Natural Ventilation Optimization Study in Mechanically Ventilated Studio Apartment Room in Surabaya

After Covid-19, residential has become the main space for every activity, including work, education, and leisure. Therefore, comfort in residential space is crucial to the occupant. As researchers have found traces, that the virus is airborne, the air quality in the residence must be highlighted, especially for people who live in a centralized
cooling system residence. When the cooling system is well maintained, there is no significant risk of viral transmission, but not all residential building has HEPA-filters, nor a well-maintained system. This research focuses on the studio room apartment unit, as it has the smallest opening area compared to other room types.
A small one-sided opening is not ideal for the wind to move throughout the room. A few design suggestion
is simulated under three air-flow speed, to prove that natural ventilation is possible to be adapted, to reach
comfort while minimizing the risk of viral transmission. The result is, the indoor wind speed can be enhanced
the most at the overall unit area by modifying the fixed window to an operable window, giving upper horizontal
opening in the wall across the existing opening, and using gauze doors on both door openings. The furniture layout is proved to affect wind distribution in the room. This research can also serve as an alternative strategy to optimize the use of natural ventilation to decrease energy use for cooling in the tropic area, after the pandemic.