Towards bioclimatic high-rise buildings: Is a bioclimatic design approach appropriate for improving environmental performance of high-rise buildings?

This paper seeks to address the potential of the bioclimatic approach for improved energy efficient design and better comfort condition for the occupants in a hot humid climate in typical high-rise office buildings. An awareness of the need to conserve and minimise energy needs for heating and air-conditioning of buildings has arisen as a result of the energy crises. High-rise buildings which originated from North American are now found in almost every major city around the world, especially in the developing countries of Asia. The bioclimatic approach is concerned with problems of energy usage, air quality, amenity provided by the building to its users, and productivity, which can be affected by the environmental conditions in the building. The synthesis of all these listed important aspects is directly linked to the comfort criterion for the occupants.