Study on Fish Farming & Tourism Architecture (FFTA) - Kukup Aquaculture Zone, Malaysia as an example

Masters Architectural Design Thesis

Supervisor Professor Zhu WenYi

Date Fall 2022

Location Kukup, Malaysia

Team YeeShyang

This thesis explores the regeneration of fish farm architecture by adding layers of tourism to form new typologies of floating architecture, Fish Farming and Tourism Architecture (FFTA).

The project proposes a self-sustainable and adaptable visitor center of design solution from the perspective of architecture and urban planning professionals which aims to protect this kind of cultural landscape does not disappear in the future urban context. A comprehensive program covers masterplan, neighbourhood, and architectural scale to rejunevate Kukup fishing villages.

This thesis explores the regeneration of fish farm architecture by adding layers of tourism to form new typologies of floating architecture, Fish Farming and Tourism Architecture (FFTA).

The project proposes a self-sustainable and adaptable visitor center of design solution from the perspective of architecture and urban planning professionals which aims to protect this kind of cultural landscape does not disappear in the future urban context. A comprehensive program covers masterplan, neighbourhood, and architectural scale to rejunevate Kukup fishing villages.

Numerous rows of floating fish farms have existed and laid on the Strait of Kukup over a few decades that shaped an extraordinary cultural landscape in the Southern-most coastal village, Kukup.

Abstract Chapter 01: Farmed For Food - Study on Fish Farming Architecture History

Fish being stated as the major source of animal protein for human nutrition need, overshadowing most other animalbased sources. Its nutritional properties also an essential to the health of billion consumers in both developed and developing countries.

Farmed oyster and fish were first developed around 500 BCE by the Romans in Mediterranean lagoons. In Asia, China has oldest history of fish farming culture which can refer to Zhou dynasty due to the desires of an emperor to have constant supply of fish. Thus, fish farming architecture were developed from pond to mariculture through the ages, is a tailored built architecture for the purpose of fish farming with various sizes of fish cage and method to meet the rising food demand over the world nowadays.

This regional cultural architecture has become one of the characteristics of the Kukup fishing village. The relaxing atmosphere of fishing villages and delicious seafood has brought city dwellers come to visit, since then tourism development of Kukup has started a journey of blooming.

However, under this rapid development of urbanization, villages faced challenges of losing population as the young generation moved to the city and sea pollution against the traditional fish farm. Some aquaculture research also mentioned the current conditions of the Kukup aquaculture zone is not suitable for fish farming due to its long-term environmental impact on the seabed.

Typologies

Fish farming architecture has been developed in many typologies from ponds to mariculture for the purpose of fish farming. From traditional constructed with raw materials to modern ones in different sizes and volumes.

Cage Culture: Kelong - in Southeast Asia

A Kelong is an offshore platform built predominantly with wood, which can be found in waters off Malaysia, Philippines and Indonesia. Kelongs are built by fishermen primarily for fishing or fish farming purposes, although larger structures can also function as dwellings for them and their families.

Chapter 02: Site Criteria

Kukup Aquaculture Zone

Kukup aquaculture zone, one of the biggest fish farms cluster (appox. 1.74km2) in south of West Malaysia, next to Malacca Straits. Kukup is a small fishing village, famous for its relaxing atmosphere for city dwellers. Large amounts of fish farms laying in the middle of Kukup Staits East side is consisted of two villages that built on stilts over muddy mangrove seashore. West side is the protected national mangrove island, Kukup Island.

Tidal Change

Based on the tidal change of Kukup, muddy seashore will appear during low sea level and on high sea level all villages are completely above the sea.

Intengible Relationship

Exists for centuries in Kukup

Construction Method of Kelong

Kelong can be separated into four layers, which is upper walkway, structure, floats, and fish net under water. Merbau wood is commonly used for kelong construction with nails.

Sizes of Kelong

Sizes above medium have at least 2 buildings or more for storage of fish facilities and dwellings, thus some even developed into a mini store.

Small < 20 m2

Medium < 40 m2

Large < 60 m2

Chapter 03: Concept & Strategy

Design Concept

Propose a new spatial experience of floating architecture as visitor center.

Case Studies

#1

Floating Farm in Netherlands

- Consisted by three layers of farms, factory production, and concrete pontoon. - This floating farm bring in tourism educational program to teach people about how a sustainable farming work in progress.

#2

Aquaponic System Library

- VAC Library is a large wooden climbing frame uses solar-powered aquaponics to keep vegetables, koi carp and chickens. - Designed library and city farm hybrid as a way for children to learn about self-sustaining ecosystems.

Chapter 04: Masterplan & Program

Masterplan Scale | Strategic Proposal

research paper

Spatial Analysis for Mariculture

Site Selection: A Case Study of Kukup Aquaculture Zones in the Peninsula of Malaysia

“…relocating the existing fish farms offshore with moderate to low-intensity farming is recommended.”

Relocate Future Fish Farm #1

#2 Rejuvenate Current Fish Farm into deeper sea by tourism program

Neighbourhood Scale | Circulation & Program

Architectural Scale | Fish Farming Visitor Center (FFTA)

An educational visitor center embrace local fishery activities and tourist spatial experiences of fish farming.

Design Process

- Spaces divided into 10 with different programs, village side will more on fishery activities, and mangrove side more on greenery plantation.

- Invert slanted roofs are benefit rainwater collection, with multi openings and large open space has stable the structure against the coastal wind.

Building System of FFTA

FFTA building system consists of structure system and service system, such as rainwater system and wastewater treatment system. Considering self-sustain solution of energy, solar system is installed in this project for energy supply.

#1 Roof

- Slanted roof

Maximize rainwater collection, sheltered for tropical weather, and against coastal wind.

- Opening

Minimize direct sunlight to interior but side lighting.

#2 Structure System

- Lightweight steel structure on Top

To minimize the rood load & easy for construction.

- Pontoon/ Float on Bottom

Large amount of surface secure its floating stability.

#3 Service System

- Sewage system

Wastewater from building discharge to underwater level space for collection & purification treatment.

- Rainwater collection

Collected water used as fresh water and for plantation watering within building.

#4 Production System

- Linear production

Easy to export/ storage/ transfer fish production to KuKup jetty or market place at 1st floor

Considering the marine environment and transportation, durability and lightness of structure are preferably, which is steel structure system. The floating architecture stands with steel framework that sits on concrete pontoon, closed structural system with large surface amount attach to the sea has determine its stability. The steel framework constructed along with the slope of roof, numerous small beams are hided in between and supported by steel column that distribute regularly on plan.

Sewage treatment and rainwater system has taken into consideration as a selfsustained floating architecture. The grey and black water discharge from washroom delivered to the sewage system room which located in underwater level of concrete pontoon. Ecological sanitation is a onsite wastewater treatment and reuse system to avoid the disadvantage of conventional wastewater system to circular solution. Septic tanks help the wastewater treatment from both greywater and blackwater into treated water with nutrient that benefit the crops production.

Food waste from restaurant can also turned into biogas for electricity of heat through anerobic digestion. The on-site water system is managed efficiently through recycle, reuse of collected rainwater from roof. Rainwater filtration and storage system of tank are placed on the bottom part of concrete pontoon.

Considering energy plan of building solar panel are required to be installed to fulfill the self-sustain plan. As limited flat space for installation, same amount surface area of solar panel installed beside the FFTA for energy support.

Underwater Level

Ground Level

First Level