Into the Wetland by Jia Jian

Design Report Architectural Design Thesis (THS70108)

Master of Architecture School of Architecture, Building & Design Taylors University

Tay Jia Jian 0315508 Supervised: Ar Axxu Hoi

Into the Wetland

Abstract This design thesis aim to an alternative spatial arrangement and residential typology along the coastal areas. As the current global warming become more serious every year. One of the problem that cause by global warming is sea water levelling rising issue that have huge impact many country along the coastal area. Thus, how architecture address and approach to sea water level rising issues? How architecture can develop an alternative residential typology that able to sustain the future climate change and integrate to the social-cultural context along the coastal area? It focus on living with water where building, people and water able to form a balance in between. This design thesis is an exploration to develop an alternative typology that able to adapt to the sea water living rising along the coastal area in the coastal context of Malaysia.

Table of Contents

Problem Statement

The Unit

Aim & Research Question

Unit Type

Literature

Residential Unit Plan Residential Unit Facilities Unit

Site Study

Section Persepective

Analysis structure of existing of coastal settlement

Section – Details

Program Matrix

Sustainability

Precedent Study

Conclusion

Micro Site Analysis

Appendix

Micro Site Analysis-Design With Nature Tide Condition of West Coastal Mangrove forest Taman Negara Johor Tanjung Piai Exploration of Combination

Form –Massing Strategies

The Design Ground Floor Plan Elevation Plants

Problem Statement

As the global warning become more serious each year that have cause a series of problems to environment, society and economic. One of the problems is the rising of sea water level become a serious problem to several country like Thailand, Venice, Singapore, Jakarta and so on.

The technologies that are related to encounter this problems have being develop and tested out. For example in Netherlands, they have develop some housing structure that are adapt to water level.

With the sea water level rising problems, many architect firm start visualize several new concept of building typology. For example, BIG have design a water city system concept. Question about how to living with water started become a discussion topic in architecture forums and talks. How to adapt to the future sea water rising scenario. What is the best building concept of typology that can encounter this problem?

Therefore, this thesis is regarding an alternative residential typology that able to sustain the future climate change and integrate to the social-cultural context along the coastal area in the coastal context of Malaysia.

Global mean sea level has risen about 8–9 inches (21–24 centimeters) since 1880, with about a third of that coming in just the last two and a half decades. The rising water level is mostly due to a combination of meltwater from glaciers and ice sheets and thermal expansion of seawater as it warms. In 2019, global mean sea level was 3.4 inches (87.61 mm centimeters) above the 1993 average—the highest annual average in the satellite record (1993-present). From 2018 to 2019, global sea level rose 0.24 inches (6.1 millimetres).

According to new research publish by scientific magazine Nature Communications,, 200 million people in the world will live below the sea level line by 2100. An additional 160 million will be affected by higher annual flooding due to rising ocean levels. These numbers are much higher than those published in previous studies, which used different coastal elevation models and assumed that only 250 million people in total would be affected by these adverse events.

How architectural addressing it?

How to approach the sea rising issue in the future?

How to solve this problem?

Research Question

How architecture can develop an alternative residential typology that able to sustain the future climate change and integrate to the social-cultural context along the coastal area?

Aim To develop an alternative spatial arrangement residential typology along the coastal areas

Objective I. II.

To create an alternative way that able to living with water typology residential from an architecture approach. To create a residential typology that able to adapt to sea water level rising.

Literature

“Design with Nature.” The first book to describe an ecologically sound approach to the planning and design of communities. In this book Mc Harg have given many example how to use those factor as a basic site analysis to analysis the site context. However, each example, is slight different because of the context, program, country and so on. Those basic group factor also have slight different for each project.

Ian Mc Harg believed ecological approach only can create a balance between architecture and natural.

First Group Factor

-Slope, bedrock, soil foundation, soil drainage, and susceptibility to erosion Second Group Factor -category danger to life such as flood inundation, hurricanes and so on Third Group Factor -evaluate of natural, water value, forest value, wildlife value, land value

In this thesis, I will use this book as a reference to analysis my site context and extract some of the example method to approach with the nature environment.

Evolution of Housing Typology

In response to design a residential typology, I look back to the history of residential typology .Nowadays, there is a lot of talk about living sustainably, and sometimes people go to great lengths for this purpose. It often surprises just how complicated people choose to make this process when if we really want to live in a sustainable home and lead a sustainable lifestyle, maybe we need not look too far — just go back to the roots.

Evolution of Coastal Typology in Malaysia

Furthermore, I go learn about the history of typology in coastal area in the context or Malaysia. As we can see in the from the 1600 years to 1980 year there are no so much changes in term of building type and so on. Only is the user and social context is different. In 20th century people started invest in coastal area that have develop many building typology that didn’t integrate with the context. Due to the sea water level rising, what is the new typology in the future in 2050?

THE SITE

The Site

The history of the site surrounding is during 18century the site surrounding is fill with the fishing village and due to the economic pattern changing to the industry area because of the government policy which is empower the Klang port as the economic port and influence the surround area of Klang port rapid development into factory area. Our site also influence by the policy of the government

Site Selection

The criteria for site selection was around to avoid the east coast monsoon that will affect by the monsoon rain, wind and the tide which is more unstable. The design thesis take place among a mangrove forest nearby in west coast area, Telok Gong, Klang Malaysia. The site also protect by few small island surrounding that round reduce the erosion and tide wave to the site.

Commercial

Industry

Forest

Residential

2050 ---------------------------------1 meter 2100 -------------------------------2.5 meter

The diagram above show the simulation for the site selection which is simulate the worst scenario. Which is would be rise 1 meter in coming 30 year and 2.5 meter in 2100 year. Based on the oversea statistic website that have estimated the number that people will effect in 2100 year.

Analysis Structure of Existing Coastal Settlement

Pulau Ketam is one of the costal settlement there is famous nearby in KL. With the feature of the traditional cultural and architecture that become a famous tourist spot in this few year. From analysis this coastal typology, what we can learn from this typology is the building program that help to sustain the community, the circulation of water and land, the connection among the building and so on.

Analysis Structure of Existing Coastal Settlement

In Pulau Ketam the structure of the program that sustain of the residential typology is simple only the essential program is available in the Pulau Ketam such as restaurant, grocery, water reservation tank, school, tnb, police and clinic.

In the analysis of existing costal settlement, the problem the found in the existing Palau Ketam is the recently build building is lack of integrate the site context. Due to the Pulau Ketam didn’t have the sediment area that because the sea rubbish is wash into the building area make the mud is unusable for people. The neutral side of the analysis is the walkway is narrow that might cause the traffic and congestion problem however we look another way is able to increase the intimate of the resident. So the neutral side, we can have a different perspective view to find out of the strength and try to apply in our building typology. That strength inside of Pulau Ketam is the beauty of the traditional construction which is the knowledge that pass down for the older generation how they respond to the site context.

THE PROGRAM MATRIX

Program Matrix

The program matrix is derived from Pulau Ketam the essential program that able to provide residential typology liveability and sustainable is conducted as above program matrix. There is four main point of our program matrix which is live, eat, play and social and from these four group further explore into detail places. Contextual facilities that might useful for our site context is included.

Precedent Study

Master Thesis Song Jie Lim

The cultural practices and growth patterns of the Kampungs of Jakarta are the inputs to the design development of an informal self-build city system. The design proposal seeks to balance population expansion and demographic changes with environmental performance and reducing flood risk.

THE MICRO SITE ANALYSIS

Micro Site Analysis

Micro Site Analysis-Design with Nature The site analysis that learned from the Ian Mc harg –design with nature the basic three group of factor.

Dead Water In existing site got three dead water area which is become a rubbish collection pond.

Water Value Water value here showing the different type of water from the site context it can use by our user.

Tides Value In tide value it show the low, high and average tides level on our site context. And from this also can planning the wave breaker location to reduce the wave energy.

Pollution Value In here showing the pollution due to the rubbish inside the river and form the sea is bring to our site context

Recreation Value This diagram showing the potential area that can carry out land recreation activities and sea recreation activities area.

Erosion Value Erosion analysis showing the potential area that will affect by the sea wave erosion and the erosion of the river.

Wildlife Value Wildlife value is assume and predict that place can be reuse as wildlife habitat area.

Wind Value Wind value here showing the wind from the factory area it might affect our site .potential is got sea wind that can easily get from the site context

Tide Condition of West Coast

In response to the site context, understand the tide range the sequence of the tide become very significant to the design. Luckily due to the technologies nowadays there is many data that conducted and able to use to as a reference when design the building how to integrate with high tide and low tide.

Mangrove Forest Section One other significant element in surrounding context is mangroves forest. From the section of mangroves forest we have learn something unexpected. From this section of mangroves forest, we can see from the sea – land the mangroves is different species and the structure of the tree also is different to adapt those context.

Taman Negara Johor Tanjung Piai

Furthermore site study, that I went to the Taman Negara Johor Tanjung Piai which is a protected mangroves forest that purpose for tourist to share the knowledge of the mangrove forest. From this site visit that allow us to discover normal knowledge of the maintenance the mangrove forest. One of the example is the management is use the broken mangrove truck and smaller timber together with the fence to as a sediment line that filter the rubbish from the sea which refer a a very famous Netherlands method. Other than that, we also can see those servicing line how to function and different type of walkway in different area that to adapt different use and adapt to the site context.

Exploration of Combination

Land Typology

Building Typology Water Typology

Coastal

site combination

with

three

typology that occur along whole section from the land to the sea. Different context and typology allow to bring different experience to the user. Also want to give another approach toward the relationship between the building and water in coastal area Malaysia. Coastal Typology

Tide Respond

Circulation Without Water

Landscape Without Water

With Water

Approach Without Water

Platform Without Water

With Water

THE FORM & MASSING

Form & Massing Development

The diagram showing the contour of the site and it show got three sunken existing at the site which now is a dead water and collect rubbish area.

The diagram showingthe massing development is following the dead water area and as the biggest deadwater area become a center/ main point for our building typology.

This diagram showing we concern around the dead water area as a celebrating point for our building typology and rehabit it and try to bring new value to the nature as the same time to our building typology.

This diagram showing how we respond to the nature existing mangrove tree that using the cluster form to minimize the impact to the existing site.

The diagram showing the permeability of the building from the land to the sea. And the permeability of the view

The diagram showing all the public facilities is located surrounding the center area which easily encourage people mobilize to this point.

This diagram showing only the middle area of building is having higher storey level that is to respond to the site surrounding by providing experiment of view to the site.

This diagram showing that circulation in between the building that enhance the connection between different block of the building and connect to the center point.

This diagram showing the sun orientation that allow mostly of time that our building and surrounding tree that able to obtain the natural light due to the height of the building typology.

This diagram showing the entrance access to our building typology is focus on the water access.

This diagram showing wind blowing from the sea and go through our building and mangrove forest. That open of center area that able to obtain most wind

THE DESIGN

The Design

Ground Floor Plan

12 13 11

06 09

08 08

Ground Floor Plan 01 02 03 04 05 06 07

Entrance & Administration Plant Nursery Workshop Single & Duplex 1 Wetland 1 (wildlife habitat) Otter Habitat Sediment Line

08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15

Floating Platform Community Hall Kopitiam Grocery Services Wetland 2 (retention basin) Wetland 3 (mangrove habitat) Family 1& Family 2

On the ground level, the main entrance from land is through the car park area to the administrative area. Another main entrance to our building for public is through the dock in front of the community center. The public facilities in our building typology all located nearby the 05 wetland 1 . This is to create a center effect and connect people through the public facilities and the wetland 1. And the larger family group is located at left side which consists of Family 1, Family 2 and Duplex unit type. The public facilities that located around the center included the grocery, kopitiam, plant nursery, boat workshop and community center. For the plant nursery is to grow those plant that use for rehabilitation in wetland 1,2 and 3. That is to ensure and maintain the ecosystem of the wetland. The boat workshop place more toward the sea area is because of the slipway which is known as boat ramp or launch or boat deployed, is a ramp on the shore by which ships or boats can be moved to and from the water.

Dock in front of Community Center Boat workshop

As the front elevation can see the dock in front of the community center is use for the main entrance from the sea are which public people to access from here and the boat workshop which required the slipway is located nearby the sea that allow more easily for boat to access.

Private entrance

Main entrance

Private entrance

From the ground floor plan that consist the wetland 1,2 and 3 that is rehabilitate with different use that allow bring new value to the nature and building typology. First the wetland 1which is label 5 (wildlife habitat) which is use to attract the wildlife animal such as egret, flower-peckers, flycatchers, herons, kingfishers

THE PLANTS

Wetland 1 (wildlife habitat) Flora and Fauna that propose in Wetland 1. Taller aquatic plants are selected for this area, marginal pond plants not only improve the beauty of your pond, but they also assist to maintain a balanced ecology and provide shade and shelter for fish and other species. Marginal pond plants grow on the shallow margins or shelves that surround a pond's edge, act as safe haven for tiny fish.

Wetland 2 (retention basin) Some floating plants, which are the finest plants for reducing algae and improving pond water quality. The majority of floating pond plants are voracious eaters and rapid growth. Their lengthy, branching root structure also serves as a breeding ground for fish and a safe haven for young fish.

01 05

02 03

First Floor Plan 01 02 03 04 05

Observation Deck Plant Nursery Single & Duplex 1 Community Hall Family 1& Family 2

On second floor the observation deck is located at the center of the wetland 1 that able to have a overall view of the nature environment from that point. Furthermore, the other two public facilities that have second floor is plant nursery and the enclosed space of community center. Mostly second floor is residential unit and in between of that there is have some pocket space that link the building and some walkway that able to connect each block of the building.

Same height with the natural

Rain harvesting tank

The elevation showing the height of the mangrove tree and building is mostly same height. That able our building blend into the site context. Among there still got a few building that is higher that mangrove tree that also allow to provide the user different experience of view toward the surrounding. Because of only few building is higher that mangrove tree that won’t destroy the overall building landscape and site landscape atmosphere.

Glass window and door that maximize view

Boat on the empty mud area

This elevation show the scenario when the residential boat is able follow the high tide period enter to more inner part of the building and when low tide the boat is sit on the mud. For this elevation also can show there is a lot of glass window and door that able to obtain the morning sunlight form sunrise.

Unit Type

These are the overall of residential unit and the facilities unit 3d. For the residential unti each unit is have some negative space which is void that allow user to use the space as their needs or wish.

Residential Unit Plan

Residential Unit

Facilities

Section Perspective 1

The close up render showing the scenario of the wetland 1 is successful attract the wildlife come to habitat in this area with the proposal plant that allow their have a nicer environment compare with before. This able enrich the exiting ecosystem that help to maintain the ecosystem surrounding complexity.

This close up render show the proposal area that can be the habitat for the otter family is between the tide area and the mangrove forest area with the sediment line that filter the rubbish coming from sea should able to provide a better environment for the otter to stay in here.

Section Perspective 2

This close up render show the pocket space in between two block of the unit. That pocket space that able the user to use as their want such as social area or recreation area. They can bring dog jogging and rest at here during evening also can have some chit chat with neighbor at here increase their relationship.

This close up render show the space in between the building also can act as a parking area of about of the ground floor can direct access to the boat. Second floor pocket space can still interact with neighbor.

Big Section

Detail A

Detail B

THE SUSTAINABILITY

Sustainability

Micron-wind Turbine Micro-wind turbines are used in micro-wind generation and are much smaller in scale than those used in conventional wind generation making them more suitable for residential energy production. Microwind

generation

method

of micro

generation that

uses

the flow of wind energy to

produce electricity for a house or farm. Broadly speaking, there are two types of wind turbines that can be installed: vertical axis wind turbines and horizontal axis wind turbines.

Diagram above show the wind speed around the site experience mild seasonal variation of the course of the year. The windier part od the year lasts 3 months from June to August. With average hourly speed 5.7 mph (9.1km/h). That is sufficient to wind speed to function micro-wind turbine.

Normally, the micro-wind turbine got four component when install. There is the micro wind turbine, controller, battery pack and the inverter. Wind causes the blades of the wind turbine to rotate, generating mechanical energy. The mechanical energy from the rotation is converted to direct current (DC) in the turbine and using the inverter, is converted to alternating current (AC). The inverter output is connected to a breaker panel where the electricity can be shared among the electrical equipment in the home. Excess electricity can be exported from the home to battery pack

Due to the site context the building isn’t block by any higher building that allow the solar panel can fully utilize. The solar panel can be function more efficiently. Moreover, using the translucent polycarbonate panel as roof on certain area that able help to save the lighting energy during daytime.

For the structure footing design we also can use this mechanism which propose by an oversea engineer that able to respond to the water rising in the future,

Rain Harvesting System Rain harvesting tank integrate with filter system. That help to save the water resource and recycle the rainwater water into useable water. The rain harvesting tank is located among the building 2

typology that able user to access 1 the recycle water more easily.

Trap

Vortex WFF100 Rainwater Filter Collector

Output

Rainwater Collector

Rainwater Tank Clean Water Tank

THE CONCLUSION

In Conclusion, this thesis which attempt to approach the coastal residential typology in future in a different direction which is back to the nature, live with nature which with essential structure program. Living with nature building aging together with nature include the material and the people inside Further study can be conducted with different direction like due to the global warming there is a lot of place in between the city is always encounter flash flood how architecture approach to in this context?

This render showing the negative space of the unit is using different. The ground floor user is use the void as the net area which can use for recreation and sitting on the beam to interact with the environment. The first floor is changing the void area become a balcony extension for the family activities area. Third floor user is using façade to block the sun from this direction. So, this render is want to emphasize the unit negative space that is able to fulfill the residential different needs.

This render showing the connection between the buildings that encourage the interaction in between the building. For example, ramp, bridge, elevated walkway and so on. Every walkway is surrounding by the mangrove forest “walk into the forest” atmosphere.

This render showing the higher contour attitude area with approach to the site is slight different from previous two render. To show the complexity of approach inside this building typology. Each resident have different experience toward the surrounding in this typology.

THE APPENDIX