When one thinks of architecture in Ipoh, they would either envision the grand white Victorian or Moorish monuments and worn-out Chinese shophouses of British Malaya. Granted, these colonial structures will stay as the face of Ipoh’s history, but over the past decade, the Perakian architecture scene has embraced more contemporary styles to keep up with the rest of the world.
Kuee Architect(s) are known for their geometric, earth-toned designs and minimalist concepts. In 2019, they sought us to assist them on a particular project: a 1000 pax event hall with a bold and sophisticated appearance, inspired by the unique physical properties of black diamond, or carbonado.
Our main contribution to the project was to improve the hall’s thermal comfort. By law of nature, the hall would absorb a lot of heat due to its large windows and dark façade. Leaving the air conditioning on when no function is taking place would be wasteful, but what happens if a potential client visited the hall then? How can its indoor temperature be comfortable without using any energy?
To solve this dilemma, we conducted several dynamic energy and thermal simulations to figure out all the possible routes to optimize the hall’s internal temperature. The simulations conducted were based on the drawings and architectural details from Kuee Architect(s), M&E design details, and glazing specifications. From there, we suggested several solutions to the architects, most of which were accepted.
The reinforced low-E glazed windows are openable and arranged in a zigzag, accordion-like pattern. During the day, the tinted glass panels resemble a paper fan that reflects the sky. To achieve the operative temperature of 31°C or lower, active ventilation is stimulated by strategically positioned extractor fans. That way, hot air is easily expelled from indoors.
Besides the windows, roof insulation is another important aspect of passive design. The roof was designed to be black, which typically absorbs more heat than white ones. To counter this, 50-mm thick insulated metal roofing was selected. As the front of the building faces west, indoor guests can enjoy the sunset in a pleasant thermal environment.
Moving on, a good HVAC system is a crucial factor to optimizing thermal comfort. Thus, a variant refrigerant flow-type (VRF) system with a high coefficient of performance (COP) is installed in the event hall. VRF systems are generally more expensive and require a larger area for outdoor units, but the high efficiency system with a high COP rating will save a lot of operational cost in the long run.
For the Air Handling Unit (AHU) and Fan Coil Unit (FCU), the fan motors have an efficiency which is higher than the norm to reduce building operation and maintenance costs, as well as to reduce fan noise.
Of course, heat generation does not only come from the environment, but also from active sources such as lighting. Besides an increase of operating cost, greenhouse gases which contribute to global warming are also a harmful by-product of inefficient lighting. Therefore, LEDs with a lighting power density that is lower than ASHRAE Standard 90.1 are installed all over the event hall. This lighting was also chosen to induce a flattering and romantic atmosphere.
The Galasa Event Space landed a feature in Singapore’s D+A Magazine, putting Ipoh on the map as a small city with a up-and-coming architectural scene.
On the 6th of January 2021, the Galasa Event Space started the year by being the only Commendation in the Commercial Low-Rise category of the PAM Awards 2020. We look forward to the following years when the event hall will establish their reputation as one of the most glamorous and distinguished event spaces in the Kinta Valley.
