Trends in the air temperature of transitional spaces of a high-rise office building: The effects of season and location

Abstract

Recent increases in the awareness of sustainable green design have resulted in the creation of transitional spaces in high-rise buildings. Incorporating green design in high-rise buildings has been associated with the reduction of energy consumption in buildings and the provision of open spaces for occupants. Achieving thermal comfort in the outdoor environment is crucial, particularly in tropical climate settings where it is highly affected by microclimatic conditions such as the air temperature, wind, humidity and solar radiation. This paper examines the air temperature at three different transitional spaces of a high-rise office building in Penang, Malaysia. The field measurements were conducted in both dry and wet seasons, and the trend in the air temperature was assessed during these two seasons. Air temperature was measured using a temperature sensor and recorded with a data logger, BABUC-A. The findings indicated that there are significant differences among the three transitional spaces in both seasons. It was found that the different locations and the different seasons had substantial effects on the pattern of air temperature over time. Thus, designing transitional spaces specifically requires an understanding of the local microclimate of the area to achieve thermal comfort.