This exploratory study outlines the business strategy that are being applied by small and medium-size enterprises (SME) construction companies in adopting Industrialised Building System (IBS) in Malaysia. Case study was employed as the research method in order to achieve the research objective as it can be used to explore and give further understanding of the research issues. Cross-case synthesis and pattern matching technique were applied for the analysis of the case study. Through the study, it was found that the SME construction companies could participate in the IBS business. The companies need to have capital and knowledge in IBS, position themselves as a total IBS solution provider to clients, target projects with large volumes of building components, employ a small number of fulltime employees as well as to have in-house capability and to outsource some facilities in the business operation. In conclusion, the involvement of SME construction companies in the IBS market is important to avoid the monopoly of IBS components supplies among the large companies and to potentially reduce the price of IBS so that it becomes more affordable to be used in the construction projects.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The physical environment of the Malaysian schools has remained unchanged for decades, thus not providing a conducive learning environment that promotes the well-being of students. Several studies on biophilic designs have been shown to enhance occupant well-being in living and working environments. Therefore, the study attempts to investigate the possibility of integrating biophilic design in Malaysian primary schools to improve students' well-being. This study determines the biophilic elements that contribute to the development of the students' well-being and investigate the students' preferences for the biophilic environment in their schools. The study employs a quantitative approach using a set survey questionnaire. The findings show to what extent biophilic design elements are currently integrated into primary school designs. Findings would assist designers and authorities in their efforts for the future development of school environment design considering student wellbeing.

Architectural design study is subjective. In order to aid a new pedagogy that welcomes the diversity of design approaches, the research project funded by Taylor's University incorporates teacher-learner partnerships in curriculum design. Engaging students as partners (SaP) in teaching and learning is an emerging yet contested topic in higher education. The research aims to offer learner-led pedagogy through engaging the SaP. Initially the research offers a critical discourse on various perspectives on design studio teaching pedagogy involving tools, teachers, and procedures. Later moves onto a series of studio observations and interviews with students, made for two consecutive semesters at Taylor's and University Malaya. By keeping the learners at the core, SaP, the subjectivity of designers brought to main focus. The contribution of the paper is a learner-led new pedagogy, on e-learning, for the emerging young learners. The significance is to offer tools for exploring originality in design and therefore to empower the budding designers, the learners in architecture.