SETIA INTERNATIONAL CENTRE

Location : Lot 215, Pantai Baru, Jalan Bangsar,, 59200 Kuala Lumpur Year : 2012Architect : GDP ArchitectsDeveloper : S P Setia BerhadProject type : Sales gallery, Offices

PURPOSE OF BUILDINGSIC offers investors and potential buyers the opportunity to view the group's local and international investment-grade products under one roof. At SIC, investors can compare and contrast multiple investment opportunities available to them based on their specific property needs or investment criteria. The showcased developments at the sales gallery include KL Eco City, located right beside SIC, which expected completion is in the year 2016. Hence, SIC houses the site office for the project as well.

CERTIFICATIONGreen Building Index (GBI) Gold provisional certification

GREEN DESIGN FEATURESDay-lightingDay-lighting can be seen primarily in the main sales gallery and reception area, where large skylights are placed to maximise the natural light coming into the building. This minimises the usage of electricity in the switching on of lights when it is bright outside (Figure 1 & 2). Clear glass panels are also used at the front section of the building, allowing ample sunlight into the building

(Figure 3, 4, 5).

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Figure 1: Skylights in the main sales gallery. [Taken by: Lee Jia Xin]

Figure 2: Main sales gallery with skylight. [Source: http://khimmy.smugmug.com/Architecture/KL-EcoCity-SIC/i-PwG8Mnm]

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Figure 3: Glass panel roof.[Taken by: Lee Jia Xin]

Figure 4: Glass walls at front façade.[Taken by: Charlene Chan]

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Figure 5: Glass walls at side of the building.[Source: http://khimmy.smugmug.com/Architecture/KL-EcoCity-SIC/i-PwG8Mnm]

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Solar panels Solar panels are being installed on the roof of the building. These panels capture sunlight and solar energy. These energy are then converted into electrical energy, generating efficient electricity to light up parts of the building.

Figure 6: Solar Panels on the rooftop

[Source: http://khimmy.smugmug.com/Architecture/KL-EcoCity-SIC/i-PwG8Mnm]

Rainwater harvesting and recyclingThe International Centre also has rainwater harvesting features. Piping are installed to collect the rainwater from the roof. These water are then being recycled for other usage such as to fill up the water in the pool.

Efficient air-conditioning system The air-conditioning in the building is designed for occupancy comfort and low energy consumption. The efficient system saves much energy and also a sum for the expenses of the building.

Sun-shadingSeveral sun-shading devices are used in the building, such as louvers, egg-crate sun-shading device and outdoor walkway canopy.

Louvers are placed over the skylights to prevent excessive sunlight from shining into the offices (Figure 6). This is to prevent sun glare. Another type of louver is the manually adjustable ones fitted under the skylights so that the amount of sunlight shining in can be controlled accordingly (Figure 7 & 8).

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Figure 6: Louvers over skylights.

Figure 7 & 8: Manually adjustable louvers fitted under the skylight.

[Source: http://khimmy.smugmug.com/Architecture/KL-EcoCity-SIC/i-PwG8Mnm]

Walkway canopies on the side of the building shades users walking from the car park to the sales gallery and office (Figure 9). Egg-crate sun-shading devices are also placed outside windows to minimise the direct penetration of sunlight into the building (Figure 10).

Refer passive design elements for further elaboration.

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Figure 9: Walkway canopy for shade.

[Source: http://khimmy.smugmug.com/Architecture/KL-EcoCity-SIC/i-PwG8Mnm]

Figure 10: Egg-crate sun-shading devices at windows.[Taken by: Lee Jia Xin]

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LOCATION MAP/SITE PLAN

Setia International Centre (SIC) is located along Jalan Bangsar adjacent to the Abdullah Hukum LRT Station within the premises of the KL Eco City project by Malaysia's leading property developer, SP Setia.

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PLAN

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Climate Data

Chart 1

Chart 1 shows the climate summary of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia during the year 2011. The temperature in Kuala Lumpur is quite constant as it does not have a rapid change in temperature. The maximum temperature recorded is 34 degree Celsius and the minimum temperature is 22 degree Celsius. However, the average temperature in Kuala Lumpur is around 28 degree Celsius. Temperature is usually lower at the end of the year and higher during April and May.

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Relative Humidity

Chart 2

The chart states average relative humidity of Kuala Lumpur during the year 2011. According to the statistic, the highest humidity recorded is 85% of the average relative humidity, and it only takes place at the South-East and South-West directions. On the other hand, the lowest humidity recorded is 15% of the average relative humidity for all directions except for North-East direction. The most frequent average relative humidity of Kuala Lumpur is 55%.

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Wind Studies

Chart 3

The chart above shows the wind frequency of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from the 1st of January to the 31st of December 2011. According to the chart, the highest wind frequency happens in all directions which are less than 22 hours; the lowest wind frequency happens at the North direction which is more than 228 hours. It can be concluded that the wind frequency is the highest at the east direction and lowest at the North-West and South-West direction. Therefore, the architect of Setia International Centre designed the entrance of the building facing east in order to have maximum air ventilation.

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SUN PATH ANALYSIS

SUNPATH 2ND APRIL 0900

Figure 11

Figure 11 shows the sun path on 2nd of April 0900. During that time, the North-West side of the building is completely shaded.

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SUNPATH 2ND APRIL 1200

Figure 12

Figure 12 shows the sun path on 2nd of April 1200. During that time, the North-East side of the building is still completely shaded but less shadow was casted on the ground.

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SUNPATH 2ND APRIL 1600

Figure 13

Figure 13 shows the sun path on 2nd of April 1600. During that time, the surface of the building facing North-West is shaded while other parts are exposed to the sunlight.

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SUNPATH 21st JUNE 0900

Figure 14

Figure 14 shows the sun path on 21st of June 0900. During that time, the building surfaces facing north-east are completely shaded.

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SUNPATH 21st JUNE 1200

Figure 15

Figure 15 shows the sun path on 21st of June 1200. During that time, the building surfaces facing north-east are completely shaded but there is no shadow casted on the ground.

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SUNPATH 21st JUNE 1600

Figure 16

Figure 16 shows the sun path on 21st of June 1600. During that time, the building surfaces facing north-east and south-east are completely shaded.

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According to the diagrams, every side of the building will be completely exposed to the sunlight at a certain period of time. In order to control the amount of sunlight from

penetrating into the interior space, the architect places vine plants at the front façade to block some of the sunlight from penetrating into the building. While other parts of the

building he uses egg crate shading devices to control the amount of sunlight.

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Egg crate shading device

2ND APRIL 0900

During 2nd of April 0900, the egg crate shading device helps to block 85% of the sunlight from penetrating into the interior space.

2ND APRIL 1200

During 2nd of April 1200, the egg crate shading device helps to block 90% of the sunlight from penetrating into the interior space.

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21st JUNE 0900

During 21st of April 0900, the egg crate shading device helps to block 99% of the sunlight from penetrating into the interior space.

21st JUNE 1200

During 21st of April 1200, the egg crate shading device helps to block 96% of the sunlight from penetrating into the interior space.

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2 Main Passive Design Features

a) Sun Shading

Setia International Centre faces east, and has a longer front and rear façade, compared to the side facades of the building. Thus longer hours of sunlight are transmitted into the rear façade of the building, as compared to the other facades. The spaces that are exposed to the long hours of daylight everyday are the office and restrooms. These spaces do not require a large amount of sunlight throughout the day, therefore the rear façade of the building has installed many sun shading devices, blocking a large amount of sunlight from the spaces in the building. However, exterior shadings are greatly preferred over interior shadings as it is important to keep the solar radiation or heat from entering the building.

- Egg-crate shading device

The egg-crate solar shading device is a combination of vertical and horizontal shading elements. They are more commonly used in hot climate regions like Malaysia, because of their high shading efficiencies. The horizontal elements control ground glare from reflected solar rays, while the vertical elements control direct penetration of sunlight into the spaces throughout the day.

Figure 17

Figure 17 shows eggcrate sun-shading devices being installed onto the walls of the rear façade of the building. Sunlight are immediately shaded from the building, and only a limited amount of daylight has entered the building.

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Sketch 1

Sketch 1 shows how the sunlight ray is blocked from the spaces inside by the eggcrate device. The eggcrate sun-shading device is also arranged in a way where the view of the surrounding is not restricted from the spaces inside, and yet being able to shade the spaces.

Figure 18

Figure 18 shows a simplified diagram on how the different arrangements of eggcrate sun-shading device can affect its efficiency for blocking the penetration of daylight into the building throughout the day.

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Sketch 2

Sketch 2 shows how the vegetation has blocked the penetration of the direct sunlight into the building. The vegetation also gives a cooling effect on the opposite side of the sunlight, leaving a cool atmosphere in the building.

Sketch 3

Sketch 3 shows another view of how sunlight is blocked by the vegetation, and shading is given to the bulding.

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Sketch 4

Sketch 4 shows how heat and light from the sun is omitted once it reaches the tint of the window. Thus, the spaces in the building is cooler and dimmer, giving a comfortable range of environment to the users inside.

Figure 19

Figure 19 shows the different types of eggcrate sun-shading device that would vary the level of shading into the building.

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- Walkway Canopy

Walkway Canopy is designed and placed at the entrance of the building, and the pathway towards the building from the car park. This is to shade the visitors as they walk to and fro the building during the day, when the sun is at its hottest. The roof panels of the walkway canopy are made up of polycarbonate panels, with aluminium framing. These polycarbonate panels have a range of solar tints that block damaging UV rays while allowing various levels of light transmission onto the walkways.

Figure 20

Figure 20 shows polycarbonate panels shading effectively along the walkway canopy.

Figure 21

Figure 21 shows the walkway canopy being placed at the entrance of the building to shade the visitors as they enter or depart the building.

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- Tinted Black Windows

Tinted glazing windows are used at the west elevations and south elevations of the buildings, where most of the daylight are transmitted into the spaces such as office and restrooms. The tinted glazing windows reduce glare from the bright outdoors and reduce the amount of solar energy transmitted through the glass into the building, allowing a visual comfort to the users inside the building throughout the day.

Figure 22

Figure 22 shows tinted glazed curtain wall of the rear façade of the building, allowing only a certain amount of light into the building.

Figure 23

Figure 23 shows tinted glazed windows at the side façade of the building.

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- Vegetation Shading

Vegetation is in fact a powerful tool in shading, as well as in reducing solar radiation, wind and precipitation and trees planted well can save up to 30 percent of a building's total energy requirement. Trees and vegetation can be used to provide shade where it is seasonally beneficial. In hot places, plants and trees, planted in front of a window do not only reduce solar radiation but also the evaporation process also helps to cool the air.

Figure 24

Figure 24 shows vegetative shading on the curtain wall of the front façade of the building.

Figure 25

Figure 25 shows vegetative shading installed along the entire front façade of the building, to keep the interior of the building cool and shaded.

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Interior

- Blinds

Blinds are used in the spaces that are facing east and north of the buildings, to control the amount of light emitted into the building during the day, depending on the activities carried out in the spaces.

Figure 26

Figure 26 shows blinds being installed to manipulate the amount of daylight entering the space to the user’s desire.

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b) Day Lighting

Setia International Centre is designed to achieve GBI gold rating, featuring daylight harvesting. It is designed for comfort of occupants and low energy consumption.

Façade studies:

The façade of Setia International Centre faces east, where the sun rises. It has a longer front façade, compared to the side facades of the building. By manipulating the orientation of the building, sunlight is brought into the building. The façade of the building uses clear glass panels, allowing large amount of sunlight to penetrate through the building. The spaces that receive sunlight through the front façade include the reception counter and multipurpose hall. The side facades of the building have minimal openings to avoid unnecessary heat penetration to the building to maintain thermal comfort for the occupants. Also, most of the spaces in the side facades do not require much amount of daylight throughout the day.

Figure 27

Figure 27 shows clear glass panels installed in the Banquet to allow maximum daylight to enter the space throughout the day.

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- Skylights

Skylights are widely used in Setia International Centre. Skylight elements are designed to bring in light to centralized area of the building. Other than on top of the exhibition space, it can be also found in offices. Other than that, Setia International Centre uses light coloured walls as reflecting elements, taking the captured daylight to reflect it further inside. By maximizing daylighting in these spaces, less electrical lighting will be used, thus saving costs to the building and also reducing environmental impacts.

Although skylight elements are used sufficiently, daylights that penetrate through the building are often found glaring. To resolve the problem, the architect has come to a conclusion to add in translucent roller blinds below the skylight elements, having occupants to control the brightness of the spaces themselves. Other than that, in more public spaces, louvers are added on top of the skylight elements to control the amount of daylight that penetrates through to the spaces below.

Figure 28

Figure 28 shows several skylights installed into the ceiling to allow maximum sunlight to enter the lobby area, as to showcase the exhibitions held there.

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Sketch 5

Sketch 5 shows sufficient daylight is allowed to penetrate through window opening into offices. Partial of daylight is blocked to avoid glare from sunlight.

A B

Sketch 6

Sketch 6 (A) shows louvers that is adjustable created under skylight, to control the amount of daylight that penetrate through into the office.

Sketch 6 (B) shows another type of louver created, instead of being indoor and adjustable, it is outdoor and unable to adjust. This is also to control amount of sunlight that shines into the office.

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- Supplementary Lightings

Halogen downlights are used as supplement lightings for the excellent quality of light produced. It is sharp, reliable and mimic natural light. By using Halogen downlights, it balances out light brought in by skylight and retains visual comfort for the occupants. LED lights are not used due to the concerns of lower CRI (colour rendering index) which will affect the faithfulness of the colours of the showcases.

Figure 29

Figure 29 shows the design of a halogen downlight that is installed onto the ceilings of the building.

Sketch 7

Sketch 7 shows that skylight units are placed focus on exhibition space, which requires more light into the space for visual comfort.

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- Lux Level Sensor

Lux Level Sensor is placed near external glazing and close to sunlight to control the dimness of the electrical lightings. When skylight brings in sufficient light to the spaces, electrical supplementary lightings will be reduced. This is done to retain visual comfort of the spaces.

Figure 30

Figure 30 shows the lux level sensor that is installed onto the ceiling of the building.

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Summary Chart

Below is a summary of the passive design features used in the building mentioned, Setia International Centre, Kuala Lumpur. The following design strategy has been used by the building to aid in the passive design aspect (sun-shading and daylighting) of the building.

No. Building Science Aspect Design Strategy1. Sun shading Egg-crate sun-shading

Walkway CanopyTinted Black WindowsVegetation ShadingBlinds (Interior)

2. Daylighting Skylights throughout the whole buildingSupplementary lightingsLux Level Sensor

Figure 31

Figure 31 shows the area of passive design features used in the building.

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REFERENCES

IEN Consultants, NA. Setia International Centre. [online] Available at: http://www.ien.com.my/projects/sic.html [Accessed 5 May 2014]

Local Pages MY, 2014. Setia International Centre. [online] Available at: http://www.localpages.my/listing/setia-international-centre.html [Accessed 5 May 2014]

SmugMug, 2014. Setia International Centre. [online] Available at: http://khimmy.smugmug.com/Architecture/KL-EcoCity-SIC/i-PwG8Mnm [Accessed 7 May 2014]

Thermal-Guides, NA. Shading devices. [online] Available at: http://www.usc.edu/dept-00/dept/architecture/mbs/tools/thermal/shadedevice.html [Accessed 6 May 2014]

American Institute of Architects, 2012. The Carbon Neutral Design Project. [online] Available at: http://www.tboake.com/carbon-aia/strategies1b.html [Accessed 5 May 2014]

Craft Bilt Materials Ltd, 2014. Clear or transluscent patio covers and sunroom glazing. [online] Available at: http://craft-bilt.com/patio-covers/polycarbonate-roof/solarium/ [Accessed 6 May 2012]

Windows, for high performance commercial buildings. [online] Available at: http://www.commercialwindows.org/tints.php [Accessed 6 May 2012]

KL Eco City SIC. [online] Available at: http://khimmy.smugmug.com/Architecture/KL-EcoCity-SIC/i-zrc8z8p [Accessed 6 May 2012]

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