Indoor Thermal Comfort Perception at Atrium Zone: Case Study of Naturally Ventilated Public Market

Abstract

Public markets are normally designed with passive design strategies such as natural ventilation and lighting. Besides, the atrium has become one of the architectural features to be designed in this building. The atrium attracts more visitors due to its spacious space. However, issues with inadequate ventilation, uncomfortable smell, overheating, and uneven daylight distribution might affect the condition of occupants in the zone. Therefore, this research is to study the thermal comfort perception of occupants in the public market, especially the traders, and investigate the indoor thermal comfort level for the atrium zone in the public market. Data was documented via the survey questionnaire and field measurement in the atrium environment. Two case studies were recognized as the main focuses namely Pasar Siti Khadijah (PSK) and Pekan Rabu (PR). The study was mainly conducted in the atrium zone of the building. The thermal comfort parameters such as air temperature, air velocity, and relative humidity were recorded, and the data were correlated to the result of the survey questionnaire. The results of the analysis show the traders felt slightly dissatisfied with the indoor air temperature and air velocity. The average air temperature of both atriums was not within the suggested comfort temperature by previous studies. A few suggestions have been highlighted to improve the thermal comfort of both atriums.