Re-adaptation of malay vernacular architecture thermal comfort elements : towards sustainable design in Malaysia. (a literature review) / Nur Hidayahtuljamilah Ramli ... [et al.]

Malay vernacular architecture has been designed with perfect solution to meet thermal comfort of the
occupants. The orientation of the house, plenty of windows and openings, roof design and multilevel of floors
are part the elements that help them to gain the thermal comfort for occupant’s lives. Bowadays, indoor
environment influenced the occupant’s physical and mental health. The practical solutions of the vernacular
characteristic in design have caused present designers to re-evaluate their design approach into finding the
design solutions to achieve sustainable design.Therefore, in building a good design, ideas are re-adapted from
Malay vernacular architecture thermal comfort element into modern building. Re-adaption is one of the design
solutions considered but to what extent may the vernacular architecture be adapted to contemporary buildings
in order to create a better interior environment for the occupants?The research will use case study and
ethnographic observations study whereby the researcher becomes a participant during the process.However,
this paper is aimed to review the literature in identifying the relationship between the designs of the Malay
vernacular building components to the local climate’s context.The research is intended to change future
designers approach towards designing contemporary buildings so that they are more sustainable.