessary in Malaysia building design as Malaysia having intense sunlight and rainfall.

The primary function of eaves is to keep rainwater away from the walls and prevent water ingress and leakage at the construction connection where roof meets wall or opening meets wall.

Moreover, eaves is to control and diffuse the solar penetration into the interior space. It is a form of passive solar building design to prevent overheat of spaces.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 52.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 53.

T

raditional Malay Houses in Malaysia is designed to be raised on stilts. The main reasons of raising the house level is to prevent floods and animals since the housing estate first formed near the riverside. At the same time, raised on stilts can catches winds of higher velocity and improving ventilation flows across the building. The space under the floor can be a storage space for fuels, crops, bicycle, ships and others.

However, nowadays urban residential houses not practicing this feature anymore. Nevertheless, building raised on stilts is still a pattern language which can represent traditional architecture in Malaysia.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 54.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 55.

D

uring the period of 1990 to 2016, more than 90% of electricity generated was attained from fossil fuel. However, sunlight is abundance in Malaysia and renewable solar energy is having a big potential to become a main energy resource. Other than solar energy, hydro-power plants and biomass also good renewable energy resources to be implemented in Malaysia.

Concerns about energy security, the fluctuation of crude oil price and climate change are driving significant changes in how energy and electricity is generated. (Shafie, Mahlia, Masjuki, 2011) In 2018, Malaysia announced that it had set a target of 20% renewable energy in its generation mix by 2025.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 56.

///

....

Construction

25.

26.

27.

28.

29.

30.

31.

32.

33.

34.

35.

36.

37.

38.

39.

40.

Entrance transition (112) Courtyards which live (115) Sunny Place (161) Light on two sides of every room (159) Sleeping to the East (138) Zen View (134) Six-foot Balcony (167) Fully Openable Windows Steeply sloping roof Gaps between overlapping roof eaves Gables fitted with screens Low thermal capacity materials Floor Surface (233) Timber dowels and wedges Air-vent Ornament (249)

///

x PATTERN LANGUAGE

/// CONSTRUCTION . . .

M ALAY S I A

Malaysia Pattern Language // 57.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 58.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 59.

E

ntrance transition is a space which separate the public corridor or street with private interior space. It is a first space visitor experience and get warming. It creates a psychological transition in the minds.

In Malaysia, people practice no shoes rule in indoor spaces. Entrance transition is the place where people will remove their shoes before entering interior space. It helps to keep the indoor spaces clean and hygiene.

Besides, entrance transition can also become a resting place for house owner and interaction space between neighbours.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 60.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 61.

C

ourtyard is an architectural design component commonly applied in tropical buildings for its social and environmental purpose. The courtyard is a significant architectural element in shophouse. (Zwain, Bahauddin, 2015) Courtyards were often the primary meeting places for specific purposes including gardening, cooking, working, playing, sleeping (Edwards, 2006). As an open space within a cluster or urban fabric, courtyard fulfills various functions, social, leisure and others. Courtyard can be utilized as an appropriate place for promoting natural, healing environment and also providing highest level of thermal comfort with good ventilation.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 62.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 63.

S

unny place is a spot where people can enjoy and interacting at outdoor space. Malaysia is abundance with sun but people enjoy evening sun which is not too warm. This is similar with the pattern - South Facing Outdoor (105) in ‘A pattern language’ by Alexander.

Inside a south-facing court, or a garden, or yard, find the spot between the building and the outdoors which gets the best sun. Develop this spot as a special sunny place - make it the important outdoor room, a place to work in the sun, or a place for swing and special plants, a place to sunbathe. (Christopher Alexander, pg. 759)

Malaysia Pattern Language // 64.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 65.

L

ocate each room so that it has outdoor space outside it on at least two sides, and then place windows in these outdoor walls so that natural lights falls into every room from more than one direction. (Christopher Alexander, pg. 750) In a room lit on only one side, the light gradient on the walls and floors inside the room is very steep, so that the part furthest from the window is uncomfortably dark, compared with the part near the window. Even worse, since there is little reflected light on the room’s inner surfaces, the interior wall immediately next to the window is usually dark, creating discomfort and glare against this light. (Christopher Alexander, pg. 748)

Malaysia Pattern Language // 66.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 67.

S

leeping to the East suggested give those part of the house where people sleep, an eastern orientation, so that they wake up with the sun and light. This means, typically, that the sleeping area needs to be on the eastern side of the house. But it can also be on the western side provided there is a courtyard or terrace to the east of it. (Christopher Alexander, pg. 659) Waking up with the morning sun which warm you gently, a window looks out to exterior activities and plants, with the changes of weather, establish the mood of the day as soon as one person wake up. (Christopher Alexander, pg. 659)

Malaysia Pattern Language // 68.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 69.

Z

en originates from Japan, a state of calm attentiveness in which one’s actions are guided by intuition rather than by conscious effort. (Irene Virag). Zen view adopted the essence of it, to restrained beautiful views calmly and to stay alive forever.

If there is a beautiful view, don’t spoil it by building huge windows that gape incessantly at it. Instead, put the windows which look onto the view at place of transition - along paths, in hallways, in entry ways, on stairs, between rooms. (Christopher Alexander, pg. 643)

Malaysia Pattern Language // 70.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 71.

B

alconies and porches which are less than six feet deep are hardly ever used. A balcony is first used properly when there is enough room for to or three people to sit in a small group with room to stretch their legs, and room for a small table where they can set down glasses, cups, and newspaper.

Also, half enclosed balcony with wooden slats, rose covered provide partial privacy and makes people more comfortable. If possible, recess at least a part of balcony into the building so that it is not cantilevered out and separated from the building. (Christopher Alexander, pg. 782-784)

Malaysia Pattern Language // 72.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 73.

F

ully openable windows is one of the important feature in traditional Malay house. It encourage the cross ventilation at body level in indoor space, expels heat and humid in the room.

Window also a connection to outside. It is a source of fresh air, a place to hang out and smell the air and trees, flowers, and weather, a hole through which people can talk to each other. (Christopher Alexander, pg. 1101)

Malaysia Pattern Language // 74.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 75.

S

teeply sloping roof helps to direct rainwater quickly and ensure perfect water drainage since rainfall is abundance all the year.

Pitched roof is the most common type of roof found in Malaysia. Other than directing rainwater, buildings with pitch roofs are roughly 1015% more compact than those with flat roof. This significant reduction translates into higher thermal insulation by simply limiting the size of the surface exposed to exterior. (CupaPizarras, 2018)

Malaysia Pattern Language // 76.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 77.

R

oof spaces in the traditional Malay houses are properly ventilated by the provision of ventilation joints and panel in the roof construction.

(Kamal, Wahab, Ahmad, 2004) As hot air rise, roof ventilation is effective on expelling warm and humid air in interior space.

Other than ventilation joints and panel on roof, the overlapping intersect of building layout can also provides ventilation gap between two building space and roof.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 78.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 79.

M

aximizing natural ventilation in tropical building is essential and can be accomplished by a variety of methods, for example gables fitted with screens for ventilated roof space.

Gables fitted with screens direct diffuse sunlight from exterior yet keep the heat and rain out from building, offering shading and ventilation but reduce glare.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 80.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 81.

L

ow thermal mass materials hold little heat during days and cools adequately at night. Heat capacity refers to a material’s capacity to store heat for every kilogram of mass. A material of ‘low’ thermal mass has low specific heat capacity. (Greenspec, 2019) Lightweight construction of low thermal mass material such as timber, aircrete block, gypsum plaster, palm leaves are recommended in Malaysia.

Passive cooling in tropical climate is usually more effective in low mass buildings. Thermal comfort during sleeping hours is a primary design consideration in tropical climates. Lightweight construction responds quickly to cooling breezes. High mass can completely negate these benefits by slowly re-releasing heat absorbed during the day. (Chris Reardon, 2013)

Malaysia Pattern Language // 82.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 83.

M

alaysian practice no shoes rule at indoor space. Therefore, floor surface is important to be comfortable to touch.

In hot and humid climate, floor surface which is cool to touch is popular choice, for example granite tiles, ceramic tiles, wood floors and others.

Floor surface texture for example polished tiles can be used in living room, bedroom which is easy for maintenance. Rough surface tiles which prevent slippery can be applied at the space like bathroom and kitchen.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 84.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 85.

M

alaysia is tropical country with 59.5% rainforests coverage.

Timber is one of the vernacular building material. Malaysian timbers, either produced by local or labour or commercially milled, are entirely hardwoods. Hardwood is famous with its durability and high density which immune to termite attack, they are also easy to work with smooth surface.

The use of timber relies on an understanding of material. Traditionally, construction did not require the use of nails, instead the timbers were lashed together with dowels and wedges or rattan rope. The use of wedges (baji) to tighten mortise and tenon joints is an important feature of Malay timber architecture. This allows the joints to be easily taken apart and reassembled without damaging the building. (Wong, 1995)

Malaysia Pattern Language // 86.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 87.

A

ir-vent blocks has been commonly used in South East Asia countries which having tropical climate. They can be seen in old office buildings, shophouses, residential house, schools either as a wall panel on staircase facade, features in corridors, or used as wall screens covering private or semi-private spaces. Wet or damp spaces such as kitchen, bathroom, and yard are among the spaces where these elements can be found as the use of ventilation blocks allows natural air ventilation.

Air-vent blocks provide comfort to interior space through cross ventilation, permitting daylight and offering protection from heavy rainfall and, giving aesthetic value. It is a good material for passive cooling strategy in sustainable design approach. (Nordin, Ismail, Ariffin, 2019)

Malaysia Pattern Language // 88.

Malaysia Pattern Language // 89.

O

rnament in Malaysia was influenced by Islamic and Indian culture, Chinese carvings, and also Peranakan (fusion of Malay and Chinese cultures).

Ornament can be shown on building facades, timber doors or windows, floor tiles, gable roof and others. Ornament pattern normally related to nature elements, for example animals, flowers and leaves.

Ornaments in olden days is a symbol of status and wealth. Nowadays it gives aesthetic value and at the same time ornament on windows and doors provide ventilation for interior spaces.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Malaysia Pattern Language is written based on reference of ‘A Pattern Language’

by Christopher Alexander. With the knowledge from Alexander, patterns are massaged and readopted to be suitable and applicable in tropical country, Malaysia.

Hereby I would like to express my gratitude to Christopher Alexander and his team who spending eight years to create this fabulous work. Of course my highest appreciation to my professor, Mr. Giuseppe Ridolfi, who recommended ‘A Pattern Language’ to me and guiding me through the process of completing this book.

Nevertheless, thank you to my family in Malaysia who always provide support and encouragement to me. And my classmates and friends who willing to discuss and share their thoughts with me.

It is only because of all the kind people and make this book be possible. Thank you.

/// Malaysia Pattern Language // 90.

Bibliography Journals 1. Akram Zwain & Azizi Bahauddin, (2015). The Significance of the Traditional Courtyard Components of Shophouses in George Town, Penang Malaysia. Universiti Sains Malaysia. pg. 361-362.

2. Aminuddin Ab Ghani, Chun Kiat Chang, Nor AZAZI Zakaria, (2008). Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SUDS) - Malaysian Experiences. 11th International Conference on Urban Drainage. pg.2-7.

3. Ashley Wagner, (2017). Malaysia Shophouses: Creating Cities of Character. Architecture Undergraduate Thesis. pg. 4 4. Christopher Alexander, (1977). A Pattern Language: Towns, Buildings, Construction. Oxford University Press.

5. Edwards, B., Sibley, M., Hakmi, M., & Land, p. (2006). Courtyard housing: past, present and future: Spon Press.

6. Kamarul Syahril Kamal, Lilawati Abdul Wahab and Asmalia Che Ahmad, (2004). Climatic design of the traditional Malay house to meet the requirements of modern living. University Technology Mara. pg.

177-178.

7. Norhaslin Nordin, Muhammad Azzam Ismail, Ati Rosemary Mohd Ariffin, (2019). Ventilation Blocks: Design Feature In Malaysia Public Schools. University of Malaya, pg.1-3.

8. Ramly Hasan, (2016). Roadside Tree Management in Selected Local Authorities for Public Safety. Social and Behavioral Sciences. pg 219 9. RozmiIsmail, MohammadHesamHafezi, RahimMohdNorand KamarudinAmbak, (2012). Passengers Preference and Satisfaction of Public Transport in Malaysia. Australian Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences. pg. 410.

10. S.M.Shafiea, T.M.I.Mahliaab, H.H.Masjukia, A.Andriyanaa, (2011). Current energy usage and sustainable energy in Malaysia: A review. ScienceDirect. pg.4370-4377 11. Wai-Sung Wong, (1995). Timber Structures in Malaysian Architecture and Buildings. University of Tasmania. pg. 5-13.

Websites 12. CupaPizarras, Advantages of pitched roofs, 19 October 2019, https://www.cupapizarras.com/int/news/ advantages-pitched-roofs/ 13. Datafloq, 7 Different Uses for the Future of Drones, 30 November 2019, https://datafloq.com/read/7different-uses-for-the-future-of-drones/4936 14. Energy in Malaysia: Towards a Brighter Future, 13 November 2019, https://www.st.gov.my/ms/contents/ publications/energyMalaysia/EM12%20Nov%202017%20v2.pdf 15. Greenspec, Thermal mass, 8 October 2019, http://www.greenspec.co.uk/building-design/thermalmass/ 16. Pemandu Associates, Transformation on the Street: Delivering transformation to Malaysia’s public transport system, 5 July 2019, https://www.pemandu.org/2019/07/05/transformation-on-the-streetdelivering-transformation-to-malaysias-public-transport-system/ 17. The Star Online, Car ownership in Malaysia third heighest in the world: Nielsen, 16 November 2019, https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2014/04/16/car-ownership-in-msia-thirdhighest-in-the-world 18. The Sun (Malaysia), And housing affordability, 29 June 2019, https://www.pressreader.com/malaysia/ the-sun-malaysia/20180629/281904478916686 19. Wikipedia, Hawker centre, 10 November 2019, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawker_centre 20. YourHome, Chris Reardon, Thermal mass, 6 December 2019, https://www.yourhome.gov.au/passivedesign/thermal-mass Malaysia Pattern Language // 91.

Malaysia Pattern Language

MALAYSIA PATTERN LANGUAGES

Malaysia Pattern Language

[TOWNS] 01. Independent regions 02. Agricultural valleys 03. Mosaic of subcultures 04. Nine percent parking 05. Activity nodes 06. Housing in between 07. Hawkers Center 08. Public transport and access 09. Web of drones [BUILDINGS] 10. Access to water 11. Green street 12. Accessible green 13. Building oriented to correct direction 14. Building oriented to prevailing wind 15. Five-foot way 16. Short passages 17. Flexibility for extension 18. Glare controls 19. Openness 20. Moisture proof 21. Good drainage system 22. Large roof eaves 23. Raised on stilts 24. Renewable energy [Construction] 25. Entrance transition 26. Courtyards which live 27. Sunny Place 28. Light on two sides of every room 29. Sleeping to East 30. Zen view 31. Six-foot Balcony 32. Fully openable windows 33. Steeply sloping roof 34. Gaps between overlapping roof eaves 35. Gables fitted with screens 36. Low thermal capacity materials 37.

Floor surface 38. Timber dowels and wedges 39. Air-vent 40. Ornament