INTRODUCTIONPAGE 2

CLIMATE DATAPAGE 12

WIND ANALYSISPAGE 13

SUN ANALYSISPAGE 14

PASSIVE GREEN DESIGN ANALYSIS

PAGE 15

REFERENCE LISTPAGE 25

CONTENT PAGE

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PROJECT: DIGI Technology Operations CentreLOCATION: MalaysiaARCHITECT: T. R. Hamzah & Yeang Sdn. Bhd.

Picture 1: A perspective view of DIGI’s Technology Operations Centre.

Designed by the T. R. Hamzah & Yeang Sdn. Bhd., it first started its

construction in April 2009 and was completed in July 2010. The DiGi

Technology Operation Centre is located in Subang High Tech Park, Shah

Alam, Selangor. It stands at 23.5 metres in height, or 4-storeys tall, covering a

total gross area of 12, 468 sq. m. The building is a data centre equipped with

necessary facilities such as an administration office, reception lobby, telco

tower and a service management centre.

 

In the project’s brief, they stated that they had sought for a data centre based

on ‘IT data centre uptime institute’ Tier 3 platform, with a possible increase to

a Tier 4 security that includes substantial ecological features. The response to

the brief was a design that optimizes the data centre footprint, providing

effective drainage and waterproofing to protect sensitive equipment, reduce

solar heat gain into the centre and allows for effective security measures.

INTRODUCTION

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Picture 2: Satellite view of DIGI Technology Operations Center

Coordinates: 3.067780, 101.569256

Aim: The DIGI Technology Operations Centre aims to reduce

the company’s carbon footprint by more than 40% while

achieving operational efficiencies through the

construction of this green building.

Certification: DIGI Technology Operations Centre has ben certified

Gold in the Green Building Index in Malaysia

Green Features: The passive green features implemented in building

includes:

• Extensive vertical green walls that filters and improves

the ambient indoor air quality and reduces solar heat

gain

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Picture 3: The vegetated green walls of the building

Source : Image Courtesy © T.R. Hamzah & Yeang Sdn Bhd

Picture 4: The vegetated vertical green wall of the building

Source : Image Courtesy © T.R. Hamzah & Yeang Sdn Bhd

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• Full-height Low-E curtain walls to provide maximum

daylight penetration and enables energy efficient

lighting systems

Drawing 1: The low-e curtain walls enclosing the building

Source : Image Courtesy © T.R. Hamzah & Yeang Sdn Bhd

Diagram 1: Diagram showing the heat transfer through the low-e glass

Source: Lee, 2014

• Regular shuttle service is provided between the

building and the Batu Tiga KTM station

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Picture 5: The nearest KTM station, Batu Tiga

Source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batu_Tiga_Komuter_station

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ORTHOGRAPHIC DRAWINGS

Drawing 2: Site Plan (nts)

Drawing 3: Level 2 floor plan of the DIGI Technology Operations Centre

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Drawing 4: Roof Plan of Digi Technology Operations Centre

Drawing 5: North Western elevation of the building

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Drawing 6: North Eastern elevation of the building

Drawing 7: Section cut of the building

Drawing 8: Section cut of the building

SITE PICTURES

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( Copyright T.R. Hamzah & Yeang Sdn. Bhd. (2014) )

Picture 6: A perspective view of the DIGI Technology Operations Centre

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Picture 7: Main entrance of the building

Picture 8: Reception area of the building

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Figure 1: Average temperature of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Diagram 2: Average Relative Humidity of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Referring to Firgure 1, it can be seen that the temperatures vary throughout

the year. The first 6 months the temperature gradually decreases and

increases for the next 6 months. The average temperature for Malaysia is

28oC. Referring to Diagram 2, the northwestern side of Kuala Lumpur has the

highest level of humidity as compared to the other areas.

CLIMATE DATA

WIND ANALYSIS

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Diagram 3: A wind rose diagram for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Diagram 4: A diagram showing the direction of the prevailing winds

Referring to Diagram 3, the highest frequency of wind comes from the East

and Southeast of Kuala Lumpur. The highest wind speed for both directions is

10 km/h. It can be seen the orientation of the building is angled to maximize

ventilation around the building.

SUN ANALYSIS

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Diagram 5: A sun path diagram for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Diagram 6: Optimum orientation of a building in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Referring to Diagram 6, the optimum orientation of a building to prevent

overheating should be where the longest façade faces the North East,

indicated by the blue arrow.

PASSIVE GREEN DESIGN ANALYSIS

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1. VEGETATED GREEN WALL a) Description

Diagram 9: Diagram showing the green wall surrounding the building

Picture 9: Picture showing the Southeastern façade with the green wall

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Drawing 10: A diagram showing the Northeastern façade with the green wall

Drawing 11: A diagram showing the Northwestern façade with the green wall

The green wall façade has a lot of biological advantages that it provides to the

building while functioning as a act living art installation. The northeast,

northwest and southeast façades, a large green wall is designed in a zigzag

manner across the building from the top to the bottom, creating a unique

attractive art installation, and at the same time protecting the entire building

with its biological advantages.

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b) Thermal advantages

Diagram 7: A diagram showing the thermal and solar radiation pathways

Diagram 8: Temperature zoning within the building

The green wall surrounding the façades of the DIGI building causes thermal

reduction by trapping a layer of air within the plant mass. This reduces the

ambient temperature via evaporation shading. It also functions as a buffer

zone during hot weathers and cold weathers (e.g: rainy seasons). Not only is

the building protected from overheating, but also the surrounding air quality is

improved due to the green wall absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing

oxygen through photosynthesis. Referring to Diagram 8, heat has to be kept

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away from the data centre to avoid damage to the equipment. This is done by

placing it in the centre of the building away from sources of heat.

c) Type of plant used

Picture 10: A close up of the green wall on the North Eastern façade

The DIGI Technology Operations Centre uses turf grass for the green wall

due to it having several advantages. Turf grass is larger, taller and they grow

in bulk making it easier to flourish. They also provide some sort of acoustic

insulation from the outside as well. The DIGI building is located in an industrial

area and due to it being an office building, acoustic insulation is necessary.

Evapotranspiration takes place thus reducing the heat entering the building,

regulating the interior temperatures and increasing the human comfort. The

turf grass also protects the building form ultraviolet rays as well (Bliss &

Everett, 2014).

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d) Evapotranspiration

Diagram9: A diagram showing the effects of evapotranspiration

A wet object in this case turf grass will decrease in temperature due to

the effect of evaporation due to the molecular kinetics, where the faster

water molecules escape and become a part of the air. Since those that

escape has more energy than the average, the process decreases the

temperature of the water that escapes the object making the

environment cooler ( “How Does”, n.d.). The green wall is placed on the

north-east and north-west façade which, due to the building's

orientation, receives the most sunlight at 9am until 4pm, providing heat

to the turf grass, thus catalyzing the water molecules on the turf grass

to undergo evaporation, This in turn makes the environment around the

building cooler as the evaporated water molecules combine with the air

molecules. The designers take advantage of this process by placing

the ACMV’s, which take in fresh air close to the green walls. Not only

will the building ventilate cool air, it improves the indoor air quality as

well (Chua, et al., n.d.).

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e) Acoustic Barrier

Diagram 10: A diagram stating the sources of noise in the area

Diagram 11: A diagram showing the reverberation of sound

Green walls also have an added benefit to the building occupants by

providing a form of acoustic insulation due to the plants ability to

absorb sound (“Green Wall Benefits”, 2010). The DiGi Technology

Operation Centre is located in an industrial area where large lorries

and trucks frequent. Therefore, sound insulation is needed. It can be

seen that the green walls have been placed strategically near the main

sources of noise, referring to Diagram 13.

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2. BUILDING ORIENTATIONa) MS1525 Requirements

Diagram 12: Diagram showing the staircases and service rooms

In reference to the MS1525 (2007) requirements, the best orientation for

buildings in equatorial climates, have their long directional axis facing North-

South, minimizing the East-West orientation. It can be seen that the DIGI

Technology Operation Centre is angled in such a way that the longest façade

unfortunately have a East-West orientation. In order to reduce the solar heat

gain, service areas such as staircases and service ducts are located near the

external walls on the east-west façades. The rooftop also holds several

service rooms to further reduce the solar heat gain (Aun, 2009).

b) Induction of daylight

Diagram 13: North Eastern and North Western façade at 9am

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Diagram 14: South Eastern and South Western façade at 4pm

Referring to the above diagrams, it can be seen that the Northeastern façade

receives the most sunlight at 9am until 4pm when it is shaded. The South

Eastern facade is shaded during the day until 4pm when it is fully exposed to

sunlight.

Picture 11: Natural daylight illuminates the reception area of the building

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Picture 12: Natural daylight brightens up the office area

As seen in the above images, the interior spaces of the building are lit up with

natural daylighting especially the spaces in the Northeastern side during 9am

to 4pm, and the Southeastern spaces from 4pm onwards. The curtain wall at

Northeast façade allows sunlight to illuminate the main office areas during

working hours from 9am to 4pm, when the façade receives the maximum

daylight exposure.

c) Optimum Building Orientation

Diagram 15: Optimum building orientation for the DiGi Technology Operation Centre

The longer façade of the Digi Technology Operation Centre building is not

orientated towards the optimum direction, which is to the North East.

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However, the building is perhaps to be orientated in such manner as the main

entrance as well as the main office area is situated there. This is as well to

avoid direct sunlight to penetrate in during morning and afternoon, which is

the time with the most sunlight.

As to compensate for the length of façade facing the optimum direction, the

North East side of the building has been installed with glazed glass with

curtain wall system which aid in the fully daylight penetration as well as an

efficient lighting scheme to the office area. Besides that, short overhang are

placed on this area for a better day lighting system.

Drawing 12: DiGi Technology Operations Centre façade with curtain walling

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Aun, C. S. (Director) (2009). Green Building Index - MS1525. Applying

MS1525:2007 Code of Practice on Energy Efficiency and Use of Renewable

Energy for Non-Residential Buildings. Lecture conducted from Persatuan

Arkitek Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur.

Bliss, H., & Everett, W. (2014). What Is Turf Grass? Retrieved April 30, 2014, from

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-turf-grass.html

Chua, Z.Y., Chan, S.Q., Tan T., Ong, K., Hon, Y. M. Y., & Lim J. Z. ( n.d.)

[Presentation Board]. Digi technology operation centre.

Green Wall Benefits. (2010). Retrieved April 30, 2014, from

http://www.greenroofs.org/index.php/about/green-wall-benefits

Grondzik, W. T., Kowk, A. G., Stein, B., & Reynolds, J. S. (2010). Mechanical and

electrical equipment for buildings. Hoboken, N.J: Wiley.

Living Walls Improve Indoor Air Quality, Save Energy and Add Life to Your Home -

Green Home Gnome. (n.d.). Retrieved April 30, 2014, from

http://www.greenhomegnome.com/living-walls/

London's Famous Gherkin Building Goes Green - Literally | Inhabitat - Sustainable

Design Innovation, Eco Architecture, Green Building. (n.d.). Retrieved April 30,

2014, from http://inhabitat.com/gherkin-gets-a-green-roof/

REFERENCE LIST

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Singal, S. (2014). AECCafe.com - ArchShowcase - DIGI Technology Operation

Centre in Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia by T.R. Hamzah & Yeang Sdn Bhd.

Retrieved April 28, 2014, from http://www10.aeccafe.com/blogs/arch-

showcase/2014/03/29/digi-technology-operation-centre-in-shah-alam-selangor-

malaysia-by-t-r-hamzah-yeang-sdn-bhd/?interstitial_displayed=Yes

TR Hamzah & Yeang Sdn. Bhd. (n.d.). Retrieved April 28, 2014, from

http://www.trhamzahyeang.com/project/large-buildings/Digi_01.html

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