The earlier masjid architectural styles were similar to Malay vernacular houses and evolved with the introduction of the modernist style. This resulted in increased energy consumption. Hence, a proper set of thermal comfort is important to provide a suitable environment for the masjid’s occupants. The vernacular characteristics in the passive designs have caused designers to find solutions towards sustainable designs. Therefore, designing a good thermal performance building can be done by readapting the Malay vernacular architecture and passive design strategies for modern masjids. This paper is aimed to document the literature and potential case studies in identifying the relationship between the design of Malay vernacular and thermal comfort elements in a hot and humid climate. The outcome is to formularize requirements of thermal comfort in Malay vernacular masjids based on four major factors namely i) architectural qualities, ii) construction systems, iii) structural components and iv) non-structural components. The research is intended to change the approach of future designers to become more sustainable based on the application of passive designs that suit the climatic condition of Malaysia.

Accessing buildings for evaluation on architectural concerns are raised as some designers create the call to revive indigenous architecture when a trend of adopting foreign or international architectural style is widely spreading. The quests for cultural identity in Malaysia towards sustainable contemporary buildings require research of past achievements. Vernacular masjid is known to adhere to principles of passive design as the key to thermal comfort. Researchers posed questions on the extent of flexibility in vernacular architectural concepts, concerning design adaptation on modern masjids for optimal thermal performance. This experimental research aimed to evaluate the outcome of modern masjid façades designed with the vernacular concept in Malaysia. In the literature, research brings together variables such as building height, façade shading, serambi openings, as well as materials and construction details. A quantitative analysis led this investigation through observation and field survey on stratified random samples of modern vernacular masjids in Malaysia. Air temperature and relative humidity were recorded using a MIC-98583 sensor with ±0.6 °C accuracy in temperature and ± 3 % accuracy in relative humidity. Wind speed was measured using an AVM-305 sensor with ± 0.2 m/s accuracy. The empirical finding highlights serambi opening-to-wall design as the most significant element of vernacular architecture found in building façade that influences indoor thermal performance in modern vernacular masjids. The result could become an extremely useful guideline for designers to create the sustainable design in the future.