Heriot-Watt University Malaysia, Putrajaya

The project

The Heriot-Watt University Malaysia campus in Precinct 5, Putrajaya, comprises approximately 24,601 m² of educational facilities and is owned by Putrajaya Holdings. Assessed under the GBI Non-Residential New Construction tool rather than GreenRE, with the renewal certificate issued on 18 December 2020.

What the assessment found

The envelope was verified rather than modelled: OTTV of 46 W/m² and a heavyweight roof U-value of 0.54 W/m²K. Glazing and façade design limit heat transmission while furniture layouts maintain sightlines through the glazing.

Advanced energy efficiency performance achieved 10 of 15, with a building energy intensity of 103 kWh/m²/year confirmed at both the initial and renewal assessments. The same number twice, several years apart, is the strongest evidence a building can offer that its performance is real.

Commissioning scored exceptionally: enhanced commissioning 3 of 3, post-occupancy commissioning 2 of 2, energy efficiency verification 2 of 2 and sustainable maintenance 3 of 3. The building automation system was documented with 3,586 I/O points.

Indoor environmental quality performed broadly well: thermal comfort 2 of 2, daylight glare control, electric lighting levels and high-frequency ballasts each taking full marks, and post-occupancy comfort surveys 2 of 2.

On materials, recycled content reached 17.9% and regional materials 35.70%.

Outcome

GBI Certified at 59 of 100 points, renewed December 2020.

One honest note from the scorecard: the campus is described as daylit, but the GBI daylighting credit scored zero. Daylight that is pleasant to occupy and daylight that satisfies a credit’s measurement protocol are not the same thing, a distinction worth knowing before a target is set.