Countryside Vacation Home

Countryside Vacation Home Location: Between UAE and the Oman Border

Designed by Minh Thao Trinh and Dyah Tiaralaksmi

INTRODUCTION

We were very glad to join this project, which has many interesting aspects. We learnt a lot from the client and our own research on desert farm houses.

The concept briefing made clear that the client did detailed research on farm houses, providing ample detail on all components. Our concept is based on the client’s ideas, as well as offering some new concepts based on our analysis of the site plan (climate, wind and sun direction, traffic approach, topography, building typology, component scale, ...).

These concepts may have some missing pieces, as we did not have the chance to do an on-site visit. These visits are very important for designers to get a thorough understanding of the planning location.

Exterior view landscape axis

Exterior view corn field and greenhouses

Exterior view – Animal farm

Exterior view – Complex building

Exterior view – Children playground

Exterior view – Children playground

Exterior view – Multi sport court

Exterior view – Villa

Exterior view – Square

Exterior view – Swimming pool and fire pit

Exterior view – Swimming pool

Exterior view –Fire pit and outdoor cinema

Exterior view – Outdoor BBQ

Exterior view – Outdoor BBQ

Exterior view – Swimming pool

Exterior view – Swimming pool with moving roof

Exterior view – Swimming pool with moving roof

Exterior view – Swimming pool with moving roof

Night view – Swimming pool

Night view – Swimming pool and fire pit

Night view - Outdoor seating and observation desk

Night view – Swimming pool

LANDUSE PLAN – OPTION 1

In this option, we propose 3 main zones which are located from the south west to the north east.

ZONE A - The first zone contains the main infrastructure systems and outdoor buildings.

ZONE B – The second zone is the Farm zone.

ZONE C - The third zone is the complex building area.

The 3 zones are connected by the main axis, which is also the landscape axis of the area.

Functions and relationships between each zone will be explain in detail in the next slides.

LANDUSE PLAN – OPTION 2

Almost similar with the option 1, we also propose 3 main zones which are located from the south west to the north east.

ZONE A – The west zone: Farm zone (farm and animal farm) ZONE B – The central zone Garage, guard house, playground, outdoor sport and garden.

ZONE C - The east zone: The third zone is the complex building area (villa, activity hall and pool, guEst house, fire pit and BBQ area, outdoor cinema) and back garden.

The 3 zones are connected by the main axis, which is also the landscape axis of the area.

Functions and relationships between each zone will be explain in detail in the next slides.

MASTER PLAN – OPTION 1

LANDUSE PLAN TABLE – OPTION 1 NO

1

NAME

TOTAL AREA(sqm)

PERCENTAGE

Total Land Area

13,935.50

Total Land Area (after 5m setback)

11,500.22

100%

2,113.60

18%

Complex Building

a. Villa b. Activities Hall (include swimming pool) c. Guest House d. BBQ Area e. Fire Pit Area & Outdoor Cinema f. Observation Deck & Outdoor Seating g. Landscape 2

AREA (sqm)

327.3

109.3 50.4 59 156.6 1212.6

a. Guard & Gardener Quarter

78.6

b. Storage (Warehouse)

75.6

c. Water System d.Parking Area e. Waste Disposal Area f. Water Storage

NAME

A

Boundary Wall and Gate

B

Pathway

528.50

5%

72 206.6 58.7 37

3

Playground

187.30

2%

4

Multisport Court

542.60

5%

5

Farm

2,479.40

22%

6

Animal Farm

2,587.80

23%

7

Square

201.00

2%

8

Green Barrier

528.50

5%

9

Boundary wall + Pathway (Heavy vehicle, walking and cycling path)

2,331.52

20%

LENGTH (m)

TOTAL LENGTH (m) 467 649.4

a. Heavy vehicle

116.1

b. Walking and cycling path

456.3

c. Landscape Axis

355

Outbuildings

NO

77

MASTER PLAN – OPTION 1 ZONE A - OUTDOOR BUILDINGS AND TECHNICAL ZONE

❑

Zone A is located on the south-west corner of the plot, next to the main road. This ensures convenient access for management and technical staff, easy approach for cars and trucks to transport supplies, farm products and animals in and out of the farm.

❑

The location also makes it easier to fix technical problems or develop new functions, as it does not affect the villa area.

❑

The width of Zone A is 6 meters. The length of each component can change depending on the site of the farm development.

❑

Zone A is located on the wind end, and the part of the plot the most exposed to the sun.

MASTER PLAN – OPTION 1 ZONE A - OUTDOOR BUILDINGS AND TECHNICAL ZONE

The functions/components of zone A are: • • • • •

• •

First main gate Flag column Shaded parking Guard house Warehouse (for storing farm products, animal fodder, as well as providing space for sick animals and animals giving birth) Waste disposal and composting fertilizer area Water system for the farm (water storage, pumping station for irrigation, waste water treatment).

MASTER PLAN – OPTION 1 ZONE A - OUTDOOR BUILDINGS AND TECHNICAL ZONE

The guard house is located next to the gate, with access to the main road. As the client stipulated no windows to the plot, there would just be windows facing the main road (to the main direction of the sun). We recommend putting the windows high in the wall (at a height of 2.5 meters) on two sides of the building.

This provides air circulation for people having to stay in the guard house, and at the same time ensures the privacy of the residents.

The waste water treatment area is in the north-west corner of the lot. Based on an analysis of the site contour, we inferred the flow of waste water from the farm and the villa area. The treated water can be re-used for irrigation or drinking water for the farm animals.

The water storage for the farm is on the roof top of the guard house. It can be expanded towards the side of the waste water treatment system.

We put the guest gate with parking area and guard house in this zone, in order for people to find the farm more easily and feel more welcome. The first parking place is located next to the gate. The owner could provide bikes or electric cars/golf karts for guests to go around the farm.

The warehouse provides dry and cool storage for farm products. It also provides room for milking, space for sick animals as well as animals giving birth, garden tools.

✓ The main issue for a flourishing farm in a dry area will be soil nutrition and water shortage. We would recommend the client to consider applying new technologies for building a green, organic farm with zero waste. For example, our plan provides areas for waste disposal, fertilizer composting, a drip irrigation and fertigation system, and a waste water treatment area. ✓ Using a drip irrigation and fertigation system for home farms and landscaping not only saves a large amount of water, but also saves on labour costs, while providing sufficient water and nutrition for plants and trees. ✓ Finally, with the natural resource of ample sunlight available, we recommend using solar panels on roofs and the shaded parking areas to provide clean energy for the farm.

The fertilizer composting area collects and recycles all farm waste disposal, which can then be re-used as fertilizer for plants and trees. We put a gate next to this area in the south end of the plot, so trash trucks can approach easier without affecting the farm itself.

MASTER PLAN – OPTION 1 ZONE B – FARM AND ANIMAL FARM ZONE

PLANT FARM

ANIMAL FARM

❑

Zone B occupies the middle of the plot.

❑

The animal farm is located in the south-west, in the end of the wind flow. According to our source (www.windfinder.com/windstatistics), the wind blows mainly from the north and east. Locating the animal farm in the south-west corner ensures that its smell has the least effect on the villa zone.

❑

The plant farm is located in the north-west, facing the sun the most. The area will provide shade and cool down the atmosphere of the farm in the summer.

MASTER PLAN – OPTION 1 ZONE B – FARM AND ANIMAL FARM ZONE

The functions/components of zone B are: • • • •

Plant farm Greenhouse Animal farm Chicken, quail, duck coops

MASTER PLAN – OPTION 1 ZONE B – FARM AND ANIMAL FARM ZONE LANDSCAPE AXIS

GREENHOUSES

(*Sections C-C and D-D show more detail - Page 25) Placing the farm in the middle of the plot provides a nice walking area from the gate in the west to the center of the plot, where a square with fountain is located. This line forms a landscape axis, with zoo-style fencing and a long line of trees. This gives a welcoming and refreshing feel to people walking on the axis towards the villa zone, as well as allowing them to enjoy the farm animals and scenery.

PLANT FARM

The greenhouses are located in the middle of the farm zone, surrounded by trees to cool down the glasshouses during the hot summers.

PLANT FARM PLANT FARM

PLANT FARM ANIMAL FARM

The main axis is 3 meters wide, and can be used for small trucks needing to go on the farm for harvesting, transporting animals…

ANIMAL FARM

Mixing farm trees (dates palm, olive trees, ...) with the animal farm would provide shade for the animals, as well as make the trees more productive and provide for a beautiful landscape.

ANIMAL FARM

We suggest placing the chicken, duck and quail coops on the part of the plant farm, offering them more space to move around.

ANIMAL FARM * We divided the lot into 8 plots of land (from 340 sqm to 1030 sqm). Depending on the type and number of plants, trees, and animals, the client can merge them together or split them further.

MASTER PLAN – OPTION 1 ZONE C – COMPLEX ZONE

❑

Located the farthest from the main road. In the general planning map, its sides line the street with low traffic, which means less noise in this zone.

MASTER PLAN – OPTION 1 ZONE C – COMPLEX ZONE

❑

Zone C is located in the east of the plot, facing the wind blowing mostly from the north and east. It is therefore less affected by the farm smell.

❑

Its higher location provides a view over the farm and the mountains in the back.

MASTER PLAN – OPTION 1 ZONE C – COMPLEX ZONE The functions/components of zone C are: • • • • •

Complex building Children playground Multi-sport court Square Herb garden

* The reason we call ZONE C a complex area is because our concept gives priority to farm land. The focus is much more on to provide enough space for growing plants, trees, and animals. We created a real farm environment, with low building density. Therefore, the area for construction components will be merged together, while still meeting all the demand of the clients.

MASTER PLAN – OPTION 1 ZONE C – COMPLEX ZONE – SUN PATH ANALYSIS ❑

The diagram shows how the sun path affects the direction of the building and building typology.

❑

There are 2 form of buildings. One form follows the shape of the land, and the other follows the direction of the sun path.

❑

It would have been easier for us to design the buildings following the shape of the boundaries, which would divide the land in easy squares. However, that would expose all building façades to hot sunlight in summer.

❑

The other option is the building faces mainly to the south, avoiding direct sunlight in summer from west and south, while facing sunlight in winter. And we choose this option to develop the concept.

MASTER PLAN – OPTION 1 ZONE C – COMPLEX ZONE WATER STORAGE & PUMPING STATION The storage clean water tank for the villa is locate in the corner of the wall in the north east, the location easy access by truck (from out side the wall). Pump station also locate here to provide water for villa and swimming pool.

CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND •

•

•

The children’s playground is located between the villa, the farm and the square, offering easy access from the villa. It allows the children to play there and in the square.

The shade offered by the farm will make the playground cooler. A large tree on the playground offers more shade, as well as space under it for seating and playing. Playing in nature will be a beautiful memory for the children.

We suggest using beach sand on the ground (safer for children when they fall, can build sand castles, ...).

HERB GARDEN We consider 2 places in the back of the building for a small herb garden. They are not next to the kitchen, but an important question is if this herb garden is just for occasional use during stays, or is to be producing during the entire year.

SHADED PARKING AREA This area provides parking space for six cars. It has its main access from the gate on the south end of the plot. An exit gate on the east end of the plot ensures limited traffic inside the plot.

SQUARE (*Section D-D shows more detail Page 22) •

•

The square in the middle provides shading and a beautiful fountain, and can be a location for people to gather. It has outdoor space for up to 80 people.

We also designed a pathway for biking or walking around the farm, from all directions to the square – the square being the “heart” of the plot from where all activities on the farm can be observed

MULTI-SPORT YARD The sports area is about 540 square meters, which is smaller than suggested by the client.

We therefore designed a multi-sport game court, where the family can play a variety of sports (tennis, volleyball, ...) in one court.

COMPLEX BUILDING Our concept allows for using the farm throughout the year, even on hot summer days, by proposing a multi-function building complex. It offers for convenient access between buildings, sheltered from unpleasant weather. It also saves on construction costs and energy costs (the building will be cooler in summer and comfortable in winter).

MASTER PLAN – OPTION 1 ZONE C – COMPLEX ZONE – COMPLEX BULDING FLOOR PLAN

- A main gate and hallway connects this component to the others.

The hallway features a large tree growing through its roof. This connects the house to nature, as well as helps controlling the temperature and air circulation in the house using the long corridors connected to the hallway.

- On the left side of the hallway is the area with the living and dining room, kitchen, laundry room and bathroom. On the right side is the area with the four bedrooms.

The building complex offers guest housing, an activities hall and an outdoor barbecue. This component also has a view towards the swimming pool. The barbecue place has a view towards the farm.

- This component contains the swimming pool, fire pit and outdoor cinema. We provided 2 options for the owner.

- The first option provides more openness. The fire pit is next to the pool, offering a nice view towards the pool. On the left side there is a wall which is used as screen for the outdoor cinema- The remaining two open sides towards the corridor will be hidden by fences of trees.

* The client suggested an indoor swimming pool for reasons of privacy and the practical consideration of avoiding dust. We recommend a semi-swimming pool with a moving glass roof. Since the swimming pool is the heart of the building complex, it will control the temperature of the whole building and all in-door activities will be centered around it. Having the possibility to open the roof will make the area more beautiful and healthier, as well as having the benefit of sunlight reaching the water of the swimming pool and the air circulation dissipating the chlorine smell of the water.

MASTER PLAN – OPTION 1 ZONE C – COMPLEX ZONE – COMPLEX BULDING FLOOR PLAN BUILDING FLOOR PLAN OPTION 2

The second option is a semi-swimming pool with surrounding wall (for privacy). The fire pit is next to the swimming pool, with a wall used as screen for the outdoor cinema.

ROOF TOP FLOOR PLAN

A ramp on the right side of the hallway gives access to the roof of the building, where a two-level outdoor seating and observation desk is located.

INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING – OPTION 1

SECTION – OPTION 1

SECTION – OPTION 1

DEVELOPMENT PLANNING

Our dividing of the plot into 3 zones reflects our idea of developing the project. However, the timing of each stage is up to the client.

STAGE 1

The main farm infrastructure will be implemented first, including building a wall boundary, guard house, water storage, pumping station and irrigation, and an electric system for the first 2 zones.

STAGE 2

The 2nd stage is to start planting trees that take several years to bear fruit (date palms, olive trees, neem trees, mango…), but already provide shadow for the whole plot. This prepares the natural environment for the other components, which will be built later.

In this stage, the client can start planting some fruit tree plots to create more shade and improve the atmosphere of the area. He can also put some chicken, quail and duck coops in the fruit tree plot, making sure the fence to limit them doesn’t run too far.

One of 2 glass houses can be built in this stage to produce vegetable to self-sustain the family needs.

STAGE 3

The 3th stage is to develop the animal farm, which means building the warehouse, the waste disposal and fertilizer composting area. The client can also build the guesthouse, activities hall and barbecue place, so that the family can come visit the farm for short stays.

STAGE 4

The 4th stage is to develop the family villa, swimming pool, fire pit and outdoor cinema. Expand the plant farm (more greenhouses), and the animal farm, all depending on the family’s need. In this stage, the water storage for the villa area should be built as well.

STAGE 5

The waste water treatment could be implemented, depending on the amount of waste water produced. In the 5 th stage, the sports yard, children’s playground and square can be developed, providing more outdoor activities for residents and their guests.

THANK YOU

minhthao0612@gmail.com | Tel 0491916797