Facade Design Efficiency on Extent Sunlight Penetration in Neo-Minimalist Style Apartments in Penang, Malaysia

This research aims to study the sunlight penetration performance on the front facade of selected apartments with Neo-Minimalist architectural style. The selected case studies are two front facade of apartments buildings located at the Penang Island east coast latitude 5° 25' 0" N and longitude 100° 19' 0" E, the east part of Penang has been under great developing progress in the last 10 years. Minimalist architectural style is very popular and preferable by architects and people in this region. The tow selected case studies are Baystart condominium, Bayan Lepas and Bayswater Resort condominium, Gelugor. The study uses sun tool software to simulate and calculate the extent of sunlight penetration. The simulation will be conducted with oriented the building as the sun rays are perpendicular to the building’s facade, and then compare the results of sunlight penetrations between the two buildings and the used of architectural elements. The study finds that the sunshade elements and the recessed wall with balcony which are used in the minimalist style facade design make the buildings efficient to prevent the unwanted sunlight which causes overheating and over brightness inside the building, and that is the one of the reasons behind the popularity of the minimalist architectural style.