SOCIAL HOUSING: Towards a typology for a Model Tourism and Agricultural Village in the Valiyaparamba Backwaters, in Kerala South India, for 18 Families, displaced from thir homes by Tourism Development
“Kerala is a bizarre anomaly among developing nations, a place that offers real hope for the future of the Third World... Though mostly a land of paddy-covered plains, statistically Kerala stands out as the Mount Everest of social development...� Bill Mckibben, National Geographic Traveller in October 1999.
No. of International Tourists 1,000,000
Kerala has seen a
900,000
350%
800,000
Increase in international tourism over the past decade
700,000 600,000 500,000 400,000 300,000 200,000 100,000
1995 2000 2005 2010
Kerala ’s T ou ris m
0
2015
et rg a T India
Kerala
UK 24%
USA 11%
FR 10%
AUS 8%
Alleppey has seen tourism houseboats in the area increase from 2 to over 1000 in the last decade.
CONTEXT
Kerala’s Tourism Industry has grown significantly in the last decade and is predicted to continue growing at a rate of 7 % per annum in foreign tourist arrivals and 9 % annual growth in domestic tourist arrivals. However, if tourist arrivals actually grow at the proposed rates, it is most likely to result in a difficult situation due to imbalances in general infrastructure. At the proposed growth rates, by the year 2021-22, the number of tourists would become comparable to the entire State’s population.
Mathew et al. - Biocultural Diversity of the Endemic ‘Wild Jack Tree’ on the Malabar Coast of South India
35
7 pm Dinner & Overnight stay
4
9 am Disembark 11 am Start
1 3 1 pm Lunch
Driver Figure 24. A view of cargo boats (likely made of wild jack wood) from a few decades ago trading at Alleppey, central Kerala.
2
Chef
Figure 26. A snake boat used for country boat races on back waters in central Kerala.
1
4
3
2
Tourists
Figure A snake boat constructed ofwere wild jack wood Figure 27. A picturesque view of a snake boat race on Top -25. Traditional Kettavalums used forin transporting rice central Kerala. backwaters in central Kerala.
from the feilds. Below - ‘Pimped up’ houseboats are now commonplace in www.ethnobotanyjournal.org/vol4/i1547-3465-04-025.pdf Alleppey.
The Government of Kerala’s department of Tourism has a proposal for comprehensive and integrated development of the backwaters across the entire state, pledging in their 2012 Tourism Policy to; “Build infrastructure facilities such as tourist villages with jetties, parking bays and boarding points that will enable investors to begin backwater tourism operations in new areas. They will also introduce special incentives for starting houseboat operations in areas other than the Alappuha region.”
Declared a ‘Special Tourism Area’ by Kerala Government
The Number of Houseboats has Increased from 2 to 1000 in 10 Years
Malabar Coast Area assigned for future Backwater Development
Alleppey Backwater Tourism Over development
CONTEXT
Backwater based tourism activities are now concentrated in the Alappuzha region of Kerala with more than a thousand houseboats operating there. This has resulted in some backwater stretches in this region having a tourism density much above the carrying capacity. The geographical expanse of the backwaters makes it convenient and conducive to spread tourism activity across the State, thus dispersing accompanying economic benefits and mitigating the negative impacts. With this in mind the Indian Government have decided to disperse houseboat operation and cruise activities to relatively under used stretches and regions in Kerala.
ar Co a
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pment evelo
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st
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1 2
3
1. Holiday Bekal Resorts 2. The LaLIT Resorts and Spa 3. Vivante by Taj
Goa 30 mins
new airstrip Mysore 20 mins
BEKAL
Disp lace
me nt of 1
8 mi Fa
20 min drive by main road
lies
Thaikadappuram
Valiyaparamba Backwater
SITE allocated by Kerala Government for 18 Displaced Families
BEKAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN
1990 Indian Government launch ‘Special Tourism Area Development Program’, surveying beach locations as potential international tourism locations.
Local Attractions
Malabar Coast
1992 Bekal Chosen as one of 4 ‘Special Tourism Areas’ chosen for resort tourism and planned development.
1995 Bekal Resorts Development Corporation Ltd. (BRDC) formed by the state government. Inc.
220 acres of land acquired by BRDC ‘Compulsory Purchase
Displacement of 18 families in the lower economic strata.
Sale of paddy fields have left around 50 agricultural workers jobless All Sites given to private developers on a 30 years renewable lease contract.
Fencing off of construction sites on the bank of the estuary has left fishermen with no access for fishing. Local amenities abandoned
{ CLIENT & USER
USER
SUPPORT & MANAGE-
Displaced Families
Tourists
Kabani
The Displaced families will form a Co-operative which will act as funder and final user of the buildings.
The final building will be used by both domestic and international tourists.
Kabani are a charity who specialise in sustainable tourism. Kabani will act as mentors, helping to organise the co-operative and support the village through monitoring and providing
skills workshops to the families. Key Stakeholders
CONTEXT The project is located on a site in the Valiamparamba Backwaters. The Site has been given to the 18 displaced families by the Keralan Government as part of a compensationpackage after their land was baught by compulsory purchase order for future tourism development by Bekal Resorts Ltd.
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Area prone to Flooding During High Tide and heavy monsoon rains. Backwaters at Low tide Tidal Flow Direction of Flowing River
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Context The site is located on land which floods twice a day with the high tide and access is by boat. There is an abundance of natural resources surronding the site, which could be ulilised in the building construction.
“Most of our parents/teachers meetings nowadays revolve around the issues of water and other problems related to the houseboats. Mothers and fathers are worried that the presence of tourists is a bad influence on the children as they are witnessing behaviour from tourists which is unacceptable in our culture”.”
“I used to take bath on both sides of the canal. Now tourists are taking photographs from the boat and intrude our privacy. Now I am taking bath in the night...”
Rani_ a teacher
Tania_ a young woman
1
Heritage and Cultural Objective
2
Environmental Objective
The project will enable the community to live in harmony with nature, culture and traditions . It will encourages interchange of knowledge between locals and tourists from around the wold.
“Earlier, the water in the lake was very good; we took drinking water from there. Now it is very bad because of the pollution from houseboats and other tourist boats” “Kerosene and oil are spreading to the paddy fields and are adversely affecting the rice cultivation.”
Lilykutty_ a housewife Madusoodanan _ president of the Rice Cultivators Collective
On environmental fronts, the project aims to minimise negative impacts of tourism on the local environment.
“I’m grateful of tourism for giving me my job as a boat driver, which supports my family; but it’s unfair that my boss- the boat owner- earns in a day what I earn in a month.”
Thomas_ a houseboat driver and father.
3
Economic Objective The economic objective will focus on generating employment opportunity besides enabling households and individuals to produce and supply products that are demanded by industry so that local people will be able to get maximum economic benefit out of tourism.
PROGRAM OUTLINE AND OBJECTIVE According to a study conducted by the Charity ‘Touism Concern South India’ the three main problems caused by tourism in Kerala are, the degradation of culture and herritage, the degradation of the environment and economic inequalities. These will be considered key issues to be adressed in this project.
Oldest generations are treated with the most respect and hold the most power
Oldest Mother 1st Generation
Males outrank females
2nd Generation
Aunt & Daughter-in-law 1.
Niece
Married daughters live with their husbands family. Newly married daughters rank lowest in the family.
2.
3rd Generation
Increasing Social Hierarchy
1. Oldest Mother of the house in Charge of daughter in laws 2. Aunts command control over nieces
Women are encourage to form strong social bonds with one another. Women are especially strongly socialized to accept a position subservient to males, to control their sexual impulses, and to subordinate their personal preferences to the needs of the family and kin group.
De emphasising ties between spouses and parents and children encourages notion of wider unity. Husbands and wives are discouraged from openly displaying affection for one another. Young parents are inhibited by “shame” from ostentatiously dandling their own young children but are encouraged to play with the children of siblings.
Typically joint families are related through the paternal line, along with their wives and children. Most young women live with their husband’s relatives after marriage, but retain important bonds with their natal families. Grandparents act as a ‘buffer’ between parents and children.
Grandmothers observe the company that the child keeps, his/her food habits, entertainment preferences etc. During conflict between parent and child the Grandparent acts as a ‘buffer’ between the two.
8.3
Average Household size in Rural Kerala is particularly the case in rural India, where agricultural work is divided. Few individuals can hope to achieve economic security without being part of a cooperating group of kinsmen.
Strong family ties are evident on a village scale: It is a custom in Kerala that members of the same family paint their houses in the same colour.
PROGRAM ANALYSIS _ HERRITAGE AND CULTURAL OBJECTIVE In rural India it is common for extended families to live together, The diagram above shows the social hierarchy and relationships within a traditional Indian Household.
Married Couples
Females Only
Immediate Family
Extended Family
Wider Community
Visible from tourist boat
Decreasing Levels of Privacy in Indian Community
Seen by Community
Opportunity for Cultural Interchange
Seen by driver/ chef
Private
Decreasing Levels of Privacy on Houseboat
Tourist Activities
Sunbathing Drinking Alcohol Family Activities
Reading Playing Cooking and Eating Romance
Romance Sleeping
Sleeping
Bathing
Bathing Praying Washing Dishes and Clothing Rice Farming Fishing
The diagram above shows the functions carried out in my building and the level of privacy required by each one.
Previous project developed in relation to the privacy of bathing in the Keralan Backwaters.
PROGRAM ANALYSIS _ HERRITAGE AND CULTURAL OBJECTIVE The diagram above describes the types of activities that could be done by Indian families and tourists together to achieve cultural interchange without compromising herritage and cultural traditions. This research will be extreamly relavent in the spatial organisation of the dwellings.
Decaying Rice Stalks Organic Waste - feed shrimp
Shrimp
Site Flooded with Saline water from High Tide E gg s
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Kaipad Farming: Rotation between Rice and Shrimp Farming
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erview of of farming practices inin thethewater-logged Overview farming practices water-loggedareas areasofofKerala, Kerala,India India
Vol. Vol. 19, No. 4
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Shrimp Faeces - Fertiliser for Rice
11 11
erview farming practices in the water-logged areas of Kerala, Indiathe No. 4the 11 tion ofofof land nearby move through and enter Kaipad mation landand andchange change nearbysea sea move through the river riverVol. and19, Kaipad
ost serious problems. The The serious problems. tion of land and change rted Coconut,Arecanut Arecanut dserious to toCoconut, problems. The cropsat atananalarming alarmingrate. rate. ops d to Coconut, Arecanut ped’ and new constructions d’ and constructions ops at new an alarming rate. aces, wetlandhas hasbeen been es, thethe wetland d’ and new constructions Large scalepoaching poachingand and ge scale es, the wetland has been re also going also going on.on. ge scale poaching and landsis isproposed proposedbybya a ands also going on. ng work. work. ands is proposed by a ent non-submersible bunds t work. non-submersible bunds ary submersible bunds, and non-submersible bunds yt submersible bunds, and elds into largerbunds, groups. ys into submersible larger groups. and ourses and the construction srses intoand larger the groups. construction nsureand effective drainage by urses the construction ure effective drainage by ure effective drainage by icial cut at Kuttamangalam al cut at Kuttamangalam regulation of alsea cutas at also Kuttamangalam ea as also regulation of ea as also regulation of
ne natural organic rice organic rice ala,natural like the organic Pokkali tract natural rice of like the Pokkali tract of ystem of Pokkali rice cultivation , like the tract of is em system of rice cultivation is ng in which is rice em of rice cultivation system in which rice are practiced together system in which rice in es, which practiced together in are rich in organic e practiced together in [27] which are rich in organic s saline which are hydromorphic rich in organic .
[27] saline hydromorphic . and estuaries serves [27] as .an saline hydromorphic dalinity serves as an an in theserves area. as d estuaries estuaries
to Pazhayangadi nity in the area. area. river and nity in the 400 ha, stretching from Pazhayangadi river and and Pazhayangadi river the north 0n, stretching fromof 0 ha, ha,to stretching from
fieldsduring duringhigh hightide tideand andflow flow out out from from them during fields during low low nearby sea move through the river and enter the Kaipad tide. The The river river water water is usually usually saline saline except during tide. during fields during high tide and is flow out from them during low monsoons. Salt Salt water water from from the sea sea enters the river monsoons. river tide. The river water is usuallythesaline except during duringsummer, summer,when when flow low.Water When during the waterhigh level during flow isis low. When level tide Flooded with Saline monsoons. Salt water from the sea enters the river rises,the theriver riverwater waterflows flows into into paddy fields. fields. The tidal rises, tidal during summer, when flow is low. paddy When the waterThe level wavesentering enteringthe thefields fields through through the the river river keep the soil waves rises, the river water flows KEY: into paddy fields. keep The the tidalsoil moisteven evenduring duringthe the summer months. months. As As these lands moist these lands waves entering the fieldssummer through the river keep the soil areimmersed immersed inin river river water, water, they get get rich deposits of Direction ofAs tidal effects are they rich deposits moist even during the summer months. these lands of highlyfertile fertileorganic organicmatter; matter; therefore, therefore, paddy paddy cultivation highly are immersed in river water, they get flow rich deposits Constant ofcultivation the ofNorthern requires no artificial manuring and fish species receive highly fertile therefore, paddy cultivation requires no organic artificialmatter; manuring and fish species receive adequate food. The Kaipad and fields at various stages are requires artificial species stages receiveare adequatenofood. Themanuring Kaipad fieldsfish at various depicted in Figure 12. adequate The12. Kaipad fields at various stages are depicted food. in Figure depicted in Figure 12.
Fresh Flowing water and monsoon rains wash away
salt.
river
Rice is the most common agricultural product in the Kannur District
Site
11,710 Ha given over to rice farming
a. Nursery preparation
a. Nursery preparation a. Nursery preparation
Approx 40% farmed using rotational crop technique. b. Vegetative
b. Vegetative b. Vegetative
er to south of the north north ofof to and the Road. The and south wetland of south of ming ad. evolved The consists wetlandof oad. The wetland
nd evolved paddy fields, ng consistswhich of ing consists of mass for controlling floods, d paddy fields, fields, which which The area is swampy and s for controlling controlling floods, floods,
oods during the monsoons and The area is swampy swampy and wing to nearness to the river ds during during the ds the monsoons monsoons he currents from the totidal nearness to gg to nearness to the the river river tidal currents tidal currents from from the the
PROGRAM ANALYSIS _ ENVIRONMENTAL OBJECTIVE Kerala (not to scale) c. Harvesting stages Kaipad Fields in Kerala
Figurec.12 Viewstages ofstages Kaipad fields Harvesting c. Harvesting Figure 1212 View of of Kaipad fields Figure View Kaipad fields
Kaipad farming is a common practice in the Kannur district, that is the rotation between rice and shrimp farming. As my site is prone to flooding during high tide, there is an opportunity to incorporate this type of 2 crop farming technique. This method of farming has been awarded special accreditation by the European Food Standards Agency and can therefor be sold in Europe as a premium product thus having economical benefits. The Rotation between Shrimp and Rice Crop is an organic farming method. The rotting rice stalks provide food for the shrimp and the shrimp faesea acts as a natural fertiliser for the soil. For the shrimp production the fields are flooded with saline water during high tide. After the harvesting of the shrimp the monsoon rains wash away the salt and the site is allowed to flood with freshwater for the production of rice crop. Reducing the need for artificial or foreign fertilisers is critical as it reduces the cost to farmers and ensures the protection of the backwaters for future generations.
Key Water Logged Areas Kaipad Farming Region
Average Monthly Per Capita Expenditure per Family is Rs1,835
(£21.53) 57% of this is spent on food
3000kg Rice Per Year
Enough to Feed
+
1 Hectare Kaipad
25 Families
120kg Shrimp Per Year
120kg Rice Per Year
600msq Kaipad Field
+
30kg Rice Per Year
120kg Rice Per Year
+
30kg Rice Per Year
120kg Rice Per Year
+
30kg Rice Per Year
Kaipad Farming has been awarded the status of registered Geographical Indication or GI status. This permits the exclusive global right for the concerned farmers to cultivate Kaipad paddy and sell the finished product in the brand name of “Kaipad” worldwide.
1 Couple
Agrecultural Opportunitites
£60
Money Divided Between 3 Couples
£20
£20
£20
+ TIP
Tips Towards Boat Maintenance
24 Hour Boat Trip for 2 Tourists
Tourism Opportunitites
PROGRAM ANALYSIS _SOCIAL EQUALITIES Agriculture accounts for almost 60 per cent of aggregate employment in India. Employment in agriculture is rural-based (97 percent). In Kerala 50% of the population of Kerala are dependent on the output of agricultural products. Kerala’s most important food is rice with over 600 varieties of rice are harvested from the state every year. Other key crops are coconut, rubber, coffee, cashews, tea and spices.
Due to the seasonal nature of Agriculture the large majority of those who do not own their own land are hired on a casual basis and only work when the labour is required. Through the combination of Tourism (the fastest growing industry in Kerala) and rotational farming techniques where land use is alternated between rice farming and fish or shrimp farming, the community will be self sufficient.
Once Organic certification is obtained, the farmers can sell the produce at a premium. With GI status and organic certification, the rice is expected to fetch a 60% higher price in the market.
ily
sq
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30kg Rice 10kg Fish TOURIST
0m
60
90kg Rice 20kg Fish MARKET 120kg Rice 30kg Fish FAMILY
10
0m
sq
20
0m
sq
30
0m
sq
10 0m sq am rf pe ily
1o o m sq
15 sq
m
Community Facilities
Market
Kettavulum
Communal Space
Couple Houses
Kaipad Fields
Play Group
Health Centre
TOWARDS A TYPOLOGY
It takes three couples to manage one Kettavulum (tourist boat) whilst ensuring that the kaipad fields are well maintained and cultivated and also carrying out everyday family duties such as looking after children, cooking, etc.
3 Bedroom Family House Tourist Bedroom Grandparents House
3 Bedroom Family House Tourist Bedroom
Communal Kitchen
Washing Clothes/ Kitchen Utensils
Tourist Boat Dock Communal Living Space
Diagram describing the Organisation of a Typical Housing Cluster
01
02
Paddy Fields
0
1 Bedroom House
Public
Private
Private
05
5 1
Circ ula
06
0 7 08
3 Bedroom Family House
n tio
Shared Kitchen/ Living
3 Bedroom Family House
Tourist Boat
Tourist Bedroom
Tourist Bedroom Public
18 19 17 6 1 2 0
00h
04 3
23 2 2 1 2
09
Enclosed
10
11
12 13
1 4
Early diagrams about daily activities, and levels of privacy leading towards the proposed typology
Semi-enclosed
Public Private
TOWARDS A TYPOLOGY The typology is conceived as a central communal deck with shared kitchen, living, fishing and circulation spaces. More private houses and tourist accommodation extends from the central deck over the paddy fields. Two canals have been formed through the site to allow circulation to the fields by boat and for the transportation of rice crop.
Outdoor
Angle of houses depends on environmental factors
Length and Width Depends on Social factors. eg.no. of family members etc.
Exemplar Housing Cluster
Nucleus - communal cooking/living facilities Family houses - private living accommodation
Above: Sketch Diagram showing typological arrangement of one cluster
N
1:1500
SKETCH MASTERPLAN The illustration above describes how the typology could be implemented across the site, to create a landscape of cluster houses and Kaipad Fields. The length and width of the family houses depend on situations such as number of children etc. The angle between the houses and the central communal space is dependent on environmental factors, such as to take advantage of the prevailing wind direction for maximum natural ventilation. In a similar way thatone can see from an indian village where member of the same families live from the same colours of their houses, one wiill be able to understand the environmental and social context including the complex family links and social circumstances by ‘reading’ into the way in which the architecture sprawls across the site.
Diagrammatic Axo highlighting the position of the floating deck according to the shrimp harvesting season:
Shrimp harvest May
Shrimp harvest June
Shrimp harvest July
Key Fishing Deck Shrimp Harvesting Field
Illustration decribing floating grandparents house and fishing deck, where grandparents can teach children how to fish
SEASONAL SHRIMP FARMING Parts of the building will resond to the rotational agrecultural activities which are taking place in the surrounding field. A key example of this is the floating grandparents house which will float when the fields are flooded to become a fishing platform which can be rotated to serve 2 fields during the rotational shrinp cultivation period. From my research the grandparents have an important role to play in teaching grandchildren life skills such as fishing and spice cultivation.
Local Government Object for the Development of Ceramic Industries: ‘China clay is found in abundance in Thaliparamba and Kannur taluks of Kannur district. These resources are not fully utilised in the district. The district is endowed with rich deposits of clay of which various types are mined at many places for potteries, tiles and ceramic industries... There are a number of tile manufacturing centres along the coastal areas. Because of the abundant availability of clay, there is great scope for development of clay based industries in the district.� Kannur Government district brochure
Sola
r Ra
Outlet for Heater Air
diatio
n
Black Ceramic Surface absorbs Solar Radiation
Roof Line Interlocking Detail
Internal parts of the tile painted in thermochromatic paint.
Incorporated Rainwater Drainage
Cool Air drawn into he building to replace warmer air expelled through Chimney
Sketch Plan of Overlapping Tiles
Water Drainage
Possible Interlocking Detail
Initial Design of Possible Extruded Clay Solar Chimney Roof Tiles, drawing on inspiration from the local vernacular architecture.
Key References
Top: Ceramica Cumella: Ceramic Cladding Bottom: China Clay Tiles are a common feature of the local Vernacular Architecture
Interlocking Solar Chimney Tiles Heated Air Expelled
Initial Idea for Framework to Support Tiled Roof
Timber Roof Breams
Timber Clamping System
Triangulated Timber Columns Timber Floor Finish Louvre System Prevailing Wind
Mosquito Net
1:50 Axo Showing initial Idea for Tiled Roof and louvred wall system
Axo with location of the tiles highlighted in pink.
CHINA CLAY SOLAR CHIMNEY TILES
An initial design idea for the Clay Solar Chimney tiles shows how these could form An initial design idea for the Clay Solar Chimney tiles shows how these could form part of a system of rainwater collection and drainage and ventilation. The above drawing is an initial idea of how a the tiled roof could be part of a performative symtem including louvered walls which allow the preveiling wind to enter the building .
Solar Radiation Heats Roof Tiles Monsoon Rain Drains along Solar Chimney Tiles
Turbines and generators inside tiles generate electricity, from the moving air
Openable Louvre
Ventilation through Solar Chimney Tiles Filtration straw and drinking water tap Hob
Prevailing Wind
Grey water Drainage Paddy Field
Filtered Grey Water to River
Excess rainwater to river Compost
Gas Pipe to Kitchen
Bio Digester Sand Filteration Tank
Rainwater Storage
Transformer and battery housed in dry rice store
Septic Tank
Electricity generated from turbines to transformer and battery
Electricity output powers LED lights
Diagrammatic section summarising the overall energy, sanitation and drainage strategy
MONSOON SEASON
Warm air expelled
Monsoon rainwater collection by solar chimney tiles
Solar chimney tiles Filtration gravel
Turbine Generator
Filtration pump for use during dry season
3
Cool air drawn through
Storage Tank
LED lighting system
Battery
2
Drainage
1
Safe drinking water
Other electrical equipment Storage Tank
Flowing river
Electricity Generation
Toilets Biodigester
Initial sketches about other possible uses of solar chiney tiles.
Charcoal Filter
Filtration System Iodine Crys-
Membrane Filters
Water Filtration System in a Straw
Drinking Water
Rainwater Collection
USER EMPOWERMENT THROUGH SELF SUFFICIENCY
As the Site is very remote and separated from the mainland by water a self sufficient services strategy will be implemented. This also means that the socially vulnerable families will not be effected by increasing gas or electricity prices, following my discussion with the director of ‘Kabani’ this is a major concern of families living in the Keralan Backwaters. Another major concern is the accessibility to safe drinking water, which is not provided by the Keralan state. The stratergies decribed in the diagrams aim to make each housing cluster self sufficient. The strategies put in place will meet environmental standards drawing in tourists seeking eco friendly holiday destinations.
Co
G ing ok
as
Odour drawn up through solar chimneys
Prevailing wind
Fragrant flowers mask unpleasant odours
Human excrement
Coconut coir added to reduce odour and absorb liquid
Compost used to fertilise Rice Field Removable manhole cover Gas outlet pipe Gas Displacement tank
Solids and Liquids
USER EMPOWERMENT THROUGH SELF SUFFICIENCY
Biodigesters will be used to convert gas from excrement into cooking gas. These will be serviced by pipes leading from the toilets into pits located underground under the paddy fields. These biodigester will also be used to dispose of agricultural waste such as rice straws and leaves. The remaining excrement will be composted and mixed with locally produced coconut coir to absorb liquids and reduce odour. This will then be used as a fertiliser for the Rice Fields. The Solar Chimney Ventilation system will reduce odour from toilets cubicles, along with a system of planting foliage to mask the smell of undesirable odours.
Excess excrement mixed exposed to air to make fertiliser
Northern 3 Bedroom Family House with Tourist Room
Southern 3 Bedroom Family House with Tourist Room
Grandparents House and Fishing Deck
Tourist Bedroom
Tourist Bedroom
Couples bedroom - possible snoring/romance/talking
Couples bedroom - possible snoring/romance/talking
Children and adults fishing, and talking.
Children’s bedrooms - playing/crying
Children’s bedrooms - playing/crying
Grandparents in bed - possible snoring/romance/talking
Tourist bedroom - romance/snoring/using language that is unacceptable in Indian culture
Tourist bedroom - romance/snoring/using language that is unacceptable in Indian culture
Person on the toilet
Person on the toilet
“Most of our parents/teachers meetings nowadays revolve around the worry that the presence of tourists is a bad influence on the children as they are witnessing behaviour from tourists which is unacceptable in our culture”.”
Diagrams to Show the Acoustic Provisions in the Private Bedroom spaces of the building.
Key Sound Deflecting Vegetation Air Buffer Space Internal Acoustic Boarding Possible Noise Sources
Rani_ a local teacher
ACCOUSTIC PRIVACY within the building acoustic conditions are very important as three families and tourists are sharing one building. The bedroom area in particular must be acoustically private. This is especially important in Indian culture as it is socially unacceptable for married couples to show affection for each other publicly, even in front of other family member. With this in mind the bedroom spaces must feel acoustically private from other areas of the house. Ensuring acoustic privacy of the tourist bedrooms is incredibly important as different cultures have very different customs. As Sound travels more easily through solids than gasses, air gaps of at least 1m have been incorporated between bedrooms. Bedrooms have also been staggered in height where there is vertical circulation between bedrooms so that there is a greater distance from the people using the staircase and the inside of the bedroom. Vegetation has been proven to deflect sound, therefor hanging planters between spaces will be used for their acoustic qualities. Certain plants better suited than others for this purpose.
Concrete Thermally Massive Concrete core heats up slowly during the day, emits heat at night.
t gh Ni
Timber
cy pan ccu O e Tim
Solar gain - drawing highlighting different materials
Concrete Deck - Kitchen and living facilities. Inhabited During the day Solar Shader
Section showing overhang shading.
In the Keralan backwaters Muscles are farmed for food and their shells are recycles and heated to produce lime to make concrete
Timber
Da
im yT
eO
ancy ccup
Solar Shade Concrete
Timber
Timber
Timber has relatively little thermal mass therefore does not store solar energy during the day and emit it at night. Jungle Jack timber structures - Night time, sleeping accommodation and private living spaces.
SU
Jungle Jack grows in abundance in Kerala, and grown relatively quickly due to the humid climate (25-40 years). It is used historically in the state for boat building and houses.
N
P
AT H
Biocultural Div the Endemic ‘W Tree’ on the Ma Coast of South
N
Sam P. Mathew, A. Mohandas, S
Plan highlighting the strategy for material choice
Research Abstract Artocarpus hirsutus Lam. is an endemic tree species of the southern Western Ghats of Peninsular India. It is popularly known as the ‘wild jack tree”. Several attributes in art, culture and socio-economic civilization among the folk communities in Kerala state (Malabar coast) distinguish the tree in the history of Indian civilization. Most of the traditional uses and indigenous know-how earlier referred to this species are vanishing. This article discusses various aspects of the popular wild jack tree of the Malabar coast and its vanishing indigenous biocultural diversity among the folk communities of the region.
Introduction
MATERIAL SELECTION
Cultural and social attributes of human communities have substantial influence on biodiversity conservation and sustainable utilization of genetic resources. In India, there are biological species closely interlinked with religious and other ancient traditions. These have involved co-evolution of cultural traditions with selection of wild plant species. Most of such species among Indian communities have divine status and are thus conserved for the sake of spiritual beliefs, and religious worship. ‘Vricksha Ayurveda’ (Arboreal medicine) and ‘Vricksha Pooja’ (Arboreal worship) are ancient Indian texts describing methods that result in sustainable utilization and conservation of tree species. These have been employed since the Vedic period of Indian civilization. The twelve chapters of Vricksha Ayurveda refer to methods of plant introduction, soil classification, propagation techniques, garden development, conservation and preservation techniques for different species including those around homesteads (Rajashekharan & Pushpangadan1993). Similarly, Vricksha Pooja is an ancient Indian ritual connected with felling trees that dealt with the sustainable utilization of tree species for timber. Although several indigenous and endemic plants have had remarkable influences on Indian traditions, uses
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Sam P. Mathew, Tropical Botanic G vananthapuram 6 S.P. Mathew, sam A. Mohandas, dr_ S.M. Shareef, sha G.M. Nair, gmnair
Ethnobotany Re
www.ethnobotanyjournal.org/vol4/i1547-3465-0
Materials have been chosen for their thermal properties and their local availability. Concrete has been chosen for the central communal part of the building as this will be occupied during the day when the climate is hottest. Concrete is thermally massive absorbing it slowly during the day and emitting it at night. The concrete part of the building should be cool during the day. Locally available Jungle Jack Wood will be used for the parts of the building occupied during the night. Timber has relatively little thermal mass and therefore does not absorb solar radiation during the day and therefor cooler than concrete at night.
Family Houses Ceramic Roof Tiles The roof tiles will slot within the grid of the timber roof structure. The tiles will sit withing the structure at different heights to form an undulating roof scape both from the interior and exterior. The tiles will be designed in detail to ensure they seal the building from monsoon rails, whilst providing ventilation.
Grandparents House Balloon Frame Construction A timber balloon frame constructed of beams, columns and cross bracing supports the timber deck ramp above. Triangulated roof trusses support the hanging planters and maintenance ramps.
Timber Roof Trusses The tiled roofs will be supported by triangulated timber roof trusses, which will be repeated to form the undulating roof scape.
Enclosure Died palm leaves woven between the bamboo structure forms the enclosure, this is a traditional method of construction used in Indian Kettavalum.
Primary Timber ‘Tipi’ and ‘Paso’ Structure The primary timber structure will consist of a grid of timber columns arranged in 4s and angled to form triangulated tipi and paso type structures. These will be braced on the horizontal plane with timber breams which will form floor joists.
Bamboo Frame Traditional method of Kettavalum construction where a bamboo frame is tied together in arches to form a structural frame.
Pile Foundations 6m pile foundation have been chosen as upper levels of soil are sandy and unstable.
Floating Deck Traditional Kettavalum building technique are used to form the floating deck. Pieces of Jungle Jack timber are sewn together to form boat hulls.
Communal Living Area Area of Detailed Structural Focus
Concrete Slab A reinforced concrete waffle slab is supported by load baring concrete columns and to load baring concrete wall.
Exploded axo highlighting the main structural components and area of focus.
KEY STRUCTURAL AIMS AND INTENTIONS
Though several structural systems have been used throughout the house, the following pages will focus specifically on the development of the timber family houses, with the intention of creating a strutural system which can be adapted to suit different family configurations and sizes. The aim is to develop a timber structural system which uses simple joining techniques and is easily ‘readable’ by users. It is hoped that through the users understanding the logic behind the structure they will be able to understand it’s potential for adaptation and expansion, as the family circumstances within the extended familiy change. As a family grows the house could also grow through the adition of further elements. It is envisaged that such future changes could be made by local boatbuilders, construction workers and apprentices, thus passing on the skills of working with Jungle Jack Timber.
Key Structural References
Above: Initial ideas sketch about how clamping system could be used to create a triangulate timber frame from irrregular lengths and widths of Jungle Wood.
Top: The Salt Building - Vancouver, Acton Ostry Architects, 2011 Below: Previous Unit 22 Pavilion Project - Medellin, Colombia, 2012
TOWARDS A STRUCTURAL MODULE The ultimate aim of this project is towards the design of a typology which will be replicated across backwater sites in Kerala, The typology must be highly felexible in order to cater for extended and still-extending Indian families, With this in mind the development of a repeated structural module is key to the sucess of the project. The project will take inspiration from Unit 22s pavilion project in Medellin, Colombia, which used a repeated ‘Paso and Tipi’ triangulated timber structure to form a series of 6 modules which were designed to form the complete pavilion. The flexibility of he timber module meant that after the period of 2 years on the initial site, the pavilion could be divided into smaller modules which could be transported to other villages surrounding Medellin. Joining methods such as screwing and clamping were used to aid the disassembly and reassembly of the structural components. In the key references, the use of regular triangulated elements to form the structural grid makes it easy to imagine how the building could be extended or made smaller by removing or adding the same module. The readability of the structure in this way is extremely important for the Kerala housing project as it is hoped that the dwelling will be extended as family become larger. Through locals understanding the structural system it is hoped that they will be more willing and able to adapt the architecture in the future as their circumstances change.
walkway between structure
Timber Structural Module Option 1
Timber grid acts as further bracing and or a grid for the roof trusses to sit on.
Triangulated columns.
Timber floor joists sit within gridded frame.
Timber beams forming grid.
Timber Structural Module Option 2
Timber columns attached to Concrete micro pile foundations
DEVELOPING A STRUCTURAL MODULE After developing 2 possible structural modules, it is clear that Option 2 is also much more stable than option 1. One of the key reasons for this is that it is braced by triangulated column in 2 directions. Another key advantage of module 2 is that the components are lighter to transport than option 2. This is particularly important in the development of this typology, where materials will need to be transported to site by boat. One main advantae of Option 1 is that the structure can be arranged to allow for walkways between the bedrooms, this is very important as these walkways act as accousic buffer zones, maintaining the privacy ofthe bedroom spaces, which of paramount importance, particularly in Indian Culture, where the bedoom ids the only place that it is acceptable for a married couple to show affection for eachother.
Walkway Between Structure
Clamping System The jointing of the clamping system will need to be designed so that the module can be assembled quickly on site. An emphasis will be placed on reversible jointing to encourage these elements of the building to be dismantled and recycled at the end of the building life cycle. Above: 1:20 Structural Model Testing and developing Timber Module Option 2
DEVELOPING A STRUCTURAL MODULE
As the timber module structure is 3-diamensionallly very complex, a physical model was required to understand how the module works in relation to the organisation of the spaces. Through making the scale model it became obvious that by varying the structural module slightly the spaces can be much more flexible in terms of circulation. One example of this is the separation of the module slightly to allow a walkway between it. Staggering the height at which the triangulated tree like columns meet timber post means that desired variation in floor level can be achieved.
The tile will be designed to slot within the roof structure. This is explored in greater detail later in this section of the report.
Jack wood beams provide horizontal bracing and the structure for the tiles to slot into Bowstring Truss Made from Jungle Jack sections bolted with steel plates
Truss braced diagonally by triangulated column
Primary Triangulate column
Jungle Jack Primary Beam
The vertical columns will form part of the cross bracing of the bowstring truss to form a ‘lattice truss’
Initial concept sketch showing the possible integration of the vertical timber columns and the roof truss.
ROOF TRUSS DEVELOPMENT
Taking inspiration from timber bowstring truss bridges, the project uses a repeated truss module which varies in size along the length of the roof to create the undulating curve. In order to calculate the dimension of each truss in order to create the desired effect across the entire roof, 3D CAD software will be used. The roof structure is another example of how traditional structural systems and methods of joinery can be along with modern methods of design and manufacture to produce an innovative outcome.
Module A
Module C
Module B
4 x Vertical Columns Walkway between Columns
Walkway between Columns
Top: 1:25 Plan of Module A Below: Diagrammatic Axo showing configuration. Top: 1:25 Plan of Module B Below: Diagrammatic Axo showing configuration.
Module A has 4 vertical columns meeting the Micro-pile foundations. It is used around the perimeter of the structure to transfer the load of the cantilever overhanging roof to the ground.
Top: 1:25 Plan of Module C Below: Diagrammatic Axo showing configuration.
Module B allows for a walkways/acoustic buffer spaces between the columns.
Module C allows for walkways/acoustic buffer spaces in 2 directions and on 2 levels.
Module A
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Timber Deck
Module B
Module C 19.
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Floor Joists
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Primary Timber Beams
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Diagrammatic Plan Showing the Structural Grid.
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NS Plan Highlighting the 3 variants of the Structural Module
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VARIATIONS IN THE STRUCTURAL GRID
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The diagrams above shows how 3 variations of the structural module form the overall structural grid. All 3 variants require the sam component to assemble them however they are arranged in different configurations. This will make manufacturring these elements easier and means that the structure is incredibly flexible, should it need to be addapted in the future, The adaptation of the timber module Allows for walkways between the enclosed bedroom spaces, which will act as accoustic buffer zones, helping to reduce the ammound of noise travelling through the structure between rooms.
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Intimate, Private Bedroom Spaces whilst considerring Openings Necessary for Natural Ventilation: The family houses are orientated in plan to take advantage of the prevailing wind to natturally ventilate the bedrooms. Verticle screen printed timber louvered walls, are used to create an openable facade whilst maintaining privacy. In traditional Indian families the bedroom is the only place where it is acceptable for married couples to show any effection for eachother.
China Clay Solar Chimney Tiled Roof: The clay solar chimney tile roof will create an undulating landscape on the ceiling of each room. The underside of the tiles will be coated in a thermo-chromatic glaze, which will change colour depending on the internal temerature. The ceilings become a device for the buildings users to determine the coolest, most comfortable areas of the building.
Blurring of Boundaries between Internal and External Environments: Amazing verticle spaces framed by the timber modules could become semi-enclosed shower rooms, or places to sit and admire the view. The overhanging structure and the use of mosquito mesh as the facade means that these spaces can protected from the environment whilst giving the user the feeling of been outside.
Framing Nature: Semi-enclosed walkways between the timber modules, act as sound buffer spaces between enclosed bedrooms and frame views of nature.
KEY DESIGN ASPIRATIONS AND INTENTIONS FOR THE TIMBER FAMILY HOUSES The illustrations above describe the key design considerations regarding a more detailed investigation into the design of the timber framed family houses. The design realisation report worked towards further developing these concepts in the orm of construction details; a process which has significantly informed the design of these areas of the building.
Ventilation China Clay Solar Chimney Tiles
DETAIL 08
Jungle Jack Bowstring truss
+6200mm
Teflon Coated Steel Tension Cables Mosquito Mesh Facade
DETAIL 06 Hanging Planters Jungle Jack Timber Triangulated Columns
Jungle Jack Vertical Timber Louvres +3730mm Ceramic Tile Flooring +3050mm
Jungle Jack Timber Floor Joists
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DETAIL 02 Custom steel connection plate
DETAIL 07
DETAIL 05 DETAIL 03
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DETAIL 01
In-situ Cast Concrete Micro pile Foundations
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STRUCTURAL BAY SECTION The above section through the timber family house, highlights the key construction details. Please refer to this diagram allong with the following pages.
NS Key plan showing section cut.
Above: 1:5 Circular section hollow steel spacer with steel bolt connection through Jungle Jack triangulated columns.
DETAIL 1 : 1:25 Timber Column Clamping Connections Connections
Decorative carved detail at the at the ends of the timber beams, add to the addd to the aesthetic appeal of the claped structural system..
The clamping structural system was inspirecd by the previous Unit 22 pavillion project in Medellin.
CLAMPING SYSTEM USED TO CREATE PRIMARY STRUCTURAL FRAME
The structural system, which involves ‘clamping’ the horizontal primary beams between the triangulated columns regularly at 3m intervals, means the system can accommodate timber of varying lengths. This makes the structure ideal for Jungle Jack wood as it grows wild as apposed to being farmed, therefore one can expect a greater variety between trees.
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Above: 1:5 Teflon coated steel tension wire connection to Jungle Jack beam using a to bolted steel plate connection.
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8. Above: 1:20 Detail - Typical Floor Joist to Primary Beam Connection
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Key
DETAIL 2 Above: 1:25 Detail - Key Timber Module connections
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China clay solar chimney roof tiles. Heartwood Jungle Jack lateral timber beams Softwood triangulated timber column, Steel rod formed triangulated bracing. Jungle Jack triangulated primary timber column. Teflon coated steel tension cables. Steel connection pin plate on steel hollow section. Jungle Jack Primary Timber Post
Key:
BRACING OF PRIMARY STRUCTURAL FRAME
Further bracing will be added to the sructure in the form of tefflon coated steel tension cables. The floor joists will be arranged in grids at 90 degree angles to each other and the timber deck at 45 degrees to structural grid to provide additional bracing in 3 directions.
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Section cut b
SECTIONAL AXO B: Steel Tie
Section cut c 2. 3. 400mm
Timber structure appears to float above the rice crop.
High Tide Water Level
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Ground Level
SECTIONAL AXO c: Steel/ concrete connection
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DETAIL 3 Above: 1:20 Detail - Concrete Foundations to Timber Column Connections
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Custom steel connection plate Primary Jungle Jack timber posts Custom hollow steel connection plate. Steels to be coated in anticorrosive protective paint finish. In-situ Reinforced concrete cap leading to 6m deep micro pile foundations
1:25 Plan Showing Steel Plate to Timber Column Connection FOUNDATION TO TIMBER MODULE CONNECTION To protect the timber from rot due to the changing water levels, the concrete pile cap which fixed the micropile foundations, will extend above ground just above the high tide water level. A hollow section steel connection plate will connect the timber columns to Pile cap creating the illusion that, the timber structure is floating just above the rice crop.
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Material Reference: Studio Weave Pavilion, Aldgate, 2012 Screen printed timber panels, with Indian patterns will
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clad the interior walls.
5. 6. 7. 8. 10. Triagulated timber column is exposed
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Triagulated columns become a decorative feature with the exposed timer columns creating a lattace effect across the walls.
See detail 5 on following page.
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DETAIL 4 Above: 1:10 Detail - Shingle Clad Wall to Floor Enclosure. 1. Jungle Jack Timber Panelling with Screen Printed Interior Surface 2. Low grade timber plywood sheet. 3. Horizontal 75x75mm Jungle Jack timber joists 4. Circular section hollow steel spacer sleeve with bolt connection through. 5. Low grade timber plywood sheet. 6. Acoustic boarding. 7. Waterproof membrane. 8. Horizontal 40x40mm Jungle Jack fixing timber batons 9. Jungle Jack shingle rain screen cladding 10. 40mm ventilation void 11. Steel pin fixing 12. Hand painted china clay ceramic floor tiles. 13. Low grade timber plywood sheet 14. Jungle Jack timber deck pinned at 45 degrees to jungle jack joists to provide additional bracing. 15. 145x30mm horizontal timber floor joists 16. Jungle Jack primary timber column.
INTERNAL WALL DECORATION For the solid bedroom walls the wall buildup sits between the triangulated columns so that the primary structure is always readable from both inside and outside of the building.
170mm separation to allow for rainwater egress Rainfall
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DETAIL 5 Above: 1:10 Detail - Primary Column to Walkway Connection 1 Primary Jungle Jack timber column 2 Custom Steel bracket. 3. Flat Steel plate fixing 4. Steel Channel and Jungle Jack timber composite beam 5. Steel Channel section 6. Jungle Jack Timber deck
Semi-enclosed walkways hang between the structural module, creating tall semi-enclosed corridoors with views of the Kaipad fields framed by the verticle timber columns.
FOUNDATION CONNECTIONS TO
The walkways between the timber columns will be attached to the timber vertical posts using a steel plate and bracket mechanism. This will create an elegant gap, giving the impression that the walkways are floating between the structure.
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Pureto MAMM Project
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Material Reference: Unit 22 Pavilion Medellin, 2012 Corrugated Plastic used as water drainage for hanging planters.
DETAIL 6 Above: 1:10 Detail - Typical connection between the tiled roof, Louvred wall and hanging planters over walkways.
1. Typical china clay solar chimney roof tiles. 2. Bespoke china clay roof tile. 3. Jungle Jack lateral beam forming the roof truss. 4. Primary Jungle Jack beam with circular steel spacers 5. Jungle Jack timber boxing around beam. 6. Flat steel flashing. 7. Flat steel movable fixing for vertical louvre. 8. Vertical Jungle Jack timber louvre. 9. Mosquito mesh, attached within timber frame. To be treated yearly with mosquito repellant. 10. Woven planter hung from secondary lateral beam along truss by steel hook. 11. Teflon coated steel cable hung from lateral beam along truss by steel hook. 12. Corrugated plastic sloped to allow water drainage from planter to paddy field.
HANGING PLANTERS BRING NATURE INSIDE THE BUILDING Taking inspiration from a previous project in Medellin, hanging planters will be used instead of tiles to shade the semi enclosed walkway’s between bedrooms, blurring the boundaries between inside and out and taking advantage of the tropical climate. These will hanging provide shade and cool the surrounding air through the process of evaprtranspiration. They also act to dampen sound between bedrooms.
Semi-translucent corrugated plastic will be hung below the planters at an angle to direct drainage water to the Kaipad field.
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3. Material Reference: Grip Clip
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Above: 1:1 ‘Grip Clip’ detail used to secure the mosquito net to the timber frame. This method of fixing the net makes reduces the risk of the net tearing or snagging.
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DETAIL 7 Left: 1:10 Detail - Louvred Wall to Floor Enclosure wit Mosquito Mesh Layer 1. Triangulated jungle jack timber column 2. Mosquito mesh, attached within timber frame. To be treated yearly with mosquito repellant. 3. Vertical Jungle Jack timber louvre. 4. Circular section hollow steel spacer sleeve. 5. Jungle Jack Timber Frame for mosquito net - see 1.1 detail above for connection. 6. Flat steel movable fixing for vertical louvre. 7. Flat steel Flashing. 8. Jungle Jack heartwood wood primary timber beam 9. Timber floor joist attached to primary Jungle Jack bean with steel hanger. 10. Jungle Jack heartwood timber post. 11. Custom steel connection plate. Steels to be coated in anticorrosive protective paint finish. 12. Mosquito mesh, attached withing timber frame. To be treated yearly with mosquito repellant. 13. Steel pin with rubber head. Mosquito net wraps over. 14. Elasticated ribber ‘clip grip’ holds mosquito net in place. 15. Steel plate pinned to timber frame through protects the edge of mosquito net. 16. Steel eyelet through mosquito reduces risk of snagging.
The mosquito mesh attachment to the secondary timber frames allow parts of the building to be open to fresh air and nature such as th tourist shower room above.
MOSQUITO MESH FACADES A key aspect of the building is that it takes advantage of the tropical climate and blurs the boundaries between inside and out. In order to achieve this effect yet stay protected against mosquitos a ‘Grip Clip’ detail is used to secure the mosquito net to a secondary timber frame. This method of fixing the net makes reduces the risk of the net tearing or snagging. It also means that the net can easily be replaced, which is necessary as they have a life-span of only 1 year.
Driving Monsoon Rainwater
Black ceramic pigment - absorbs solar heat
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Warm air rises and is expelled through ventilation opening 2.
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Driving rainwater outlets
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Tile heats up air within, as ceramic surface conducts heat absorbed by solar radiation
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Generator
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Mosquito net
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Turbine 9. 10.
Drain Thermal Displacement ventilation occurs as cooler air is drawn in through the louvred wall system
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DETAIL 8 Above: 1:10 Detail - Solar Chimney Tile Enclosure Detail 1. Typical china clay solar chimney roof tiles. 2. Black pigment from ground mussel shells added during firing process - dark surface absorbs solar radiation. 3. Aluminium flashing at wind driven rainwater outlet 4. Aluminium funnel attached by steel bolt fixing through precast hole in china clay tile. 5. Mosquito mesh held in removable steel bracket for easy replacement and maintenance. 6. Precast china clay ridge slots into custom steel fixing 7. Flat steel flashing attached to secondary Jungle Jack timber lateral beam. 8. Fixed glazing in Jungle Jack timber frame. 9. Lightweight plastic turbine attached to generator, held by steel fixing inside china clay solar chimney tiles. 10. Steel bracket slots into Jungle Jack secondary lateral beam. Silicone sealant used against glazing to protect from water egress. 11. Jungle Jack secondary lateral beam 12. Rainwater gutter, precast into the china clay solar chimney tiles 13. Thermochromatic ceramic glaze changes colour depending on the temperature so that the cooler spaces in the building can be read by the inhabitants by looking at the colour of the ceiling.
Thermochromatic glaze painted in internal tile surface changes colour dependant on temperature
CHINA CLAY SOLAR CHIMNEY TILE ROOF Drawing upon inspiration from the local vernacular architecture and taking into acount the natural resources available on site, the China clay solar chimney tiles serve both an aesthetic and perfarmative function in the building. The performative aspects: ventilation, rainwater drainage and electricity generating functions are described in the diagram above. The Chimney tiles have been designed to slot between the timber truss structure in the roof to create an undulating landscape on the ceiling of each room. The underside of the tiles will be coated in a thermo-chromatic glaze, which will change colour depending on the internal temerature. The ceilings become a device for the buildings users to determine the coolest, most comfortable areas of the building. The following page explores in more detail how this can be achieved, whilst mainting water tightness against the monsoon rain.
Undulating landscape of tiles form the interior ceiling of each room, acting as a device in order to read the internal temperature.
Tile tilts and slots into position. Overlapping drainage channel along roof slope
Horizontal bracing
Bowstring
Edges clip over chimney tile to prevent water egress
Tile 2
Tile 1
Roof Slope Roof Slope
1. Secondary Structure- Jungle Jack secondary supporting batons are fixed to Primary frame with screw plates. These also provide further bracing for the primary frame.
2. China Clay Solar Chimney Tile _ The first China Clay solar Chimney tile is craned into position. The tile has been designed so that when it is tilted slightly it can slot into place between the structural grid.
3. Secondary China Clay Tile_ The secondary tile slots over the exposed Jungle Jack bowstring to prevent water egress through the timber frame.
4. The next Solar Chimney tile is craned into position. Tile 2 slightly higher that Solar Chimney Tile 1 to ensure rainwater drainage can occur without egress along the overlapping drainage channels. Rainwater drainage in direction of the roof slope.
ROW 1 ROW 2
Glazing
5. Completion of the First Row - Steps 4 -5 continue along the entire length of the roof to form Row 1. When the tiling of Row 1 is compete glazed panels are inserted to form the sealed modules before tiling of row 2 begins.
6. Steps 3 and 4 repeat along the second row until it is fully tiled.
7. As each row is complete the glazing is added before the tiling of the next row can commence. This is because once the tiles are in place access is more difficult..
Steps 3-5 continue along each row of the gridded roof structure until the entire roof is sealed.
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Exploded Axo drawing explaining the components of the roofing system. Above: Slip Casting Process Diagram 1. In a porous plaster mold is filled with China Clay Slip mixed with ammonium chloride additive and crushed mussel shell pigment added. 2. Casting - water from clay slip begins to be absorbed by the porous plaster mould 3. After a period of casting, excess is drained form the mold leaving a hollow cast. 4. Separation from the mold, ready for firing and glazing.
Tapered Shape for easy extraction from the mold
MOSQUITO MESH FACADES
The organisation of tiles in vernacular architecture for effective rainwater drainage.
One of the main challenges of this project is the design of the China Clay solar chimney tiles so that they, create the desired undulating effect as they form the ceiling of each room, whist allowing thermal displacement ventilation and at the same time preventing driving monsoon rainwater from entering the building. Taking clues from the stacking arrangement of traditional roof tiles in indian vernacular architecture, which are organised to that rainwater can be drained away along the length of the roof; the series of diagrams above explains the order of the construction procedure to ensure a completely sealed system.