POTENTIAL OF SMALL GARDEN OF DOUBLE STOREY LINKED-HOUSES: THERMAL PERFORMANCE AND HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

Linked-houses is a housing type that comes with its front yard and backyard. It provides the extra outdoor spaces for the occupants. Many would utilize these spaces following their house extension and renovation projects. Some may not be aware of its potential as green spaces that they may neglect the front yard and backyard by not making full use of them. This paper seeks to study the effect of front yard and backyard on the thermal performance of the outdoor and indoor spaces of linked-houses by comparing the air temperature readings of two units of double-storey linked-houses located in the urban area of Kuala Lumpur. Unit 1 represents a house with its front yard and back yard heavily planted. Unit 2 represents the typical renovation that takes place where its front yard is paved while its back yard is minimally extended and with simple kitchen garden. The study indicates that heavily planted front yard and backyard gives positive effects on the outdoor and indoor thermal performance of the unit, as well as healthy environment, both physically and socially