Green Architecture
#1 Green Building
Introduction
Natural Inspirations
Sustainable Resources
Social Wellness
Raw Materials
#2 Ecological Master Planning
Introduction
Site Planning Strategies
Empowering Locals, Sharing Cultures
Preserving Nature
Sensitive Architecture
Introduction
The Link addresses the social wellness and needs of our future working environment. Using the variety of green spaces, these are opportunities for the users to connect social and also with nature. Besides workstations, there are many spaces designed with fluid functions to allow the different activities in the new office, from leisure, networking, discussions, screening, and others. The Link brings about green connections in the form of natural greenery, natural elements and natural resource. The close proximity of greenery allows functional use such noise buffer, heat buffer, natural ventilation to the interior spaces. The natural landscape also increases the social welling, providing an optimal office environment.
Natural Inspirations
The circulation within the space is fluid and inspired from the natural forms. These are reflected in the ceiling profile, floor finishes, and shared worktable. The fluid form is a response to the limited floor width, creating a seamless spatial flow for the users. Each floor was carried out in line with the client’s direction on the fengshui elements of fire, water, wood, earth and metal. From landscape, furniture, colors, detailing, material, and forms, these designs are specially selected to match the elements. The overall design approach is developed further into a set of highly rich features, comprising of include metal screens, amber-red raw bricks, fluid blue vinyl flooring, coconut shell walls and natural cut stone. This gives each respective floor its own character and aesthetic, allowing every user to truly enjoy their unique yet coherent office space.
Sustainable Resources
A conical skylight descending from the roof brings visual links between levels. It is a clear focal point within the office. Multiple functions are incorporated around this multi-leveled volume, to encourage linkages between departments. The skylight that spans across all floors is the main source of natural light which brighten up the otherwise dark and narrow interior space. It is embraced with steel rods whereby its porosity evokes a sense of spaciousness vertically across all floors and beyond the roof skylight.
Social Wellness
With the possibility of remote working, the significance of future office is geared towards congregation areas and a series of informal meet up nodes to connect people. Staff has the mobility and freedom to work at relaxed spaces or even the outdoor garden. A working place is not just an air conditioned box but a space where people could choose the settings to fit the nature of an activity. It is a balance working environment for group discussion or a tranquil place for quiet moments.
With the introduction of the central air well, this conical realm allows multiple visual and acoustic connections within the 6 levels of stacked office space. Physically, a lightweight spiral staircase goes around the skylight structure, allowing the users travel vertically. This also creates opportunities for them to connect.
Several communal pods are carefully incorporated within the skylight to engage with the dynamic volumetric space. The central air well highlights the entire office environment and brings vibrancy to the close-knitted open office lifestyle.
Raw Materials
To allow ease of construction, the spaces often utilise raw finishes. This reduces the required construction time. At the same time, by exposing the materials like plaster, bricks and blocks, these gives a very enriching texture to the space. This is contrary to the typical materials which may include wall tiles, paint or partition boards.
Introduction
The Eco-Resort which is located at the south-east of Phnom Penh, envisions an authentic experience where guests get to appreciate nature, culture and architecture harmoniously integrated as one. It delivers a holistic exposure through its numerous amenities and attractions, and is the perfect getaway catering to a wide diversity of entertainment, relaxation, adventure or privacy needs.
How can architecture be framed to promote and maximize the potential of a site? Our design follows these core principles to promote Eco-Tourism:
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- Designing to minimize physical, social, behavioral and psychological impacts to site and its inhabitants.
- Identifying the rights, beliefs and traditions of the indigenous people in the community and partner with them to create empowerment.
- Deliver an impactful interpretative experience for visitors to raise sensitivity to host countries’ environmental and social climates.
- Accommodate for direct financial benefits for conservation
Site Planning Strategies
Site Analysis The site is situated along a new canal that extends from a river tributary. This presents the opportunity to create water activities and irrigation for farmland along the new canal. It sustains the livelihood of the villages surrounding it by providing an abundantly fresh supply of fish. The densely forested area has its own ecosystem and a sustainable relationship with the locals that live in it. The river presents an opportunity to incorporate fishing activities for leisure for visitors but it must be done sensitively and sustainably.
Site Planning
Land is allocated to the 4 main groups of usage/activities:
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- The conserved forest
- Agriculture
- Recreational spaces
- Resort core and accommodation
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Empowering Locals, Sharing Cultures
Our architectural design celebrates the site and empowers the locals to exhibit their traditions while enriching the tourist experience. Activities are centered on locally made arts and crafts, modes of transportation and forms of entertainment. 1. Traditional modes of transportation via basket boats turned into a tourist activity at Mondar Bay.
2. Art market and exhibition that showcases traditional and cultural wares. Bamboo roofing provides a rustic, cozy and eco-friendly environment.
3. Reaksa Theatre is a waterfront promenade that hosts performance for locals to perform their traditional dance and music, such as the aspara show and water puppet.
Preserving Nature
There is a conscious effort to understand the underlying systems of nature and encapsulate it into our design strategies. Our architecture reacts to the cyclical motion of tides, crafting periodic view frames and opening up new circulation within the site. The various nature trails are curated with specific themes, educating the visitors on wildlife, farming and the biodiversity within this rich ecosystem.
1.Pelican is one of the local bird species. With the introduction of the Pelican rattan sculpture along the trail, it will add a character to the cycling trail which enable the visitors to have an unique exposure.
2. The activities and architecture seeks to respect the tributary and its adjacent landscaping.
3. Long wooden decks and meandering paths embraces the landscape and provide users an experiential walk along the farms.
Sensitive Architecture
Locally-sourced bamboo and straw thatch is highly used, which are cheap, widely available and promotes the local economy. These are crafted into round enclosures that promote natural light and ventilation, while celebrating the landscape. 1.The tree-top resort which is built within the forest create a wonderful experience for the guests to constantly engage with the natural ecosystem while they are living inside. The texture and the color of the bamboo, rattan and thatch blend in perfectly with the forest atmosphere.
2. The Pelopruk Bridge utilizes a sparse thatch foliage to provide shade. Its material color blends well with the surrounding landscaping.
3. The Concierge serves as a multi-purpose space with a roof made of thatch and bamboo. The structure emphasizes on bringing in natural light and ventilation.
