Urban Microclimate Meets Building Envelope: Infrared Thermography Study of Tropical Campus Tower
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32315/jlbi.v15i3.663Keywords:
building envelope, infrared thermography, tropics, microclimateAbstract
Building envelopes in hot-humid tropical climates must maintain thermal comfort and energy efficiency under exposure to solar radiation and urban heat. This study evaluates the thermal behaviour of a 13-storey campus tower in Malang, Indonesia, using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) based infrared thermography at three daytime intervals, namely 10.00 a.m., 12.00 p.m., and 2.00 p.m. The surface temperature of the façade was analysed based on its west, north, east, and south orientation, as well as the main materials, which were window glass and plastered and painted brick walls. Additional measurements were taken on the microclimate surface around the building. The results showed that the peak temperature was influenced by orientation. The east façade reached its highest maximum in the morning, max 43.5 °C at 10.00 a.m., while the west façade reached its highest maximum in the afternoon, max 44.9 °C at 2.00 p.m. The south façade recorded the lowest morning minimum, min 22.6 °C at 10.00 a.m. Window glass was generally slightly warmer than the surrounding plaster walls, generally by less than 1 degree Celsius. Outside the building envelope, hard surfaces are significantly hotter, with a peak of 56.5 °C on paver blocks at 12.00 p.m., while vegetation points are lower at around 30 °C to 38 °C. These findings underscore the practical importance of orientation-based shading, glazing control, and environmental heat mitigation, while being supported by limited handheld validation on selected accessible façade surfaces.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Wasiska Iyati, Alfi Nur Rusydi , Gangsar Dwi Saputro , Muhammad Satya Adhitama, Alya Nafisa Fidelista, Anis Amalia Toyiba
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