Disaster Responsive Architecture Lab @ USM

Research Project No.1 Minimizing Impact to Tsunami-Threatened Area in Northwestern Malaysia Coast Using Tsunami Responsive Architecture Strategy - A Case Study in Kuala Muda   This is an initial  research  project undertaken by this laboratory under the Universiti Sains Malaysia Short-Term Grant  granted for the period of two years. This research commenced from December 2016 until December 2018) Total grant awarded is RM 19, 974.00. Research Project No.2 A study on the aerodynamics roofing system for multi-story building: in preventing uplifting  in strong wind routing area. This is an initiative research project undertaken to study the effect of architectural roofing design in multi-storey housing in effort to reduce damage during strong-wind condition. The research initiated by the recent strong wind event that uplifted Taman Merak Jaya (Kondo Rakyat) roofing system on the 2nd October 2017. According to the witnesses (which are also the victims) the wind started at around 4:00

These are the list of publications and presentations made by DRArchLab staffs. Journals: 1.  Jestin Nordin , Andrew Charleson & Morten Gjerde (2018) - Tsunami Modelling Procedures to Refine  Coastal Architectural Design Strategies at Kuala Muda. Journal of the Malaysian Institute of Planners,  Volume 16, Issue 4 (2018) (Page 81–91). 2. Ruhizal Roosli, Jestin Nordin & Geoff O’Brien (2018) - The Evaluation of Community Participation in Post-Disaster Housing Reconstruction Projects in Malaysia. Journal Procedia Engineering, Volume 212, Elsevier (Page 667-674). Edited Book: 1.  Jestin Nordin & Andrew Charleson – Tsunami Responsive Architecture: The use of multi-grid coupled tsunami model programme to refine coastal architectural design strategies and decision making . Bracing Malaysia for a complicated world: A compilation of research by Malaysian postgraduates in New Zealand. Edited by Wan Rafaei Abdul Rahman and Siti Maimon Hj. Kamso. Published by Professor D

The DRArchLab@USM is initially setup to provide a platform to share the findings of researches conducted at this lab with a wider community on network. The lab is conducted by a group of researchers with a background in architecture, construction project management, and building technologist at the School of Housing, Building, and Planning (HBP) Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) at their main Minden Campus, Penang. The main objective outlined by DRArchLab is to create awareness on the importance of architectural, and engineering design of buildings and other structure to be responsive and resilient enough against natural disasters such as the tsunami, storm surge, floods, strong wind, and other disaster related impact on structures. The awareness is intentionally directed to the designers (architects, planners, and engineers) policy makers (decision maker), builders, and also the end-users (building owner).

Welcome! To the Disaster Responsive Architecture Lab @USM. At DRArchLab@USM, our main focus is to assist in providing better solutions and suggestions, for those buildings (and the build environment in general) that are prone and affected by natural events (i.e. natural and man-made disasters, and natural elements). There are several categories of advisory and consultation services offered  covering three major fields of expertise: Architecture, Engineering, and Planning. For further inquiry regarding our services, please contact the DRArchLab Director via email at  jestin.nordin@usm.my Director, DRArchLab@USM