Potential Retrofitting of Existing Campus Buildings to Green
Buildings
R Zakaria1,a, K. S. Foo1,b, R Mohamad Zin1,c, J. Yang2,d, Samaneh
Zolfagharian 1,e
1
Construction Technology and Management Centre (CTMC), Faculty of Civil Engineering,
Universiti of Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Skudai, Malaysia
2
School of Urban Development, Queensland University of Technology, GPO Box 2434
Brisbane QLD 4001, Australia
a
rozana@utm.my, b fookianseng@hotmail.com, c roslizin@um.my, d j.yang@qut.edu.au,
e
samaneh.zolfagharian@gmail.com
Keywords: Retrofitting, Campus, Existing Buildings, Green Buildings
Abstract: Green building is building that the focus is to maximize the energy efficiency and
resources used. While, retrofitting is the process of renovate or refurnish the existing building.
Therefore by retrofit existing buildings that comply with green building requirement, it
improves the environmental attributes of the buildings. In Malaysia, existing buildings and its
communities contribute over 40% of green house gases to the environment. This paper
describes a study that explores the potential to retrofit existing campus buildings that response
to sustainable green building standard. A validation survey was carried out and the data
collected was analysed using SPSS in order to confirm the significance of retrofitting Universiti
Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) buildings toward green building initiative. The results show that all
the twenty eight identified green elements recorded average index of higher than 3.5 which
means that there is significant needs to retrofit the existing buildings to green buildings. This
study concludes that it is urgently need for the campus to response to green building
requirements in order to achieve higher energy effeciency and this can be done through
effective etrofitting of existing buildings.
Introduction
Green building has many benefits, such as efficiency use of building resources, increased
workplace productivity and significant operational savings. Malaysia appears to be one of the
highest growth developing countries in the world, and the problem like pollutant emissions and
energy consumption has rise up significantly in recent years [1]. According to the statement as
reported by The Star newspaper in 2010, the existing buildings in Malaysia and its communities
had contributes over 40% of green house gases to the environment [2]. This shows that there is
a need to redesign or retrofit the existing buildings based on green building assessment
requirements, in order to reduce the negative impact to the environment [3].
In order to achieve the above requirement in Malaysia, a rating system called Green
Building Index- Non Resident Existing Building (GBI- NREB) has been established to
encourage existing buildings construction responsive to green building. The establishment of
GBI- NREB in Malaysia had rise the awareness among all the party involve in building and also
the public about environmental issues impact from building construction [4]. In Malaysia the
Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) adopted a movement toward sustainability. The
community in universities and publics giving greater concerns on the environmental pollution
and degradation caused by the consumptions of materials and energy in universities. Thus, there
are efforts in managing the ecosystems and this can be done by adopting systems based on
integrated approach and design towards sustainable campus. Besides, the physical environment
of the university like its greenery landscape, buildings must also support and enhance the
excellence of its academic programs [5].
Green Building Index and Building Retrofittings
Green building is a green solution in the life cycle of buildings which involve examines of the
interaction between design, construction, operations and demolition in order to optimize the
energy and environmental performance of the project [6]. Retrofitting of existing buildings
presents by far the largest potential for the incorporation of renewable energy technologies and
energy efficiency measures into buildings. At oversea, there are many research related to the
building retrofitting had been done. For example, there is research state that older existing
buildings will see more energy savings with the addition of a green roof if compare to new
buildings [7]. Besides, available energy efficient and renewable energy technologies can also
contribute to a reduction in the energy use in high-energy use office buildings.
GBI- NREB is comprehensive green building rating system for buildings which
developed specifically for the Malaysian. The rating system is used to promote sustainability in
the built environment and raise awareness among the industries practitioners like developers,
architects, designers, engineers, planners, contractors, sub- contractors and also the public about
the environmental issues and our responsibility to the future generations [4].Currently, in
Malaysia, the increasing cost of energy has set the pace for the establishment of conservation
policies. The government of Malaysia is also continuously reviewing its energy policy in order
to ensure sustainability of the energy resources. Currently (until July 2011) there are 27 GBI
certified buildings as listed in the website of GBI organization. In these listed buildings, only
Bangunan Perdana Putra is from building categories of Non-Residential Existing Building
(NREB) [4]. This show that many existing building still not response to proceed with GBI
assessment. High and increasing cost of campus utilities, operation and maintenance indicate
that UTM is practicing unsustainable living conditions [8]. Thus, recent year, UTM had
established comprehensive campus sustainable policies which also promote the potential
retrofitting of UTM existing building to Green building. Besides, research shown that there is
good correlation and relationship between Indoor Environment Quality (IEQ) and learning
performance in university teaching rooms [9]. Therefore it becomes a need to retrofit the
existing building to green building.
Research Methodology
The methods used to achieve the objectives of the study consists of three phases from start to
the end. The first phase was identified the research problem, determination of research title,
background of problem, problem statement, objectives and scope. The issues of focused were
on potential retrofitting of UTM existing building to green building. The second phase was
studied the design concept and procedure used in GBI- NRED and then identify all the data or
input needed for questionnaire preparation. The questionnaire method was used from a list of
given alternatives (agreement level) for each questions and distributes to 101 respondents whose
involve in UTM building development and also point of view of UTM academicians and
students that have building related expert. Finally was the third phase which includes analysis,
discussion, conclusion and recommendation. The data collected from the questionnaire paper
was analysed using frequency method and the finding was discussed in conclusion, limitation
and recommendation on further retrofitting in UTM campus.
The Important Criteria in Retrofitting Existing Building to Green Building
Figure 1 shows that all the criteria were significant in retrofitting existing building to green
building because the mean index exceeded score 3.5. “Installation of solar thermal technology”
has the highest mean index scored at 4.11which show that it was the major important criteria.
Criteria
Potential retrofitting of existing buildings (Malaysia)
Installation of solar thermal technology
Installation or used of renewable energy other than solar energy
Used of sustainable maintenance for building
Installation of water harvesting system
Used more green product/ materials in the building
Provide flexible lighting zone
Installation of Energy Management Control System
Installation of metering & leak detection system
Provide separate sub-metering for lighting and power
Install vegetated/ green roof for the old building
Installation of self- cleaning facade
Installation of CO2 monitoring & control system
4.11
4.07
4.02
3.97
3.96
3.95
3.92
3.89
3.82
3.76
3.74
3.66
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
4.5
5
Average Index Value
Figure 1: The Important Elements in Retrofitting Existing Building to Green Building.
There were 82 respondents (81.2%) who agreed and strongly agreed that by using the
solar technology in example solar thermal technology which harnessing solar energy for thermal
energy (heat) was consider sustainable and also one of the most important criteria in green
building. The solar thermal energy stated above was also one type of renewable energy which
had been applied to green building. Solar thermal technology can be used to heat swimming
pools, heating water or air for residential and commercial use, and for electric power production.
The Significant Criteria to be Used on Retrofitting UTM Existing Building
Average Index value on the significant criteria to be used on retrofitting UTM existing building
was shown in Figure 2. The results shows that “Use of renewable energy technologies” was the
major important criteria with the highest mean index scored at 4.09. Others criteria also very
significant because from the analysis, the average index values of all these criteria were
exceeded 3.5 which mean that it is significant and acceptable results for our study.
Criteria
Potential retrofitting of existing buildings (UTM)
Used of renewable energy technologies
Encourage sustainable maintenance
Used of water efficient fittings
Upgrades the traditional energy and light-ing systems
Recycling and other waste manage-ment practices
Installation of rainwater harvesting equipments
Provide half flush system in the toilet
Provide more flexible light control systems like motion sensor…
Introducing the Green performance contract-ing
Promote innovative and environmental initiatives
Provide water tab with sensor in wash room
Provide more greenery and roof to reduce heat island effects
Provide electrical Sub- metering for monitoring purposes
Used of high- emitting materials for better indoor air ventilation
Introducing the Green purchasing policies
Provide C02 sensors to monitor indoor air quality
1
4.09
4.08
4.06
4.03
4.02
3.98
3.96
3.93
3.92
3.91
3.87
3.86
3.81
3.75
3.72
3.69
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
4.5
5
Average Index Value
Figure 2: The Significant Elements to be used on Retrofitting UTM Existing Building.
Total of 82 respondents (82.8%) were agreed and strongly agreed that the use of renewable
energy technologies is important in the aspect of significant criteria to be used on retrofitting
UTM existing building. This shows that the renewable energy is important in Malaysia and in
UTM campus. The renewable energy technologies that can be apply is like the solar thermal
energy plate and solar plate. These are the renewable energy technologies that are very relevant
to the weather condition of equator in Malaysia and same conditions to UTM campus.
Conclusion
In this study, the potential retrofit that response to sustainable green building in Malaysia
specifically to UTM had been identified. The results showed significant elements that guide to
buildings retrofit that response to detail assessment criteria in NREB. Installation of solar
technology in the operation of building is the most priority step in retrofitting existing building
to green building among others. In Malaysia, solar technology that normally apply in building is
the solar thermal that utilised to heating water for bath and commonly used in residential area.
This at least had save some electricity energy used and save cost. The study also identified that
the use of renewable energy technologies is the most significant criteria in the potential of UTM
building toward green building initiative. This shows that the renewable energy is important in
UTM campus. The example renewable energy technologies that can be applied is like the solar
thermal energy plate, and solar plate. Whilst for water management, technology of rain water
harvesting can be used to reycle and reuse the rain water.
Acknowledgements
This work was financially supported by Universiti Teknologi Malaysia short grant (Vot
no:XXXX), Research Management Centre, and research team members from Construction
Technology Management Centre.
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