Open building system towards functional sustainbility for an affordable housing in Malaysia

Abstract

Open Building System (OBS) is the new concept which being introduce to create more affordable housing to fulfill the market demand. OBS as a component of Industrialised building system (IBS) could be considered as a economic and easy construction method which the system help up the construction speed at the same time. Although Malaysia government put effort on it but it seems the effect of IBS still do not give big influence in Malaysia housing industry. Through introducing OBS as component, the erection process of IBS building could be flexible and less time consuming. In previous erection process, most of the construction method are using hybrid construction method which combine the conventional and IBS method. In the study, OBS uses full IBS component to erect the house. Besides, the respond and demand of public are taken into account when implementing the OBS into Malaysia housing industry. In order to provide affordable to Malaysia housing due the inflation of the material, new methods of construction such as OBS need to be introduced in order to ensure the housing in reasonable category and affordable by the Low income group in Malaysia. The research found out that, Malay house is a good example to be study and to be re-implement in the industialised building system. The basic concept of Malay house is it start with a 'Rumah Ibu' or Main House which consist a kitchen, living and a bedroom and can be expanded later as needed. In research also found out that, Malaysian are not satisfy with the housing industry in the country, in term of quality and the selling price of the house. In introducing the OBS into housing industry, the construction cost and period of erection could be reduce by 50%. Besides, renovating house which becoming a culture among the Malaysian can be realised. The implementation of new ideas of construction industry such as OBS is important in enhancing the construction industry in Malaysia.