Bioclimatic Architecture is the regionalist/ecologist concept from which
most of Ken Yeang’s architecture is developed. Central to this concept
is to design with the local climate. There are several justifications
for this.
 Section through Tower 210 |
 Façade of the Menara Mesiniaga tower |
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First, designing with the local climate is both economical
and ecological. It will result in a lowering of costs because of decreasing
energy consumption in the operation of the building. And it will reduce
the overall energy consumption by the use of passive (non-mechanical)
devices.
A second rationale derives from the impact on the users. The climatically
responsive building can enhance its users’ sense of well being while
enabling them to be aware of and to experience the external climate.
Last there is a regionalist justification. Climate, viewed in the overall
perspective of human history and built settlements, is the single most
constant factor in our landscape, apart from its basic geographical structure.
Yeang applies these theoretical principles as guides for shaping high-rise, mostly commercial, buildings in South-east Asia, the so called Bioclimatic Skyscrapers. These buildings, looking astoundingly modern, even high-tech. Nevertheless are highly eco-logical.
Several features recur in his designs:
-Planting and vegetation are incorporated in the design. Vegetation is
an important aspect of place, besides being ecologically vital. Most of
Yeang’s skyscrapers feature vertical, sometimes spiralling, gardens,
that are used for shading, cooling and filtering.
-The creation of variable deep air zones at the facades of buildings, either as transitional, or as interstitial, or as residual spaces. These can be in the form of large open-to-the-sky naturally ventilated atriums with louvered-coverings, or recessed balconies, or large skycourts.
-These transitional spaces, that are particularly successful in creating a layered building, are already evident in much traditional architecture in tropical climatic zones (for example verandahways and terraces). These spaces are a crucial part of the local lifestyle at ground level. Incorporation of skycourts in tall buildings enables Yeang to recreate existing ground-level conditions in high office spaces.
-Studies on the external wall as a varied skin that changes its sectional profile depending on solar orientation led to a concern for variable wall design.
-The exploration of ambient wind as a design influence and feature. Ambient wind energy might be incorporated to increase cross ventilation or to be stored to power the buildings mechanical systems.
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