1

(Author, 2014)

Menara Putrajaya Holdings (Lot 2C2)

Design architect

Cox Architect

Consultant architect

Jafri Merican Architects

Client

Putrajaya Holdings Sdn Bhd

Builder

Putra Perdana Construction Sdn Bhd Consultants Kemasepakat Sdn Bhd, Meinhardt Façade Technology (S) Pte Ltd, Norman Disney Young Sdn Bhd

Building introduction

Location Lot 2C2, Precinct 2, 62100, W.P. Putrajaya

Start date: 28 January 2010

Completion date: 30 June 2012

12 Storey Office Tower

4 Storey Podium Office + 2 Level Basement Carpark

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Map of Putrajaya Precincts [Map]. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.lcct.com.my/help/faqs/how-to-go-to-putrajaya-from-

lcct

Situated linearly along the waterway, Precinct1 to Precinct 5 serves as the Core Area defining the

identity of Putrajaya, the federal administration centre for Malaysia. According to (Jafri Merican

Architect, 2009), Lot 2C2 originally got its name from the abbreviation Precinct 2, commercial

building, parcel 2. Being 25 kilometers South to Kuala Lumpur, it is an office building with a garden

by the side, locating next to a waterfront sited at Precinct 2 Putrajaya. Built on a slope, Lot 2C2 has

a high foyer space connecting two main building parts while functions as a main circulation path for

the building.

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Primary views

Secondary views

(Author, 2014)

Putrajaya Seri Wawasan Bridge

(Author, 2014)

Putra Mosque

Primary view

Secondary view

(Author, 2014)

Ministry of Finance building

(Author, 2014)

National Space Agency building

4

Site Map of Lot 2C2

Floor plans

LEVEL 1: Level of the main front entrance

LEVEL 3: Office floor level

A

B B

A

5

LEVEL 4: Roofs of the 4 stories office podium

LEVEL 12: Level containing the rain water tanks

ROOF PLAN: Roof designed for rainwater harvesting

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Sections

Section A-A

Section B-B

Passive design features

1. Building envelope- Sun shading louvers

2. Building orientation

Building form

Solar

Wind

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Certifications

1. PAM Awards 2013 Silver (Category 11: Commercial – High rise office)

2. Green Building Index Gold

Green features:-

Solar renewable energy

Grey water recycling system

Light colored interior surfaces

with appropriate office layouts

Multiple shading building

envelope design

Natural ventilation

Rain water harvesting

Optimal building orientation

Site layout to reduce vehicles

carbon emissions

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Optimal building orientation

Multiple shading building envelope design

Site layout to reduce vehicles carbon emissions

Natural ventilation

Rain water harvesting

Grey water recycling system

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Light colored interior surfaces with appropriate office layouts

Solar renewable energy

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Putrajaya, Malaysia’s Climate

The graph displaying the temperature varies throughout the year and as an obvious point of

metric system for the building to consider regarding its passive heating and cooling design.

Malaysia being in the tropical rainforest climate, having the average temperature ranges

between 24 degree Celsius and 32 degree Celsius. With an eight degree Celsius differences

between the maximum and minimum temperatures.

The average amount of sunshine hours mostly depends on the monsoon season which

determined the amount of rainfall annually. For Malaysia, the average hour of sunshine is 8

hours.

34 35 35 35 36 35 34 35 35 35 34 35

30 31 32 33 32 32 31 31 31 32 32 31

25 25 2523

26 26 26 26 2624 24 25

23 2321 22 23

21 22 22 23 23 23 22

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40 Temperatures: Average and Extreme

Absolute Max Average Max Average Min Absolute Min

6

8

7

8 8 8 8 8 8

7

6 6

JAN

UA

RY

FE

BR

UA

RY

MA

RC

H

AP

RIL

MA

Y

JUN

E

JUL

Y

AU

GU

ST

SE

PT

EM

BE

R

OC

TO

BE

R

NO

VE

MB

ER

DE

CE

MB

ER

SUNSHINE HOURS IN PUTRAJAYA, MALAYSIA

Hours

Source: http://www.myweather2.com/City-Town/Malaysia/Putrajaya/climate-profile.aspx

Source: http://www.holiday-weather.com/kuala_lumpur/averages/#chart-humidity

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The rainfall each year ranges from 1500 mm to 3000 mm depending on the location. The

months with the most rainfall in Putrajaya are from November to February, which is during

the Northeast Monsoon season. As from May to September, the amount of rainfall declines

due to the Southwest Monsoon season.

The level of humidity is similar for both Malaysia and Singapore, where in the morning hours,

the humidity percentage are high and then it began to drop as it reaches the afternoon but

continues to hike once the sun begins to set. For Malaysia, the average humidity level is

79.5% which is lower compared to Singapore.

23

0

20

0

26

0

24

0

19

0

16

0

15

0

16

0

20

0

28

0

29

0

25

0

AVERAGE RAINFALL

mm7

8

76 7

7

80

79

78

78

78 7

9

81

83

81

HUMIDITY

Percentage

Source: http://www.holiday-weather.com/kuala_lumpur/averages/#chart-humidity

Source: http://www.holiday-weather.com/kuala_lumpur/averages/#chart-humidity

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In Putrajaya, the wind speed is relatively low as to compare with the site in Singapore. The

maximum wind speed in Putrajaya is 74km/h which is comparatively high when measured

with the other months.

The range for the average wind speed in Putrajaya is 2m/s to 3.6m/s which falls on 2 in the

Beaufort Scale, which the strength are desired as it does not cause irritant to the human yet

able to allow ventilation.

11 12 8 5 7 8 9 9 8 7 6 10

39 3737 43 37

74

4335 31

50

35

43

WIND SPEED [KM/H]

Average Maximum

Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Year

round

Wind

direction SSW SSW SSW NNE NNW NNW NNW NNW NNW ESE SE SSW NNE

Average

Wind speed

(m/s)

2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 3.1 3.1 2.6 2.6 2 2.6 2.6

Average Air

temperature

(°C)

29 30 29 30 30 30 29 29 29 29 29 29 29

Source: http://www.myweather2.com/City-Town/Malaysia/Putrajaya/climate-profile.aspx

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Thermal comfort

The thermal comfort range for Malaysia is 22 to 32 degree Celcius for temperature and 70%

to 80% for relative humidity.

Source: http://www.windfinder.com/windstatistics/morib_kuala_lumpur?fspot=putrajaya_lake

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Passive feature 1: Building Orientation and Form

Image source: (http://www.world-architects.com/en/projects/41019_Putrajaya_Lot_2C2)

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Below shows the effect of building form on environmental control strategies.

Figure 1.1

( Stein, B., Reynolds, J., & McGuinness, W. J. (1992). Mechanical and electrical equipment for buildings. New York: J. Wiley &

Sons.)

a) Solar Analysis

Figure 1.2

Menara PjH Lot 2C2 office building is built up in thin combo building design. As compared to

a thick building which requires more artificial lighting, thinner building allows most of its

interior spaces to be exposed to daylighting especially in the core of the block. This is

because spaces in thin combo building are closer to its outer shell. The usage of the shading

devices as part of the control systems to allow appropriate amount of sunlight and heat gain

to ensure thermal comfort can also be seen in Menara PjH.

THIN COMBO BUILDING

Daylighting Ventilation

Complete daylighting

for most spaces

Natural ventilation is

easily accomplished

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Figure 1.3

The longer sides of Lot 2C2 building which is the A tower is positioned between east and

west. East and west direction is the most critical position where the sun has maximum

exposure to the tower. Therefore, the solution is to corporate sun shading devices on the

façades. Even so, this taller A tower provides shading for the lower B,C,D office podiums

especially during the afternoon while still allowing certain amount of natural sunlight to

penetrate through the entire building.

Figure 1.4

Besides that, there are three parts of the building which are extended towards east. These 3

office podiums provide shading to each other and the pedestrian areas in the between the

blocks when the sun faces west as shown in the diagram.

A

B

C D

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b) Wind Analysis

Figure 1.5

According to the wind rose diagram, the overall wind direction comes from every direction,

there is not one point where wind is not received. In order to obtain maximum wind

exposure, the direction to face is the South-southeast direction, where there is a 9% of wind

distributed annually. Direction where wind is least obtainable would be the North and East-

southeast direction which just 3% from each direction.

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Figure 1.6

With wind coming from all direction at any possible period, the architect has to coordinate

the building in an orientation that serves the wind while providing proper ventilation to host

the user. Constructing a building form of a ‘W’ allows air to be deflected along its current, a

passive way of forcing the wind in motion, to provide a cooling effect for the occupants,

exterior wise, based on Figure 1.6. This provides thermal comfort in the outdoor for the users

and indirectly encourages the user to walk to surrounding places instead of using a vehicle

which is not an environmental alternative.

Using the wind rose diagram, forming the connection between the winds distributed from the

South-southeast and Northeast direction and the building form, optimum air can be

manipulated to cool down the building. Warm air could be replaced by cooler air. The lake

next to the site also could be used to cool down the warmer breeze during hot days.

Next, the supply of outdoor air that flow through building from the left structure (shown by the

black arrow) allows hot air and cool air to interchange, creating a circulation of air flow within

the structure. According to (Yeang, 1996), when internal wind speed has improved, the rate

of fresh air in structure improved for micro-climate cooling and healthier internal

environment.

Cool air

Warm air

South-southeast wind

Northeast wind

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Due to form of the building in a shape of “W”, the building form is thinner and ventilation is

achieved easily. On the other hand, if the form of structure is a singular block, it would be

harder to ventilate the building as there would be too many partitions among the interior

space obstructing the air ventilation.

Heat from the building can also be transferred easily outwards with the separated blocks

form. Moreover, due to the building form, more wind could be brought into the spaces

between the blocks allowing more heat to be taken away compared to a single block building

and thus interior heat could be taken away by the wind in a faster rate.

Figure 1.7

When constructing a lower structure in front of a taller building, the wind force’s impact on

the taller building would be much reduced, enhancing stability of the structure from the wind

load. Analysis from the wind speed has shown that the maximum wind speed could range up

to 74km/h and there are not many tall buildings adjacent around Menara PjH to share and

minimize the impact. Hence this step is taken as a precaution of firmness in a passive way.

Impact of the foundation is also minimized, creating lesser stress towards the earth since the

live load has been decreased.

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According to the temperature chart of Putrajaya, the average minimum temperature is 25

degree Celcius while the average maximum temperature is 35 degree Celcius. With building

being built out of high thermal mass materials such as concrete, the 10 degree Celcius

difference between the day and night might not be able to remove much stored daytime heat

during the night time. Therefore a thermally light building should be considered. With Menara

PjH Lot 2C2 being built using high amounts of glass and metals for the exteriors, combining

the thin combo form with separated blocks, the building has lower thermal mass. This allows

much heat to be removed at night.

Based on the study by (Kwok & Grondzik, 2009, p. 105), high humidity may be avoided only

by sealing and air conditioning buildings. As seen from the humidity graph in page 11, the

average humidity in Putrajaya is 79.5% while the thermal comfort level for humidity in Kuala

Lumpur is averagely 75%. Besides according to MS1525 (2007), the recommended relative

humidity is from 75% to 70%. This explains why Menara PjH is fully sealed in order to avoid

high humidity in interior spaces causing thermally discomfort.

In MS1525 (2007), the long directional axis of buildings facing North-South is the best

orientation for a building in which the structure is orientated to minimize the east-west

orientation. This is useful for a structure built in a climatic zone near the equator. But in the

case of Menara PjH, the taller office tower is orientated 20 degrees towards the Northwest,

with the longitudinal elevations facing east-west while the lower office podiums conform to

the orientation guide in MS1525 (2007) with the longer facades facing North-South. Due to

the orientation of the office tower, thus many shading devices are installed on it.

As a conclusion, with a thin combo building, complete daylighting for most spaces and

natural ventilation could be easily proficient (Brown & DeKay, 2001, p. 45).

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Passive features 2: Building Envelope- Exterior Shading Systems

g

Image source: Rupajiwa Studio, 2013

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The facades of Menara PjH (Lot 2C2) consisted mostly of glass making it very prone to high

solar heat gain in a tropical country like Malaysia. Therefore sun shading designs are

needed in order to minimize the heat gain. In this case, high amount of external shading

devices are used in Menara PjH because it is the most thermally efficient as external

shading blocked out the solar energy before it enters the building as shown in Figure 2.1

below.

Figure 2.1 Analysis on interior and exterior shading

Baker, N. (2014). Solar controls and shading [Figure]. Retrieved from

http://www.architecture.com/SustainabilityHub/Designstrategies/Fire/1-4-1-6-

Solarcontrolsandshading.aspx

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a) Vertical sun shading louvers

The red bold lines in Figure 2.2 are where the vertical sun shading louvres are placed on the

12 storeys office building as can be seen in the picture above.

NorthEast

20˚ West to SouthWest

SouthEast

Figure 2.2 Placement of vertical sun shading louvers

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The ratio, R2 (width of vertical projection/ Length of window) is 0.5 for Menara PjH.

Shading coefficients for vertical projections

According to the table in the Malaysian Standard: 1525 for non-residential buildings, vertical

louvres facing Northeast/Southeast orientation will have a 0.77 coefficient, which is the

lowest in the 0.5 – 0.7 ratio, R2 category. Meanwhile the Southwest façade has a coefficient

of 0.79.

In hot climate, a lower shading coefficient is more suitable because more sunlight and solar

heat can be prevented from entering the building.

Figure 2.3 Elevation of building with vertical sun shading louvres

Width of louvres

Length of

window

Table 2.1

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Advantages:

The vertical louvers can be pre-fixed to the most optimum angle according to the

sun’s position.

The vertical louvers used by Menara PjH have a gap in between the louvers and the

glass walls. While the louvers act as a barrier between the radiant heat from the sun

and the reflective glass, the air in the gap acts as a medium for heat convection from

the louvers to the glass. Because of this, the air in the space is heated in the present

of the sun.

Surrounding air enters the gap and circulates in the spaces between the vertical

louvers and the glass surface allowing the hot air in the space to be removed.

Besides, heat from the building also transferred outwards and cool down by the

circulating air in the gap. This combination of reflective glass and the vertical louvers

as the envelope design produces a passive cooling system for the building (The

Ambler | Passive Cooling, 2009).

Allows daylight to penetrate the building and reduce electricity needed for lighting.

Disadvantage:

Views are obstructed

Surrounding Air Warm Air Removed

Gap

Heat from Building

Figure 2.4 Diagram of air circulation in vertical louvers

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b) Horizontal overhangs

The green bold lines in Figure 2.5 represent the horizontal overhangs located at the 4

storeys office podiums. There are 4 Northeast/ Southeast facades, 3 Northwest facing

facades, and 2 East facades.

SE

NE

NW

E

E

NW

SE

SE

NW

Figure 2.5 Placement of horizontal overhangs

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Shading coefficients for horizontal projections

According to Table 2.2 above, the Northeast/ Southeast facing horizontal projections with the

ratio, R1 0.5- 0.7 has a shading coefficient of 0.69. For the overhangs facing East has the

lowest of all, which is 0.68 and for the Northwest facing overhangs is 0.72.

3pm Vernal Equinox [21 March]

Table 2.2

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3pm Summer solstices [22 June]

3pm Autumn Equinox [23 September]

3pm Winter Solstice [22 December]

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Due to the Northwest facades having the highest shading coefficient, therefore extra shading

devices are added at the Northwest façade (red circle). It is also the only facade that is

exposed to the sun the most in the afternoon.

Advantages:

Allows 100% ventilation when windows are opened

Views are not obstructed by any louvers

Enables daylighting inside the building

Reduce sun glare which is suitable for office work

Disadvantages:

Exterior views being disrupted

Figure 2.6 Horizontal louvers added at the Northwest façade

View

Sunlight

Ventilation

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References

Baker, N. (2014). Solar controls and shading [Figure]. Retrieved from

http://www.architecture.com/SustainabilityHub/Designstrategies/Fire/1-4-1-6-

Solarcontrolsandshading.aspx

Brown, G. Z., & DeKay, M. (2001). Sun, wind & light: Architectural design

strategies(2nd ed.). NewYork: Wiley.

Building orientation. (n.d.). Retrieved from

http://www.architecture.com/SustainabilityHub/Designstrategies/Earth/1-1-3-2

Buildingorientation.aspx

Jafri Merican Architect (2010, July 26). Jafri Merican Architect: 2C2 Green Office Building,

Putrajaya [Web log post]. Retrieved from

http://jafrimericanarchitect.blogspot.com/2010/07/2c2-green-office-building-

putrajaya.html

Kwok, A. G., & Grondzik, W. (2009). Mechanical and Electrical Equipment for Buildings,

Eleventh Edition. John Wiley & Sons.

Maartje :: Sustainable Systems & Designs. (n.d.). Retrieved from

http://www.ics.ele.tue.nl/~akash/maartje/getSystemDetail.php?ID=203

Map of Putrajaya Precincts [Map]. (n.d.). Retrieved from

http://www.lcct.com.my/help/faqs/how-to-go-to-putrajaya-from-lcct

Rupajiwa Studio (2013, February 22). Menara PjH [Photography]. Retrieved from

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151328525872424&set=a.10151328525

332424.463404.139599347423&type=3&theater

Stein, B., Reynolds, J., & McGuinness, W. J. (1992). Mechanical and electrical equipment

for buildings. New York: J. Wiley & Sons.

The Ambler | Passive Cooling, A Resort Trend at Work On Isla Palenque | Amble Resorts.

(2009).Retrieved from http://amble.com/ambler/2009/08/press release-ambles

new-panama-resort-taps-trend-in-passive-cooling/

Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (2007). Malaysian Standard MS 1525:2007.

Department of Standards Malaysia.

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Yeang, K. (1996). The skyscraper bioclimatically considered: A design primer. London:

Academy