Abstract

Nowadays, net-zero energy buildings (NZEBs) concept has gained considerable attention not only between the developed countries, but also among the developing countries including Malaysia. The rapid development in Malaysia, especially in the construction of healthcare buildings needs to be given due attention since these developments lead to all sorts of environmental problems. As the number of healthcare buildings increases, the energy consumes to operate these buildings will increase. The consequences of uncontrollable energy consumption may result in the increased volume of carbon dioxide emissions as well as depletion of natural resources. Thus, NZEBs has emerged as a proactive concept to confront with these issues. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of passive design approaches on NZEBs as well as the potential of net zero healthcare buildings implementation in Malaysia based on a review of the existing literature and by utilising semi-structured interviews with 3 experienced architects. The result of this paper indicates that there are four main passive design components has strong influences on NZEBs which are building orientation, shading devices, ventilation, and thermal insulation. These practices are being actively practiced in Malaysia construction industry; thus, it shows that net zero energy healthcare buildings are potential to be designed in Malaysia. The study has gone some way towards enhancing our understanding of the significance of passive design approaches towards net zero healthcare buildings for future implementation in Malaysia context.

Highlights

  • The sustainability in construction has been given a growing attention by many countries for the rapid development in the construction sector leads to major concerns on sustainability for this sector

  • This section examines and discusses the key findings that emerged from semi-structured interviews that were conducted. It demonstrates the influence of passive design approaches on net-zero energy buildings (NZEBs) as well as the potential of net zero healthcare buildings implementation in Malaysia

  • The result further supports the idea from previous researchers that a proper and appropriate for building orientation will result in lower energy demand in the building, NZEBs goals could be achieved

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Summary

Introduction

The sustainability in construction has been given a growing attention by many countries for the rapid development in the construction sector leads to major concerns on sustainability for this sector. According to Kibert [1], the construction sector must shift to a sustainable approach to overcome its adverse impact on the environment. This approach should require the support from the government as well as all parties who are involved in this sector [2]. The eleventh Malaysia Plan (2016-2020), the government aims to have a resilient, low carbon, resource efficiency and social inclusion kind of development. These aims show the Malaysian government commitment towards achieving sustainable development [3]

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