PASSIVE COOLING DESIGN AND THERMAL COMFORT IN WESTGATE, SINGAPORE

Abstract

In tropical Singapore, the use of mechanical ventilation has always been a norm to achieve thermal comfort in shopping malls. However, the excessive use of these mechanical systems give rise to an increase in energy consumption and lower sustainability. Hence, alternative methods need to be explored to reduce the reliance on these systems without compromising occupants’ thermal comfort.

Passive cooling design incorporates the use of the climatic condition to maximize building occupants’ comfort and health while minimizing energy use. However, due to the diverse profile of building occupants, it is harder to achieve acceptable occupants’ thermal comfort. Furthermore, an unsatisfactory thermal environment can have a negative influence on the building occupants discouraging them from visiting the mall.

This study aims to examine the adoption of passive cooling design through the portrayal of a case study – Westgate and investigate the occupants’ thermal comfort. Objective measurement will be performed concurrently with a survey to collect the occupants’ thermal responses at the specific thermal comfort parameters measured. Evaluation will be made to assess the acceptability of the occupants’ thermal condition in the passive designed mall. Lastly, a wind simulation analysis will be conducted to demonstrate that the design of the building incorporates the site wind condition, which assists in achieving satisfactory occupants’ thermal comfort in Westgate.

This study emphasizes that passive cooling design in shopping malls should be reinforced despite the availability of technologies to build a more sustainable environment. Despite the lack of mechanical ventilation used, occupants’ thermal comfort is not compromised.