Journal of Advanced Research in Applied Sciences and Engineering Technology 29, Issue 1 (2022) 13-29 13 Journal of Advanced Research in Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Sciences Journal homepage: https://semarakilmu.com.my/journals/index.php/applied_sciences_eng_tech/index ISSN: 2462-1943 Indoor Thermal Comfort Perception at Atrium Zone: Case Study of Naturally Ventilated Public Market Wan Muhd Zakwan Wan Zin 1 , Muhamad Azhar Ghazali 1,* , Mazran Ismail 1 1 School of Housing, Building, and Planning, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 USM, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Article history: Received 15 October 2022 Received in revised form 6 December 2022 Accepted 20 December 2022 Available online 25 December 2022 Public markets are normally designed with passive design strategies such as natural ventilation and lighting. Besides, the atrium has become one of the architectural features to be designed in this building. The atrium attracts more visitors due to its spacious space. However, issues with inadequate ventilation, uncomfortable smell, overheating, and uneven daylight distribution might affect the condition of occupants in the zone. Therefore, this research is to study the thermal comfort perception of occupants in the public market, especially the traders, and investigate the indoor thermal comfort level for the atrium zone in the public market. Data was documented via the survey questionnaire and field measurement in the atrium environment. Two case studies were recognized as the main focuses namely Pasar Siti Khadijah (PSK) and Pekan Rabu (PR). The study was mainly conducted in the atrium zone of the building. The thermal comfort parameters such as air temperature, air velocity, and relative humidity were recorded, and the data were correlated to the result of the survey questionnaire. The results of the analysis show the traders felt slightly dissatisfied with the indoor air temperature and air velocity. The average air temperature of both atriums was not within the suggested comfort temperature by previous studies. A few suggestions have been highlighted to improve the thermal comfort of both atriums. Keywords: Thermal Comfort; Atrium Zone; Natural Ventilation 1. Introduction The atrium is one of the most significant architectural features that can be found in commercial buildings. It offers numerous benefits such as daylight and socializing space. A commercial building like a public market act as a place for urban communities to get their daily needs and is often used for human activities. The development of people’s economy is determined by how the public market plays the role in business growth. However, there are a few issues rose by researchers that happen in naturally ventilated markets. Inadequate natural ventilation factors make the market feel hot and airless and do not meet the provisions in air circulation planning [1]. Besides, insufficient air ventilation will take to an uncomfortable smell that comes from the selling goods and people. Overheating problems during hot days due to direct solar radiation from the top-lit atrium also * Corresponding author. E-mail address: azhar.ghazali@usm.my https://doi.org/10.37934/araset.29.1.1329