BIO-KHMER-IC APARTMENT - BTI DESIGN COMPETITION 2018

Unique Registeration # HDC2513

BIO-KHMER-IC APARTMENTS

bioclimatic strategies

Influenced heavily by the vernacular concepts and aesthetics of a traditional Khmer house, these bioclimatic apartments offer affordable, modern, functional homes that are adaptable to suit various types of individuals. Governed by natural strategies to counteract daily problems faced in the tropical climate of Cambodia, these buildings use passive cooling techniques to ensure apartments are always pleasantly cool, without the need of air-conditioner. The masterplan includes Angkor-inspired raised walkways, designed to be used as platforms during the harsh flash flooding and a bridge to buildings in each zone, encouraging socialization within the community.

With a combination of local timber and steel, this urban complex is a modern take on traditional Khmer architecture style.

diagrams are shown at 12 noon

North-south building orientation and no openings on the east & west facade to avoid overheating

Elevated with south-easttilted orientation to allow breeze to flow all year round

The complex has a total of 67 apartment buildings, ranging from 5 to 7 floors, with 8 identical apartment units per floor. Totaling at a minimum of 3,128 apartment units - with possible future expansion, the BioKhmeric apartments are ready to facilitate workers with high-quality, low-cost housing, in a community-oriented environment.

Site plan

Total area: 20,100 sqm

Material: Nail-laminated timber (NLT) is a century-old construction method that is undergoing a design renaissance and is the preferred choice for walls and flooring. NLT gets its strength and durability from the nails that fasten individual dimension lumber, stacked on edge, into a single structural element. Because NLT is made of wood, it offers a consistent and attractive appearance for the desired traditional Khmer facade. NLT does not require a dedicated manufacturing facility, and it can be fabricated with readily available lumber. Prefabricated sections can be manufactured off site, shipped to the project and then assembled on site, significantly shortening project timelines and improving safety and accuracy. Wood’s strength-to-weight ratio is competitive with steel, but it weighs considerably less, reducing the load on the foundation during seismic events and making for a resilient and safe structure. In conjunction with this, steel is used for the columns and stairs. Steel is a durable and reliable material that will do well against flash flooding and pressure from strong winds to keep the buildings in tact.

BUILDING SECTION scale 1:300

Density: High density apartments can be overbearing for most Cambodians that traditionally lived in detached wooden homes, but the premediated density of each apartment building is low enough to sustain a sense of community yet is still highly compact and size efficient. The site is surrounded with indegenous palm trees and more to be planted in the area to cool and intensify the natural environment.

Stilts: The building design incorporates stilts for the same reasons of that of traditional Khmer homes: to allow wind and flood to pass through and more importantly to create shaded spaces for social activities.

Cross ventilation in each unit

Deep overhangs and stairs placed on the east side to reduce solar heat gain.

Flat roof design for future expansion and installation of solar panels

Close proximity of buildings to create shade in between

Checkered arragement to create wind tunnels

A FEW PARTITIONS FITS ALL

(interior)

Flexible design: A separate WC and shower room will be the only fixed structures in a single unit. This creates an open space to freely alter the whole interior. Within each apartment, there is an in-built, peg-and-hole, grid system that allows the possibility of up to 3 additional rooms and joining of 2 units that the tenants can create in the future, should they choose to. This flexible design can accommodate a single person to a large family, and the many changes in between.

furnished 1-BR interior sample Functionally-neutral rooms: In a typical apartment, room sizes vary and each room’s function is determined by its size. In the BioKhmeric apartments, the in-built grid provides functionally-neutral rooms; meaning the same basic area for all rooms, which gives the resident(s) complete freedom to allocate their preferred room use.

This is a subtle approach to give more liberation and flexibility to consumers, where they usually don’t receive in a mass housing development.

FLOORPLAN scale 1:200

1-2 people:

Type A: open-plan studio Type B: 2 private rooms + openplan kitchen/living Type D: 1 large private room + large kitchen/living area 2-4 people:

Type C: 3 private rooms + small kitchen/living area 3-6 people:

Type E: 2 joined units + 2 toilets + large kitchen + (up to) 6 small rooms

It is needless to say that by giving the people opportunity to fabricate a part of their future home, it will not only create individuality for every apartment, but also a sense of fulfilment as they take part in the construction of their own living space.

Cost of unit: Modular construction is an economical alternative to the traditional construction methods, especially for mass produced development. And by supplying only the basic necessity, the cost of buying an apartment could be reduced to a great extent. Some people might think it is inconvenient to move in into an unfurnished apartment and assemble rooms on their own, but provided with a trouble-free method of interior construction, in the long run, each unit is low in cost but high in value.

INNOVATIVE FABRICATION

simple peg & hole system for moveable partition

furnished kitchen/living interior sample

(interior)

Screen: The majority of factories in PPSEZ is garment and textile, and a massive amount of textile waste is produced going straight to landfill. Fabric waste sourced from the factories can easily be upcycled to be used by the locals to create fabric infill for their movable partitions. Using recycled fabric has many benefits; it is easy to find, costs almost nothing, and most of all, the workers would already have the skills to sew the fabric waste, as majority of them have worked in the textile industry.

Frame: Rattan, or “pdav” in Khmer, is relatively cheap and widely found and used by the locals for furniture.

The material is used as the frame in conjunction with the recycled fabric screen, to create a room divider that is sturdy, lightweight, and economical.

constant natural ventilation in apartment with partitions installed

Mosquito net: In the tropical country of Cambodia, malaria and dengue fever is a common problem. Recycled polyester mesh, sourced from the local textile factories, are woven to make mosquito nets, attached to the window holes, to protect the workers from serious health issues.

All the local materials proposed for the interior are easily sourced and can create a positive impact to the environment. These screens are thoroughly designed to maintain the natural airflow in the apartment.

A balcony, a secure place to dry clothes, is an essential requirement in any Khmer home, even in a compact apartment.

A STACK OF POSSIBILITIES Future expansion: Vertical building expansion is possible with the steel frame and infill structure but should be limited to 7 floors in order to keep a pleasant density for the community. A staircase is used as the main circulation to keep costs low, but the space, on the west side of each building, has been reserved to install an elevator, if it is ever needed.

Roof garden

Building use: Using the same dimensions and construction method as the apartment units, a variety of functional units can be “stacked� in the same manner. Such as classrooms or a health center, and comprised in a number of arrangements.

These communal-use buildings are proposed to be constructed in the heart of the site (highlighted light green on the site plan) so that all residents will have easy access to these facilities. The unbounded possibilities of this simple yet practical structure system adds quality and character to the overall urban masterplan.

Marketplace Shaded areas under buildings are the perfect spot to socialize and relax as Khmers are used to this long-lived tradition. A market can be held under the school building, which is in the center of the site, on a regular basis; providing income, excitement, and a sustainable community.

Roof gardens can be installed on top of in between buildings. It provides a cool and safe playground for the children, lowers building’s overall temperature, and can reduce up to 80% of storm water run-off during the rainy season.