Studio 4 Planter Space @Persiaran Tropicana, Petaling Jaya

Portfolio

Year 2 Semester 2 (2022)

About

Chia Gyun Yuen

0103912811 |

gyunyuen.chia@gmail.com | @yuen_chiaa

Bachelor of Science in Architecture ( July 2022)

UCSI University

Architecture Design Studio 04

Tutored by:

Justin Lee Kah Wai

Studio Tutors:

Chan Chiew Chuen

See Kwang Li

Tan Shin Bian

Ahmad Fahmi Zainazlan

Project 1

Planter Space

1A Preliminary Site Study & Research

1B Planter Space

Project 2

Site Analysis to Massing Response

Project 1

Planter Space

Project 2 Site Analysis to Massing Response

2A Site Study & Analysis

2B Site Responses & Massing

Project 3

Agritecture: Cultivating Greens & Design

Project 3

Agritecture: Cultivating Greens & Design

3A Case Study: Space & Façade design

3B Final Proposal

Preliminary Site Study & Research

Project 1A

Technology is basically a systematic way of doing things or solving problems for the good of mankind In architecture, technology is used to create innovative designs "Agritecture" is the art, science, and practice of subsuming agriculture into the built environment This integration can be either inside of the building or outside of the building depending on which kind of issues can be solved throughout the building design Agritecture is one challenging to alter the current industrial scale agriculture by bringing food production to urban, local architectural environments

Pests can have adverse and damaging impacts on agricultural production, market access, the natural environment, and our lifestyle Pests may cause problems by damaging crops and food production as well as be a health hazard to humans Pesticides and harmful chemicals are normally used to get rid of these pests and is often the easiest and cheapest option

Due to the increasing amount of greenhouse gases being released into the Earth's atmosphere everyday, heat gets trapped as a result of the greenhouse effect, also known as global warming Green technology like renewable energy sources and self-sustaining architecture can reduce our reliance on technology which affects our natural environment

When soil loses its stability making it impossible for farming mainly due to overgrazing, soil erosion, salinization, deforestation, flooding, mining and more Efforts can be done to prevent degradation like preserving flora, avoid walking on soft soil, growing plants, block wind from blowing the soft soil away, reduce watering which could flush out minerals

Monoculture is the practice of planting one crop species in a field at a time Mainly used to boost productivity, ease management, and harvesting of a certain crop Planting one crop in a specified area can put the land at risk of flooding due to excess water which would've been absorbed and used by smaller or larger plants around it The root systems are not sufficient to maintain the soil structure around the plants

Traditional farming (horizontal farming) takes up a large amount of farmland In turn, there is limited land to be used for more crops and farming Technology such as the systems in urban farming (hydroponics, aquaponics, vertical farming, roof top farming) use optimal space and would be essential in small areas These systems usually require non-soil mediums and minimizes the energy cost of farming as it uses 95% less water

Usually farms are located in the suburban and rural areas, making transporting the yield from the factories and farms costly and adds on more labour Community farms, for example, are both local and accessible to a number of people within a close range of the farm

With large scale farms, keeping track of yield, water use, transportation, labour and more, can be strenuous work Technological advancements in Artificial Intelligence, robotics, drones, and sensor-based mechanisms can take on the task without failure

Pros of Technology In Architecture

- 3D Printing Machines Make Buildings Better.

- Digital Sketchbooks Make Saving and Displaying Renderings Easy.

- Smart Technology Affects Home Designs and Building Designs.

- Virtual Reality Makes Models More Realistic Than Ever

- Climate Change Predictive Software

Cons of Technology In Architecture

- Intellectual dependency

- Over-optimization

- Maintenance

- Less Jobs

- Labour

- Costly

- Breakdown of Equipment and Systems

- Community

PLANTER SPACE

Project 1B

Entrance is higher & ceiling go down towards the middle & raises up again.

The staircase creates an ‘on a journey’ atmosphere & also positioned to the side for giving more space at the main space.

Entrance size is just enough for people to enter & experience the mysterical feel without feeling inconvenient.

Fun fact: Mushrooms produce Vitamin D when in contact with sunlight.

Light coming from the skywell will be directed to the desired place.

The skywell is positioned to the North/South & angled in a way so that it can only receive direct sunlight at certain area & time.

Floor Plan

Section A-A

Section B-B

Floor Plan

Section A-A

Section B-B

Bruder Klaus Field Chapel / Peter Zumthor

Mushroom Planter Space

Stairs outside has fewer amount of steps than the one inside to create a feeling of going down a lot more than it actually is.

Deeper part has lower ceiling & has lower flooring. Produce an illusion going down into the ground more.

The ceiling at the entrance getting lower eventually while going down.

Floor Plan

Final Planter Space Design

The space becomes narrower, ceiling and floor go down gradually.

People have to crunch down a little to reach the shelf.

The shadow casting on the space due to the openings.

One side is brighter than the other due to the sky well.

Light illuminating on wall, floor & dead wood.

Perspective C

Perspective E

Perspective D

Perspective D

Mushrooms grow on tree trunks like small little shelves installed on walls.

Provide storage area & gives the wall a special texture.

Grows on dead/ logs/ straw/ sawdust/ rice grain

Different species require different types of tree Lime (support mushroom growth) Optimum temperature: 20-30 Humidity level: 60-80%

Incorporate the habitat (wood logs) as a storage space for the cultivation of mushrooms. Mushrooms would grow on the shelf as well.

Logs for inoculating with shiitake should ideally be 7.6-15.2cm in diameter & about 91-122cm tall.

New logs can be replaced as mushrooms grow better on fresher wood (oak, maple, beech, ironwood)

Light illuminating on the texture of the wall from the sky well creates a magical & wondrous feeling. Sound echoing inside the space makes it feels serene & calming.

Entrance view looking up from the inside of the planter space.

Path leading down to the space makes it a lot more secluded & mysterious.

Light strikes down on the wall surface.

Site Study & Analysis

Project 2A

Operation Hours 6.00am - 11.30am

Frequency 30min interval T811

Permanent Agriculture also known as Permaculture are known as a set of gardening techniques that the central theme of it are to provide human needs, but using many natural elements from natural ecosystems Permaculture carry to us how to grow food, build houses, designing a space, create communities and minimise environmental impact at the same time The principle of it are also being constanstly developed and sustain by people throughout the world in different climates and cultural circumstances

Urban Hijau

As a planned sustainable social enterprise, Urban Hijau use permaculture as a means to unite people, generate profit and preserve the planet simultaneously. At Urban Hijau, Activating Sustainability by rebuilding wholesome food systems with local integration is critical to move forward and make a long standing impact “Grow What Grows”, “Start small get it right and scale up” and “Integrate rather than segregate” are some of the statements they are always seen to use and practice

Permaculture

Collecting Food Waste from neighbourhoods Workshop for the volunteers & visitors regarding Permaculture

Educate Visitors regarding Permaculture

Selling fresh greens

Urban Hijau

As a planned sustainable social enterprise, Urban Hijau use permaculture as a means to unite people, generate profit and preserve the planet simultaneously At Urban Hijau, Activating Sustainability by rebuilding wholesome food systems with local integration is critical to move forward and make a long standing impact “Grow What Grows”, “Start small get it right and scale up” and “Integrate rather than segregate” are some of the statements they are always seen to use and practice

Collection Food Waster from neighbourhood Nearby restaurant will send food waster to the site

Donate Foods to the refugee Create Sustaible Ecosystem

Economy & Social Activities:

Types Of Business

The Farm Nursery

Sanyi Orchid Sdn Bhd

Katsura Garden Centre

Legostone Sdn Bhd

Nursery Heaven

Signature Turf

Ebi Fishing

Rainforest Landscape & Nursery

Eco Outdoor Asia

Lao Ma Zi

Site Responses & Massing

Project 2B

Site Response

SUNLIGHT

SUNLIGHT AND RAIN WIND PRIVACY

A

VIEW DISTRIBUTION OF SPACE AND ORIENTATION CONTOUR

VIEW NEIGBOURING BUILDING VENTILATION CONNECTION WELCOMING ENTRANCE

A long sculptured entrance unlike a typical entrance. Separating spaces for different purposes by playing with different levels.

Evolving from the form of P1 to an stilled roof opening for adequate sunlight to enter.

A slanted rock-like roof in context with the feeling of nature.

“”Time square” (for public activities and indoor for cultivating mushroom and others), a balcony for drying food/viewing/relaxing, and an enclosed place for mushroom growing.

Giving transparency to the outside for a more inviting entrance and also does not look too bulky.

SUNLIGHT CORRESPOND TO SITE CONTOUR ATTRACTIVE ENTRANCE

Having multilevel for better viewing of surroundings and also catching higher velocity of wind.

SUNLIGHT NEIGHBOURING BUILDING MAXIMIZING GREEN SURFACE

The 2 entrances are of different sizes to amplify the main entrance and separate 2 different spaces. They are angled in a way which gives a more interesting element while exploring the place.

VIEW MAXIMUM USE OF SPACE

Case Study Space & FaCade design

Project 3A

3D PRINTED RAMMED EARTH HOUSE IN RAVENNA.

Final proposal Project

3B

Underground

Underground is located at Persiaran Tropicana which is a place for plant lovers Unlike most of the plants that only serve as a décor, mushrooms are mysterious growing fungi that has various kind of nutrients which benefits the human body

It is said to be anti-cancerous for humans and has unique umami flavour when added to a cuisine It is a saprophyte that helps to get rid of dead organisms and maintain the life natural cycle However, this incredible plant is fragile and rots easily Underground is a mushroom cultivation ‘cave’ It provides its neighbours to get mushrooms easily and first-hand Other products like dried mushrooms and mushroom powder can also be found here

Products

Excellent antioxidants and flavor is not only concentrated but also created.

Healthy alternative of MSG unlocks the fifth taste of your cuisine.

Self-harvesting the freshest mushrooms yourself!

Dried Mushroom

Mushroom Powder

PYO Mushroom

Ancient Stepwell in India

House and Restaurant in Yamaguchi, Japan by Junya Ishigami + Associates

Types of Mushroom

Shiitake Mushroom

2-7 days until harvest

Harvest while cap is still closed/5cm in dia.

Fruit every 5 weeks for 4-6years on logs

3-5 flushes on grain/sawdust

Hardwoods (maple, beech, ironwood)

Best on oak: 7.6-15.2cm (dia.), 91-122cm (long)

Paddy Straw Mushroom

RH 80-90%

7-14 days until harvest

3-5 flushes

Best on paddy straws

Cassava waste and palm oil waste

Oyster Mushroom

10-30 ˚C

10-12 days until harvest

3-4 flushes

Best on straws

Ground coffee, sawdust, cardboard, sugarcane

bagasse, coco coir and cotton waste

Substrate

Materials

Hardwood Pellets Petroleum Wood Shaving

Soybean Banana Leaves Sunflower Husks Coco-coir Vermiculite Sugar Cane Waste

Cardboard

Corn Cub Coffee Grounds

Clay Walls, Floor, Finishes, Counter top

Ladakh Tree Trunks Ceiling Twigs Ceiling, Pavement Cover

Tinted Glass Blocks Walls

Wooden Logs Railings, Well Gravels Floor

Glass Bottles Walls

Wooden Bridge Bridge

Site Response

Surrounding

Provide nutritious food to the neighbourhood and use materials that are recyclable and environment-friendly.

Vegetation

Embracing trees inside the building.

Accessibility

Open a pathway to the West side of the building for the people in the condominium to access a lot more conveniently.

Dimension of Site

Create a functional yet spacious space in the limited area.

Sun Path

Openings are designed to block the excessive sunlight and the balcony is located so that it can get enough sunlight for drying mushrooms.

View to Site

Having a balcony facing the North and the South which is not blocked by the contour or other buildings.

Contour

The entrance has stairs for people to experience a short jungle trekking to a different space.

Sterilisation and culture mycelium on agar

Sterilisation of grain media

Inoculation of grain

Spawn Making

Store in dark and cool temperature (20-24C)

Straw

Pasteurise substrate with hot water bath for 90mins (65-82C)

Sanitise table with rubbing alcohol

Dry straws under the sun

Tie straws in bundles Soak bundles into water for 24h Place bundles inclinedly

Drill holes 1015cm apart

Fresh Wood

Hammer inoculator wooden dowels into the log

Log cultivation (can produce up to several years)

Soak log into water for 24h to initiate fruiting

Wax to seal (prevent dowels from drying and insects)

Log Cultivation

Log Cultivation

Drill holes 1015cm apart Fresh Wood Hammer inoculator wooden dowels into the log

Wax to seal (prevent dowels from drying and insects)

Soak log into water for 24h to initiate fruiting

Place log vertically to allow pinning of mushrooms

Log cultivation (can produce up to several years)

Break spawn bottle and clean it with cotton

Mix spawn with substrate

Poly Tubing (can produce 2-3 flushes)

Mushroom Bedding

Polythene Cover

Pasteurised Straw

Pasteurised Straw (conserve water)

Wood Chip

Spawn

Pasteurised Straw

Spawn & Pulse Powder Spawn

Pasteurised Straw

Wood Chip

Cardboard

Poly Tubing & Wall Culture

This project aims to achieve a self-sustainable and environment-friendly design. It embraces low-tech like having a mining elevator that runs manually and pulley systems for the polytubes which we grow mushrooms on. There is a for people the draw water more easily and conveniently on the first floor. Incorporating low-tech into the design fascinatingly gives a unique aesthetic aspect to the building.

Underground is mostly enclosed without a lot of openings to simulate the natural habitat of mushrooms However, it also values breathing and unrestrained spaces

The whole building is connected by having courtyards and open spaces in between, letting people connect to the surroundings and appreciate the openness of the building

Trees became one of the important aspects for Underground

The materials chosen for this building are mainly reusable, recyclable and environmentally friendly, which somehow gives the building its own antique and natural look. Thick clay walls and superadobe construction also contribute to the insulation and temperature control of the space. Recycled glass bottle and glass blocks are placed inside the thick clay wall to let subtle light penetrates into the space, just enough to illuminate the space.

Section B-B

Scale 1:75

The special thing about Underground is that it has a sky well, giving it a shine of light in the middle of darkness. The sky well symbolizes the connection with nature, offering a sense of serenity and calmness. During rain, the water gathers down to the water well in the middle of the dark space and creates a beautiful scene whilst hearing the soothing sound of the gushing water. The water well not only gives the building an interesting characteristic but also contributes to cool down the whole building

The 4m deep water well contributes as the main cooling system of the whole building as mushrooms need to be grown at a relatively lower temperature People can go down the water well using the stairs spiraling down, not only to draw water but also gives another extraordinary experience for the visitors.

Exploring various kinds of water collecting systems and finding out which is the most suitable one for Underground

The final decision was made based on considerations such as space planning, limited area, workability, and human experience

The columns in the greenhouse imitate the random arrangement of the natural growing mushrooms It creates the fascinating feeling of going through a mysterious labyrinth

The water well reflects lights coming through the sky well which creates a shimmering and beautiful gleam on the water surface The entrance to the space also lets light shines into the dark space, giving it a serene and remarkable sight Seating is provided to allow visitors to chill inside the space

Underground compromises different mushroom cultivation methods. There are mushroom bedding, wall culture, poly tubing, and log cultivation. There are specific areas in the building for each of the methods and each creates a different experience for the visitors. Not only people can admire the mysterious mushrooms, but they can also have a new understanding of mushrooms and change their perceptions about mushrooms as boring plants

A stone path leads the way to the toilet and courtyard at the back of the building. The toilet view is intentionally facing the semiprivate courtyard to let visitors enjoy the nature and peaceful scenery.

This shows the first apparent space towards the building. Visitors or staff can use the antiquelooking elevator to reach the first floor. The texturized wall enables climbing plants to mount onto it. Trees are also planted in this space to guide visitors into the space indirectly.

The picture on the top shows the private space for the staff to do work and relax in their free time. The oculus allows sufficient light to light up the space. The construction method used is vernacular which also reveals the skeleton of the timber framing.

A molded staircase leads to the first floor and is half-enclosed for better connection to the surroundings.

The reception counter is positioned so that it is facing the main entrance of the building to welcome visitors. It has built in recessed shelves in the clay walls.

Section C-C (Construction Drawing)