Abstract

Passive Architecture is a climate responsive building that provides comfortable indoor conditions, naturally.  In hot and humid tropics, this can be achieved by strategising the building elements namely: orientation, form, opening and sun shading devices to avoid solar radiation, promote ventilation from the prevailing wind and ensure daylight into the building.  Consequently, the building operation would require less mechanical cooling and artificial lighting to be independent from commercially supplied energy.  The resultant “savings” in the operational energy is termed as Energy Savings Benefit.  This idea was demonstrated by comparing the energy use of a house built without any consideration of Passive Architecture (Actual Case) and a simulated version that incorporated Passive Architecture design strategies (Improved Case).  It was found that the living/dining area in the Improved Case claimed significant Energy Savings Benefit from mechanical cooling and artificial lighting.  Such information can be used to anticipate the long term benefits of a property that applies Passive Architecture design strategies.

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