nature and architecture research report [surayyn selvan]

8/10/2019 Nature and Architecture Research Report [Surayyn Selvan]

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The Application of Building With Nature Strategies to Achieve Sustainability in Belum

Rainforest Resort

ARC 2213/2234 Asian Architecture 2

The Application of Building With Nature Strategies to

Achieve Sustainability in Belum Rainforest Resort

Table of Contents Page

Abstract .......................................................................................................................... 3

1.0 Introduction ...................................................................................................... 4

2.0 Architectural Philosophies of Building With Nature .......................................... 5

2.1 Interdependancy ........................................................................................... 62.2 Thermodynamics .......................................................................................... 6

2.3 Change ......................................................................................................... 7

3.0 Advantaes of Building With Nature ....................................................................... 8

3.1 Environmental Benefits ................................................................................. 8

3.2 Economic Benefits ........................................................................................ 8

3.3 Social Benefits .............................................................................................. 8

4.0 Strategies of Building With Nature In Belum Rainforest Resort ............................ 9

4.1 Building Typology ......................................................................................... 9

4.2 Building Design ........................................................................................... 13

4.3 Materials ..................................................................................................... 17

5.0 Conclusion .......................................................................................................... 20

6.0 References .......................................................................................................... 22


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Abstract

The main objective of this report is to identify the different strategies used by

the architects who designed the Belum Rainforest Resort in relation to the term building

with nature. The implementation of these strategies would result in a reduction of

negative impacts that would occur on the site and in return would achieve a

harmonious balance between the integration of nature and architecture in Pulau

Banding. A thorough research on the general understanding of some of these

architectural strategies were conducted based on Graham (2003)s, Building Ecology:

First Principles for a Sustainable Built Environment to be used as a comparison study

to the effectiveness of the strategies used in Belum Rainforest Resort. The scope is

then narrowed to the resort and some of the strategies that were identified were the

use of the clustered building typology, the use of the openness concept to promote

growth of vegetation and finally the use of natural building materials that can be found

on site. In terms of building typology, the use of the clustered typology allowed for the

building blocks to be organized freely without the need for extensive site excavation,

which would harm the ecosystem. Besides that, the concept of openness, through the

use of transition pocket spaces, allowed for the uninterrupted growth of the trees and

plants in Belum Rainforest Resort. Finally, the use of natural building materials found

on site meant that the carbon footprint of the building was significantly reduced and a

majority of the materials used can be recycled. In conclusion, after a comparativeanalysis based on the principles identified by Graham (2003), the Belum Rainforest

Resort adheres to the principles of interdependency, thermodynamics and change.


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1.0 Introduction

Picture 1: Location of Belum Rainforest Resort Pulau Banding ( Google Maps, 2014)

Belum Rainforest Resort is located in Pulau Banding set amidst the 130 million

year old Belum-Temenggor Rainforest. It is one of Malaysias well-known ecotourism

holiday destinations and is famous amongst nature enthusiasts (Emkay Group Berhad,

2014). Belum Rainforest Resort has taken into account some of the principles and

guidelines that Emkay Group Berhad had constructed in order to preserve the ecology

of the rainforest while promoting eco-tourism. Some of these guidelines include (Emkay

Group Berhad, 2014): -

a) The construction process of these developments must be managed

comprehensively to ensure the viability of its resources and in return, enable

the environment and the surrounding context to be preserved

b) These developments would have to take into consideration of the conservation

of the natural landscape of Pulau Banding and its surroundings

c) To promote the ideology of eco-tourism, the preservation of nature vis--vis

must be of utmost importance to the developers

This research report will highlight the execution of some of the strategies that

abide to these principles and guidelines, in relation to the idea of building with nature to

achieve sustainability in Belum Rainforest Resort, Phase 1 and Phase 2, by answering

the following research questions: -

1. What are the architectural philosophies of building with nature?

2. What are the advantages of building with nature?

3. What are the elements of the context in Belum Rainforest Resort that affect the

design of the building?


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4. What are the strategies that were used by the Belum Rainforest Resort

buildings design to respond to the site context?

5. What were the strategies implemented by the Belum Rainforest Resort to

reduce the negative impacts on the site context?

The definition of sustainability used in this report will be provided by the

Merriam-Webster online dictionary which states that, sustainability is the act of

implementing methods that do not completely use up or destroy natural resources and

being able to last for a long time (Sustainable, n.d.). Finally as a comparison study,

Graham (2003)s book, Building Ecology: First Principles for a Sustainable Built

Environment will be used to verify the effectiveness of these strategies.

2.0 Architectural Philosophies of Building With Nature

This section will discuss Graham (2003)s architectural philosophies of

sustainable design through five essential concepts that facilitate changes in

construction practices that allow for the growth of a sustainable environment. According

to him, environmentally literate people have to have a sense of awareness that

buildings, the built environment as well as the process involved in building affects the

present and future environments and people. Besides that, they have to use materials

and energy efficiently to ensure that there is little wastage and minimize the usage ofthese materials and energy to solve as many problems as possible. In short, do more

with less. In relation to the efficient use of materials and energy, Graham (2003) states

that energy should be used in a large number of small steps to guarantee an effective

energy-quality execution. Environmentally literate people also design buildings that

support the diversity of the ecosystems. Finally, there must be an understanding that

sustainable buildings shouldnt last forever but must be adaptable to change.

One of his most interesting points is the idea that buildings and trees are

generally alike because they both are structurally rigid and provide spaces for living

things. However, the major contrast between the inefficiency of the two is that buildings

create waste. Therefore, to create a sustainable environment, we must build buildings

that function the same way as trees do and in order to do so, the concept of

interdependency, thermodynamics and change has to be taken into account.


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2.1 Interdependency

The main idea for interdependency is to form ecologically sustainable

relationships between the natural and built environment. It is important to look at two

aspects of interdependency, which are life cycles and building metabolisms.

2.1.1 Life Cycles

There is a dependant relationship between a building and the environment that

requires the environment to constantly produce the resources needed to sustain a

building as well as be ecologically robust to absorb the waste produced by the

buildings occupants. In order to determine the environmental effects a building would

have, a life cycle mapping of the natural environment and building should be drafted

and assessed. This will aid in the making a decision of the selection of materials and

resources ensuring that there is no form of environmental degradation over time.

2.1.2 Building Metabolisms

The stocks and flow of the resources available as well as the amount of energy

required by the building to operate determine a buildings environmental impact. An

efficient building metabolism has resources and ecological services that could be

reused for future building developments. This would allow the environment to taken in

emissions released by the building.

2.2 Thermodynamics

Graham (2003) states that a comprehensive knowledge of conservation and

efficiency, entropy and surviving designs is essential in understanding the relationship

between a building and its external environment. The laws of thermodynamics describe

the flow and transformation of energy and matter to create a condition of function in

which all systems and structures comply.

2.2.1 Conservation and efficiency

Much like the definition of the first law of thermodynamics, energy and matter

cannot be consumed but are instead processed and transformed. The amount energy

and matter that was present before the transformation would be equal to the amount

after the transformation. With this knowledge, the materials selected to construct and

maintain the building must not create matter that will accumulate and eventually

become harmful to the environment. The consumption of these resources would have

to be minimized at rates in which it can be replenished or renewed or allow nature to


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assimilate waste safely. As a summary, the avoidance of nonessential consumption of

materials and energy is important.

2.2.2 Entropy

The second law of thermodynamics states that as energy flows through a

closed system (a system which does not receive constant inputs of energy) the energy

available to that system for work decreases. In order to achieve equilibrium, high

quality energy must be topped up to keep a system organized. The idea of being

energy-efficient would be inefficacious, as the utilization of quality resources should be

taken into consideration. Therefore, the focus must be on the potential of the

dissipation of high quality energy as it degrades. In relation to nature, buildings should

create ways of using energy in a large number of small stages while minimizing energyloss from the system.

2.2.2 Surviving Designs

Natural ecosystems have evolved recycling loops that maximise the

effectiveness and efficiency of the use of energy to do work. The outputs of a building

would have to reflect this system in order for it to become ecologically sustainable. The

waste would have to be kept in the system for as long as possible to maximize the

utilization of energy-quality. These outputs would have to be non-toxic to the system

and can be reused without the need for more energy. Therefore, surviving designs

provide pathways for recycling by creating by-products that can be use for resource

production.

2.3 Change

Graham (2003) states that there are two kinds of changes that are inevitable:

intentions, which are planned changes and surprises, unplanned changes. The more

relevant form of change would have to be the unplanned ones and in order for a

building to adapt to change, one must avoid building obsolescence by creating

buildings that continue to meet the users needs. The sustainability of a building is

highly dependant on the resilience of the ecosystems that affect it as well as the

adaptability of the building.

2.3.1 Surprises

In order to deal with the uncertainty of the future, buildings would have to be

protected from obsolescence instead of change. This can be executed through the

creation of durable and resilient buildings. There are several reasons as to why a


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building would become obsolete. To counter this issue, easy access to fast-cycling

materials must be available without the need to destroy slower cycling materials.

Another way to achieve adaptability is to design for deconstruction, which allows for the

components and systems to be disassembled for reuse when it reaches the end of its

service life.

3.0 Advantages of Building With Nature

This section would highlight some of these benefits that resulted in the implementation

of building with nature strategies which could benefit the environment, the economy

and socially.

3.1 Environmental Benefits

Environmentally, green building techniques would increase energy efficiency

and would reduce the amount of harmful emissions such as pollutants released by

fossil fuel. Besides that, there would be a significant reduction in the amount of

construction and demolition waste if strategies such as building deconstruction were

implemented (Take Action, n.d.). The use of rapidly renewable materials would

reduce the need for long-cycle renewable materials as well as improve forest

management and the biodiversity (The Environmental, n.d.).

3.2 Economic Benefits

The money used for utilities could be used for other purposes instead as there

would be a drastic reduction in operation costs. The United States Green Building

Council whom, also states that the application of resource-efficient strategies and

integrated designs would result in the downsizing of expensive mechanical, electrical

and structural systems (Building Momentum, 2002). Furthermore, there would be an

increase in employee productivity, which would positively correlate to the increased

indoor environmental conditions (Take Action, n.d.).

3.3 Social Benefits

According to Edwards (2003), the application of passive designs

psychologically affects the users of the space. Due to the emphasis on natural

ventilation and non-toxic, low emission materials, a healthier and more comfortable

form of living and working environments are created. The preservation of natural

environments also enables healthier alternatives to recreation and exerciseopportunities (Take Action, n.d.). There would also be an increase in alternatives to


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materials as to eliminate materials that could be harmful to the users (Krygiel & Nies,

2008).

4.0 Strategies of Building With Nature in Belum Rainforest

Resort

This section of the research report will discuss the application of building with

nature strategies in conserving the two major elements of Pulau Banding, the

vegetation and topography. These strategies will then be compared to the architectural

philosophies determined by Graham (2003) to determine its effectiveness. Finally,

based on the advantages of building with nature, an analysis on the advantages of the

strategies in Belum Rainforest Resort will be discussed.

4.1 Building Typology

Figure 1: Massing of Phase 1 and Phase 2 of Belum Rainforest Resort

Figure 2: Contour of Belum Rainforest Resort


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Building on the available site topography and context instead of moulding it to

suit the building design should be of utmost importance to designers as it promoted the

idea of placelessness by engaging the building to the site (Frampton, 1985). The

placement of the buildings in Phase 1 and Phase 2 of Belum Rainforest Resort has

been organized in the clustered building typology. This arrangement allows for the

structures to be placed within the contours without inflicting any major damage to the

topography as well as the natural ecosystems of the site. Sassi (2006) had mentioned

that the main priority of an architectural development is the avoidance of the

destruction of natural habitats similar to enhancing existing structures and the

introduction of new habitats. According to the architect, the design of Belum Rainforest

Resort is a dialogue to the rainforests diverse slopes. They first determined the main

pathway, which wraps around the sides of the lake followed by the placement of the

modular blocks of the Kampung Houses and Tanjung Wan Villas. This organization

allowed for the creation of pocket spaces in between the building blocks, which

celebrated nature by maximizing ventilation as well as natural lighting.

The creation of pocket spaces supports the second law of thermodynamics by

Graham (2003), which states that buildings should create systems that consume

maximum energy-quality. High quality energy such as natural lighting and ventilation

are made available due to the placement of the building blocks.

Picture 2: Example of pocket space in the Tanjung Wan Villas


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Picture 3: Pocket space in between the lobby (left) and Sidai Restaurant (right)

Picture 4: The variation of slopes are very apparent in Belum Rainforest Resort


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Picture 5: The modular blocks of the Tanjung Wan Villas

Picture 6: The modular blocks of the Tanjung Wan Villas


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4.2 Building Design

When Belum Rainforest Resort was designed, the concept of openness was

adopted into the building blocks. It is more apparent in Phase 2 of the resort where the

use of skeletal materials gives the impression of lightness. These materials, such as

perforated steel and wood composite, were used for the walkways that connected the

spaces together. This allowed for the growth of vegetation on site without any form of

disruption. Poetically, it allowed for the users of the space to embrace nature through

intimacy. The plants would pour over the manmade boundaries blurring the distinction

between man and nature. The walls of the Tanjung Wan Villas have creepers growing

on it because the architect intended for the building to become part of nature as it ages

with time.

The design of Phase 2 of the Belum Rainforest Resort supports the philosophyof change, which states that buildings should allow the natural environment to adapt to

the presence of the building while minimizing the ecological impact the building would

inflict upon the site. The walkways are raised on stilts minimizing the damage it would

create on site. Besides that, the vegetation is left untouched and are allowed to grow in

their natural state. Similar to the Lyola Pavilions in Queensland Australia, the pavilions

allow for plants to grow around it reducing the need to disrupt the landscape (Sassi,

2006).

Picture 7: The walkways connecting the end of the site to the Tanjung Wan Villas


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Picture 8: The walkways connecting the Tanjung Wan Villas to the rooftop deck

Picture 9: The walkways connecting the Tanjung Wan Villas


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Picture 10: Vegetation spilling over the walls in Belum Rainforest Resort


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Picture 11: Creepers growing on the walls of the villas in Tanjung Wan

Picture 12: The railings of the walkways have been altered to accommodate the tree trunk


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4.3 Materials

A more literal form of building with nature can be seen through the use of

natural materials as building structures. A majority of the construction materials used in

Phase 1 and Phase 2 were reused from site and can be recycled. In Phase 1, bamboo

was used as a roofing structure to provide shelter from rain and excessive sunlight in

the Sidai Restaurant. Towards the end of the site at the mock orang asli village

settlement, bamboo was used extensively as walls and structural materials. Located on

the faades of the rooms in Phase 1, Soma Wood Saplings that were found on site

were used as a form of privacy screening, although it was more of an aesthetic

decision. Finally, in Phase 2, the use of rammed earth highlighted the idea of building

with nature as the earth excavated on site during construction was used to createscreening walls in the Tanjung Wan Villas. The addition of a little bit of cement allowed

for the earth to solidify and become rigid without losing the earthiness of its colour and

texture.

The use of these natural materials supports the theory of interdependency,

which states that an ecologically sustainable building always has the resources,

needed to maintain the building and is dependant on the input of resources that could

be renewed for future building developments. The abundance of bamboo, earth and

wood on site ensures that there is no depletion of these natural sources. Besides that,the materials used are easy to deconstruct and recycle. Graham (2003) had also

mentioned that the buildings should allow for easy access to fast cycling materials

without destroying slow cycling materials in his definition of the philosophy of change.

Buildings should be designed for flexibility and ease of refurbishment. This would allow

for the building to change its use over time and allow for its faades and internal

partitioning to be removed or replaced without structural disturbance (Brophy & Lewis,

2011). The Soma Wood saplings used on the faades of Phase 1 of the resort and the

bamboo used as the roof structure in the restaurant is easy to deconstruct and recycle

without the need for demolition.


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Picture 13: Bamboo was used as the roofing structure of the Sidai Restaurant

Picture 14: Bamboo used as a structural member in the mock orang asli village


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Picture 15: Soma Wood screening in Phase 1

Picture 16: Close up of the Soma Wood screening


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Picture 17: Rammed earth wall used in Phase 2 of the Belum Rainforest Resort


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6.0 References

Brophy, V., & Lewis, J. O. (2011). A green vitruvius: principles and practice of

sustainable architectural design. London: Earthscan.

Building Momentum: National Trends and Prospects for High-Performance Green

Buildings.(2002). Retrieved November 1, 2014, from

http://www.usgbc.org/Docs/Resources/043003_hpgb_whitepaper.pdf

Edwards, B. (Ed.). (2003). Green Buildings Pay (2nd ed.). New York: Spon

Press.

Emkay Group Berhad. (2014). Banding Island. Retrieved October 15, 2014, from

http://www.bandingisland.com/os_banding_island.php

Frampton, K. (1985). Towards a Critical Regionalism: Six points for an architecture of

resistancein postmodern culture. (1sted., pp. 16-30). London: Pluto Press

Google Maps. (2014). [Belum Rainforest Resort] [Satellite View]. Retrieved

November 1, 2014 from

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Belum+Rainforest+Resort/@5.543204,101

.340637,844m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x31b5aa097d03a541:0x578ab

5056914433b

Graham, P. (2003). Building ecology: first principles for a sustainable built

environment. Oxford: Blackwell Science.

Sassi, P. (2006). Strategies for sustainable architecture. Oxford: Taylor & Francis.

Sustainable. (n.d.). Retrieved October 20, 2014, from http://www.merriam-

webster.com/dictionary/sustainable

Take Action. (n.d.). Green Building Benefits. Retrieved October 20, 2014, from

https://bloomington.in.gov/green-building-benefits

The Environmental Benefits of Sustainable Design. (n.d.). Retrieved November 1,

2014, from https://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/pdfs/buscase_section4.pdf


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Thomas, R. (2011). Environmental design: an introduction to architects and

engineers. Oxford: Taylor & Francis.

Krygiel, E., & Nies, B. (2008). Green BIM: Successful Sustainable Design with

Building Information Modeling. Indianapolis: Wiley Publishing.

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