Asian Architecture Project 1Case Study Paper Presentation

The Use of Sustainable Construction Materials as Effective Sustainable Design Strategies in S11 House

Name : E Jy Huey Student ID : 0313332 Tutor : Pn. Yati

Research Title :The Use of Sustainable Construction Materials as Effective Sustainable Design Strategies in S11 House.

Research Objectives :1. To record the different types of sustainable materials used in S11 House.2. To record the reasons of the materials used in S11 House are considered as an

effective sustainable design strategy. 3. To record the pros and cons of using sustainable materials in S11 House.

Research Questions :1. What are the different types of sustainable materials used in S11 House?2. Why the materials used in S11 House are considered as an effective sustainable

design strategy?3. What are the pros and cons of using sustainable materials in S11 House?

Concept mapping : Sustainable Design

StrategiesSustainableMaterials

S11 HOUSE

Natural Materials

Recycled Materials

Durable Substitute Materials

Types of sustainable materials used

Lightweight materials with low thermal comfort

Demolished old house materials

• Trees• Water

Effects on the environment

Document Analysis

Literature Review

Document Analysis

Literature Review

Sustainable Design Strategies• Use renewable resources.

• Eliminating air, soil and water pollution.

• Creating healthy and accessible indoor and urban environments.

• Protecting and enhancing natural ecosystems and cycles.

• Supporting the conversion of ‘waste’ into useful resources.

• Creating a built environment that is resilient, flexible and adaptive to climate change.

• Supporting a move towards understanding and implementing ‘positive development’.

• Supporting sustainable modes of travel.

S11 HOUSES11 House is Malaysia’s first GBI Platinum (CVA) rated house designed by Dr. Tan Loke Mun. It is a green tropical house which is conceptualized along the lines of a tree. It has a large tree canopy that can cover and shelter the living spaces underneath it. This house uses many sustainable design strategies and one of them is to use sustainable construction materials in order to sustain the natural raw resources.

NATURAL MATERIALS

There are five significant existing trees on site. Three very old and sculptural frangipanis, a large star fruit tree and a coconut palm tree. These trees are retained and S11 House was set in the midst of them.

Analysis :• Modify the microclimate of the

surroundings of the building.• Building is shaded as reflective

heat from sunlight is absorb.

Pros :• Do not require much energy to

manufacture.• Reduce heat of the surroundings.• Shade the surroundings.• Attract wildlife such as birds that

helps reduce insect pests.

Cons :• Fallen trees and branches incur

cleanup costs.• Fallen trees may affect power

lines.

TREES

The swimming pool and koi pond are located at the two extreme north-south end of S11 House.

Analysis :• Provide evaporative

cooling for the house.• Helps to passively cool

building.

Pros :• Lower the temperature of the

surroundings.• Reducing the need for air

conditioning.

Cons :• Need to clean up from time

to time. • May become the habitat of

the mosquito if not maintain.

SWIMMING POOL AND KOI POND

Wire netting screen wall of fruit and vegetable climbers is used to shade the east and west walls.

Analysis :• Usually use in the wall that receive more

heat from the sunlight.• Help to reduce much of the heat gain

through the east and west walls.

Pros :• Take up less space in the garden.• Energy Savings.• Ensure indoor air quality.• Aesthetics.

Cons :• Frequent maintenance is needed.• Fallen leaves will make the surrounding

looks messy.

WIRE NETTING SCREEN WALL

RECYCLEDMATERIALS

OLD CRUSHED CONCRETE

Old crushed concrete roof tiles retained from the old house is used for gravel fill.

Analysis :• Used as stonework for

bathroom, driveway and ground floor living areas.

• Reused from project rejects.

Pros :• Low construction cost• Save natural resources• Easy to get supply.• Fire-resistance.

Cons :• Low tensile strength.

OLD CLAY BRICKSOld clay bricks were cleaned and re-used for feature walls.

Analysis : • Normally used as walls of

the house. • Can heat up and also

retained heat.

Pros :• Good insulator.• Better thermal insulation.• High compressive strength.• Fire-resistance• Keep the temperature of the house

constant.Cons :• Uncertain compressive strength

( depends on raw materials used )

OLD RECYCLED WASTE PLYWOOD

Old recycled waste plywood off-cuts is used to make modular book shelves.

Analysis :• Coated with low VOC and water based glues.• Reused from project rejects.• Modules are stackable and can be relocated

with ease in the boot of car.

Pros :• Less trees are cut down.• Higher strength.• Low cost.

Cons :• Uncertain quality of plywood.• Becomes heavy when wet.• Need coating.

OLD RECYCLED CHENGALOld recycled chengal collected over many years are used to make ground floor decking timbers.

Analysis :• Coated with VOC paints

and also water based glues.• Classified as heavy tropical

hardwood.• Known for its enduring

quality, sturdiness, durability, and resistance against termites.

Pros :• Less trees are cut down.• Aesthetic• Higher durability than the normal

timber.

Cons :• Need longer time to search for supply.

DURABLESUBSTITUTEMATERIALS

INSULATED AERATED LIGHT WEIGHT CONCRETE BLOCKSThe east and west walls were constructed of better insulated aerated light weight concrete blocks.

Analysis :• Apply in the east and west

walls.• Coated in heat reflecting

paint in camouflage motif.• Shaded by a wire netting

screen wall of fruit and vegetable climbers.

Pros :• High thermal insulation.• Fire-resistant.• Mold-resistant.• Lightweight and convenient.• Easy to handle.Cons :• Need exterior cladding.• Consistency in quality is hard to obtain.

LIGHT WEIGHT RECYCLABLE PROFILED STEEL METAL SHEETS

Large tree-like canopy roof is constructed of lightweight recyclable profiled steel metal sheets.

Analysis : • Highly durable• 100% recyclable materials• Coated in a light off-white

color to minimize heat absorption

Pros :• High durability.• Fire resistant. • Less maintenance cost.• Can be installed easily.• Can be replaced with minimum effort.

Cons :• Prone to denting when heavy objects

fall onto the roof. • High installation cost.• Noisy when rain.

SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS IN VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE ( MALAY HOUSE ) & CONTEMPORARY ARCHITECTURE ( S11 HOUSE )

Trees - Provide shade- Modify microclimate of

the surroundings.

Koi Pond- Passively cool the building.- Provide evaporative cooling.

Reused chengal flooring- More durable.- Less construction cost.

Swimming Pool- Function same as koi pond.

Fruits and Vegetable Climbers- Energy saving.- Reduce heat gain

by the building.

Adaptation• Use materials from nature• Lightweight construction with low thermal capacity

Improvement• Swimming pool is added in the design of the building to lower the heat of the

surroundings. • S11 House used other sustainable construction materials such as recycled materials

and durable substitute materials others than natural materials.• The design of S11 House is modern when compared to traditional Malay House.

ConclusionIn conclusion, using sustainable materials as an effective sustainable design strategies is one of the way to reduce the impact of construction industries to the environment. Hence, S11 House is one of the prime example of a green construction as it is the first and only platinum-rated Green Building Index (GBI) residential building in Malaysia.

References :

1. Allwood, J. M., Cullen, J.M., & Carruth, M. A. (2012). Sustainable materials : with both eyes open. Cambridge, England : UIT Cambridge Ltd., c2012. This book talks about the actions to make the future of materials use more sustainable. 2. Ashby, M. (2012). Materials and the environment. Waltham, MA: Butterworth-Heinemann.This book address the environmental aspects of materials, materials lifecycle, eco-informed material selection, renewable materials and sustainability, and eco-profiles of more than 60 widely used materials. 3. Calkins, M. (2009). Materials for sustainable sites : a complete guide to the evaluation, selection, and use of sustainable construction materials. Hoboken, N.J. : Wiley, c2009. This books talks about the input, outputs and impacts of construction materials and designing with and specifying reclaimed, reprocessed and recycled-content materials. 4. Palich, N., Ramachandran, L., Moxham, S., Chandler, C., Drent, N., & Borg, G. et al. (2013). Sustainable Design Strategy (1st ed.). Retrieved from http://www.gbca.org.au/uploads/127/35967/City%20of%20Port%20Phillip%20Sustainable_Design_Strategy.pdfThis pdf file describe the use of sustainable design strategy in built environment. 5. Sustainable Materials Management : The Road Ahead. (2009) (1st ed.). United State. Retrieved from http://www3.epa.gov/epawaste/conserve/smm/pdf/vision2.pdfThis pdf provides information on how to manage sustainable materials. 6. Unilever global company website,. (2015). Defining our material issues. Retrieved 26 September 2015, from https://www.unilever.com/sustainable-living/the-sustainable-living-plan/our-approach-to-reporting/defining-our-material-issues/This website defines the issues of using non-sustainable materials.