1

BUILDING SCIENCE 1 (BLD60803)

PROJECT 1 :
Case Study: Identifying Innovative Passive Design Strategies

LIM FOU SING
0314997

TAN KWOK SEONG
0314700

LEE RUN SEN
0308226

CHENG CHEN LIANG
0310043

TSAI WAN CHING
0315185

LIM SHU YIN
0307795



Platinum Sentral, Kuala Lumpur



1
CONTENT PAGE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Brief Introduction
1.2 Purpose of Study
1.3 Location of Site
1.4 Awards & Accolades
1.5 Purpose of Singapores National Library
1.6 Directory

2.0 CLIMATE DATA

3.0 THERMAL ANALYSIS
3.1 Thermal Data
3.2 Relationship Between Temperature & Humidity
3.3 Comfort Zone

4.0 WIND ANALYSIS
4.1 Wind Data
4.2 Wind Studies
4.3 Rose Diagrams
4.4 Air Circulation
4.5 Natural Ventilation

5.0 SUN ANALYSIS
5.1 Solar Data
5.2 Natural Lighting against Sun Path
5.3 Building Configuration against Sun Path

6.0 DESIGN CONCEPT & PASSIVE DESIGN STRATEGIES
6.1 Psychrometric Data
6.2 Building Envelope
6.3 Passive Design Strategies
6.4 Identification & Analysis of 2 Passive Design Features
6.4.1 Skylight / Sun Roof
6.4.2 Inclined Green Wall System

7.0 Active Design Strategies

8.0 Conclusion

9.0 References


1
1.0 Introduction

1.1 Brief Introduction
Platinum Sentral is a state-of-the-art campus-style office, offering seamless connectivity, a
creative working environment and contemporary business lifestyle. Platinum Sentral is Kuala
Lumpur Sentral CBDs first Green Office Campus. It comprises of 5 blocks of low-rise campus
style offices with high-end retail shops, hospitality zone & green space with a GFA of
approximately 980,000 square feet. With its estimated GDV of over RM700 million, this premise
has provided ample car parks equipped with digital guidance system. The retail space planned
across 86,251 square feet. caters to the needs of the working population in Platinum Sentral as
well as the surrounding office areas. The dynamic, state-of-the-art architecture planned across
380,835 square feet, complements the contemporary business lifestyles.

1.2 Purpose of Study
Platinum Sentral is the first development in Malaysia to fulfill the criteria set-out by the BCA
Green Mark (Singapore) for the Platinum rating. To achieve this, the developer, Malaysian
Resources Corporation Berhad (MRCB) ensured that the capital cost investments were lowered
between 8-10% of the usual capital costs and managed to achieve 30% in operational savings.

The development has a total of 2 acres of Green area.
The development has also been nominated as one of
the pilot projects to achieve a rating from Malaysias
GBI in the category of Environmental Sustainable
Development. Positioned as the Green Lung of Kuala
Lumpur Sentral, the development has well-layout green
spaces to include green roof terraces, sky gardens,
facades and inclined podium walls. Besides, the artistic
use of metal, glass and environmentally friendly
construction materials gives Platinum Sentral a uniquely
urban yet natural finish.

Potentially to house ICT-based companies, the Platinum
Sentral is unique for its unconventional green features,
which also complement the contemporary business
lifestyles and missions. The building provides an
alternative office space in a green-setting with an
outdoor environment conducive to seamless work.
Figure 1: View from west
entrance


2
1.3 Location of the Site

The Platinum Sentral is situated opposite the Arrival Hall of the KL Sentral Station and next to
the Le Meridien Hotel at Jalan Stesen Sentral 2 in Kuala Lumpur. Hence, it is a walking distance
to the LRT, Monorail & KTM Komuter station which brings convenience for the visitor or working
staff to back and forth from their residences. Besides, there are buses and cabs station nearby
and easily available. The car driver also can access to the building from all major highways due to
its strategic location.






Source: http://www.klcc-office.com/index.php?go=properties&id=169&location=6


3
1.4 Awards & Accolades

- Platinium certification from the BCA Green Mark(Singapore) and GBI from Malaysia

Platinum Sentral has outstanding features for energy saving, focusing on enhancing efficiency in
utilising energy, water and materials. Every feature from walls, the roof, gardens and plant life
are meant to help conserve energy, in line with MRCBs commitment towards sustainable
development. Thus, the building has won several awards as a recognition of its achievements:

2002- Malaysia Property Award of Distinction FIABCI Specialised Public Sector Category ( Stesen
Sentral Kuala Lumpur)
2008- Winner of FIABCI Malaysia Property Award Office Development Category (1 Sentral )
2009- Winner of FIABCI Malaysia Property Award Purpose-built Category (Sooka Sentral )
2009- 1st Runner Up, FIABCI Prix d Exellence Office Development Malaysia Category (1 Sentral)
2010- 1st Runner Up, FIABCI Prix d Exellence Purpose-built Category (Sooka Sentral )
2010- Winner of FIABCI Malaysia Property Award Office Development Category (Quill 7 )
2012- Editors Choice Property Awards Best Integrated Development (Kl Sentral CBD)
2012- Editors Choice Property Awards Best Green Initiative (Malaysia Resource Corporation
Berhad)
2012- The Edge-PAM Green Excellence Awards Green Building (Platinum Sentral)
2012- Singapores BCA Green Mark (Platinum Rating)

1.5 Purpose of Platinium KL Sentral





Platinum Sentral is Malaysias first Smart + Connected Real Estate (S+CRE) with its centralised
network solution for integrating energy, building, facility, security, maintenance and IT networks
management. It forms the internal structure that supports the green and sustainable features
and functionalities of Platinum Sentral. The unique campus-style building offers superb
connectivity, a creative working environment and high standard business lifestyle for the
public around KL Sentral.
Figure 2: Overview of Main Atrium


4
1.6 Directory









5
2.0 Climate Data


Diurnal Average Temperature
1 Jan to 31 Dec
Diurnal temperature is the
difference between the daily
maximum and minimum
temperature.







Dry Bulb Temperatures
1 Jan to 31 Dec
They Dry Bulb Temperature refers
basically to the ambient air
temperature. Its measured by a
thermometer which is not affected
by the moisture of the air.









6

Wet Bulb Temperatures
1 Jan to 31 Dec
The wet bulb temperature is the
temperature indicated by a
moistened thermometer bulb
exposed to the air flow. It will
always be lower than dry bulb
temperature but will be identical
with 100% relative humidity.


Direct Radiation
1 Jan to 31 Dec
Direct radiation data is used for the
calculation of evapotranspiration,
which is a function solar energy,
wind and temperature.



Relative Humidity
1 Jan to 31 Dec
Relative humidity is the ratio of the
current absolute humidity to the
highest possible absolute humidity,
to see how much air is saturating
with water vapor, which is to check
the possibility of rain.





7
3.0 Thermal Analysis

3.1 Thermal Data


External Temperature
Internal Temperature

The indoor air temperature of the building is found to be in between 22.5C to 25.5C, whereas
the maximum macro and micro climatic difference is about 3C. The internal temperature
shows a higher result because that was the initial temperature before the plantations, the
greeneries managed to decrease the temperature greatly afterwards.

Although its only about 3C differences, but as 50% the roof is designed to have vegetation,
together with the gardens, they keeps the surrounding ambient temperature low by providing
shades, ventilations and prevents heats absorption by the concrete. This local vegetation shades
are successful enough to reduce the heat effectively by lowering the wall surface temperature
up to 17C.
Table 1: Monthly Diurnal Averages, Msia


8
3.2 Relationship Between Temperature & Humidity





The relative humidity typically ranges from 58% to 99% over the country of the year. 58%
consider as mildly humid while 99% consider as very humid. From the graph we obtained above,
it can be seen that February would be the driest month, whereas November would be the most
humid month for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. But the graph above shows only the average daily
high and low relative humidity (blue and brown), its more likely to be within both graph, where
the percentile bands are.
















The diagram above shows the average thermal of the building during the day, showing the
heat-ness and coolness areas. Red zones are along the building as the spaces there are warmer
due to the glass facade, which maximizes light source.
Table 2: Relative Humidity

Figure 3: Temperature Zoning


9
The graphs below shows the temperature and the humidity of Malaysia on the day we visited
the building, 28
th
of April 2014.
Table 3: Temperature 28
th
April 2014

Table 4: Humidity 28
th
April 2014


10
After gathering the data of temperature and humidity, we place them together to have a
side-to-side comparison and to analyze its differences.



Through this comparison analysis, we have compiled our understanding of the relationship
between temperature and humidity. Temperature and relative humidity are interrelated. For
instance, when temperature is high, relative humidity is low. Indoor air is cooler as all of the
openings (entrance) are usually closed during the lunch hour due to less human activity. Hot air
inside will rise and escape to exterior. Low humidity level is due to the poor air ventilation
(limited fenestration). The analysis causes a change from the typical theory of relationship
between temperature and relative humidity. Therefore, occupants feel most comfortable in the
morning with lower temperature and higher relative humidity.






Table 5: Temperature against Humidity 28
th
April 2014


11
3.3 Comfort Zone

Platinum Sentral has an indoor temperature of 22.5Celsius to 25.5Celsius, which meets the
basis temperature for human comfort. Weather, air humidity, air pressure and number of
occupants do affect the thermal factor of Platinum Sentral.

Based on our own analysis, number of occupants at the hall way of this building increases during
peak hour, 9am and 5pm. Between 12pm and 2pm, the number of occupants may decreased
gradually as most of the office workers may choose to have their meal in the restaurants or cafe
in Platinum Sentral. Therefore, the number of occupants at the hall way decreases rapidly during
lunch hour but increases at restaurants and cafe. This shows that human comfort zone changes
based on temperature and the number of occupants at the specific area. An increase of
temperature(12pm to 2pm) and an increase of number of occupants at a specific area results
in a decrease of human comfort level and vice verse. Gardens at Platinum Sentral achieve its
best comfort zone early in the morning and late evening due to the low temperature and a small
number of occupants.

The diagrams below shows different time having different level of comfort zone.






8.00 A.M.
During this hour, the occupations in the office is
likely to be most packed compared to the other
areas. Therell be people in the gardens and
restaurants as well, but lesser compared to kitchen.


12







12.00 P.M.
During lunch hour, the occupations in office will
decrease harshly, as they are going out for lunch,
therefore, the walkway, restaurants, and gardens are
likely to increase in occupations during this hour.
5.00 P.M.
Inactive in office areas, and more people in the
restaurants areas, so does the garden. But its more
likely that restaurant will have more occupants
compare to the gardens.


13
Factors affecting thermal comfort can be categorized into two main categories, which is
environmental factors and personal factors.





The above diagram shows the environmental factors, which are air temperature, radiant
temperature, air velocity and humidity. A good passive design building will take it considerations
of all which is the reason why its essential to collect the data during design stage. Specifications
of design strategies of the building we study have been written at next chapter.

The another category is personal factors (human factors), which are clothing insulation and
metabolic heat. These variables are dependent on the users, which cannot control by the
building. For example, some clothes are thicker which have more insulation, or, some users ran
across the street under the hot sun and sweat. The clothing insulation can still be control if the
building specifics users to wear proper clothing (e.g. Long pants) , but the building we are
studying is not required to.


14
4.0 Wind Analysis


4.1 Wind Data

Wind Directions Over The Entire Year





The chart above shows the wind directions over the entire year. From the chart, we can see that
the wind is most often out of the north, followed by north-east. The wind is least often out of
the south-east.





The typical wind speeds in tropical climate varies from 0mph to 10mph. The green graph
represents average daily maximum wind speed, red represents average daily minimum wind
speed, and the black represents the average wind speed.

Table 6: Wind Intensity Bar Chart
Table 7: Wind Speed


15
4.2 Wind Studies


January April

August December
Approximately 75% of the wind comes from South-East, which as 25% comes from North-West.











16
4.3 Rose Diagrams



The wind rose-diagram place on top of the site plan. The locations of core and spatial
organization of this building was planned/designed by considering the prevailing winds, for
example, the entrances are facing north-east to allow the strongest wind to enter to the
intersection of the walkways from different entrances, as well as the wind from the garden area
as well.


Figure 4: Rose Diagram + Site Context


17





The rose diagram above shows the data of prevailing wind throughout the entire year in Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysia. We obtain much details as we further research specifically on our sites.









Figure 5: Annual Rose Diagram


18
4.4 Air Circulation







The diagram above shows air circulation from the strongest area, South direction towards the
interior of Platinum Sentral and the air leaves from interior to North-East of the building.
Vertical air circulation occurs in the atrium as well as the atrium has openings for warm air to
escape and cool air to descend to the hall way.
Figure 6: Air Circulation (Top View)


19
4.5 Natural Ventilation








The building uses stack ventilation.
Stack ventilation: This ventilation mostly occurs in large tall spaces, it functions well to extract
warm air from a space and replacing it with cool air.
Air circulation in the atrium assist interior air ventilation and minimizes the use of active
strategies and energy consumption. Openings are usually opened for smooth air flow from
exterior to interior which replaces warm air to cool air in the space. Natural ventilation is
applied mainly in the hall way and the gardens. One of the gardens is placed towards the
strongest wind direction where wind speed can be slowed down before the wind enters the
building.




Figure 7: Natural Ventilation (Section View)


20
5.0 Sun Analysis


5.1 Solar Data


28
th
April 2014 8.00 A.M.

From the diagram, it has shown that
the shades are long which means the
facade of the building actually blocks
the the open roof gardens and interior
space away from the direct sunlight.




28
th
April 2014 10.00 A.M.

As the sun rises higher, the direct
sunlight penetrates towards partial of
the roof open gardens and the interior
walkway where where shaded at 8.00
A.M. This is when the spaces are starting
to get slightly warmer from the early
cool air over the night.
28
th
April 2014 12.00 P.M.

During this hour, the solar rays are likely
to shoot at the whole building, most
likely to be the hottest duration for the
building. This warms up the building yet
the temperature has been decreased by
the vegetation and the design features
due to the ventilation and insulation of
materials.


21
28
th
April 2014 2.00 P.M.

The solar rays are similar to 12.00 P.M
as well during this hour. But the shades
at the gardens seem to be lesser
compare to 12.00 P.M, the overall
building is expected to be brighter and
higher in temperature.
28
th
April 2014 2.00 P.M.

The temperature is expected to start
cooling down as the facade of building is
starting to provide shades, so does the
gardens, which means the open air
gardens are likely to be cooler as well.

The buildings temperature is also
expected to be decreasing until a certain
degree as the sun is setting, which
means lesser direct sunlight are
shooting towards the building. But the
materials of building will start to release
the heat which absorbed previously
during the day.


22
5.2 Natural Lighting against Sun Path

Lighting always plays an important role for the Architects. Therere two types of lightings, which
is natural lighting and artificial lighting.

Natural lighting is a necessity for well being, study has been made and the results shows that
humans work and live better under natural lighting conditions, and so performs better in
working quality. Meanwhile, more natural lighting means less artificial lighting, which actually
saves up energy.

For the Platinium Park, the interior of building uses extremely less artificial lightings as the
design has skylight. Skylight is a very useful daylighting roof aperture which brings in the natural
lighting while reflecting the sun heat. Its built to be small in proportion to the surface area of
building, due to the consideration of the heat content of direct sunlight. Some sunlight can
actually shoots into the carpark lots which is one level below the walkway through another
smaller skylight design.

The partial of the building facade is built up with glazed glasses, which reflected the direct heat
but allowing the sunlight to penetrate into the building. As there are publics areas and privates
areas, differentiated by the public walkway and the private sectors which are offices, the office
workers can actually sit beside the window, enjoying the sunlight while working, if the sunlight is
too strong or too hot, they have option of working deeper in the office where are shaded.



Figure 8: Skylight at the Atrium


23
5.3 Building Configuration against Sun Path

The Platinum Sentral features an unique and modern designated geometry that outstands as a
green building. It is the first commercial building that has campus-style design which offers
seamless connectivity to the public. Featured throughout the development in KL Sentral
development, trees planting is carried out for the purpose of providing shade, which reduces
cooling costs. Roof and terrace gardens is planted as its surrounding landscape which enhance
the thermal comfort and provide alternative work spaces for informal meetings and leisure
activities. The main public walkway also located between two buildings to prevent direct
sunlight from the north-south direction, without sacrifice the penetration of natural daylight
through the glass atrium.

As sunlight is found to be an important element for living/working comfortably, and also to
increase the energy efficiency, various configurations are planned.

- Walkway

The path is usually shot by direct solar rays through the skylights. Skylights help balance the light
in the building, reduce glare and transform the public areas into more open, living, safer spaces.
By allowing the natural lighting penetrating into the building, the sunlight actually leads the
users the path, directing them to differentiate between the public and private areas.

- Roof Garden

The open air garden provide sense of comfort and harmony, and cooling the building from
outside in at the mean time, as the greeneries are acting as natural air-shields to protect the
users from the solar heat and shades some areas.


Figure 9: Roof Garden


24








- Building Facade

The building facade is built up mostly by using concrete and glazed glasses, The wall surface has
the function of preventing direct sunlight, and also absorbing some thermal heat. As for the
glazed glasses built up facade, they allow the daylighting to penetrate but reflected most of the
heat energy which comes together with the sunlight.

- Core orientation

The positioning of the buildings service core and lift cores serve to block direct radiation and
conduction of heat into the main building. The offices are placed at the levels above ground
level, some parts of the offices are designed as boxes, therefore the ceilings and the boxes
design have the function of of providing shades to the internal parts, but the workers can work
beside the windows to enjoy daylighting as they wish.

Figure 10: Buidling Facade, view from roof garden


25
6.0 Design Concept & Passive Design Strategies


6.1 Psychrometric Data




Psychrometric charts are graphic representations of the psychrometric properties of air. Its very
helpful in troubleshooting greenhouse buildings environmental problems, and simply enough to
determine simple solutions. Understanding the psychrometric charts helps on visualizing the
characteristics of moist air, which is helpful in passive designing.

The psychrometric chart is an important information for passive design strategy. Therere 6 main
strategy modes for passive design techniques, which are:
- Passive Solar Heating - Natural Ventilation
- Thermal Mass Effect - Direct Evaporative Cooling
- Exposed Mass + Night-Purge Ventilation - Indirect Evaporative Cooling

The chart also shows the comfort zone (Yellow), whereas the whole blue painted area
represent the natural condition already , therefore, other than passive design strategies, active
design strategies are used to make the users of the building to be able to stay in the comfort
zone at all times. As you can see, therere actually 6 main passive design strategies.
Table 8: Psychrometric Data


26
6.2 Building Envelope

The Platinum Sentral is one of Kuala Lumpurs, or rather Malaysias greenest buildings and it did
not earn its name by chance. The design team from Platinum Sentral designed the building with
one main goal in mind, which is to build a building that has a relatively high energy efficiency
and meeting all the high standards of ETTV. To do so, many engrossing material selections were
used and groundbreaking ideas were developed.

Platinum Sentral is mainly built up of steels and high performance Insulating Glass Unit (IGU)
and Single Glass Unit (SGU) glazing as the facade of the building. As for the roof, the buildings
roof is specially formulated with PVDF thermal-control coating system which is considered a
fairly innovative engineering feat.






The air space between between the two lites of glass contains Argon gas, a type of colorless gas
which is denser than air. It increases the insulating value of the glass unit as well as providing
insulation from outside noise.
Figure 11: Breakdown of Window Contruction


27
6.3 Passive Design Strategies

Passive design strategies are the strategies while designing a building, which results on a
building that simply works on its own. The plan, section, selection of materials and siting create
a positive energy flow through the building and save energy.






We referred to MS1525 (the standard marking for Malaysia green buildings), and we found out
therere important factors which are strongly influences to the passive design buildings. The
factors which were considered in the Platinum Kuala Lumpur Sentral are:

A) Building Orientation

The Platinum Sentral has an orientation of its elongated surface facing towards the north-south
direction while the smaller wall areas towards the east-west direction. This method reduces
direct sunlight from east-west while still captures maximum sunlight all day into the building.
The glass louvers with green glazing on east-west facing facades and horizontal sun shading
louvers on north-south facing facades are the common shading devices used. High performance
Insulating Glass Unit (DGU) and Single Glass Unit (SGU) glazing windows are installed to the
building facades to minimize heat and glare penetration.



Figure 12: Buidlings main title board


28
B) Building Configuration (Geometry & Layout)

The Platinum Sentral features an unique and modern designated geometry that outstands as a
green building. It is the first commercial building that has campus-style design which offers
seamless connectivity to the public. Featured throughout the development in KL Sentral
development, trees planting is carried out for the purpose of providing shade, which reduces
cooling costs. Roof and terrace gardens is planted as its surrounding landscape which enhance
the thermal comfort and provide alternative work spaces for informal meetings and leisure
activities. The main public walkway also located between two buildings to prevent direct
sunlight from the north-south direction, without sacrifice the penetration of natural daylight
through the glass atrium.

C) Ventilation

The internal public atrium of the Platinum Sentral is entirely naturally ventilated, bringing office
workers and public together with a sense of containment and discovery. The six floor high
atrium with a fairly wide walkway allows a temperature gradient to develop, which then
stimulates stack ventilation. As the warm air given off by the occupants, which is less dense
rises in the building, the cooler air flows to the lower ground, providing the users sense of
thermal comfort. With stack ventilation, the building does not rely on the wind as it will
naturally occurs with relatively stable air flow supplemented by low velocity large scale fans.
Besides, wall sheltering method is applied where shrubbery or vines are used to create shades
and promote natural ventilation.



Figure 13: Buidling Facade, view from roof garden


29
D) Floor to Ceiling Height

The height of the ceilings are differ according to the spatial arrangement as it could affects the
feeling of intimacy. The public space under the atrium is approximately 13.4 meter high as the
users in the space are mostly strangers. The higher ceiling promotes convective air movement
which creates cooler temperature at the ground level. While the office space at both side of the
walkway has a relatively lower ceiling height, with only 2.7 meter in purpose to bond the users
which mostly are colleague relationship. Due to the lower ceiling height, the space are mostly
ventilated by mechanical ventilation devices.

E) Location of Cores

The location of cores in Platinum Sentral are the internal public atrium and the office spaces.
The internal public atrium is 80% illuminated by natural sunlight penetrates through the glass
atrium along the walkway. The offices located at both sides of the atrium also lighted up by
daylight, assisted by the artificial lighting with intelligent controls to minimize the use of energy.
While the core structure supporting the building are steel frames and glass curtain walls.

F) Building Facade

The facade of the Platinum Sentral is
mostly covered by glass to maximize the
penetration of sunlight into the office
spaces. To avoid over-heating and
harmful glare into the interior spaces, the
external sun shading devices with green
glazing are installed all over the facade,
making the building looks almost entirely
green with the terrace and roof garden as
well as the green wall of the building.
There are also louvers for shading
optimization and custom-designed
timber sun-shades which are daring
showcase of the innovative use of local
materials content for the building. The color contrast between windows and internal adjoining
walls or ceilings also reduces the absorption and transfer of heat into the building. The
significant six floor high glass atrium along the walkway also function as natural lighting device,
and enhances the inner air quality with its higher floor to ceiling height feature.










Figure 14: Buidlings light shades


30

G) Internal Layout

Offices and restaurants are mostly placed along the glass to minimise the use of artificial
lightings in the building. This organized layout has fully utilise the light source harvested from
the atrium roof and massive glass facade.

H) Fenestrations

The openings of Platinum Sentral can be found all around the building. But to be a little more
specific, atrium operable glass louvers are placed facing North-East direction for natural
ventilation. This ensures excellent air ventilation throughout the entire building as well as
sufficient sunlight penetrates into the building via atrium.














Figure 15: Buidling East Facade


31

I) Building Materials

Platinum Sentral is mainly built up of steels and high performance Insulating Glass Unit (IGU)
and Single Glass Unit (SGU) glazing as the facade of the building. IGU and SGU reflect sunlight to
maintain thermal comfort in the building. There are also some specific selection of glass with
consideration of U-value and application of Low E coating to enhance OTTV. The artistic use of
steel, glass and environmentally friendly construction material gives Platinum Sentral an
uniquely urban yet natural finish.






As for the roof, the buildings roof is specially formulated with PVDF thermal-control coating
system.

J) Roof Design & Color

Platinum Sentral installed both flat metal roof, atrium roof and roof garden. Metal roof has
coatings that prevent 75% to 80% of the suns energy from being absorbed into the roof, which
then reduces roof surface temperature and minimize the heat gain towards the interior of the
building. Roof garden provides shade and remove heat from the air through evapotranspiration,
reducing temperatures of the roof surface and the surrounding air. The atrium is entirely
naturally ventilated, which reduces the use of artificial lightings during daytime as well.

Figure 16: Breakdown of Roof Construction


32
K) Landscaping & Shading

Platinum Sentral is a green oasis of pocket parks, green walls and water features, in an
otherwise extremely dense urban precinct dominated by vehicular traffic. This building
constrained by an existing concrete deck over Kuala Lumpurs busiest rail lines. Platinum Sentral
features numerous louvers as external sun shading devices which are placed primarily at the
East and West facing facades.

Platinum Sentral installed green roofs to cool buildings with extra thermal mass and
evapotranspiration. Green roof helps to reduce heat island effect with pervious paving, high
albedo paving, shade, and minimizing paved areas. 50% of the roof is designed to have
vegetation. This prevents heat absorption by the concrete and hard paving subsequently radiate
the surrounding. The green roof keeps the surrounding ambient temperature low.

Platinum Sentral maximizes soft-scape and minimizes hard-scape by building 2 gardens. Trees
planting is carried out for the purpose of providing shade, which reduces cooling costs and
increases human comfort while they stay outdoor. Wall sheltering, where shrubbery or vines
are used to create shades as well as minimizing heat absorption in order to ensure that thermal
comfort is maintained for the interior of the building and basement parking lot.

Water ponds are located throughout the huge hall way which assists in cooling the interior of
Platinum Sentral. The use of water ponds will decrease the interior temperature through heat
removal method in order to achieve and maintain thermal comfort zone.








Figure 17: Roof Garden


33
6.4 Identification & Analysis of 2 Passive Design Features

Through researching and analysing the building, we have identified numerous passive designs
(as stated in 6.3 Passive Design Strategies, page27). But to highlight and have a more in-depth
analysis on 2 specific passive design features, we have narrowed them down to the 2 most
innovative and prominent features from Platinum Sentral. One of which is the huge skylight that
covers almost the entire building, giving amper natural sunlight into the interior of the building.
The other one was the inclined green wall system that is covering all sides of the building at
particular areas. This helps cool the building down by insulating heat from the blazing sun.








Selected Feature 1: Skylight
Selected Feature 2: Inclined Green Wall System


34
6.4.1 Passive Design Feature - Skylight / Sun Roof

The Platinum Sentral, being Kuala Lumpur Sentral CBDs first Green Office Campus, is a
state-of-the-art campus-style office, offering seamless connectivity, a creative working
environment and contemporary business lifestyle. To be eligible as one of Kuala Lumpurs
greenest buildings, the Platinum Sentral features many interesting green features, especially
passive ones. One of the most notable features is its huge and wide sun roof throughout the
atrium.






Reason of Choice:

The design team went through numerous factors to finally come to a conclusion of using this
breathtaking enormous skylight. Since the Platinum Sentrals main goal is to meet all the
standards of the GBI and achieve its green status, overcoming excessive use of artificial lightings
is essential. With that in mind, a skylight solves and meets all the criteria of a green building and
provides smooth natural light penetration, but another issue rises as they decided to go with
these huge sun roof, which is the heat gain in the building. To resolve that, Platinum Sentral
installed both flat metal roof and atrium roof. Metal roof has coatings that prevent 75 to 80
percent of the suns energy from being absorbed into the roof, which then reduces roof surface
temperature and minimize the heat gain towards the interior of the building. The atrium is
entirely naturally ventilated, bringing office workers and public together with a sense of
discovery at the main walkway in this building.
Figure 18: Skylight of the Main Atrium


35
Definition of Skylight:

Skylight, also known as daylighting or sun roof, is the practice of placing windows or other
openings and reflective surfaces so that during the day natural light provides effective internal
lighting. Particular attention is given to daylighting while designing a building when the aim is to
maximize visual comfort or to reduce energy use. Energy savings can be achieved either from
the reduced use of artificial (electric) lighting or from passive solar heating or cooling. Artificial
lighting energy use can be reduced by simply installing fewer electric lights because daylight is
present, or by dimming/switching electric lights automatically in response to the presence of
daylight, a process known as daylight harvesting.





Figure 19 & 20: Skylight acting upon its environment


36





Advantages:

- Creates a sense of space and airiness, making the atrium look even brighter and more
spacious.

- Zero energy consumption, clean and friendly to the environment.

- Cost efficient in the long run.

- Provides good natural lighting for interior greeneries.

Disadvantages:

- Although it doesnt cost much for ordinary skylights, the skylight in Platinum Sentral is extra
costly given the fact that it is extremely enormous and it features coatings that prevent 75 to
80 percent of the suns energy from being absorbed into the roof.

- Even with coatings, a certain amount of heat is still able to penetrate the skylight and the
atrium still gets a little warm.

- Skylight isnt too effective during cloudy or rainy days, which is often found in the nature of
Malaysian climate.
Figure 21: Simple diagram of skylight operation


37
Additional Features:

One of its interesting additional features is the skylights that are place on the ground level.
Skylights are usually found on roofs or high places as light can be capture easier that way. But
Platinum Sentral adopted an innovative approach by placing skylights on the ground to allow
natural sunlight to penetrate into the basement level, which is the car park.




Figure 22 & 23: Basement Skylights


38






Basement is usually one of the most artificial light dependent areas in every building. With these
skylight, Plantinum Sentral manages to cut down on the usage of artificial lightings and yet
providing the necessary amount of light in the basement.
Figure 24: Basement Skylight acting upon its environment


39
6.4.2 Passive Design Feature - Inclined Green Wall System

With the growth of urbanization, Kuala Lumpur is converted into a concrete jungle day by day
and consequently reducing the greenery. The design team of Platinum Sentral has taken
measures to bring in the greenery in every little available area along with its beautification. One
of the most significant feature is the 2000 m
2
of inclined green wall system landscaping to the
podium that surrounds the entire building.







Reason of choice:

The inclined green wall system was a response by the design team to the urban heat islands and
increasing greenhouse gas emissions. Besides, the increased amount of hard surfaces from the
roads and concrete buildings contributed to higher temperature in cities, and caused the storm
water to runoff. The fast development around Platinum Sentral also degraded air quality and
noise, created health problem of the public around the workspace.
In solution, the inclined green wall system became part of the design strategy that effectively
improves the thermal performances of Platinum Sentral, thereby contributing to lower energy
use and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Including the green wall system also able to
remove air impurities, which contribute to improved indoor air quality, workplace productivity
and well-being.

Figure 25: Inclined Green Wall System


40
Definition of Incline Green Wall System:

A green wall is pretty much just what it sounds like: a walleither free-standing or part of a
buildingthats covered in vegetation. The term refers to both green facades and living walls.
Both can be used in a residential structure or a commercial building. The green facade can only
be installed on an outdoor wall, while the living wall can function either as an outdoor or indoor
wall. With this structure, plantseither climbing plants or cascading groundcover typically
climb up the wall towards the sun, while the roots remain in the ground. More recently,
however, green facades are designed with special structures to support the plants.



























Figure 26: Breakdown of Green Wall System


41
Support systems include modular trellis systems and systems utilizing cables and rope wires.
Because a green facade uses no soil, it does not rely on fertilizer, but on water accessed through
hydroponic systems. However, typically comprised of interconnecting panels that hold
geotextiles, a growing medium (soil or alternative) and some sort of built-in irrigation system, a
green wall is fairly high maintenance to install.












1. In-unit grey water storage tank
2. Fresh water grey water control valve
3. Supply pipes to green wall panels
4. Plants grow out from panels
5. Floor gutter catches excess water
Figure 27: Simple diagram of green wall installation


42
Advantages:

- Secure property boundaries.

-Plants act as shading devices, thereby helping to regulate the internal temperature of the
building.

-Amazing visual effect

-Absorbs a significant amount of rainfall and therefore provides storm water management.

-Can mitigate the heat island effect and help cool the citys overall temperature.

-Can be a natural habitat for animals and insects.

Disadvantages:

- Complicated irrigation system with sensors

- Heavier structure

- Higher capital and maintenance cost

- Irrigation and nutrient supply system obligatory






Figure 28 & 29: Birds were flying around the green wall during our visit to Platinum Sentral


43
Additional Features:




















The inclined green wall system also serve as a function of reducing the noise and provides sound
insulation. As the soft surface of the plant tends to reflect sound from the surrounding
environment, especially the construction progress that is undergoing heavily around it.






The green wall also able to form a barrier in between the external and internal space to block
high velocity wind from entering the building. It could reduce the risk of the wind impacting on
the building structure in the long run and therefore allows the building to last longer.
Figure 30: Inclined Green Wall System
Figure 31: Simple diagram of green wall operation


44
7.0 Active Design Strategies

As energy is considered by many to be the most important category becoming sustainable,
which is why its the heaviest weighted of all the categories in LEED rating system. Energy
efficient design in many ways have direct linked to passive design principles and strategies.
Therefore concept of Overall Thermal Transfer Value (OTTV) is developed in design of building
envelope to achieve energy efficiency.








The diagram above is the calculation method of OTTV. The concept is based on the assumption
that the envelope of a building is completely enclosed. It comprises of ETTV and RTTV. But as the
Singapore National Library is a high rise building, its less likely to have much RTTV.

Parameters which are affecting OTTV of a building are building design, climatic, and local.
Building design will be building orientation, envelope color and so on; climatic would have solar
radiation, wind speeds, humidity and the others; while as the local focuses in the indoor comfort
conditions. Which is the reason why differences of indoor and outdoor temperatures, the solar
factor and the equivalent temperature difference are important (the datas which we had to
research on previously), cause all these affects the value of OTTV in LEED system.

Therefore, active design strategies are strategies that uses equipment to modify the state of the
building, create energy and comfort, for examples, fans, lights, pumps etc, which helps to
improves the OTTV, especially for the local parameters. The belows are the simulated devices
which are used in the Platinum KL Sentral:

- All escalator features motion sensors.

- Provision of motion sensors for all toilets and staircases (0.18% savings).

- All sub-meters of leak detection in the toilets are linked back to the Building Management
System (BMS).



45
- Air conditioning system uses District Cooling System.

- Air Handling Units System is design at 0.4W/cubic meter per hour (CMH).

- CO2 sensors are designed for regulating outdoor airflow.

- Provision of Energy Efficient Lighting, such as, Light-Emitting Diode (LED) and T5 fittings.
Savings of 46% better than code of practice.

- Mechanical ventilation system coupled with CO sensors at basement car parks.

- Atrium is naturally ventilated with the aid of mechanical ventilation system.

- Heat Recovery Wheel System is designed for pre-cooling and removing moisture from the
fresh air entering the building (3.34% savings).

- Photo sensors to maximize the use of day-lighting.

- Rainwater harvesting system with filtration Irrigation System.

- Ductless Mechanical Ventilation System is designed to achieve 0.83% savings.



Figure 32 & 33: Active Features, Thermal Sensor (Left) Motion Sensor (Right)


46
8.0 Conclusion
Choosing our KL site wasnt easy since lecturers do not allow a repetition in selection of building.
We were fortunate enough to be able to select the Platinum Sentral as our researching subject.
We initially chose One City Mall which is located in PJ. We then switched to Platinum Sentral as
we were able to grab hold on some interesting info of Platinum Sentral and as its name suggests,
it is a certified platinum green building by the GBI and also the GMA of Singapore.

Being built in the heart of KL Sentral, Platinum Sentral remains one of the greenest building
around. We visited the building during the weekends as the building is essentially an office block
and to gain excess around the building on weekdays isnt allowed. Just like the Singapore site
visit, we did all our necessary researches before hand. Prominent passive features were
identified and a series of data were collected during the visit. Many photos were taken too as
we tour through the building while admiring its fine architecture. Places like the gardens are
especially nice to work at as it features many innovative passive strategies like skylights for the
basement and water ponds to cool the building down.

In summary, we were glad to be able to work on a report for such an architecture beauty, the
Platinum Sentral. Through completing this report, we learned not just the passive design
strategies, but also to analyze and land our opinions on improvements or alternatives. With
proper guidance from our tutors Mr Bruce Lee and Mr Prince, we also learned to compile our
findings and analytic data efficiently.








47
9.0 References

Book:
Carles B., Jay N. (2001) Eco-Friendly Architecture. Barcelona: Links International.
Dejan M., Mat S. (2013). A Handbook of Sustainable Building Design and Engineering: "An
Integrated Approach to Energy, Health and Operational Performance". London, UK: Routledge.
Dennis F. (2008). Being Sustainable: Building Systems Performance. USA: Insitebuilders.
Jerry Y. (2007). The Green Building Revolution. USA: Island Press.
Jerry Y., Ulf M. (2013). The World's Greenest Buildings: Promise Versus Performance in
Sustainable Design. USA: Routledge.
Marian K., Bill B. (2013). Fundamentals of Integrated Design for Sustainable Building. New Jersey:
John Wiley & Sons.
Michael B., Peter M., Michael S. (2009). Green Building: Guidebook for Sustainable Architecture.
Germany: Springer.
Nicola M. (2001). Towards Sustainable Building. Netherland: Springer.

Website:
Aesthetic and Environmental Benefits (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://liveroof.com/aesthetic-and-environmental-benefits/ .
Martin H. (June 15, 2009). Designing a Good Ventilation System. Retrieved from
http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blogs/dept/musings/designing-good-ventilation-system.
MRCB Corporate Social Responsibility Report. (2001). Retrieved from
http://www.unglobalcompact.org/system/attachments/14262/original/MRCB_CSR_3105.pdf?1
330394589.
William L. (March, 2001). An Introduction to Insulating Glass. Retrieved from
http://www.igmaonline.org/technical/Lingnell%20-%20An%20Introduction%20to%20Insulating
%20Glass.ppt.pdf.