The study investigates and compares the experience and expectation of employers and graduates on architecture graduate work readiness in relation to employability skills using a quantitative method. A total of 141 graduates and 85 employers completed a set of survey measuring the same variables but from different perspectives. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS v 25. Study findings show that perception of employers and graduates are similar on the architectural course and how it trains the graduates for practice. However there is a small gap in the perception graduates work readiness; architectural course curriculum, and graduates’ practical skills. The results revealed that the graduates confidence level in their work readiness is moderate (M = 3.42., SD = 0.843), concurring with the employers who reported that graduate are not entirely ready (M = 3.62., SD = 0.648). However, the employers’ score employability skills is lower than the graduates’ score, especially in areas such as knowledge of Uniform Building By-Law (UBBL) requirements and sustainable approaches (RK) (M=3.29, SD=0.881) and CTS (M = 3.41, SD=0.837). Thus, the study suggests opportunities in current learning in architectural course to be transformed using “work based learning” to enhance the graduates employability skills.

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Architectural design studios are the crux and core of architecture education. The closure of face-to-face Design studios due to the COVID-19 pandemic during the years 2020 and 2021 has indeed posed a set of challenges to architectural education. Through a rigorous set of research methods, the paper investigates the various possibilities and perspectives of making the challenges into opportunities to rethink, innovate and move on. The paper aims to develop a model for implementing studio-based learning innovative, appropriate, and conducive to covid and post-covid environments. The first objective dealt with in this paper is to find the consensus on the directives to solve and respond to the contemporary challenges of the pandemic for the SBL. The second is to arrive at a toolkit or a model that strategically summarizes the processes for the directives. The School of Architecture, Building, and Design from Taylor’s University Malaysia has been the case study of the investigation. The research methods involved conducting focus group meetings with various stakeholders, such as the Students, Tutors, Studio Coordinators, Program Directors, and the Head of the School. The findings firstly offered a set of shifts in paradigms of SBL and secondly, a toolkit that we named as Design Implementation Model (DIM) for a hybrid studio pedagogy that we envisage and envision to be the future of architectural education.

PurposeThere is an urgent need to develop a systematic tool for urban design in the cities of the Klang Valley, Malaysia. Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG11) proposes ideas to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. This paper approaches this goal through land use, integrated into an effective connectivity network. It offers a scientific and systematic approach. The research employs Space Syntax of the University College London as a tool for urban analysis and the principles of Sustainable Street Networks developed by the Congress of New Urbanism to respond to connectivity issues.Design/methodology/approachThe paper employs empirical research through case studies. A systematic literature review is conducted on the diversified applications of the Space Syntax correlations, which steered the fundamental analysis of the elements of deconstruction to structure and land use. Space Syntax and Sustainable Street Network characteristics were the essential research methods. It is important to note that these data a new finding on the Syntactic Maps of the two case study cities.FindingsThe paper summarises a set of results on (1) international comparison of spatial intelligence, (2) patterns from the Eastern cases and (3) theoretical guidelines for spatial intelligence through the Syntax by offering key characteristics of the New Urbanism principles, which could be considered, while revitalising the cities in the Klang Valley, Malaysia.Research limitations/implicationsThe findings are specific and applicable to the oriental contexts. However, such results have been further compared to the Western context.Practical implicationsThe study develops a toolkit for urban planners and designers and architects in Klang Valley, Malaysia.Social implicationsThe research has focused and will add value for SDG11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. Theoretically, the paper offers insights to urban design readers.Originality/valueIt is important to note that the data itself is a new finding on Syntactic Maps of the two case study cities. The investigated setting is unique, and the first attempt in generating a Space Syntax map to the cities of Klang Valley, and the findings, therefore, offer a new set of knowledge-base to the city planners, urban designers, researchers and architects.

In hot and humid tropics, excess solar gain in buildings results in high cooling load. Shading is a common strategy used to protect the building’s skin from excessive solar exposure. Vegetation shading is often used minimize the incident solar radiation and cool the building and affect the building’s energy performance. Thus, the study present findings on effects of vegetation shading on indoor and outdoor thermal environment in the hot and humid tropics of Malaysia. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of vegetation shading on the thermal environment of urban housing. An experimental study was conducted to determine the effects of vegetation on two residential buildings of 2 1/2-storey of typical materials and construction. Findings from the study evidence that vegetation has significant effects in modifying the microclimate by shading and evapotranspiration process. The results show that the outdoor temperature of CS1 (with vegetation) is significantly lower (3.3°C) in comparison with CS2 (non-vegetated) as the effects of vegetation shading. There is also a significant reduction of 3.4°C in the indoor temperature compared to the outdoor at CS1. The results show that vegetation shading is an excellent passive cooling strategy for buildings, potentially improving thermal environment and conserving energy.

The use of the Internet for social networking is very popular amongst the youth. Collaborative technology leads to instant online community that enables fast and convenient communication. Adoption of Social Media has been researched on many contexts. However, little research has paid close attention to the student’s acceptance of Social Media (SM) as e-learning in higher educational teaching, especially in architectural education. This study aims to investigate factors that affect acceptance and behaviour of architecture undergraduate students towards the usage of SM. A quantitative method was used and qualitative responses of 33 architecture students using social media in their elective module, Community Service Initiative (CSI), was analyzed using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). TAM model for this study focused on social norm (SN) as an external factor, the two user beliefs, perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived ease of use (PEU) and behavioural intention to use (BI). Factor Analysis and Pearson Correlation showed significant relationship between social norm, perceived ease of use, perceived usefulness, and behavioural intention to use. The results of this study provided evidence for the potential use of social media as e-learning in similar modules.

PurposeThis study aims to identify the optimal configuration to enhance the environmental conditions of a terrace house courtyard space in a hot and humid climate. The use of the courtyard has declined in new housing developments although it is an effective element to bring in light and wind to promote passive ventilation to occupants. To achieve the comfort level, the courtyard needs to be open, but some occupants modify it with enclosures, such as polycarbonate, to increase the useable and shaded area. This affects bringing in daylight but deters the passive ventilation from happening. Thus, this research is important to create a courtyard that brings in daylight and wind as well as shades from the harsh sun of the tropics and to educate the occupants on the role of the courtyard as a passive ventilation system.Design/methodology/approachThe research method employed is a simulation study. A terrace house with a courtyard design in Penang was chosen as a case study of the baseline model. The courtyard configurations of the case study were evaluated, and 4 settings based on the literature review were established for simulation. The effects of the courtyard configurations were tested through daylight and CFD simulations. Daylight and ventilation requirements from Malaysia Standard were used to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of the proposed settings.FindingsThe results suggested that the semi-enclosed courtyard feature with a shading device could provide the optimal environmental conditions of the courtyard space in a terrace house in a hot-humid climate. This paper will benefit the architectural community in which it is intended to implement courtyard design in modern terrace houses and will also contribute to the discovery of the most suitable courtyard typology in a hot-humid climate.Research limitations/implicationsThe study does not include studies on thermal comfort, energy performance, or use behavior of occupants in this courtyard. The study only focuses on the influence of different courtyard configurations in improving the courtyard space's daylight availability and indoor air movement.Practical implicationsThe data from this study reveal that alteration of courtyard design needs to suit comfort level that should not alter the functions of the courtyard as a passive design. The simulation method offers data for microclimatic conditions according to the changes in design. This study attempts to design influence on multiple parameters of shading, daylighting and ventilation to optimize the use of tropical climatic conditions.Social implicationsThe terrace house with courtyard would create a passive design strategy that would naturally ventilate, provide daylight, and will save on energy usage. The courtyard then with its enhanced comfort for the user will be able to function as a useable space to foster family relationships.Originality/valueThe study on courtyard design using the simulation method mostly have been conducted using a single parameter. This study highlights the analysis and process of identifying the optimal configuration for the architectural feature of a courtyard to provide a comfort level for occupants in hot and humid climates using the simulation method using data from two pieces of software.

This study intends to discover the challenges of implementing BIM in the Malaysian architecture industry to further integrate BIM with Malaysia's green building rating tool, the Green Building Index (GBI). This is to further encourage more green buildings to be built in Malaysia. The outcome of this study recognises the past examinations on BIM implementation that includes definitions, BIM applications, BIM benefits, and BIM future challenges. A qualitative approach using structured interviews was directed to designers to understand the challenges of adapting BIM for green buildings projects in Malaysia. Thus, this study provides insights on BIM application that could positively emerge as a notable tool to enhance green buildings that can accelerate the progress of sustainability within the construction industry in Malaysia. Additionally, this study contributes towards raising awareness among Malaysian architectural firms to invest in BIM as a main tool in designing green buildings.