Assessing the building performance of a 35-year-old multi-story housing: Is it still relevant to the current climate?

Indonesia's Ministry of Public Works and Housing initiated the Rumah Susun (Rusun) program to provide adequate housing for middle-to low-income families. The first Rusun, built in East Jakarta in 1989, pioneered multi-story housing in the country. For a residence to be habitable, it must meet health and comfort requirements, such as regarding lighting and ventilation. This study evaluates the 35-year-old Rusun's building performance and human comfort in two adjacent units with opposite orientations to assess its compatibility with the current climate. Thermal and visual comfort data was gathered through direct measurements and occupant questionnaires. Results indicate that residents find the units rather uncomfortable nowadays, with warm thermal conditions and inadequate illumination. Given the rise in global temperatures over the decades, the field measurements confirmed that both units failed to meet Indonesian National Standards for lighting and ventilation. This study highlights the importance of improving building physics in future Rusun designs to enhance occupant health and comfort.