An assessment of user perception towards the need of ecology design for middle income housing in urban context

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to propose appropriate sustainable design solution for a suitable housing architectural design that responds towards ecological needs vital for a comfortable home living environment. This paper is vital as there are many arising issue relating to middle income housing development involving comfort quality that need much attention from various parties. Past literature on middle income housing development in Malaysia focuses on limited areas of study. These are quality of communal living in settlements; neighbourhood facilities and its effectiveness; crime prevention through housing design; dwelling support services; policy making on housing ownership; corporate social responsibility on housing development from developer’s and buyer’s perspective; efficient housing construction system; waste management in residential areas; the increment of housing price and related factors as well as documentation on factors that hinders the implementation of sustainable technology in middle income housing schemes. None of the above literature discusses on how to implement ecological approach in home design. This research analyses the home users’ perception from direct observation and questionnaires on two selected case studies of middle income housing located in two major cities in Malaysia’s urban context to establish appropriate ecological home design attributes for future referencing. Findings indicate there are four key factors that contributed in the development of ecology housing for the benefit of occupants which are suitable structure usage, placement of building; proper openings, application of building fenestration and appropriate landscape. The established referential guideline design is of benefit for future designers, builders, developer and related authority to build comfortable homes in the future.