MUHAMMAD HAZIQ BIN HJ ABD ZARIFUL
BQS E-PORTFOLIO
Dissertation
Topic:
The Benefits & Importance of Sustainable Refurbishments in commercial buildings: A case study of Klang Valley
Supervisor:
Normah Sulaiman
Duration of Research:
August 2016 - June 2017 (1 year)
Abstract:
While refurbishment is defined as the process of improving a building to satisfy building needs, physical condition or obsolescence, sustainable refurbishment takes into account energy performances, recycling of materials, including the enhancement and conservation of existing building stock while considering its impacts for future generations. Rapid construction of new residential, commercial buildings and other infrastructure has significant irreversible impacts to the environment throughout the life of a building from construction to demolition. With conservation of materials, land reuse as well as improving a building with an otherwise high energy demand, sustainable refurbishment has emerged as a solution to the negative environmental impacts of construction, in which the study aims to highlight the benefits of sustainable refurbishment for better implementation of the method in Malaysia. A mixed research method incorporating both questionnaire surveys and interviews will be conducted on focus groups in Klang Valley consisting of practitioners and researchers of refurbishment. The structure of the research method includes the benefits of sustainable refurbishment classified into environmental, economical and social benefits, with the interview exploring further on the current industry conditions and perspective of refurbishment. It should be considered that refurbishment plays a huge role in the future of the Malaysian construction industry. It is imperative that the mindset and perspective of Malaysian practitioners should change and acknowledge the benefits of refurbishment in order for the economical development of Malaysia in the future.
Semester 5
In Semester 5, under the module name 'Research Methodology', is taught by Dr. Myzatul Aishah Kamarazaly. This module introduces students the essentials of a dissertation paper, from Chapter 1 - Introduction to the final chapter. Extensively though, the main focus is on the Introduction chapter, Literature Review chapter, and Research methodology chapter, the where first two are part of this modules's assessment & submission, whereas studying on the Research methodology chapter prepares us for the questionnaires and interviews that are to be conducted for our research.
I feel that this module, especially Ms Aishah, has been really helpful in creating and developing the topic for my research. Thankfully, my research topic, originally made because I was seeking a challenge on something rarely touched by students in malaysia, has developed into something I am devoted for. Completing my research proposal and then my literature review, my determination to spread the knowledge of my topic has elevated. When I finished my literature review after days of burning the midnight oil & a tight sleep schedule, there was a sense of accomplishment for what I have done. With my father also commenting on how good it is, I was elated even further. Hopefully, I can achieve the same feeing of fulfillment in the next semester
Semester 6
In Semester 6, under the module name 'Dissertation', is taught by 'Dr. Kam Kenn Jhun', Continuing from the previous semester, the dissertation module focuses more on educating students on data collection, analysis, as well as concluding the dissertation. Making up the whole of the dissertation after the Introduction and Literature Review chapters, the dissertation chapters taught and included in the module to be constructed and assessed are Chapter 3 - Research Methodology, Chapter 4 - Data Analysis, and Chapter 5 - Conclusion. The assessment also includes a Research Paper based on the research topic as well as an interactive inter-class quiz relating to the study of the module.
In contrast to the previous semester, the second half of the dissertation involves more collection and analysis of primary data gathered through conducting questionnaires, observations, surveys and interviews. With it being totally new to me & my friends, it was quite difficult for me to conduct, with carefully planned intricate methodical ways to conduct so needed to be done. From simple tasks such as attaining contact details of individuals to arranging a meeting with practitioners of the construction industry, the experience has certainly been an invaluable one, one that has definitely made me grow as a person through frequent interaction with different professionals in a more in-person approach to researching.
Thankfully, I have great appreciation to the help of Dr. Kam, providing necessary knowledge to conclude my dissertation perfectly, my friends, providing support to each other in times of need while venturing out to collect and analysis data, and lastly my supervisor Ms Normah Sulaiman, who, at a time of immense stress due to my confusions regarding data collecting, has provided me with systematic ways to conduct my study. With the dissertation coming to a conclusion in this semester, it gave a bittersweet feeling eclipsed by fulfilment on what I have accomplished. Writing a dissertation has been a pivotal part of the final year of my course, often constantly thinking of the tasks that needs to be done and tasks needed to plan out, hence the bittersweet feeling. However, I am certain my friends feel the same that we are proud of what we have done and what we have achieved through dissertation.
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