Thermal Surface Analysis of Multi-storey Apartment Buildings in Penang, Malaysia

Abstract

The objective of this study is to compare thermal surface performance on west façade of two multi-storey apartment buildings, between Arte S and Plaza Ivory located in Penang, Malaysia. The data was collected from a fieldwork survey during three consecutive sunny days in July from 12 pm to 7 pm in the evening at hourly interval. Fluke Ti20 was used to measure the surface temperature. This device captured thermal images of the front facade of the buildings. The result of the analysis illustrates the surface temperatures of these two case studies influenced by the design of the building forms, materials and envelopes. The finding shows that the Case Study 2 has warmer building surface temperature than Case Study 1 due to its elliptical building plan's form, a glass material and lack of shading devices on its facade. The result also reveals that the architects who design these buildings have an unsatisfactory level of awareness in reducing the surface temperature which causes heat gains to the indoor areas.