Mohd Azuan Zakaria

Bio: Mohd Azuan Zakaria is an academic researcher from Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia. The author has contributed to research in topics: Natural ventilation & Thermal comfort. The author has an hindex of 4, co-authored 10 publications receiving 69 citations. Previous affiliations of Mohd Azuan Zakaria include Hiroshima University.

Environmental Design Consideration for Courtyards in Residential Buildings in Hot-humid Climates: A Review

Abstract: This paper discusses environmental design considerations for courtyards in residential buildings in hot-humid climates through a literature review by contrasting with those in hot-dry climates. The main focus of discussion is on shading and ventilation effects of courtyards. The results of the analysis revealed that the form and orientation of a courtyard were less significant in its environmental design considerations for the hot-humid climates. Although these factors were reported to be the most important design considerations in the case of hot-dry climates. Mean-while, natural ventilation has been commonly utilized in wooden-structured traditional build-ings in hot-humid climates. However, most of the urban houses in Southeast Asian regions are becoming heavy-weight brick-walled buildings nowadays. It could be seen that the required environmental effects of a courtyard and its design considerations in the case of high thermal mass buildings in hot-humid climates are still uncertain and need to be investigated further.

Thermal Function of Internal Courtyards in Traditional Chinese Shophouses in Malaysia

Abstract: This study aims to identify the thermal functions of internal courtyards in traditional Chinese shophouses (CSHs) located in the hot-humid climate of Malaysia with the aim of providing useful passive cooling strategies for modern urban houses. This chapter investigates the detailed thermal environments of the selected two traditional CSHs with different courtyard types to discuss the thermal function of the courtyards. As a result, it was suggested that closed, cross-ventilated courtyards be embedded to achieve indoor thermal comfort and avoid excessive humidity in hot-humid climates. Meanwhile, it was also recommended that a staggered form of courtyard with V-shaped roofs should be designed as a nocturnal cooling source.

Reviewing the thermal and microclimatic function of courtyards

Abstract: Currently, sustainability is one of the most important subjects in architecture and urban design. Sustainable design strategies reduce energy consumption of buildings and environmental pollution. Moreover, these strategies improve the microclimatic conditions of urban spaces. In this regard, courtyard design is an efficient sustainable strategy to improve thermal and microclimatic conditions of urban spaces. For 5000 years, courtyards have been developed to adapt to severe climatic conditions, particularly in hot and arid climates. Inaccurate courtyard thermal estimations may occur due to the complexity of optimal thermal design and insufficient tools for simulating the thermal conditions of indoor and outdoor spaces simultaneously. In the last four decades, researchers have recommended several methods to study the thermal function of courtyards. Although the variety of the modelling particularities makes it difficult to obtain appropriate results that encompass all influential factors of courtyard climatic performance, this paper provides a comprehensive review of the papers of this type of building form. The main goal is to clarify if and how the construction of courtyards can decrease energy consumption and improve the microclimate of buildings. The present study focuses on the impact of courtyard design factors (such as proportion, orientation, geometry, opening characteristics, and material) and its components (such as shading devices, vegetation, and water pool) on energy consumption, indoor and outdoor temperatures, solar radiation, and natural ventilation in different climates. Regarding the researchers’ frameworks in the reviewed papers, three main categories are identified: 1- those examining the microclimatic function of courtyards, 2- those based on the thermal function of courtyards, and 3- those that incorporate an integrative approach (considering the thermal and microclimatic functions of courtyards simultaneously). Afterward, the paper reviews the role of three main climatic factors — solar gain, humidity, and natural ventilation — in each category.

China's Old Dwellings

Abstract: A comprehensive critical examination of China's folk architectural forms. Together with its companion volume, \"China's Living Houses: Folk Beliefs, Symbols, and Household Ornamentation\", it provides a study of the environmental, historical and social factors that influence housing forms for nearly a quarter of the world's population. Both books draw on the author's 30 years of fieldwork and travel in China, as well as on published and unpublished material in many languages. The work begins by tracing the interest in Chinese vernacular buildings in the 20th century. Early chapters detail common and distinctive spatial components, including the interior and exterior modular spaces that are axiomatic components of most Chinese dwellings as well as conventional structural components and building materials that are common in Chinese construction. Later chapters examine representative housing types in the three broad cultural realms - northern, southern and western - into which China has been divided. Knapp completes his survey with an exploration of China's old dwellings in the context of the rapid economic and social changes that are destroying so many of them.