Is Thailand still full of agricultural resources or running out?

Thailand was a country that agriculture is as important as industry. Food was available from our own backyards before our country has turned into the industrial sector. Housings, offices, and factories have replaced farmlands. The sustainability of life is gradually deteriorating, while our urban lifestyles are destroying nature.

Seeing this crisis, I asked myself how I could do as an interior architecture student. All answers I gave to myself shaped my thesis "TRANSFARMATION." As an interior architecture project, my thesis was designed based on Kurve 7 originally designed by STU/D/O Architects. With a new program and site for the building, I redesigned interior architectural spaces and some parts of the exterior to encourage people to have a sustainable life.

“TRANSFARMATION” is a modern style of farm in Bangkok that aims to 1) increase green areas in the city, 2) reduce the distance of food transportation and increase chances for serving fresh food, and 3) plant seeds of knowledge and inspiration to invite users to care more for nature.

The site is located in the heart of Bangkok attached to the Chao Phraya River and the main sky train. I chose this site because I would like to highlight the importance of the great river for supplying water in agriculture. The convenience of the site to be reached by the public transportation helps save transporting energy as well.

Transforming the urban lifestyle to the sustainable life by design & architecture

I designed to transform a group of urban users with no interest in agriculture to be those who start to care for cultivation by letting them walk through areas where other people are actually doing agricultural activities. While enjoying their lifestyles, they unintentionally learn about planting and harvesting throughout the project. This could inspire them to transform, to see how close agriculture appears to our lives, and to realize what is the real sustainability.

I also added many details into the design to enhance sustainable environments in this project. Water, natural light, and wind are the factors I mainly considered to apply as following:

• Save rainwater on the rooftop to use in the project and to absorb the heat.
• Create underwater openings to allow natural light to interior spaces.
• Reuse water by using water filtration plants. I designed the water corridor with a slope so that dirty water from the high level can flow through water filtration plants to have cleaner quality at the low level.
• Open skylights depending on brightness requirements in each interior space.
• Separate the buildings to allow wind to flow and take the heat out.
• Locate the cultivation areas on the rooftop to create the Green roof.

Finally, “TRANSFARMATION” is my attempt to make the transformation from the urban lifestyle to the sustainable life. I hope this project will inspire people, especially Thais, to realize how important agriculture is to us and what the real sustainability is.

A research on adaptive strategies for the vertical climatology of high-rise residential buildings in Hong Kong is conducted. The aim is to create a climate-responsive housing in Hong Kong. The research started by looking at an existing building in Hong Kong - Tai On Building, and by doing fieldwork survey and computer stimulation, I tried to identify the most significant problem of the building. The fieldwork survey is done by using handheld devices and data loggers to examine the environmental performance at lower, medium and upper levels. However, these data only represent information at a particular moment, so I worked on the computer stimulation using software such as Ecotect and Diva which aimed at analysing the building across a certain period. (For instance the insolation analysis collects and generates solar radiation data throughout a year and the result is represented on a daily average basis)

After identifying the problems, I continued the project on studying vernacular principles from hot and humid climate in Asia Region, by translating that into modern language in terms of construction method and materials. Derived from the knowledge of the Japanese Machiya and shoji, I proposed this conceptual design which could tackle the existing problems by inventing a prototype, which is a re-imagination of the south wing of the Tai On Building.

The unit layout took reference from the Machiya where the bedrooms are located near the corridors (street), so that the space in the living room which is also the periphery of the building could be altered flexibly. A device on the façade of the building could be pushed inwards to create a balcony in summer, where the sun is hot and the indoor space would preferably be shaded; whilst in the winter, the façade could be pushed out to maximize the indoor space as well as allowing sunlight to hit the interior. In addition, another device near the corridor affects the communal and collective space shared among neighbors and as well as creating more surfaces in the long corridor so as to facilitate a more complex air-flow within the building.

The main concept of the design is derived from the first resettlement block where transitional space acts as both social space and environmental-friendly space to protect the building (ie. The external circulation space was used as communal space where people cook, and as well as shading the interior units from direct insolation.) The public spaces in the new proposal all acts as both social and environmental transitional spaces, from this stance the program of the existing building is re- organized and being spread in the lower levels of the building, creating a lot of transitional spaces for wind to pass through; in the middle of the building, both light and air is considered and in the upper levels, shading the sun is the driving force of the design.

The new proposal of the Tai On Building reflects the special contexts on Hong Kong’s Slab typology and enlighten the relationship between environment, living and architecture.

The design focus has been projected onto a natural and social ecology issues, both of which are extremely sensitive and vulnerable on Shanghai Chongming Island at present. Based on scheming the eco-development from the earlier research of the whole island, further steps are to scope into the village regeneration within an urban-rural transition area - Zhenbei Village, Chenjia Town, Chongming Island. Besides, the design has been proposed, trying to answer the critical question - "Is it possible that a new urban-rural development mode, will meet the demands from both economy and ecology in natural and social aspects? "

ChongMing Island has been provided with a unique geographical location and resources since the ancient time. Based on the premise of how to protect the original natural environment of Chongming island, the starting point of this concept is to achieve a synergy relationship between human and nature, economy and ecology, which also assists to resolve the current social and natural conflicts for the next round development.

In accord with the actual needs from the village, a catalyst evolution will be effected through the "acupuncture" operation, as a result, stimulating the regeneration of the original buildings and public spaces point by point. Besides, the catalyst will also impact on the whole area, ie, penetrating through two single points to a line, integrating from several lines to an area.

Since the mode of regeneration has been carried out point by point incrementally, the catalyst could be adjusted according to the respective situation in each period, therefore on an ecological sense, a sustainable incremental regeneration will be achieved through the appropriate, constant and dynamic evolution, which ultimately results in the refinement of the environment, redefinition and recreation on the target.

Still, challenges remain to be faced: to value and tap the potential for the original material and spatial structure of the village; to propose and refine a practical method in implementation, after qualitatively analyzing on the existing natural and social eco-status of the village.

With quite numerous of related literature familiarized, several rounds of field-trips were made in the earlier research. Before the whole design had been finished, some principles and strategies were first to be proposed by the team as the following:

The Principles:

1. Revitalization instead of reconstruction
2. A model open for growth；
3. Ecology social and natural

The Strategies:

1. Respect and enhance the current coexistence of “Plough & Live”, a homogeneous network in village space.
2. Adjust and refine the hydrology system, in order to match the ecological standard, depending on the eco-corridor as the growth point of space regeneration.
3. Introduce the environment-friendly and innovative industries, and promote the industry structure with agriculture-oriented methods in local.
4. Implant the regenerated units, and organize the new order among the social-eco repair, regeneration and evolution in farming communities.

The human civilization on earth is a mere few thousand years old, yet in that part of time, we have successfully managed to exploit nature in a rate that, other organisms had not managed in millions of years. Nepal is no exception to this process. Every year acres and acres of forest in Nepal is destroyed in the name of development, mainly for the housing need of the ever growing population. Trees, habitat for thousands of plants and animals cut down for the selfish needs of the human species.

Deforestation has led to change is micro climate patterns here. The country faced a severe drought this year and farmers have had to bear the brunt. The number of erosions, landslides and rock falls has increased dramatically, causing damage of life and property. These patterns are natures warning to us humans. It is a reminder that the exploitation can’t go on forever and the most intelligent species on Earth (supposedly) will have to learn and come up with ideas to live in better harmony with nature.

Our design looks at designing with nature. The fundamental idea is addressing the ever growing housing demand and integrating those demands within an existing ecosystem. The design looks at how trees can not only be habitat for plants and animals but also humans, leading to design of a community housing where houses are suspended from the ground and built with supports emerging from the trees.

Biology, the study of nature’s brilliance is the inspiration behind the design. Grafting or graftage is a horticultural technique whereby tissues from one plant are inserted into those of another so that the two sets of vascular tissues may join together. This vascular joining is called inosculation. The timber beams that support the houses are embedded within the tree and within a few years they become a part of the tree. These houses, eventually one day, be a part of the tree and they will be “My house in the Woods.”

The site is omnipresent, in the sense that almost half of the total land of Nepal is covered by forests. The carbon footprint is almost zero as we plan on using timber from sustainably maintained forests. Power Plastic Solar Cells will power every house and carbon emissions are minimal. The plans are flexible, depending on the size of the family. PTFE curtains shed the house from extreme sunlight and rain.

To conclude, “My House in the Woods”, is inspired by nature, demanded by demography and sustained by technology.

October 2014 a huge landslide struck Sri Lanka in the district of Badulla (a hilly region), killing and leaving people missing forever. This lead to a whole line house community to flushed away and buried at dawn while some were still sleeping,and it became Sri Lanka's second largest natural disaster (first Tsunami) within recent history. Meeriyabedda, the tea estate disappeared from the geographical map and people who displaced were retained in schools as temporary camps. They still are in the same places as there is no other place to go and no resettlement plans as well. Government is now planning for a resettlement program for these people and to launch it in a massive scale throughout the whole tea estate labor sector.

Responding to all above issues, this project is a 'resettlement program' for the line house community who displaced due to landslide. This project to be launched as a time concern, low cost building system as a proper solution for areas where there is landslide vulnerability and at the same time support the native communal values of the community to familiarize and move forward with the new site and the system.

The project is restricted/ challenged with its environmental context, social and cultural context, economical context and technological context. In order to tackle the challenges,the project was manipulated based upon two considerations which are Generic and Specific implementation of problem solving process.

With the relocation plan (as the existing site is not safe enough) the idea is to reinterpret the village as a self­ sustain community. The zoning was done with certain inspirations of the destroyed community and project was done in two parts. Part one is housing clusters with regional material (available and discarded), simple, regional and low scale technology and the available unskilled labor force. The part two is develop the village center with some important facility buildings manipulating the same systems into a larger scale.

The design was approached in two parallel ways,

• As a landslide mitigation proposal - Project specific bottom up principles for landslide prone area were derived by referring hillside guidelines, landslide prone area guidelines and special guidelines for Meeriyabedda. The total scheme, building system,structure and materiality were inspired by these 'technical principles'.Technical Principles (ref. - Guidelines developed and issued by NBRO (National Building Research Organization) and UDA (Urban Development Authority), general data, landslide research data)
• Plantation community as specific social category - The overall layout, spatial planning and small scale details inspired from different plantation settlements (User comfortable Physical setup). Spatial Principles (personal analysis)
  (Technical and spatial principles appear in the panel as a graphic)

The whole scheme would not be built at one time. But it would be grown gradually. All the possible details, growth restrictions are specified in the project and they are very tolerance to unskilled labor errors. Even though one housing prototype is introduced, since there are more than 300 horizontal and vertical growth options, at the end within the scheme the houses would differed one to another as the user requirement of growing pattern,preferences of detailing and affordability differs from each other.

Eco capsule is a self-sustained bio module which contains a complete unit of natural ecosystem combined with human habitat. The main target to make these eco capsules is to pay back the green to mother nature that we destroyed with our concrete civilization.

What will happen to this concrete jungle we are making in next few decades? What will happen when we are going to abandon them? They are not going to degrade. They will remain on earth’s surface and this soil will be totally barren. It will be difficult to find a piece of land to recreate some green. Our main objective is to make faming possible once again on this barren land and give people the chance to live within the green in their portable micro farm-house.

In these modules, a self-sustained system is created by introducing local farming techniques in a futuristic way where both crop and livestock exist simultaneously and support each other’s food chain. Moreover, their dump is contained in a tank underneath the capsule and converted into biofuel with the help of a biofuel reactor.

The structure of these eco capsules is steel framework for the shell and beaten, compact and lightly burned clay for outer screening. A very popular and nature friendly local material Jute fabric is used for some additional screening that traps the moisture. There is a core running through the heart of the capsules that provides structural strength and accommodates circulation and ducts for pipelines to the biofuel reactor.

Here combined farming system is introduced in different layers such as, fish+ rice+ duck at the same layer or fish+ rice and poultry+ dairy at different levels so that the dump from dairy and poultry layer can complement the food of fish and crops.

The module can be produced in large numbers like an industrial product and people can use them individually or few of them together.

It can be put anywhere such as rooftop, any barren land, open space, on water in a word anywhere. They are easily portable and can be moved with the help of cranes.

In a nutshell, these eco capsules are portable small units of ecosystem that can transfer the green that is consumed by concrete to our rooftop.

Green lifestyle is a sustainable way of life that incorporates environment conscious practices in everydayactivities. Living on this earth will understandably have an impact on the earth’s environment and its resources. Green or sustainable living means to make an attempt to reduce the said impact and use earth’s resources more responsibly.

People who have been living the urban life for a long period of time get desensitized to the threats their lifestyles pose on the environment. Life in the city is fast paced and consumption-driven. This leads to a faster rate of resource depletion, increased carbon footprint and other unhealthy practices that are not sustainable in the long run. While concerns have been raised about making cities greener, green living is yet to be a widespread practice. Sustainability is a way of life that can only be developed by cultivating a routine of environment conscious habits. In order to make sure that sustainability becomes the standard way of life rather than an alternative one, we need to educate the future generation of city dwellers as well as the present ones. Teaching responsible living in schools across cities can be a great way to revolutionize the urban culture. Hence, the idea of “meyRcÖRb¥”- meaning a generation with a sustainable attitude.

Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh is home to 14.6 million people. Nearly 27% of this population are children under 15 years of age. Encouraging this key part of the population to lead a responsible lifestyle can have a lasting impact on the society itself. Current education system does not emphasize on life outside the standard academic curriculum. Including sustainability in theory and in practice in the syllabus will make sure that the children are aware of these issues, and adopt responsible practices in their lives early on.

Apart from including suitability in the curriculum, in order to facilitate hand on practice of sustainable culture, we are also proposing creation of learning modules integrated with existing schools of Dhaka. Leftover pocket spaces are an inevitable part of any city, and Dhaka is no different in that respect. Under the proposedprogram, the students, with the help of their teachers, will identify such unused spaces near their schools. In these spaces, they will build temporary learning modules with recycled/salvaged materials. Students will be taught urban farming, recycling and reusing waste, composting and other sustainable practices. The students can take this knowledge back to their families and help spread consciousness within the community starting from their homes.

Students today are the leaders of tomorrow. By inspiring them to learn and adapt a sustainable way of living early on will make sure that green lifestyle surpasses being a mere trend and becomes the norm everywhere.

Nature, as the summation of space and time, propagates between heaven and earth. Agriculture and construction were once the dream jobs for human, working and recuperating in accordance with natural propagation and topographic venations, reaching a balance between human's demands and nature’s giving.

Chinese centuries-old agricultural civilization has been following production rhythm of seeding, ploughing, reaping and storing from spring to winter. Traditional NongJia’s thinking emphasizes the feasibility of farming work to seasons, topographic venations and propagation of crops. Wang Zhen at 13th Century, in “Agricultural Book”, presented a diagram of “Timing Based Propagation” representing the revolving order of seasons, being the most integrated summary of agricultural propagation between the shifting seasons in ancient China.

In the traditional concept of agrarian China, construction is comprehended as a contract with earth and heaven, space and time. The nature of construction is observing the tendency and defending cohesion of QI inside topographic venations. Within the spatiotemporal coding of Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches, every step of building a house possesses its feasibility or infeasibility to timing. Code weaved jointly by time and space compiles composition of the universe and fate of beings.

Bamboo, absorbing spiritual power from nature, growing between shifts of seasons, solidarizes firmly with nature. Bamboo cannot serve as primary materials when the construction is applied to resist abrasion from time, or to seek for eternity. When the lifespan of construction conforms to the rhythm of nature, bamboo, becomes the sustainable material possessing most naturality.

Teachers and students in this studio conducts teaching and practice based on the conception of Living Construction in the regions south of the Yangtze River, with most prosperous culture of rice cultivation—mountainous area of Lin’an, Zhejiang Province, and reticula lake area of Yixing, Jiangsu Province. Following supersedure of nature, the primordial material of bamboo abound in the local area was chosen, adopting primitive technics and craftship, to construct agriculture infrastructures as duck pens for natural farming of Rice-duck Mutualism. In ShuangMiao Village, Lin’an, the teaching process contains four steps — field investigation, theoretical study, model design and insitu construction. 32 graduate students, under tutorial of teachers and local bamboo craftsmen, worked for 12 days in the field, and finally constructed 22 duck pens, meeting the farming requirements of Rice-duck Mutualism. In Lianhuadang Farm, Yixing, teaching focuses on the research study of local natural materials such as bamboo and clay, as well as relative traditional technics, combining consideration of organic agriculture and Rice-duck Mutualism. 6 bamboo infrastructures were built possessing functions of duck breeding and sight viewing.

Teaching and practice of Living Construction discusses the locality and sustainability of materials and technics in rural context, likewise, how the once enduring unremitting cultivation and construction in nature could survive and regenerate in the conditions du jour of mass production and excessive consumption. Teachers and students, experienced interconnection between construction and places, between people and local natural conditions, and more fundamentally, sought for the understanding of the relationship between human and earth, production and propagation, construction and nature.

The design concept of iEco visiting pavilion is to provide an architectural demonstration (in itself) of a high energy efficiency and low carbon emission life style through adequately responded facade openings to achieve desirable daylight and cross ventilation as well as prefabricated superstructure and facade modules to minimize problems of in-situ construction. The visiting pavilion will be part of the eco-travel of the natural and will travel around the world to promote the new face of Hong Kong architecture to visitors by providing exhibition and multi-function spaces.

The main design feature of the iEco visiting pavilion is to experiment how an intelligent building adapts the climate changes and tackles site constraints by the virtue of the automatic responsive facade.

The facade is composed of two envelopes of prefabricated modular panels system and partial low e-transmission window glass wall. Intelligently controlled by a sensor, the distribution of openings of outer panels and inner windows allow optimum sunlight and cross ventilation for the function programs of the pavilion. For instance, during the active programes in the top level large hall, the openings will be fully opened in appropriate distribution to provide adequate sunlight and natural cross ventilation. In contrast, during passive programs which require inward attention and quieter environment, the percentage of openings will be reduced in appropriate distribution.

The iEco visiting pavilion is resting on water supported by the floating foundation which can aid the cooling with the stack effect of the central openable skylight. The access to the pavilion will be by means of gondola like transport to reduce carbon emission and to create a ‘mental-buffer’ journey. There is an open staircase for internal vertical circulation while a lift is installed only for the disabled access to all levels of exhibition and multi- functional spaces freely open for the public.

The 'house' is the ultimate physical manifestation and expression of an individual's identity. It is the private realm of absolute control over which one exercises complete authority and is therefore the platform on which his needs and desires begin to be realized. Thus the character of the house reflects not only the aspirations of the resident, but is also an indicator of his social, economic and cultural inclinations and standing.

Housing design should be of distinct origins and be the result of an elaborate and sustained self selection process collectively by the users themselves, a natural evolution of tried and tested methods of space making to suit the socio-cultural lifestyles of the people over the years and the outcome of that consolidated effort of a specific group of people with authorization to provide housing solutions to a different and larger user group. So as a designer we have chosen the concept of “BHUNGAS” which is closely linked to the identity of Kutch desert areas. They are single cylindrical structures put close to each other to form a house. The traditional dwelling typologies & house forms were ideally suited for the climate, culture & lifestyles. So we modified the circular concept and also tailored to the individual's requirements - using the architectural vocabulary and language. This led to an overall built form of collective coherence.

We need to come up with the idea so that we can build a structurally strong house with nothing more complicated than a bunch of bags, earth, clay and lime, plus some basic on-farm materials, so we choose “EARTH BAG CONSTRUCTION” It is a simple adobe, an instant and flexible line generator. It uses the materials of war for peaceful ends and also integrating traditional earth architecture of kutch. Long or short sandbags are filled with on-site earth and arranged in layers or long coils (compression) with strands of barbed wire placed between them to act as both mortar and reinforcement (tension). Stabilizers such as, lime may be added.

The house forms are combination of circular or semicircular in plan wherein the internal spaces are arranged around a central ventilation shaft and covered by a conical roof plastered with mud and cow dung. The principal spaces of a house are arranged in levels around the central ventilation shaft, which emerges out of the conical roof. The structure being circular in form, the warm air escapes from the house in summer reducing the heat absorption and this alters the microclimate of the entire house making the living spaces comfortable. Kutch has a rich tradition of handicrafts and inspite of the insurgence of modern machine made objects we as a designer try to continue to use local craft. This Prototype evolved in response to climate, crafts and cultural context of the Kutch region and present changes in living patterns of the people wherein the architectural design through the form, spaces and details attempted to create a sense of belonging to the place which was also vital for the inhabitants.

DESIGN INTENT

The Main Idea behind this proposal is that, a completely developed Sustainable Community should set an example for the Upcoming Community developments and also for the existing communities to inculcate Sustainable Ideas.

BRIEF

Sustainability should not only refer to the Green Building Rating systems of today, it should accelerate even the Common People to involve in the process of Sustainability to Save our Mother Earth.

The Main Sustainability issue concerned in this Proposal is Carbon Emission which results in Global Warming wherein it creates lots of disasters like melting of Glaciers which in turn brings floods in to the people living areas.

Inspiration for such a design mainly came because of two main factors,

Architect Laurie Wilfred Baker’s Sustainable Design Philosophies
TedX talk by Bhutan Prime minister – Tshering tobgay – His country is not just Carbon Neutral, its Carbon Negative

IDEAS

Building Houses is a costly business these days. A Lot of the current expenditure is on unnecessary fashionable frills and designs. Much money could be saved merely by using common sense, along with simple, established, tried building practices. Every Item that goes to make up a building has its cost and also carbon emission value. So always ask yourself the question, is it necessary? If answer is ‘No’, then don’t do it.

We often hear people describing houses as “Modern” or “old fashioned”. The so-called Modern house is often merely fashionable but foolish, simply because it is expensive and does not take into account the locally available inexpensive materials or the local climate conditions or the actual needs of the occupants. The Modern house is “cubist” in design, uses a lot of cement and paint.

The roof does not protect the walls from rain and sun, with the result that it is not very comfortable or convenient to live in. The “Old-fashioned” houses has a sloping roof which quickly sheds heavy rain, protects walls from getting damp and from absorbing heat from the sun. Some of the Windows have been replaced with jalis, which are cheaper and give permanent ventilation and light and protection or security.

“ 25 Million Families Without Homes! Reduce Building costs and build for them now”

-Laurie Wilfred Baker

The presence of Mangrove of the coastal area had started to extinct. Local people who are unaware of the importance of mangrove had worsened its existance. Nowadays the mangrove forest devastation had been a serious concern. Water erosion, flood, seawater intrusion, as well as significant drop number of fisherman catchmen had made these people start to realize as how important to maintain it.

Community of mangrove which named as SAVE MUGO(SAVE MUARA GEMBONG) has begun to take an immediate action to preserve mangroves ecosystem in Northern Bekasi. Having a main goal of restoring the mangrove as a natural barier and developing green belt on a coastal area of Northern Bekasi has initiated a first step of this community which is encouraging people to plant mangroves. But definitely there are more actions that have to be accomplished.

On the other hand, the site that had basicly been stated in goverment regulation to be a conservation area has no longer worth as a space to preserve mangrove , instead it becomes an individual land which is owned BY local people to run private bussiness such as embankment ,fishpond and else. INappropriate implementation and law execution by both goverment and local people is believed to be the main reason.

Eco Park Mangrove is a concept to create the entire area in coastal line as a conservation area which has to be a new recreation in Bekasi. Bekasi is renowned as Metropolitan City. Recreation in Bekasi has been dominated by shopping centre and another entertainment centre. Eco Park Mangrove will be a new destination with a new concept, nature observation and recreation. People will be amazed by the ambience of mangroves ecosystem. How to change the mangroves ecosystem into something meaningful for the people, community, and the City are the main idea of Eco Park Mangrove. giving a strong characteristic and a attractive activity will be increasing the people awareness about the mangroves ecosystem. People will change their perception and realize how important it is.

BACKGROUND

The location of project is at Kampung Pusong Lama, sub-district of Banda Sakti. Geographically located at 04 ° 54 '- 05 ° 18' N and 96 ° 20 '- 97 ° 21' E at the northern side of coastal city of Lhokseumawe. People who live in are dominated by fishermen and small scale traders. The width of area is about 20 hectares consist of around 6,000 inhabitants with a total of 1,500s households. Economically, 40% of the population are segmented as poor people and below poverty line. Infrastructure of the settlement such as clean water, sanitation, drainage and solid waste systems are horrible and turn it as slum area. The ebb and flow of sea water also influencing the environmental degradation in the case of trapped garbage which cause unhealthy smells. Almost of people doing wasting activity such as defecates and household rubbish is dropped down to the sea water without any waste process. Stilts houses are common typology in the area it become a reason why people throw down the garbages to the sea water.

Social space is very limited, but did not cut down the intensity of social interaction amongs the people. The interaction usually take place at any space in the area. There are also lack of children playground, they use a floating road to play with very minimum safety and has and very risky to falling into the sea. Uniquely this condition did not trigger them to look for another place to live.

ISSUES

Three scenarios are developed to improve the condition through the spirit to harvest the garbage (waste farming) :

1. Do not force people to change their habit of throwing down of household rubbish and defecates directly under the house. Container tank provide to be function as 'waste garden' by separate between organic (composter) and non-organic (mostly plastic garbage) and then collected and harvested periodically.
2. Waste from defecate activity from every household drained down to the biogas reactor to be converting into gas for cooking.
3. Grey water from household drained down into plasma reactor and to be recycling it into secondary used water.

DESIGN CONCEPT

Waste farming activity will increase economic value for the local. This spirit is followed by concept that invites people to celebrate: 'Let’s Celebrate Pusong!'. The execution is by creating a Center Core Processing (CCP) and 4 (four) Feeder. CCP will be function as processing field of all the waste, such as: organic waste recycle into fertilizer; feces waste convert into gas for cooking; grey water change into secondary used water. While non-organic waste will be processes into handicraft products by the community. Socially, CCP acts as a community space and recreation center for people to interact each other. CCP provide with green lifestyle activities such as static bycylce for produce electricity energy to supply the CCP power needs. Feeder are spread out around the area and close enough for people to reach it. The role of feeder is function as a communal kitchen for the community, by using supplied gas from CCP.

Concept design of CCP building and feeder are a representation of typology of Aceh houses, named as Krong Bade. Hexagon shape has been applied and the representation of each space in Krong Bade, namely basement, living room (seuramoe keuë), master bedroom (seuramoe teungoh, rumoh inong), bedrooms (bilik), and kitchen (seuramoe likot) and terrace (seulasa). Seuramoe teungoh (rumoh inong) is the highest floor level because of its private. Three hexagon are stacked down vertically, represents the composition of the lower space, body and head of the Aceh house.

Project Description:

This project aims to renovate the abandoned fishing net factory and reactivate the handmade fishing net craftsmanship. Inspired by the development history of fishing net craftsmanship and fishermen's determination in making fishing net, a network of preservation, renovation and reactivation strategies is purposed to comprehensively utilize the historical, natural and traditional advantages, and meanwhile, to fulfill the demand for the fishery industry and tourism development. Thus, bring a green lifestyle between nature and human activities in balance. This design consists of tourist center, fishing net exhibition hall, fishing net factory and fishing net craftsmanship experience pavilion. The overall strategy is purposed in terms of optimization of granite buildings, production line of craftsmanship as well as utilization of sunlight and ventilation in passive way.

Site Description:

The abandoned fishing net factory is located on Wai Lingding Island, Zhuhai in China. It is an island of around 685 fishermen and an annual floating population of 1596 people mostly of anglers and tourists. There is a shortage of shelters for fishermen to produce fishing net but the demand for fishing net is constantly increasing because of its low cost and high quality. The previous fishing net factory was abandoned due to the humidity and strong wind. However, the natural resource on the island is worthy to be excavated. The tourist peak season, in June is when people can enjoy the most abundant nature and experience.

New green lifestyle

We think that green life style is Self-sufficiency of small units. It is important that not only depending on energy saving system or greening but also making sustainable society by ourselves when we think about the new green lifestyle.

Site

The site we choose is a residential area in the east of Tokyo. This is a wooden built-up area and has a risk of collapse by earthquake and fire.

There are many religions like this area in Asia. We think that this kind of problem is serious, so we have to manage it.

Concept

We plan a small tower in a wooden built-up area. At first, we remove a few houses from the area to make a void. Secondly, we build the smokestack at the center of the area and wind houses around it. As a result, we can get open spaces, and this small tower will be the landmark for residents around it.

Small Self-Sufficient Life

This building including the smokestack is a small energy plant. This building generates the heat and electric energy by burnning domestic gabage. This means self-sufficient in the building. The open space is used by local residents, and they benefit from this by getting energy. This space is used as a farm and a footbath. In this way, this building will be able to make a small energy of units not only inside the building but also outside the building, and we realize the "Small Self-Sufficient Life".

Synopsis

Through a rapid modernization of Seoul, the value of Changsin-dong and Cheonggye- stream (old downtown of Seoul) has changed with the times and environment.

Accordingly, as a mega-structure, ‘Dongdaemun Shoes Mall (here in after referred to as DSM)’ should serve as a part of the urban fabric away from the role of controller. This enormous mass needs to emerge as a symbolic space as an interface that fills the necessary parts and makes the structural connection to the urban space flow by being absorbed and fused to the surrounding area, while actively maintaining existing programs. In other words, away from the leading role of DSM until now, it should melt slowly to the standing ground reducing its individual integrity.

Concept

The charming private farms cultivated by the original residents are actively used in the rooftop space and the top floor. These farms and the huge open space will make feel the space with temporality, different from the busy Dongdaemun area. The platform is planned to form the green community space in this linear open space based on the farm street, which can be commonly used by the local residents, merchants, and visitors as well as the inhabitants of DSM.

Dongdaemun Shoes Street (Ground level)

‘DONGDAEMUN SHOES STREET’ is reconstructed to consist of the double-loaded corridor of the first floor shoe shops, variety of sizes of spaces, and public convenience facilities. And this will connect the pedestrian network system of Changsin District and flow of the functions which have been disconnected by DSM until now.

Rooftop Farm Street (Rooftop level)

Rooftop of DSM, as a linear open space, will absorb the community space required for the surrounding high-density area. A rooftop farm street is configured on the roof of DSM for the local residents, merchants, and a variety of visitors.

Sustainable Strategies

DSM's green roof system serves as an alternative green space which significantly alleviates the severe Heat-island phenomenon. Irrigating system utilizing the storm water is constructed in the existing rooftop which is partly used for the farms but not equipped with watering facilities. Storm water is primarily absorbed and stored in plants and soil. A certain amount of filtered storm water through the soil is saved in the retention pond and drainage layer, and more is stored in the retention tank in the basement. A system that can automatically supply water to the roof farms and gardens is planned. Storm water retention system will help to prevent flooding of Cheonggye-stream by storing and utilizing about 85% of emissions from the existing buildings for the buildings themselves.

“Urban flux : For the productive landscape” is about the urban edge growing to become a green community by attracting the landscape in the urban area.

Edge means the boundaries between two kinds of area. It acts as not a barrier, but as a buffer to connect the two areas and unveils potential relations between these until now disconnected. This project uses this edge’s characteristic.

Located at an entry point of a forest in the city, the residential area is a part of the ‘Seoul-forest park’. Though it is in between a green void and an urban area, but they are currently disconnected. These characteristics must be utilized in future development. The “Urban Flux” means re-combining the forest and the urban fabric by attracting the landscape. As an extension to the park, the “Urban Flux” introduces agriculture into the urban residential area. Diverse uses and functions of green open space enrich the everyday city life. The green areas produce goods for the kitchen, orchards and vegetable factories could serve as playgrounds for children and so on. The site comprises various programs related to an urban agriculture such as start-up companies, laboratories for agriculture, restaurants and markets with farms combined.

Not just a landscape for a view, it actually is for productive purpose, the idea of attracting the landscape proposes of having the new ‘Urban Green Lifestyles’. It will provide following urban and architectural outcome for the city dwellers. First, it defines a new concept for ‘edge’ between the urban area and the park. The proposal focuses on idea of combining the relationship between the green, city, and architecture of the area. As an outcome, the “Urban Flux” establishes a concept of ‘connection’ for current edge condition. Second, it functions as a ‘productive’ landscape. As the area utilizes local resources, it will help city become self-supportive. Third, having the idea of urban agriculture system does not end up as just a landscape, but it will vibrate local community with life. There will be vibrant communication at cooperated farms, at the public dining area, and shared market within the community. Finally, through all of outcomes above, the “Urban Flux” will enable the city to become ‘sustainable’. As residents of the area become partially reliable to local products and activities, it will mark as an important step toward a new sustainable lifestyle for a new era of urban living.

The low-density, unplanned space toward the existing park within the proposal is for ‘unknown’ usage for the tenants of the future. It serves as an important element within the whole master plan. As this proposal allows room for future modification and adaptation, the idea of “Urban Flux” will become much applicable to various urban site conditions and usages for different parts of the city.

We believe that schools are the center of the community. We aim to design a school site that will increase the awareness of green lifestyle across its curriculum and into communities. We aim to promote a healthy environment, saving energy and creating a sustainable green environment.

With the attempt to promote the green lifestyle, we design the school basing on the 3 main criteria: first, generating a net-impact value which is to minimized environmental impact, specifically to get to zero when it comes to energy, water and waste. Second, health: the school creates an environment that enhances the wellbeing and performance of teachers’ students and staffs. Third, Education: ensure all students are environmentally literate.
Therefore, the concept of this design is to promote “a lifestyle that sustains Green Living”

The building structure promotes the natural processes and techniques of heat dissipation and modulation without the use of energy. Students will learn the fundamental aspects of being environmentally friendly. Moreover, we see the importance of establishing core commitment from the youth, particularly in a culture that is familiar with doing agriculture. Therefore, on each building roof tops, we set small gardens or green fields for students to join in doing garden activities. Path ways and each open space, from first to second floor will be decorated with trees not only for shading but act as the methodologies to raise awareness of the significance of the living plants.

In terms of a healthy and comfortable environment we consider insulation as one crucial point for buildings in hot climate. Laos is particularly a hot climate country; therefore, using benefit from the natural energy from the sun (passive energy) as much as possible is one of the priorities e.g: conducting solar panel on roof tops, solar water heating system. The building is situated in the deviation of the sun where the classrooms are situated in the areas to receive the most from morning sun and be shaded from the afternoon heat. The building interior and its structures are mostly open to allow convenient air flow. The garden in the middle section on the site (the open space) has natural water treatment which acts as both the natural waterfall decoration and to treat and recycle the water used from general washings.
The materials used in decoration will focus on using recycle or local goods such as bamboo trees for providing shades.

Our design gives details from the perception of the entrance atmosphere to how the building structure performs in encouraging green lifestyle generating high maintenance of the sufficient energy with green source of appliances such as recycle material, water efficiency and sustainable site through innovative design for the development of green lifestyle to the young generation.

Grow, keep and live with nature.

Imagine when the parents take their children out for a walk, then the children suddenly spot on some plants on the sidewalk and ask their parents what are those. Unfortunately, they can’t answer their children. Would it be better if Laos has a place for people to get information about all types of plants. That’s why we would like to build the place where human and nature could be connected.

according to the statistic in 2013, about 70 percent of the area are covered by forest. In contrast, there are full of concretes in the city. This will affect on children’s and students’ awareness about the nature if they only read from their textbooks. There are so many plants in Laos but only a few of them we could find useful details in the library, it seems to be impossible for our children to learn new things with just a few of information.
Another problem is that most of Lao people don’t look after their diet and health, so we bring out this project to public. Hopefully this can change our lifestyle and make our people a better life.

Lao people don’t have clear perception about eco system, that’s one of the reason why they don’t protect and preserve environment. thus, we would like to build this place to teach how to live eco life, such as growing their own vegetables at home, make fertiliser from leftover or using bicycle rather than car or bike.
The main building is designed to be an open area in order to let the fresh air and wind flow through, also using the pond to reduce the heat before it gets into the building. On the other side of building, which will receive sunlight, we use vertical garden to cover those area from direct sunlight.

The laboratory and library are made up to contain all the plant species in Lao and to be the main source of information. Importantly, the sources must be easy to access.
On the roof of restaurant, there are organic vegetable garden for children to learn how to grow their own vegetable using bio-slurry from leftovers. In the end, they can take their vegetable home and encourage them to plant it in their home.
In the garden we provide some fun activities on special occasions for people, especially children. such as making recycle products from waste material, gardening and cycling to get energy for the discount or candies when they go to foodcourt.

In conclusion, for many problems that were created by human which affect to the environment, it is impossible for us to suddenly change people’s lifestyle, but it could take time to be better. With those reason, we decided to choose this project to serve the need of the society, because ecological problem cannot be solved by one hand but all, not only for today but for the future as well.

Family Float Station is a transformable instant community shelter that used as a shelter during flood events. It is simple, portable and energy efficient. During normal days, the family module could be stored as a 1m x 3m x 3m module (Sleeping module) and 1.5m x 3m x 3m (toilet module). During flood event, the module could be transformed into a sleeping module with toilet facility. When the flood water level rises, the Family module will float with the water level, hence saving the lives of the family. On the other hand, the Community Module will be as park facility during normal days. During flood event, the Community module will be anchored to a structure and float. The Community module will then combined with Family modules of that area to formed Combined module. Each Community module has rainwater harvesting facility, human-powered electricity supply and food supply.
Therefore, this module will supply the needs to the family module that connected to it. The materials of Family Float Station could be from the recycled construction waste. As conclusion, Family Float Station could be placed anywhere, especially those areas prone to flood disaster.

“This design scheme is green and sustainable because it conserves natural capital and opts for clean and recyclable resources for its demand of energy, water, and building materials. This further save costs and promotes wellness of inhabitants. It is strongly believed that good affordable housing design does not necessarily cost, it pays as an added value helping to achieve equality among its users.”

Introduction

The proposed design – “Green-Living Ecosystem,” encourages green and healthy lifestyle and actively participates in the current debate of sustainable design. The chosen site is located at Petaling Jaya in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The current rapid and unplanned land development in this area is falling victim to haphazard suburban sprawl. In order to market and promote a quality lifestyle in this context, Green-Living Ecosystem is an attempt to manage the rapid growth of Kuala Lumpur while also improves the lifestyle of its residents. The proposed design illustrates a series of green strategies to generate an innovative, efficient and resilient built environment.

Concept

Taking inspiration from a tree, the main building frame takes the form of hexagon while the water cooled building façade/ skin acts as leafs and its veins. This integration of the main frame and façade results in lower building energy index and better living environment for users.

Cost Effeciency: Use of Renewable Resources for Construction

The refreshing way of looking at the new technologies in this proposal is to engage the building system with the applied automatic science. For construction, modular building elements will be made by using industrial printing robot - 3D contour crafting machine that significantly decrease the construction time frame as compared to the present methods. Recycled concrete waste materials from demolished

buildings, which otherwise be sent to landfills will be used as raw building material for various elements. This will minimize the landfills waste through converting solid waste into building materials making the entire process economic and sustainable.

Energy Efficiency: Implementation of Green Building Technology

Implementation of innovative technologies will bring forth the self- sustaining process of the building. Solar, wind and water are the major natural resources that are used in the building. Building Integral Photovoltaic affixed on the south skin will collect the solar energy; and louvers with micro wind-turbines will produce clean energy to supply as a part of electricity requirements. The continuous water filled tubes will act as H2O building skin to cool down the building surface temperature and its immediate surroundings.

Zero Carbon Emission: Passive Design

By effectively managing the solar exposure and natural ventilation, the building allows cross ventilation that is a must for tropical climate like in Malaysia. In addition, the building orientation is designed to minimize the excessive solar radiation. Vegetation and water elements will create an indoor comfort environment without excessive use of electro-mechanical devices.

Low Carbon Footprint: Integrated Green Spine

Water bodies, community garden, and green connecting ramps are the key green features in the building. The proposal provides a range of urban lifestyle experiences which consists of public realm on the lower and residential on the upper floors. These approaches take into consideration the needs and aspirations of users to further promote a sense of community.

Readjustment through squatter settlement

Statement:

Rivers are the arteries of the city. The environmental status of the river indicates the environmental status of any region in the world. Rivers in Nepal has high social, cultural and historical value. Manohara River, one of the main tributary of River Bagmati, the study area and its catchments is very important for Nepal.

Only two decades back, the Manohara river system and its environment was healthy enough to support the civilization around it and provided its inhabitants with its much valued usage ranging from provision of drinking water to agricultural water use. Unfortunately, trend of encroachment of the land in the river area has been increasing significant from last couple of decades. The increase in volume of resources used and wastewater discharge into Manohara due to haphazard and tremendous urban growth of the Valley in past few decades is high. Today even the ritual bathing is almost a thing of the past as pollution worsens this once beautiful river?

Thus, the key issue of environmental concern for the promotion of the green lifestyle, in case of Kathmandu valley is the riverfront development along Manohara River flowing through it. The main focus is the encroachment of the land (agricultural plot, squatter settlement) and heavy extraction of sand in river territory. The other issues that pose threats are heavy water extraction from the river, solid waste disposing and waste water discharging into the river.

Intervention:

The river corridors are considered to be a prolific area for developmental activities. The existing situation of one of the segment of Manohara river corridor at Jadibuti, an approximate area of

1.5 sq.km, has been dealt considering the various aspects deteriorating its entity varying from the micro to macro level.

1. Readjustment of the squatter settlements: Land Pooling and proposal for the low cost green dwelling units

The green dwellings will have passive green features such as orientation, wind and use the local and energy efficient materials, etc. Further, the rain water harvesting techniques will be incorporated making building self-sustainable. These green dwelling units can act as green prototype dwelling unit eventually forming green neighborhoods, and promote green lifestyle.

2. Green corridor concept

Green Belt concept is proposed along the river corridors which are visually and environmentally enhanced by landscaping, tree planting, or other green elements. This also distinguishes green links from other parts of the city's pedestrian and cycle network, which enhances the visual image of the City as a green City; · they screen roads, industrial areas, or other unattractive features from nearby residential areas trees and act as a buffer against noise.

3. Management of solid and waste disposal

Introduction of small scale treatment plants such as anaerobic bioreactors at core areas have been proposed to alleviate the problems to a certain extent. Combined solid waste treatment and waste water treatment units. At highly urbanized area, waste water should be diverted up to the treatment plant or collect in water tight tanks for further treatment.

Green Energy is considered to be the alternative energy solution for future time. Most of the developed countries are now focusing on green productions, in order to make the environment clean from carbon, a lot of initiatives is being taken by them. More than a half world yet to get awareness of green energy solutions, in order to make their life easier and healthier.

In today’s fast moving world there is an urgent need to understand that their production is causing harm to this earth. Thus it is necessary to understand that the materials they are using for their productions are harmful and should find alternative energy solutions. Therefore it is a responsibility of every individual to move forward according to the environment requirements.

Similarly being an individual I tried to give a design proposal of healing structure for human in my city place. The site I selected is beside at Karachi’s famous area known as NIPA flyover. It is a highly dense area surrounded by mix use and educational institutes, the site is linked with two important roads known as University Road and Rashid Minhas Road. The site is also considered to be the junction point of different route busses. The reason I selected this site is because there are a lot of similar spaces present in the city, which act as a junction point but are not human friendly. A lot of people visit this site on regular basis but the major problem people mostly faces there is the shelter space. There is no proper shade structure present at the site, therefore most of the people got suffered from heat waves.

Therefore I decided to design a ecofriendly shade structure, which is a prototype and portable at the same time. I prefer to use local easily affordable green materials which would be cost effective and ecofriendly, thatch, bamboos and biodegradable bricks are being used. The idea was to design a prototype shade structure, which could be used in any place as a shelter space and it can be easily transformed to different space. The joints details of this healing structure are easier and flexible and easily adjustable. The idea is to design this structure in such a way its presence, production and decomposition shouldn’t affect the environment, this structure can play its part in severe heat stroke time in order to provide shelter to people. While designing this structure the circulation of air is highly studied in order to make the environment cool in it.

The site chosen is Liaquatabad 10 number which is a dense low income neighborhood of Karachi, Pakistan. An issue of the site which I am highlighting is a space which is often declared as a “dead space” by government and urban planners. ‘These aren’t wasted spaces; they are claimed and reclaimed by common citizens’1. Under these flyover, there exists life of the marginalized, the poor and the not-so- poor. These people turn these dead spaces into a bustling hive. ‘For many dwellers of the city, space under a bridge is the only available or affordable shelter. Some of these spaces are also contested, if one comes in too late, he might not find room to sleep.’¹

Through my design I am improving these dead spaces by proposing a multi-use structure which changes their functions throughout the day based on the day and night activities of the site. During daytime there is continuous hustle bustle of traffic and people waiting for public transport are observed under these shaded spaces, since all the bus stops nearby do not provide ample shade. In the evening children are seen playing and in the night people are seen sleeping under this dark space. These people are mostly beggars and those who do not have space in their houses as the surrounding residential area consists of multi housing units with large families living in them. The space under this flyover is currently being used for parking of coaches and rickshaws. While the coach parking is legal and they pay rent to the government, the rickshaw parking is encroached.

The structure is made from recycled material found on the site; scrap wood and steel due to a furniture and steel market located nearby. It is portable thus it can be implemented anywhere in the world. The form of this structure is derived from basic positions of the human body, like when a body is resting, when it is sitting and when it is in action. It serves individuals and groups. It varies in height thus providing a feature of climbing and fun. This free flowing structure offers sitting spaces, playing spaces and resting spaces. It provides an interactive and playful way of engaging with the surroundings.

At times public architecture is constructed to provide a new activity or only to enhance an existing one. A public space can present new outlooks or simply a fun place to be. But it has the necessity to characteristically entwine within its context and impact a larger population.

¹ http://www.dawn.com/news/1196176

ARCONNECTURE – LINK BETWEEN ARCHITECTURE AND NATURE

CONCEPT

The concept is derived from the branch of the trees. It acts as the link of nutrients transporting from the roots to the leaves, fruits and flowers. just like the society, it connects them to our nature . It gives as a warning that we need to take care of our environment and nature. The branches shows interconnecting places from one to another. Transporting people by means of renewable and sustainable energy. Promoting green architecture and green lifestyle to our community.

RATIONALE

Nowadays, people almost do nothing to protect and conserve the environment. The people’s carlessness often leads to its destruction. Tarlac is one of many polluted cities in the northern part of Luzon. Waste from different types of buildings and structures destroy our environment and resources. Here are the solutions that we provided for the problems that we encountered based on our observation, interview and research.

Our solution to water pollution is the recycling of water from wastes that came from commercial buildings, enabling non-potable water to be used for sanitary purposes. To conserve water, we promote rain water harvesting since Tarlac city is always being hit by strong rains and typhoons. Heavy rain water causes flooding in roads and pathways because of inappropriate design and usage of materials that easily disarray. The solution is to utilize permeable pavements that absorba flood water and eliminates the water from the river.

Only few amounts of air pollution coming from industrial buildings are emitted. Pollution is mostly caused by vehicles and automobiles. It produces carbon and other chemicals that goes in our air. We promote green and eco friendly transportation that lessen the air pollution like using zero fossil fuel, solar energy, and electricity powered vehicles. The electricity comes from renewable energy produced by solar panels and wind turbines. These promote green transportation lifestyle for everyone.

Our country (philippines) has always been blessed with rich fish resources due to its location. It is situated in the middle of the coral triangle, which is well known for coastlines in the world, much of the filipino population lives along the coast in order to take advantage of these resources for both nutrition and livelihoods. The number of the people working in the filipino fisheries sector is estimated at around 1 million. The bussiness of fishing is central to the economy and culture of the islands.

“Pawid na harong” is a bicolano term (a local dialect in bicol region philippines” means a house made of palm. The main concept of the development is to help reduce the problems in coastal communities especially for potable water and electricity that plays a big role to their daily life. The concept of form of the structure was inspired by their environment and also their daily routine as they go for fishing. Tropical design applied with the use of bamboo all over the design. This kind of structure can be replicated in some other part of asia that fits to their sustainabilit issues.

The issues and problems found in the selected site are also the as the poor communities facing in coastal areas around the country. In this case, prototype structure is the best choice among built or portable to help in resolving the issues not only to the selected site but also in places where the structure will be replicated.

The structure is a multi-purpose facility that will be used at morning as market and fish, while in afternoon is a place to relax and take a rest, swings (duyan) are provided for fishermen because these are the most common way of resting and relaxing for fishermen. A viewing deck also provided for them to see the fishing boats arriving specially at morning. This also give the end user a 360 view to the nature.

The shape structure and openings provided to let cool wind pass through out the building. The indegenous local materials are being used to be cost effective and the lower maintenance cost. It can also give the local craftsman source of income in times of repairing the structure.

The green strategies applied to the structure are based on the needs of the coastal communities like water, electricity, sanitary, etc. The coconut shaped second floor will serve as the rain water collector. The rain water collected will be used in domestic purposes, this can also be treated in the slow sand filter to become potable and safe to drink. A free solar battery charger are provided to let the community use lights than kerosene lamp for safety purposes. All the waste came from fishes like intestine, and fish bone will be treated to be an organic fertilizer to promote agriculture to the community. The project will become a role model to other coastal communities.

WITH AND WITHOUT ENERGY

The project that we were asked to design is the Head Office building for Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority. Sri Lanka Energy Authority (SEA) is the government agency responsible for energy efficiency and renewable energy development in Sri Lanka. SEA carries out the long term programs to achieve high energy efficiencies in end use levels through various interventional such as energy efficiency services, regulatory inputs, awareness creation on energy conservation and facilitation of funding.

When I looked in to the sustainability in building construction what I noticed is that the concept of "green architecture" has become the most prominent among new building designs, which was set up with the "sustainable built environment", to safeguard the natural environment. It is an integration of environmental elements, spiritual and personal well-being, healthy household practices, architectural designs and non-toxic building materials. The integration of all of these things creates the ideal, modern, nutritious home or work place.

The selected site is located in Rajagiriya which is in the current Sri Lankan Capital Sri Jayawardenapura. Fairly a large suburb bordering Colombo.
Vegetation is one of the greatest assets of the site for a natural, energy- efficient design. Not only is the existing vegetation useful, but it can be added to, transplanted, or eliminated. Even though it might take time to mature, the landscape is fairly flexible.

After the research I decided the General Public and office staff will be my user.
To proceed the design I developed the idea that to not stand isolated but to create a series of inspiring office/learning spaces which are well connected with the public, Designers, nature: visually, physically and intellectually.
As the concept explains, the idea of the master plan is to reactivate and connect the existing buildings, which are very much in isolation and make my building as a sustainable breathing point for the context. To achieve that I considered the existing formation of building links, existing movement patterns and axis, connections of all the green spaces through the site and reintroducing new functions and extroverting the functions of existing buildings to reactivate them and better connect them.

The project strives to establish a relationship between the building and its context, the artificial and the natural, hoping to reflect a facility that maintains a dialogue with its landscape and the new environment paradigms while exploring technological solutions. This responds to a functional program with appropriate solutions while simultaneously introducing differentiating factors that make the architectonic object a contemporary and innovative proposal capable of ensuring its status as a benchmark in energy efficiency and sustainability. This building aims to guarantee its classification as a “Nearly Zero Energy Building”.

In the structure the uniform geometry of the form allows for the most amount of surface area that is optimal to solar angle and direction. The spherical form allows for an efficient collection of solar energies year-round ; increasing both the amount and consistency of the solar energy connected. The advantage of the geometry translate in to reduced energy cost for the building, a faster payback on sustainable technologies, and the ability to be Carbon positive.
While designing the interior spaces I decided to have mobile furniture that can be arranged and rearranged easily according to the need and also I thought about the flexible spaces with portioning which can be change onto required spaces.

In the services area I considered more about Water-efficiency: No city water is used by the building's landscaping. Storm water is either absorbed by the green roof, collected in three large rain barrels, or directed into a rain garden, where the toxins are removed by plant material before reentering the ground water system.

Nowadays the city is driving by the economical and technological factor. This unstoppable causing the growth of urban infrastructures and buildings with less concern of the quality of living by reducing green area in the city and replace with concrete that sum up problem of bad ecology in the city.
Bangkok is one of the cities that facing this problem. So people avoiding bad living quality by leaving the city ,creating an urban sprawl. Everybody seek a better quality of living in the suburb area that cause the green area to reduce lower and lower.
This proposal is seeking the way to regenerate the ecosystem and reducing the urban sprawl problem. By the main concept of “Green lifestyle”, the strategy is to bringing the ecosystem into the city by designing a poly-phased architectural intervention. By this main idea will improve the number of good ecological space and creating a natural public space that is so close to whom live in the city.

Bangkrajao district is the green lung near the center of Bangkok, this project is concern with protecting this green lung by extending ecosystem to the city.
This project planing is to merge the northern green area of Bangkok with the Bangkrajao district by creating a green line crossing the city creating possibilities to growth the green space branching from inside of the Bangkok city.

Phase 1 sustainable node cluster + water resource management the first stage of the system is to create a base unit for leaving the ground area, preparing for the main green ecosystem to cut through the city. The base unit is base on a single core system and extending “cloud” unit- skeleton module design to be porous for least vision effect and porosity can improve the ability of windmill generator. and units of self sustain food production to be a prototype for people to understand the system of this strategy.

Phase 2 wall (protecting the early phase of ecosystem) + infrastructure preparation second stage is to extend the base unit to shape a porous wall as a permeable boundary for the ecosystem plain across the city. the unit is an array of base pile of base unit in linear direction, preparing for mass transit. some road in urban fabric still exist crossing the ecosystem unit.

Phase 3 lifted up community + merging fertile green area with urban final phase is to create the cloud unit leaving the ground to left the footprint to be green area. The green area is ready to merge with context. the skeleton wall unit can reuse as a new structure for lifted up community or use as a new wall to extending new ecosystem line.

Terraced rice fields is one of the most spectacular landscape in Vietnam, just like a gift from Mother Nature. However, beside the brilliant beauty of the scenery, local people have to face with many difficulties in daily life. Children is the only way led them to a brighter future. As an architect, what we have to do is more than just building a house. We also have responsibilities to lighting up their lives by building a school, where children can learn to change their destiny. where to direct people to a green lifestyle , a life is not affected by the pollution , recycling what they can.
So what we can do to help them? We can put into a house model to fix this problem? They will have a life better, work better?

To change their destiny and teacher can work effectively. It is not only a place to learn and work but also a place to live and relax after working hours. Our design is a combination of class and residence for teacher and student.

BOARDING SCHOOL DESIGN PROCESS:

From the design , arrangement of traditional school , we change and use module . the versatility of module with toposurface terraces, can change layout arrangement and created by the common space.

Rapid global warming is been the result of advantage process from the natural in one direction by man. Asia is going to be the first affected by the phenomenon of sea level rise. In Vietnam, the Mekong Delta is going to affected first and most serious.

Two major rivers: Tien and Hau rivers are the source of life of caring fish villages in the Mekong Delta. That region's people is friendly, generous, hardworking because of long-standing the river life. Water Hyacinth clusters are similar to their raft houses float on the river, united to create the group, live on the rivers.

We chose Chau Doc floating village where is famous for caring Basa fish in cage (on the Hau River, An Giang). It’ll be the place to build the planning model for fishery and ecotourism town.

Planning scenarios inspired by images of Water Hyacinth. It is an image associated with the river, idyllic as the people here. It has the quality of rural Vietnam in itself markedly. It became friendly materials in the house. It creates living space for marine species and aquatic life. It is cool and green for living space. So we reconstructed images of Hyacinth to design raft house.

A modular had four raft houses. Seven modules created one group. Each group shared one common place to trade goods. These groups connected together in a flexible way to create wavy form, reducing water pressure imposed on the river banks, ensemble became a dike to prevent erosion, river erosion. The form answered the natural by soft method. The project had seven groups. Six groups were combined in aquaculture and fisheries and one group was resort.

In the modular, each house had own main direction and connected together by footpaths. Creating diverse views and airy 4-door, ventilation and comfort are met looked up. Using natural materials and recycled materials to build houses.

Each house had bamboo frame structure, slope frond, palm leaves, plastic reusable Industrial deck pontoon. The cover materials originated local. We combined variations of the bamboo to create aesthetics for the open box. Slope is the adaptation to air here, which the rainy season has rainfall. Underwater, we had fish cages. That house was residence and production. It applied gray wastewater treatment technology and installation of solar batteries. Toilets used ash to treatment waste, absolutely do not use water, adapt with the living conditions on raft houses, reduced water pollution. Also, vegetables grew in plastic tubes to provide food.

We did Water Hyacinth rafts to clear water in the river. In the water surface space between the houses in a group we drop Water Hyacinth, to cool the shrimp at bottom areas, and increase green space for the project.