In the context of Malaysian tropical climate, green envelope functions to provide satisfying indoor environment and achieve the best performance with minimal energy consumption. Buildings that rely on air-conditioning to improve thermal comfort could benefit from green envelope potentials. Hence, the objective of this paper is to explore the impacts of various types of green envelope towards reducing the energy consumption of a two-storey library building. The methodology approach is quantitative and data are collected through building simulation using Revit Building Information Modelling (BIM). Parameters studied are building orientation, wall insulation, envelope materials, and façade treatment. Results showed that different types of green envelope posed different impact on energy consumption of the library and double glazed windows contribute the most significant reduction of energy consumption. The study establishes the contribution of green envelope and advocates the use of building simulation as research methodology, as it helps to improve envelope design, and to predict the possible outcomes of design alternatives.

Purpose Despite its worldwide reputation as an effective solution to sustainable building development and energy efficiency, green roofs in Malaysian cities are rarely accessible. The architecture of the building primarily influences public accessibility, crime watch and safety level and events that encourage the public's engagement, which is evident in crowd density. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the social potential of highly accessible Malaysian green roofs as public space, initiated by the lack of local published material discussing on this topic. Design/methodology/approach This study reviews the current issues concerning limited public accessibility on Malaysian public institution green roofs by systematic literature review and thematic analysis by comparing the effectiveness of applicable public space strategies on the green roof. Findings The criteria that have been identified and considered as study parameters include architecture, safety and surveillance, and active functions. Through systematic review of available literature, these characteristics contribute positively to public participation within the public realm. Social implications The exploration of the social potential would establish a green roof as a thriving public space that welcomes the public from all ages and backgrounds, addressing the general public accessibility towards outdoor recreational areas, especially within dense urbanisation with diminishing green spaces. Originality/value This research highlights the key characteristics of the highly functional public space that could be applied in developing a guideline for designing future green roofs with high accessibility potential for the public in the city area, in parallel with the anticipated future growth in demand for green roofs infrastructure surrounding public buildings.

High engagement of crowd in public realm creates a natural surveillance strategy. The selection of types of green roof pathway network design influences the rate of public engagement that helps in assuring public safety while enjoying the green roof facility. The application of Space Syntax as a research methodology helps determine the pathway design layout with the highest traffic concentration. Comparison between a similar number of nodes and axial lines revealed that an axial line with more intersecting points offers more opportunities for better public engagement, shown by higher traffic concentration in tandem with natural surveillance strategy on green roofs. Keywords: green roof; natural surveillance; space syntax; building simulation eISSN 2514-751X  ©2021 The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians, Africans, Arabians) and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI: https:// 10.21834/ajebs.v6i19.389

The public library has played an essential part in societal development with its resources’ authenticity and depth. Compared to other educational institutions such as schools and colleges, it has also become a platform where society is involve in a scholarly manner without the influence of the economy burden. The stereotypical impression of dull public libraries as book depositories has driven away the digital natives, who seek a more robust environment to meet their dynamic requirements in tandem with the world’s technological transformation. This has resulted in a significant decrease in visitors that require the public library to reconsider its function and purpose to meet future generations’ needs. Thus, this study explores theapproach to revisit the quintessential of the function for public library than merely a place for accumulation of books and typical reading spaces for the future generations. The intention of this study is to assert thata public library must be build on the duality of its identity–featuring a nexus of knowledge-sharing venues and community-engagement-building programmes. A desktop study was employed to identify the types of space for the public library then comprehensively discussed into their respectives category.. The findings concluded with a recommendation for implementing future-proof programmes in existing and new public libraries.

Natural surveillance strategy in public areas can be established with high crowd engagement. Consideration of the type of pathway layout of green roof would determine the rate of public engagement, thus creating a safe environment for people to use the facility. Application of Space Syntax allows the analysis in determining pathway design layout with the highest rate of traffic engagement. Comparing a similar number of nodes and axial lines shows that axial line with more intersecting points creates more possibility of human interaction, higher crowd engagement thus functioning as natural surveillance in green roof setting. Keywords: green roof; natural surveillance; space syntax; building simulation eISSN: 2398-4287© 2021. The Authors. Published for AMER ABRA cE-Bs by e-International Publishing House, Ltd., UK. This is an open access article under the CC BYNC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). Peer–review under responsibility of AMER (Association of Malaysian Environment-Behaviour Researchers), ABRA (Association of Behavioural Researchers on Asians/Africans/Arabians), and cE-Bs (Centre for Environment-Behaviour Studies), Faculty of Architecture, Planning & Surveying, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. DOI: