Aa final report

Comparison of Approaches to Achieve Sustainability through Selections of Materials between Phase 1 and Phase 2 in Belum Rainforest Resort

Paper Title Table of Contents Abstract

Page

2

1.0 Introduction 1.1 Objective------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3 1.2 Background--------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 1.3 Methodology----------------------------------------------------------------------------4 2.0 Sustainable Materials---------------------------------------------------------------------------5 6-7 2.1 Bamboo--------------------------------------------------------------------------------2.2 Rammed Earth------------------------------------------------------------------------8 2.3 Comparison in Sustainability Approach-----------------------------------------9 3.0 Cost of Materials 10-13 3.1 Bamboo------------------------------------------------------------------------------14 3.2 Rammed Earth------------------------------------------------------------------------15-16 3.3 Comparison in Approach through Costs---------------------------------------4.0 Chacracteristics of Materials 4.1 Bamboo---------------------------------------------------------------------------------17 4.2 Rammed Earth------------------------------------------------------------------------18 4.3 Comparison in Characteristics----------------------------------------------------19 5.0 Conclusion--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------20-21 6.0 References---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------22-23

ARC 2213/2234 Asian Architecture

1

Comparison of Approaches to Achieve Sustainability through Selections of Materials between Phase 1 and Phase 2 in Belum Rainforest Resort

Abstract The objective of this paper is to study the effectiveness of materials in different phases in achieving sustainability in constructing Belum Rainforest Resort through different approach. This comparison examines the notion of material selection and it’s impact on natural environmental. The right choice of materials will ensure a balance between the selected site and the establishment. Materiality is often disregarded as client’s needs but the tight budgets are likely to surpass it. Belum Rainforest Resort is the only resort in Malaysia which has ISO certified as the most sustainable resort in Malaysia currently. Belum Rainforest Resort itself comprises of two different phases which were built at different times and by different architects with the idea of bringing different experiences to the guests but with different sustainability approach. The main materials used for walls in Belum Rainforest Resort are bamboo and rammed earth.The overall project was completed in six months only, which aims to produce less environmental impact. Both sites chose raw and affordable sustainable building materials which result in a more cost effective and efficiency driven approach according to the life cycle assessment of each material. A series of research had been conducted to study how the materials were recognized as sustainable materials and the comparison of effectiveness in achieving sustainability in two different phases with two different materials. Hence, this research paper will be a relevant reference for architects in selecting building materials for their design.

ARC 2213/2234 Asian Architecture

2

Comparison of Approaches to Achieve Sustainability through Selections of Materials between Phase 1 and Phase 2 in Belum Rainforest Resort

1.0 Introduction 1.1 Objective

Buildings are responsible for 40% of the world’s global greenhouse gas emissions, and the building materials produce most environment impacts to the environment, which is why it is important to consider sustainable building materials in construction. The underlying concept is to reduce environmental impacts and utilize global resources while still having development. Every sustainable materials have their own potential in sustainability depends on the conditions of the site and the sustainable design strategy by the architects. Thus, this research paper has been conducted to compare the effectiveness of materials used in achieving sustainability in two different phases of Belum Rainforest Resort.

1.2 Background

The Belum Rain Resort is set at the entrance to the 130 millions years old Belum Temenggor Rainforest, which located in Pulau Banding, Perak, Malaysia. Belum Rainforest Resort is the only resort in Malaysia which has ISO certified as the most sustainable resort in Malaysia currently.

ARC 2213/2234 Asian Architecture

3

Comparison of Approaches to Achieve Sustainability through Selections of Materials between Phase 1 and Phase 2 in Belum Rainforest Resort

Figure 1, Phase 1

Figure 2, Phase 2

Belum Rainforest Resort itself comprises of two different phases which were built at different times and by different architects with the idea of bringing different experiences to the guests but with different sustainability approach. The pictures are shown above.

1.3 Methodology

A series of research had been conducted to study how the materials were recognized as sustainable materials and the comparison of effectiveness in achieving sustainability in two different phases with two different materials.

Research methods including online surfing, interviewing, book research and through self observation on site. The following questions have been produced In order to achieve a much in depth research.

1. What are the selection of materials in phase 1 and phase 2 in Belum Rainforest Resort?

2. How do the selected materials help in achieving sustainability in different approach?

3. Which one is more effective in achieving sustainability?

ARC 2213/2234 Asian Architecture

4

Comparison of Approaches to Achieve Sustainability through Selections of Materials between Phase 1 and Phase 2 in Belum Rainforest Resort

2.0 Sustainable Materials

Sustainable materials, also named as green materials. According to Lynn Froeschle’s article, ‘Environmental Assessment and Specification of Green Building Materials’, sustainable materials can be rated or selected by the 5 criteria below, 1. Resource Efficiency 2. Indoor Air Quality 3. Energy Efficiency 4. Water Conservation 5. Cost Efficiency

The sustainable materials used in Belum Rainforest Resort are bamboo, steel, rammed earth, timber and bricks. In order to get a much thorough manner investigation, the scope of this paper will only be considering the materials used for facade, which is bamboo which used in phase 1 and rammed earth which used in phase 2. Both sites chose raw and affordable sustainable building materials which result in a more cost effective and efficiency driven approach according to the life cycle assessment of each material.

ARC 2213/2234 Asian Architecture

5

Comparison of Approaches to Achieve Sustainability through Selections of Materials between Phase 1 and Phase 2 in Belum Rainforest Resort

2.1 Bamboo

Figure 3, Bamboo

Bamboo has few characteristics that contributing sustainability, the main key factors here are the rate of growth, reduction of environmental toxins and strength.

Bamboo are considered as grass, as it is the fastest growing woody plant on earth.

There are several types of bamboo, classified into two main categories, running bamboo and clumping bamboo. Due to the climatic differences, their growing rate is different in foreign countries, whereas in a tropical country like Malaysia, the growing rate of clumping bamboo can be as fast as running bamboo.

ARC 2213/2234 Asian Architecture

6

Comparison of Approaches to Achieve Sustainability through Selections of Materials between Phase 1 and Phase 2 in Belum Rainforest Resort

Figure 4, Bamboo’s Growth Rate (Source: http://www.advantagebamboo.com, 2013)

The figure above shows the rate of an average growth rate of bamboos. The root system of bamboo facilitates quick regeneration after harvested. When bamboo are cut, the underground roots and rhizomes will still remain intact and the shoots will be send up quickly and become culms.

ARC 2213/2234 Asian Architecture

7

Comparison of Approaches to Achieve Sustainability through Selections of Materials between Phase 1 and Phase 2 in Belum Rainforest Resort

2.2 Rammed Earth

Figure 5, Rammed Earth

It is a symbol of natural and back to basics building materials. Rammed earth is an environment friendly material, since It does not have any toxic elements and no harmful chemicals are involved in construction as rammed earth only uses raw materials. Building a rammed-earth wall involves compressing a damp mixture of earth that has suitable proportions of sand, gravel and clay, and sometimes with added stabilizer to create a solid wall of earth. Therefore, they are available in abundance as the materials can be found everywhere as long as the place has sand and clay.

Rammed earth structures could last for centuries. In fact, there are rammed earth structures which were built centuries ago which are still standing up to this day, for example, The St. Thomas Anglican Church in Canade and The Great Wall of China, .

Rammed earth walls can endure bad weather naturally. It is expected to have a lifetime of 10 - 200 years throughout comparison of existing rammed earth buildings.

ARC 2213/2234 Asian Architecture

8

Comparison of Approaches to Achieve Sustainability through Selections of Materials between Phase 1 and Phase 2 in Belum Rainforest Resort

2.3 Comparison in Sustainability Approach

Both materials have the highest growth rate or richest availability, but both achieving sustainability through different approach in different site. In terms of wear and tear, it’s likely to be disadvantages of bamboo, whereas it can be one of the main approach to achieve sustainability by rammed earth material.

When bamboo walls get heated, the bamboos will become softer and making the structure unstable. Bamboos in darker colors become soft faster, which is why several coating with lighter colors are required for greater protection from the natural temperature variations and the invasions of insects. The approach to achieve sustainability by bamboos here is to enhance the durability by applying coatings on the bamboos, thereby strengthen them and prolong their life-time as building materials.

As for rammed earth walls, no coatings are required to apply in Belum Rainforest Resort’s Phase 2 site. This is where wear and tear becomes a sustainability approach by rammed earth. It is likely to be less durable compare to the bamboos with coatings in phase 1 site. Abrasion of rammed earth wall can be seen evidently as the time passed by, new rammed earth walls are likely to be make again to renew the ones which have much fray. Those rammed earth walls which got replaced will be disposed to the wet soil areas nearby, and returns into forms of raw materials. This progress can repeat forever, without occurring any environmental impacts as it is a entirely cleanliness recycle of building materials.

ARC 2213/2234 Asian Architecture

9

Comparison of Approaches to Achieve Sustainability through Selections of Materials between Phase 1 and Phase 2 in Belum Rainforest Resort

3.0 Cost of Materials 3.1 Bamboo Diameter (mm)

Cost per meter (RM)

80 - 100

36

100 - 120

40

Table 1, Price range of Bamboo Poles (Source: http://www.bambooman.com.au/pdf/Bamboo-Whitsundays-Poles-prices.pdf)

Belum Rainforest Resort’s phase 1 uses bamboo poles which are ranged from 80mm to 120mm, therefore average price range of bamboo poles in Malaysia have been found and shown in the table above. Despite the facts that prices of bamboo poles are quite high as shown in the table, the costs of bamboo in phase 1 are likely to be much cheaper than the table shows, due to local availability.

According to an architect from C’Arch Architecture firm who participated in designing phase 1 of the resort, they actually hired local and harvest the bamboos nearby, which save up the costs from purchasing from the markets, and costs of transportation. Extra costs for using hazardous pesticides, coating and carbonization for greater protection and strengthen the structure are required for bamboo due to invasion of insects, fading and breaking of materials due to damage caused by natural variations.

Despite bamboo is considered as one of the most sustainable material on earth, but there are major disadvantages of bamboo. It can be time consuming and troublesome while pre-harvesting the bamboo, as what has been mentioned earlier, the minimum age of bamboo should be three in order to be harvested, it is difficult for the installers to gauge the age and quality of bamboo material accurately due to natural variations and handling.

ARC 2213/2234 Asian Architecture

10

Comparison of Approaches to Achieve Sustainability through Selections of Materials between Phase 1 and Phase 2 in Belum Rainforest Resort

Another major problem of bamboo as a building material is that it gives restrictions to the designers, since it lacks of design guidance and codes, especially when bamboo are shaped by nature.

Figure 6, Manual Cutting Bamboo (Source: Klaus, 1992)

Other than that, it is also difficult to find an optimum one that maintain the structural efficiency. The fibres of the bamboo run axial. In the outer zone, it has a high tensile strength due to highly elastic vascular bundle. The tensile strength of these fibres is higher than steels, but it is not possible to construct connections that can transfer these tensile strengths. Therefore, special fastening jointing techniques are required cause the material cannot be bolted, screwed, and nailed due to its’ properties.

Figure 6 shows a simple basic cutting in bamboo through labor with only few traditional hand tools, without any heavy power tools, which save up costs and reduce environmental impacts.

ARC 2213/2234 Asian Architecture

11

Comparison of Approaches to Achieve Sustainability through Selections of Materials between Phase 1 and Phase 2 in Belum Rainforest Resort

Figure 7 & 8, Bamboo Splitting & Bamboo Shaping (Source: Klaus, 1992)

This figure shows bamboo splitting with a knife frame, and shaping bamboo by forcing them to grow in a box, so it can be better used for connections when it becomes a square shape eventually.

Figure 9, Bending Bamboo (Source: Klaus, 1992)

Bamboo has a high fire resistance because of the high content of silicate acid.

Filled up with water, it can stand a temperature of 400째 C while the water cooks inside.

Therefore, bamboo can be shaped under heating, it become bendable when heated above 150째C and the shape will still be remain after drying, despite the process might be time consuming.

ARC 2213/2234 Asian Architecture

12

Comparison of Approaches to Achieve Sustainability through Selections of Materials between Phase 1 and Phase 2 in Belum Rainforest Resort

Figure 10, Splitting Techniques (Source: Klaus, 1992)

Efficiency of reinforcement can be strengthen by increasing the surface are of bamboo through splitting. The picture above shows a splitting technique name crossbars, some initial splits are opened into the edge of the culm with an axe. These are held apart by wedges and the culm is placed in position on the crossbars. The culm is then manually pushed/pulled to split it.

With few illustrations as shown above, it can be seen that it is possible to overcome the design restrictions but the progress is very time consuming, especially with manual labor working power without any uses of other mechanical vehicles.

Laborious working is better than vehicles so no extra environmental impacts will occur.

ARC 2213/2234 Asian Architecture

13

Comparison of Approaches to Achieve Sustainability through Selections of Materials between Phase 1 and Phase 2 in Belum Rainforest Resort

3.2 Rammed Earth

Figure 11, Working of Rammed Earth Wall (Source: http://steppingforwarden.blogspot.com/2012/07/21a-more-about-adobe-and-rammed-earth.html)

Rammed earth wall is a method of building walls whereby a mixture of earth is compacted in layers between forms. It can be erect without any mechanical assistance, which is purely toxic-less, thus the erection time could be long, which leads to laborious as well. Foundation must be sized to sustain weight of earth walls which added costs.

Unlike bamboo, who has restrictions to the designs, rammed earth structures come in various shapes and sizes so they can also be made to look good. There are a lot of new kinds of structures that could be done using rammed earth with the developments in the technique. Not only that it is inexpensive, it could be stylish as well.

Rammed earth are relatively inexpensive because raw materials are available in abundance and they can be obtained in almost all places. No additional coatings, external building techniques and advanced tools are required for this material, which saves up more costs compare to bamboos.

ARC 2213/2234 Asian Architecture

14

Comparison of Approaches to Achieve Sustainability through Selections of Materials between Phase 1 and Phase 2 in Belum Rainforest Resort

3.3 Comparison in Approach through Costs

Figure 12, Site Plan with Indications

Architects who design the phase 1 and phase 2 seem to have taken very different approach in achieving sustainability though cost efficiency. Both sites have chosen the materials which are rich in availability nearby. Bamboos are closer to phase 1 whereas rammed earth materials are closer to phase 2, both also saves up the carbon footprint and costs of transportations.

ARC 2213/2234 Asian Architecture

15

Comparison of Approaches to Achieve Sustainability through Selections of Materials between Phase 1 and Phase 2 in Belum Rainforest Resort

The architect who designed for phase 1 aims to finish the whole project in the shortest period of time, with a simply yet elegant design. Therefore, bamboos are selected for quick set-up, to corporate the design without spending much time on shaping. The major costs for bamboo materials are mainly covering for the extra coating and carbonization to strengthen them. It can be concluded that the architect aims to achieve higher cost efficiency by prolonging the life time of bamboos and quicker set up to save up time. Therefore, expenses on coatings for protections are unavoidable.

On the other side, the rammed earth walls in phase 2 saves up more costs in terms of coatings. Though the set-up speed of rammed earth walls manually is much slower compare to bamboo materials, but their overall costs are still much lower than bamboos in phase 1, as rammed earth walls materials only need to cover for laborious power, and rebuilt after their decay.

ARC 2213/2234 Asian Architecture

16

Comparison of Approaches to Achieve Sustainability through Selections of Materials between Phase 1 and Phase 2 in Belum Rainforest Resort

4.0 Characteristics of Materials 4.1 Bamboo

A typical tree that used in standard timber fencing will take approximately 30 years or more to re-grow, which creates more environmental impacts as run-off and less oxygen will be produce while less carbon dioxide are being consumed. This is a very serious issue as carbon dioxide is the prime contributor to global warming.

Bamboo has an unique characteristics which make it stands out especially when global warming is being a very issue in this century. The unique characteristics is that it has superior carbon sequestration properties, which means it has extremely high rapid rate in consuming carbon dioxide. Especially when it is not only due to its’ abundance, but also because of its’ superior growth rate.

‘Imagine the more bamboos you used as building materials, and more carbon is trapped, meaning more oxygen are made, which helps in cleaning the pollutions and toxins, reducing the problem of global warming as well .’, said by the architect.

Besides, although the strength and durability of bamboo is high, it is still considered as one of the lightest weight material, so it can be transported and worked easily, without any extension use of machines. This actually reduce the embodied energy of a material.

Low embodied energy materials become a major factor that architects should pay attention about for buildings designed to use a low amount of energy at low running costs. (Stacey, M., 2011, p.227).

ARC 2213/2234 Asian Architecture

17

Comparison of Approaches to Achieve Sustainability through Selections of Materials between Phase 1 and Phase 2 in Belum Rainforest Resort

4.2 Rammed Earth

Figure 13, Thermal Mass (Source: Patience Sandy, 2014)

A wider range of soils are suitable when a small amount of cement is added to the mix. This results stronger masonry product which provides fine thermal mass.

Thermal mass is a concept of building that provides thermal stability regardless of dramatic fluctuations in weather temperature as show in the figure above. Rammed earth material has the ability to absorb heat during the day and release it at night like the use of modern materials. With the use of this technique approach, a lot of energy could be saved since the need for air conditioning and heating systems are eliminated.

It is then expected to produce much lower energy compare to any other building materials due to the richness of availability. Rammed earth wall can be built just by compressing and compacting in removable formwork. Rammed earth is an eco-friendly material, since it’s non-toxic, non-polluting and more friendly buildings.

Rammed earth is a pest proof material natural, as termites and rodents could not penetrate rammed earth walls since there is no wood, unlike bamboo. This advantage does not just help on saving costs, but also adds more convenience while still helps to improve on indoor air quality.

ARC 2213/2234 Asian Architecture

18

Comparison of Approaches to Achieve Sustainability through Selections of Materials between Phase 1 and Phase 2 in Belum Rainforest Resort

4.3 Comparison in Characteristics

Both materials in two different phases also provide a complete closed loop system. Every part of the bamboo can be used after being cut for building construction purpose, whereas for rammed earth, it can be reuse and reuse in a complete cycle.

Both materials are achieving resource efficiency in a slightly different way.

Though they have similarities in waste stream, but they have complete different approach in achieving sustainability here. Bamboo is achieving sustainability though water conservation and reducing carbon dioxide due to its’ unique characteristics, whereas rammed earth wall is achieving sustainability through energy efficiency and indoor air quality.

Phase 1’s approach on achieving sustainability is ‘cut and gain’, the idea is that by cutting bamboos nearby sufficiently, the renew bamboos plants are likely to absorb more carbon dioxide and gives up more oxygen, which is good at few spots where the visitors can’t see, yet they able to enjoy the fresh air. The bamboos do not required any special fertilizer treatment as it has the characteristics of rapid growth. On the other hand, it’s also aiming to extend the lifetime of the building materials by delaying their decay through coatings.

Where by phase 2’s approach on achieving sustainability is ‘wear and tear’ or ‘perfect cleanliness cycle’, the idea is to enable the materials to be dispose and reuse, yet no waste are produced. Cause despite how many times the rammed earth are disposed, it will still be washed away by the water and back to wet soil, and can be reuse and rebuilt again as rammed earth wall, while no extra coatings or vehicles are needed during the constructing progress.

ARC 2213/2234 Asian Architecture

19

Comparison of Approaches to Achieve Sustainability through Selections of Materials between Phase 1 and Phase 2 in Belum Rainforest Resort

5.0 Conclusion

Keywords / Materials

Bamboo

Rammed Earth

Climatic stability

All climates

Hot dry climates, upland climates

Economical aspects

Medium to high costs

Low cost

Equipment required

Block-making equipment,

Formwork, rammer

masonry tools Resistance to insects

Very good

Medium

Resistance to heat

Very good

Very good

Resistance to rain

Very good

Medium

Skills required

Masonry skills

Experience in earth construction

Special properties

Strong, light walls, rapid

Good impact resistance

construction

and durability

Very good

Good

Stability

Table 2, Keywords Bamboo was expected to a better sustainable material before this research has been carried out, which is the reason why it has higher demand in the century now compare to other sustainable materials. The table above shows a short description of the materials throughout the research., and the results have supported the previous hypothesis.

ARC 2213/2234 Asian Architecture

20

Comparison of Approaches to Achieve Sustainability through Selections of Materials between Phase 1 and Phase 2 in Belum Rainforest Resort

But throughout the research, by comparing the approaches to achieve sustainability through selections of materials between phase 1 and phase 2 in Belum Rainforest Resort, we can obtain a conclusion that the the effectiveness in achieving sustainability by the two different materials, bamboos and rammed earth in two different phase/site, are similar. They both achieve a high level of sustainability with different approaches, and only works in such specific site.

Concluding that the

qualified sustainable materials are only rated based on the 5 criteria, but their effectiveness varies depending on the approaches that architects aim for, depending on where and how they are used in the design. The more important thing is how the architects should look into in the details of the site, then only select suitable sustainable materials which can achieve the optimum sustainability though different approach in a particular site.

Sustainable architecture is very important in this century as there are problems of limited natural resources and global warming. It is fundamental for architects to take sustainability as a basic of their design in today’s development. Therefore, this paper can be a good reference to the architects when making decision in selecting suitable sustainable materials, not by memorizing the standard sustainable materials, but by understanding how to utilize the potential of different materials on different site depending on their topography.

ARC 2213/2234 Asian Architecture

21

Comparison of Approaches to Achieve Sustainability through Selections of Materials between Phase 1 and Phase 2 in Belum Rainforest Resort

6.0 References Allwood, J. (2011). Made Efficiently and Made with Less New Material. In 'Sustainable Materials: With Both Eyes Open' (1st ed., p. 384). UIT Cambridge.

Benzu, J. (2010, June 21). Importance of Sustainable Architecture in 21st Century.

Retrieved September 28, 2014, from http://www.architecture-student.com/sustainabledesign/importance-of-sustainable-architecture-in-21st-century/

California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle). (2014, September 25). Green Building Basic. Retrieved September 28, 2014, from http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/greenbuilding/Basics.htm#Energy

Calontiw, S. (2014, February 1). Sustainable Materials Advantages. Retrieved October 27, 2014, from http://whatissustainabledesigns.com/green-building/sustainablematerials-advantages/

F.Adamousk, J. (2011, October 5). Advantages of Using Rammed Earth. Retrieved November 9, 2014, from https://sites.google.com/site/stabilisedearthconstruction/advantages-of-using-rammedearth

Governor's Green Government Council. (2014, August 11). Fundamental Principles of Green Building and Sustainable Site Design. Retrieved September 28, 2014, from http://www.epa.gov/statelocalclimate/documents/pdf/12_8_what_is_green_GGGC.pdf

ARC 2213/2234 Asian Architecture

22

Comparison of Approaches to Achieve Sustainability through Selections of Materials between Phase 1 and Phase 2 in Belum Rainforest Resort

Hubbell Wiring Systems. (2014, June 13). Focus on Three Components for Effective Sustainable Building Design. Retrieved September 28, 2014, from http://www.grainger.com/content/supplylink-sustainable-building-design

Karamchandani, K.P., ‘Role of bamboo as a construction material’; Symposium on timber and allied products; National Buildings Organization, New Delhi, 18 May 1959.

Klaus, D. (1992, January 1). Bamboo as a building material. Retrieved November 9, 2014, from http://bambus.rwthaachen.de/eng/reports/buildingmaterial/buildingmaterial.html

Lynn, M. (1999, October 1). Environmental Assessment and Specification of Green Building Materials. Retrieved October 27, 2014, from http://www.calrecycle.ca.gov/greenbuilding/materials/CSIArticle.pdf

Patience, S. (2014, January 1). Thermal Mass. Retrieved November 10, 2014, from http://www.greenspec.co.uk/building-design/thermal-mass/

Roland, S., & Kiran, M. (1993). Examples of Wall Materials. In Appropriate Building Materials(3rd ed., p. 430). Practical Action.

Royal Architectural Institute of Canada. (2014, March 6). Sustainable Architecture.

Retrieved September 28, 2014, from http://www.raic.org/architecture_architects/green_architecture/sustainability_e.htm

ARC 2213/2234 Asian Architecture

23