Malaysia’s development has been largely financed from its fossil fuels resources that come principally from the South China Sea. This has enabled electricity to be distributed equitably throughout society and improved the quality of life for people in Malaysia. However, the depletion of fossil fuel resources and the international conflict over South China Sea territorial ownership may leads to inadequacy of supply in the future, and may give direct impact to people in the rural areas. Malaysia’s greatest potential for solar energy comes from photovoltaics (PVs) and the large roofs of village houses offer significant potential to contribute electricity both nationally and to the local communities. However, this technology is still unfamiliar to the people living in local villages due to the subsidised electricity by TNB and high capital costs of PV systems. This paper investigates whether establishing a “solar village” is feasible in Malaysia. Through a cost feasibility analysis, the potential of harnessing solar electricity for local villages in Malaysia has been demonstrated. A novel mechanism has been presented that allows rural households to own PV panels, rent the grid cables and to share surplus electricity within the community through a three (3) way financing routes map.
With more than 200 number of shopping centre in Klang Valley itself, we the consumer actually have vast of choices. Instead of the machineries varieties from the lower class product till the posh one, each of those shopping centres eventually offers the typical product same as others. Those shopping centers are competing with each other and in great endeavour to attract more consumers, to visit and spend. As for the visitor, the typical product and boring ambience seems similar in all malls, and is looking something beyond the standard. Something that promising quality embedded in shopping centre which evokes the various emotions of the user along their journey in malls. This quality is known as usability. Usability; as defined generally is a global user’s experience response with product, environment, service or facilities. It is an assessment in extracting the qualities of shopping centre design. In mapping it, there are a few synthesizing methods to implement it. Therefore, this paper purposely to review the method that been used in usability of Malaysia’s shopping centre research with a few references on previous research done in usability assessment by predecessor’s scholars. With the accentuation on three elements that anchoring what the usability is: effectiveness, efficient and satisfaction, it is hope that this overview can lead other researcher in portraying its relationship with the quality and ‘user friendly’ design of shopping centre.
Despite the growing concern over mould and fungi infestations on library building, little has been reported in the literature on the development of an objective tool and criteria for measuring and characterising the mould and fungi. In this paper, an objective based approach to mould and fungi growth assessment using various sampling techniques and its identification using microscopic observation are proposed. This study involved three library buildings of Higher Institution Educational in Malaysia for data collection purpose and study of mould growth. The mould sampling of three libraries was collected using Coriolis air sampler, settling plate air sampling using Malt Extract Agar (MEA), IAQ MOLD Alexeter IAQ-Pro Asp/Pen® Test and swab sampling techniques. The IAQ MOLD Alexeter IAQ-Pro Asp/Pen® Test and traditional method technique identified various mould species immediately on the site, and the microscopic observation identifies common types of the mould such as Aspergillus, Penicillium and Stachybotrys’s. The sample size and particular characteristics of each library will result in the mould growth pattern and finding.
This paper provides strategies in evaluating usability via accessibility from the user experience of three replacement hospitals. The methodology refers to a five-stage evaluation process and using the “walk-through journey experience” among patient and visitors. The data analysis was based on thematic analysis principles using NVivo9. The accessibility design issues due to participant disabilities and expectation will build up for usability parameters. The findings indicate that the quality design is the positive user experience feedback on the usability of the physical design environment that fulfils their expectations and the concept of usability and accessibility is to support the user-friendly environment design.
It is becoming increasingly common to apply adaptive reuse to preserve and make use of older structures. Multiple stakeholder scenarios are frequently involved in adaptive re-use; consequently, coordination or administrative concerns may limit the design of adaptable facilities for the purpose of preserving cultural heritage and maximising operational efficiency. This research explores the applicability and benefits of an FM-led adaptive reuse technique to overcome the coordination challenge, a concept not previously explored in the existing literature. Methods of observation and literature review are utilised in this paper. Using field observations, publicly available policies, and project data, this study was able to discover the attitudes and requirements of stakeholders about facilities management (FM) in adaptive reuse projects, including heritage buildings. The paper elaborates on the way FM coordinates adaptive reuse for the benefit of stakeholders and society. Adaptation of heritage buildings, user experience, and community effects are all factors that FM accounts for. The facilitation of innovative facility design, effective decision-making, and public engagement are all made possible by it. Urban regeneration demonstrates the heritage advantage of FM. The research has not addressed the significance of FMled business strategy for adaptive reuse in heritage buildings, nor has it discussed the benefits those strategies offer. Not only does it develop a heritage conservation management evaluation methodology, but it also reveals the strategic functions that FM plays.