| SEMESTER |
2025 (October 2025 – February 2026) |
| LECTURER |
Ts Norishahaini Mohamed Ishak (RP) |
| PROJECT TITLE |
“Proposal for a Low-Carbon and Net-Zero Building with Integrated Environmental and Building System” |
| PROJECT SITE |
UiTM Shah Alam Campus |
| ASSESSMENT |
50% of continuous coursework |
💡 Struggling with your CMA533 Building Environment System Assignment?
CMA533 ASSIGNMENT BRIEF
A. INTRODUCTION
The growing urgency of climate change has heightened the demand for buildings that not only lower carbon emissions but also aim for net-zero performance. Given that the built environment contributes substantially to global greenhouse gas emissions, innovative design and construction methods that reduce environmental impact are essential. Lowcarbon and net-zero buildings mark a crucial step toward sustainable development by incorporating energy-efficient systems, renewable energy sources, and eco-friendly materials.
This proposal aims to design a conceptual building that achieves net-zero carbon emissions, focusing on the integration of environmental strategies with advanced building system. The objectives are:
- Develop a detailed building proposal that targets net-zero carbon emissions,
- Explore and integrate environmental strategies to reduce energy use and improve sustainability, and
- Evaluate building system that support low-carbon goals, such as HVAC, lighting, and water systems.
B. PROJECT SECTIONS:
CHAPTER 1
Introduction and Objectives
- Purpose and Importance: Begin by explaining why low-carbon, net-zero buildings are crucial in the context of climate change and sustainability. Cite statistics or studies highlighting the environmental impact of buildings, particularly in urban areas.
- Project Goals: Define clear goals, such as reducing operational energy, integrating renewable resources, and selecting low-impact materials. Set measurable objectives, like achieving a specific Energy Use Intensity (EUI) or attaining a net-zero carbon balance over the building’s lifecycle.
- Scope: Outline the project’s coverage, specifying key areas such as building design, energy systems, and building services integration.
Site Analysis and Environmental Considerations
- Site Selection: Choose a real or hypothetical site and discuss its environmental context, including climate zone, orientation, and natural resources (sun, wind, vegetation).
- Microclimate and Passive Design Opportunities: Analyze local climate data (temperature, humidity, wind patterns) and identify passive strategies (e.g., natural ventilation, shading) to reduce energy loads.
- Environmental Constraints and Opportunities: Consider constraints like noise, pollution, or lack of sunlight, and leverage natural opportunities (e.g., solar gain, wind direction) to enhance sustainability.
CHAPTER 2
Building Design Criteria
- Total Gross Floor Area (GFA): Approximately 1,200 – 1,500 square meters. This size accommodates the specified spaces and allows flexibility for circulation, social areas, and services.
- Site Area: For a well-spaced layout with open plaza areas, plan for a site area of approximately 2,500 – 3,000 square meters. This includes room for landscaping, pathways, and external social spaces, as well as space for potential future expansions or additional outdoor activities.
Space Allocation by Function
(a) Living Lab Classrooms:
-
- Quantity: 4 classrooms.
- Area per Classroom: 60 – 80 square meters per classroom.
- Total Classroom Area: Approximately 240 – 320 square meters.
- Design Considerations: Flexible layouts with movable furniture, advanced HVAC and lighting controls, and technology integration to facilitate experimentation and active learning.
(b) Café:
-
- Area: 100 – 150 square meters.
- Design Considerations: Include a seating area, counter, and kitchen. Outdoor seating connected to the plaza could enhance the space while reducing indoor area requirements.
(c) Library:
-
- Area: 200 – 250 square meters.
- Design Considerations: Include study zones, book stacks, digital resource sections, and adaptable seating. Allow natural light and quiet zones for an inviting study environment.
- (d) Open Social Plaza Spaces:
- Area: Approximately 500 – 700 square meters, depending on landscaping and features.
- Design Considerations: Create multi-use outdoor spaces that encourage gathering, events, and relaxation. Incorporate shaded seating areas, greenery, and potentially a small stage or presentation area for community engagement.
(e) Additional Considerations
-
- Sustainability Features: Include renewable energy installations (solar panels), green roofing, rainwater harvesting, and outdoor shading.
- Circulation and Common Areas: Allocate around 15-20% of GFA for circulation (hallways, stairwells) and shared amenities, ensuring a fluid, accessible layout.
CHAPTER 3
Green Building Index (GBI) Scoring
- Overview of GBI Criteria: Briefly explain the Green Building Index criteria, focusing on categories relevant to the project (e.g., Energy Efficiency, Indoor Environmental Quality, Sustainable Site Planning).
- Assessment of Proposed Design: Analyse the project’s design against GBI criteria, aiming for a targeted GBI certification level (e.g., Platinum, Silver, Gold).
- Scoring & Rationale: Present an estimated GBI score based on project features. Include explanations for each criterion, highlighting how specific design choices meet or exceed the GBI standards.
- Improvement Recommendations: Identify potential areas for enhancing GBI scoring, discussing modifications that could further improve the building’s environmental performance.
CHAPTER 4
Conclusion and Expected Environmental Impact
- Summary of Benefits: Summarize how the proposed building meets low-carbon and net-zero objectives and its potential positive impact on the environment and occupants.
- Scalability and Applicability: Discuss the potential to apply these strategies to other buildings or regions, highlighting any adaptable or universally beneficial approaches.
- Future Recommendations: Suggest areas for future innovation, such as emerging green technologies or policies that could enhance sustainability further.
C) EXPECTED DELIVERABLES
1) Project proposal document:
-
- written report detailing all sections above.
2) Presentation:
-
- physical presentation with an overall duration of fifteen (15) minutes shall be conducted by each team.
3) Digital e-portfolio in website format:
-
- digital record of the work, documenting the entire process from proposal to final output using accessible website builders, such as Wix, Weebly, or WordPress.
SUGGESTION DESIGN GUIDELINE (for references)
1) Building Envelope and Materials
- Envelope Design: Describe how an optimized building envelope (walls, roof, windows) can reduce heat gain/loss. Highlight the importance of insulation, airtightness, and thermal mass.
- Low-Carbon Materials: Recommend materials with low embodied carbon, such as recycled steel, bamboo, or mass timber. Discuss sourcing, transportation, and endof-life disposal considerations.
- High-Performance Glazing: Explore glazing options like double or triple-pane windows and electrochromic glass to control solar gain while maximizing natural light.
2) Energy Systems and Renewable Integration
- Renewable Energy Sources: Identify suitable renewable sources for the site, such as solar photovoltaic (PV) panels. Estimate the potential energy generation.
- Energy Storage and Distribution: Discuss storage options, like batteries, to manage intermittency in renewable energy. Explore building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) for aesthetic and functional benefits.
- Energy Efficiency Measures: Consider energy-saving technologies like highefficiency LED lighting, smart thermostats, and building management systems (BMS) for energy monitoring and optimization.
3)Building Services and Environmental Control
- HVAC System Design: Propose a high-efficiency HVAC system that minimizes energy use and enhances air quality. Consider options like heat recovery ventilation (HRV) or ground-source heat pumps.
- Water Management Systems: Plan for water conservation with features like rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling, and low-flow fixtures.
- Smart Lighting and Controls: Use energy-saving lighting solutions, such as daylight-responsive lighting, occupancy sensors, and LED technology, to lower energy demands for lighting.
4)Waste Management and Carbon Offset Strategies
- Waste Reduction During Construction: Develop a waste management plan for reducing, reusing, and recycling materials during construction to reduce landfill impact.
- Operational Waste Management: Integrate waste segregation and composting systems to manage waste sustainably during the building’s operation.
- Carbon Offsets: Identify ways to offset unavoidable emissions, such as installing green roofs, creating green spaces, or purchasing carbon credits for any remaining carbon-footprint.
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