R.H. Crawford and A. Stephan (eds.), Living and Learning: Research for a Better Built Environment: 49 th International Conference of the Architectural Science Association 2015, pp. 1–11. ©2015, The Architectural Science Association. AdaptiŶg MalaysiaŶ housiŶg for sŵart grid deployŵeŶt ďased oŶ the first ŶatioŶǁide eŶergy ĐoŶsuŵptioŶ surǀey of terraĐe houses Abdul-Razak A.H.N. 1 , Leardini P. 2 and Nair Nirmal-Kumar C 3 1,3 The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand 1 aabd751@aucklanduni.ac.nz, 3 n.nair@auckland.ac.nz 1 Universiti Teknologi MARA, Shah Alam, Malaysia 2 University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia 2 p.leardini@uq.edu.au Abstract: Malaysia will pursue the smart grid transformation plan led by Tenaga Nasional Berhad to establish a reliable, secure and sustainable electricity delivery system. Increasing demand for energy and issues linked to the traditional grid makes the smart grid transition more attractive and efficient. As residential sector energy demand is a fifth of national energy consumption in Malaysia, the features of surrounding construction and the performance of present and future houses will have a significant impact on electricity grid support requirement. Hence, analysis of the existing housing stock and its occupants’ energy consumption profile are fundamental to inform the development of the Malaysian smart grid, especially by defining characteristics and energy generation potentials of its domestic consumers. This paper analyses the current state of the Malaysian terrace houses, the most common residential type in the country, using results of the first nationwide energy consumption survey on samples across peninsular Malaysia. The study discovered scope for substantial improvements of both current and future housing stock, to achieve higher indoor comfort levels with considerable energy demand reductions for cooling. It clearly identifies and shows that this particular housing type can well exploit advantages engendered by the smart grid through an informed design approach. Keywords: Energy consumption; Residential building design; Smart grid; Postal survey 1. Introduction Electricity has become an indispensable element of modern society, with most nations depending on it as a mechanism of development. While it has been valued as a necessity in Malaysian households (Bekhet & Othman, 2011), local electricity generation has always relied on non-renewable sources. This dependence is neither sustainable nor feasible for the economy and the environment. Following the economic expansion and improvement of living standards in recent decades, energy demand intensification