BNB31503: BUILDING SCIENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY

SEM II 2018/2019

-PROJECT-
TRADITIONAL MALAY HOUSE:
Science & Sustainability

(KAMPUNG MORTEN-RUMAH MERDEKA)

GROUP MEMBERS:

NOS NAME MATRICS SIGNATURE

NO
1 MUHAMAD HATIFF SIDDIQI BIN MOHD HAMIM DN160026
2 MUHAMMAD AZRIN BIN WANGIT DN160261
3 MUHAMMAD FADLI B MOHD ZAMRI DN160084
4. MOHAMAD RAHMAT BIN AZNI AN160028
5. MOHD KAMIL AFNAN BIN SHAMSUDIN DN160168

ASSESSMENT:

1. Progress Report (5%)

2. Writing Report (15%)
3. Presentation (10%)
TABLE OF CONTENT
1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 KAMPUNG MORTEN

The village is placed with name of Morten that was taken from the name of
Frederick Joseph Morten (British Land Commissioner) when the commission was
established in the early 1920s. The land of this village formerly a mangrove swamp
area. Morten was involved in the development of this village and Othman Mohd Noh
as the founder of this village.

Figure 1.0: The map of Kampung Morten in 1981

From Figure 1.0, show that the villages near to Melaka river, the one which is
popular with its Melaka River Cruise. At night, this villages was very colourful (provide
lightning system), it can showing a uniqueness of every houses (figure 1.1). Unlike the
villages in other place, Kampung Morten maintaining traditional features such as home
design, decoration and landscape.

Figure 1.1: Kampung Morten at Night

1.2 RESEARCH AREA
This house is located in front of Melaka River and Menara Kaca Sky Tower
Melaka. This house is called as “Rumah Merdeka” (figure 1.2) because it has unique
roof, which is coloured with the flag of Malaysia.

Figure 1.2: Rumah Merdeka

It has been preserve from generation to generation. Mohamed Aboobaker

Yaakob is now owns this house. This house was built around 1925 (94 years old). The
house can last long due to the structure that made of solid wood (Nibong wood) and has
strong locking system. Another unique of this house is the installation jointed of
structures is without any nails.

1.3 OBJECTIVE OF STUDY

This study was conducted at Kampung Morten Melaka that student should be
able to:
1. Identify the characteristic of building in term of building science and
sustainability.
2. Measured the value of lux (lighting) by using lux meter.
3. Proposed Building Design Strategies to sustain the building.

1.4 SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF STUDY

This study focuses on the science and sustainability of the traditional Malay
House. The area of study is located only at “Merdeka House”, Kampung Morten,
Melaka. Data was collected by using a tools, interview and do a survey/research about
the House.
 1.5 SIGNIFICANT OF STUDY

This research would be beneficial to the students because they will know the
term of building science and sustainability. Students also can know the unique and the
valuable of the Traditional Malay House. This study would also be beneficial to lecturer
because they will be able identify pro and con about the Traditional Malay House. This
study would be beneficial to the future researcher because they can get some
information that might needed in their research and some of their question may possibly
be answered by this research.

2.0 SOLAR GEOMETRY

There will beneficial if architecture design know the solar geometry and how to be
applied in building. In Malaysia, generally solar geometry works when the sun naturally
transmit through the building to give natural lighting to building and it will controller by using
shading devices to maximizing or minimizing the natural lighting entering the building to
allowing the sun to penetrate below shading devices.

The solar geometry for Traditional Malay House (Merdeka House) need to consider
with some factor, which is:

a) Building and sun orientation

b) Building shape
c) Floor plan

2.1 BUILDING AND SUN ORIENTATION

Building and sun orientation is where location of a home or building has been
setup in a property relative to the points of the compass. From observation, Merdeka
House has not very good orientation means it not minimizing the exposure of rooms to
direct sunlight that is on the east-west axis (the sun rises in the east and sets in the west).
There will get more sunlight at right of the house because of the sun moving from east
to west (figure 1.4). However, in Merdeka house. it has shading devices which is
overhangs roof to reducing sunlight goes directly into the house.
 Figure 1.3: sun orientation

2.2 BUILDING DESIGN

Building design consist of 3 part, which is:
a) Building Form
b) Roof
c) Wall

2.2.1 BUILDING FORM

The Merdeka’s house in Morten village designed mostly influenced by

the solar geometry. The main characteristics of this traditional Malay houses are
it is well designed to satisfy the Malaysia climate. The house form had
developed and modified over a long period to fulfill most of the cultural,
occupants needs and circumstances change (Nasir 1985). This traditional Malay
house was designed with a very good understanding for nature and in the
traditional Malay societies, the villagers were directly obtain most of the
resources from the natural environment for theirs building materials, design and
houses shape.
 Figure 1.4: 3D view of “Merdeka House”

The building shape of Merdeka House is not to complex. It is rectangular

shaped (figure 1.5: top view) in every section. The rectangular shape is mostly
designed in Malaysia because of it most efficient way to give amount of space
and it can easily to designed the sunlight to entering the building.

2.2.2 BUILDING ROOF AND WALLS

Figure 1.6: roof of Merdeka House

Malaysia is located in central South-East Asia and has a tropical

weather. Due to the latitude and longitude, it gives Malaysia a warm humid
equatorial that influenced by monsoonal climate. This house is oriented to face
East-West for religious reasons that faced to ‘kiblat’ and reduces direct exposure
to heat from direct solar radiation.

Its large roof and low windows influenced by the solar geometry and
this gives a physiological effect of coolness, as strong light is often mentally
associated with heat. The long thatched roof with large overhangs in this
traditional Malay house has reduced the solar radiation and it designed to reduce
direct sunlight (figure1.6). The low walls and large overhangs in this Malay
house, it make the shading and reduced the solar radiation and the glare from
the open skies. Besides, providing good shading, the large overhangs also gives
protection against heavy rain and the walls and overhangs have allowed the
windows to be open in different situation weather.

Figure 1.5: Windows, curtains and translucent glass window

This house also has a traditional window that made from wood, if the
owner of the house need to get more sunlight just opened the window and
curtains (figure 1.3) and if the owner need to reducing the sunlight, just closed
the curtains. At the top of the window, it has translucent glass windows (figure
1.3) to penetrate the sunlight into the house (give a natural lighting into the
house).
2.3 FLOOR PLAN
A floor plan usually type of drawing that show the layout of building or house.
Generally, floor plan illustrate the position of walls, windows, doors and stairs. The
location of the area of study for lighting (mark with blue rectangular) (figure 1.6).
Addionally, the bedroom were designed at the main house that called ‘ibu rumah’ faced
to north oriented because to avoid the glare of the direct sunlight and reduced the heat
of the bedroom. The main house section was designed exposed to the direct sunlight to
get the natural lighting during daylight.

Figure 1.6: Layout plan of Merdeka House

3.0 NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

The house is extremely well designed to suit the warm and humid Malaysian climate and
for the multifunctional use of space. Its design is also flexible as it caters to the widely different
needs of the users and it has an addition system, which allows the house to be extended to meet
the growing needs of each family. By research and observation, there are some factors of natural
environment that can affect the house.

3.1 PLANT

There are some plants that placed surrounding around the house. Besides the plant
that used as a decoration, it also provides shade to the house due to green plants release
Oxygen and absorbs Carbon Dioxide (CO2). Besides that, the plant also can reduce the heat
of the house and prevent the house from the direct sunlight that works as shelter to the
house. Then, it will provide comfortable to the occupants as they can feel the comfort
towards surrounding temperature, thus any work in the house can be done with efficient
without any heat problem.

Furthermore, there is general agreement amongst scientists that plants improve the
indoor environment and are useful in fighting the modern phenomenon of Sick Building
Syndrome (SBS). No specific cause of SBS has been identified but poor air quality,
excessive background noise and inadequate control of light and humidity are all thought to
be important factors. Because plants have large surface areas and exchange gases and water
with their surroundings, plants can help tackle some of these issues. Because plants have
large surface areas and exchange gases and water with their surroundings, plants can help
tackle some of these issues.

Particular benefits of surrounding plant that can give good impact either to house or
occupant itself:

a) Reducing carbon dioxide levels

b) Increasing humidity

c) Reducing levels of certain pollutants, such as benzene and nitrogen dioxide

d) Reducing airborne dust levels

e) Keeping air temperatures down

 Moreover, that plants and their leaves absorb, diffract or reflect background noise,
thereby making the environment more comfortable for the occupants. Trees can mask
concrete walls or parking lots, and unsightly views. They muffle sound from nearby streets
and freeways, and create an eye-soothing canopy of green. Trees absorb dust and wind and
reduce glare.

Figure 1.7: the plant and tree-surrounding house

3.2 BUILT ENVIRONMENT

There is high-rise building in front of the house. So, there are some negative effects
to the house itself cause by built environment activity. Sometime, there is noise that came
from by that construction activity, and then it will disturb and give uncomfortable to the
house occupants when the sound is too loud and noisy. As we know, the activity and work
like building construction will release loud noise to the surrounding of the site and make
the public feel uncomfortable. Then, it also happens to this house, but for now, the noise is
reduce because of mostly of building are completely finish.

The environment plays an important role in disease dynamics and in determining

the health of individuals. Specifically, the built environment has a large impact on the
prevention and containment of both chronic and infectious disease in humans and also in
non-human animals. The effects of the built environment on health can be direct, for
example, by influencing environmental quality, or indirect by influencing behaviors that
impact disease transmission and health to the nearest house.

Figure 1.8: The built environment in front of the house

3.3 INTERNAL

This house is very complete with ventilation aspects to give the maximum
comfortable to the occupant itself. Even though, the design of window and door is unique
and artsy, but its characteristics does not neglect the importance aspect of ventilation in
meet the requirement of the house The location and position of window and door of this
house is suitable to get the optimum fresh air from outside and then provide good indoor
air quality to the occupant. The clean and good indoor air quality provides healthy to the
occupant that is human need to respiration in life. There are some designs by this house for
easier the ventilation process.

1. Roof:
 Large roof eaves for effective sun shading
 Ventilated roof helps to cool the house
 Attap roofing of low thermal capacity gives good insulation against heat.
 Ventilation through roof joint

2. Wall
 Open interior spaces with minimal partitions allow good ventilation in the
house.
 Fully openable windows allow ventilation at body level.
 Lightweight construction using low thermal capacity materials that keep
house cool.
 Stilted house catches winds of higher velocity.

Figure 1.9: the hole that easier the air to flow in and out
 Figure 2.0: the hole in roof and hole inside the house provide the air to flow in and out

3.4 RIVER

The river has located in front of the house that can give natural implication to the
nearest house. Due to existing of river near the house, the house will expose to flood
because of excessive of water during rainy season. Thus, it will make uncomfortable to the
occupant to move to other places or do the routine activity. Sometimes, the river water also
produces unpleasant smell and odor to the surrounding due to of variety factor like garbage.
Then it can be categorizes as smell pollution where it is not good for human healthy.

Figure 2.1: The River that located in front of house.

3.5 VENTILATION
Mostly Traditional Malay House in Malaysia, especially in Melaka has a variety
ventilation system, which is it can provide airflow through roof, windows, doors and from
down the house.

3.5.1 MOVEMENT OF AIR FLOW (WINDOWS AND DOOR)

Mostly in Traditional Malay House including Merdeka House, that has
large windows and doors (figure 2.2). This can be a suitable area for ventilation
(full-length fully openable windows and doors). From figure 2.2 show, the
movement of air flow through windows and door.

Represent of airflow:

Figure 2.2: airflow through windows and door

3.5.2 MOVEMENT OF AIR FLOW (STILTED HOUSE)
Mostly in Traditional Malay House including Merdeka House can called as stilt
house, which mean it has space down of the house. The function is to catch winds of a
higher velocity. From figure 2.2 show, the movement of airflow through space that in down
of the house and airflow also move inside the gap of floor (will cool down the floor).

Figure 2.2: airflow through space down of the house and gap of floor
3.5.3 MOVEMENT OF AIR FLOW (ROOF)
The side roof of Merdeka House has a unique design (Figure 2.2), which can
allowed the air flow through the space of roof at once it will helps to cool the house.

Figure 2.3: airflow through space roof section

 4.0 LIGHTING SYSTEMS
LUX MEASUREMENT

A B C D E F G

1 222 230 299 123 130 100 76

2 212 250 285 119 122 97 58

3
200 211 274 115 112 90 87
MIX

A B C D E F G

1 132 74 288 112 120 80 111

2 95 65 250 86 86 74 92

3
88 51 238 75 77 55 115
NATURAL

A B C D E F G

1 133 142 121 95 97 80 77

2 165 170 151 114 100 90 50

3
128 137 125 100 105 93 80
ARTIFICIAL
 Natural and Artificial (mix)

200 211 274 115 112 90 87

•3A •3B •3C •3D •3E •3F •3G
212 250 285 119 122 97 58
2A •2B •2C •2D •2E •2F •2G
222 230 299 123 130 100 76
•1A •1B •1C •1D •1E •1F •1G
Assessment of lighting (natural + artificial) in living room of Merdeka House

 Natural

88 51 238 75 77 55 115
•3A •3B •3C •3D •3E •3F •3G
95 65 250 86 86 74 92
•2A •2B •2C •2D •2E •2F •2G
132 74 288 112 120 80 111
•1A •1B •1C •1D •1E •1F •1G
Assessment of lighting (natural) in living room of Merdeka House
  Artificial

128 137 125 100 105 93 80

•3A •3B •3C •3D •3E •3F •3G
165 170 151 114 100 90 50
•2A •2B •2C •2D •2E •2F •2G
133 142 121 95 97 80 77
•1A •1B •1C •1D •1E •1F •1G
Assessment of lighting (artificial) in living room of Merdeka House

More green more lighting

5.0 BUILDING MATERIALS AND TYPES
In this part of study, building materials consist of 3 parts, which is:

1. Structural and architecture materials.

2. Ventilation materials.
3. Lighting materials.

5.1 STRUCTURAL AND ARCHITECTURE MATERIALS

Structural materials is part in building or houses that important to transmit or
transfer the load to the ground and to support the building from collapse.
Architecture materials is product that has a unique value and is part of the
building materials that connected to the structure materials. Merdeka House has
unique structure and architecture, which is:

No Description Pictures
1 Roof
• Made of asbestos roof.
• Pitched roof at the middle of
Merdeka House.
•Merbau timber (hard and
durable) used to support the
roof.
Figure 5.1: asbestos roof

Figure 5.2: pitched roof

Figure 5.3: Merbau timber

2 Flooring
 Made of Nibong plank.
 Nibong plank has high
resistance of water and
long lasting.

Figure 5.4: Made of Nibong plank

3 Wall
 Made of Merbau
timber.
 High quality timber
and long lasting.

Figure 5.5: Made of Merbau timber

4 Main Stairs
 Made of concrete with
highly hand crafted
hibiscus flower.
 Main stairs to enter the
Merdeka House.

Figure 5.6: stairs

Figure 5.7: hibiscus flower

5 Secondary stairs
 Made of Nibong
timber
 To connect the
compartments of the
Merdeka House

Figure 5.8: secondary stairs

6 Column
 Made of Merbau
timber stilts.
 Used to elevate the
building above the
ground level.
 For various purposes,
including better
ventilation (airflow
through bottom of
house) and safety
against flood and
creeping animal such Figure 5.9: Made of Merbau timber
as snake.
 Transfer the load from
the top to ground.
7 Beam
 Locking system used
to connect the
supporting timber

Figure 5.10: locking system

5.2 VENTILATION MATERIALS
Normally, ventilation consist of two system such as natural ventilation system
and mechanical ventilation system. Ventilation provide a clean air (example:
outdoor air or exhaust fan) that transfer to space and stale air is removed.
Merdeka House has natural ventilation and mechanical ventilation, which is:
No Description Pictures
1 From ceiling fan
 Provide good
ventilation
 To oscillate the air
inside the house to
move inside and
outside the house

Figure 5.11: ceiling fan

2 From windows
 100 % made of
timber with wooden
louvre.
 Meranti timber used
to construct the
windows.
 The windows are
painted as the coating
to last longer and
attractive.
 As the main structure
Figure 5.12: ventilation through
for ventilation
window
purpose.

3 From door
 100% made of meranti
timber
 Are painted to last
longer and more
decorative
 Constructed to help
people get into the
house and ventilation
purpose
Figure 5.13: ventilation through door
5.3 LIGHTING MATERIALS
Lighting materials is a type of materials that can produce lighting into the
building. Merdeka House has lighting materials, which is:
No Description Pictures
1 Fluorescent lamp
 As the main lamp to
produce the better
visible light

Figure 5.14: Fluorescent lamp

2 LED bulb
 With various colour of
light-bulbs as the
decorative light

Figure 5.15: Fluorescent lamp

3 Translucent glass window
 Installed at the gable
end.
 More daylight can
penetrate into the house.
 As the natural light at
day.

Figure 5.16: Translucent glass window

4 Grilles
 Installed at high level of
gable end.
 Allow more sunlight get
into the house.
 As the natural light
during the day.

Figure 5.17: Translucent glass window

6.0 SUN SHADING

This traditional Malay house in Kampung Morten has use the long thatched roof with large
overhands that reduced the solar radiation and it also designed to reduce direct sunlight. The
large overhangs in this Malay house make the shading lower and reduced the solar radiation.
The glare from the open skies can be reduce using this sun shading. Besides providing good
shading to the house, the large overhangs also gives protection against rain in Malaysia climate.
The walls and overhangs have allowed the windows to be open in different situation weather.
In addition, the external environment of this Malay house in Kampung Morten mostly covered
and shaded with trees or vegetation because the tree make shade by absorbing the sunlight to
convert as energy in photosynthesis cycle. This provides a cooler environment and lesser the
reflective of the sunlight glare for the house and the shading tress and vegetation around the
house also helps to cool down the temperature in the house.
 References

 https://www.ukessays.com/essays/construction/the-traditional-malay-house-
construction-essay.php
 www.ukessays.com/essays/construction/the-traditional-malay-houses

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