Tree Hill House : A Design for Saving the Earth
Tree Hill House, QB Architects, 2008
The buildings, especially our homes in which we spent our days protect us from nature's extremes, yet they also affect our health and environment. As the environmental impact of buildings become more apparent, an environmental friendly approach in design is needed.
Known as green design, this principle basically aims to increase the efficiency with which buildings use resources (energy, water, materials) while reducing building impacts on human health and the environment during the building's life cycle (wikipedia).
Tree Hill House was designed by QB Architects for a green design competition in Sentul, Bogor, Indonesia, 2008. Selected as winner nominee in professional category, Tree Hill House tried to use comprehensive green design principles.
Known as green design, this principle basically aims to increase the efficiency with which buildings use resources (energy, water, materials) while reducing building impacts on human health and the environment during the building's life cycle (wikipedia).
Tree Hill House was designed by QB Architects for a green design competition in Sentul, Bogor, Indonesia, 2008. Selected as winner nominee in professional category, Tree Hill House tried to use comprehensive green design principles.
A. Site Plan and Landscape Concept
Green design was started from the first step : site planning. The following concepts are applied for site plan and landscape by :
Site Plan, small island in the center for public facilities,
water catchment, etc
water catchment, etc
1. Respecting the topography and minimizing land destruction . The access road follows natural contours on the land.
2. Providing vegetative cooling and wind buffering/channeling
3. Positioning the building in an optimized manner in terms of passive heating and cooling by considering wind and solar direction.
4. Providing convenient access for pedestrian.
5. Providing an attractive and safe cycling facility.
6. Creating water catchment area and gray water usage as part of water conservation effort.
7. Choosing energy-efficient street furniture and fixtures.
8. Designing an environmentally friendly waste management system.2. Providing vegetative cooling and wind buffering/channeling
3. Positioning the building in an optimized manner in terms of passive heating and cooling by considering wind and solar direction.
4. Providing convenient access for pedestrian.
5. Providing an attractive and safe cycling facility.
6. Creating water catchment area and gray water usage as part of water conservation effort.
7. Choosing energy-efficient street furniture and fixtures.
9. Preserving biodiversity of the ecosystem by using native vegetation and creating natural habitat.
10. Designing an environmentally friendly landscape, choosing organic planting systems consisting of herbal and aromatherapy plants to support healthy living.
10. Designing an environmentally friendly landscape, choosing organic planting systems consisting of herbal and aromatherapy plants to support healthy living.
Landscape design for each site
B. Building Concept
1. Mass Splitting
Splitting the mass at the center would bring natural element such as sunlight, wind and scenery into the building. This is done by creating opening at its center, enabling the nature to be part of the building and cross ventilation.
2. Natural Light
Reducing energy consumption by utilizing natural light through lots of openings and transparent walls.
3. Green Roof and Walls
The building's roof is specially designed to enable greenery plantation and its maintenance. Walls at the center of the building are designed to facilitate plants grooming as well. Such concept creates cool temperature in the building.
4. Movable secondary skin outside of glass walls to control sunlight intake to the building.
5. Water reuse
Rain water is collected in a tank, with water treatment facility, attached to the building. This allows re-usage of rainwater to water plants, wash cars and flush toilet.
6. Indulging the scenery from practically every part of the building.
Viewing deck in the center of the house is a perfect space to enjoy the hill scenery outside. Yet it can also be enjoyed from major rooms as well.
8. Efficient in construction by using modular structure
1. Mass Splitting
Splitting the mass at the center would bring natural element such as sunlight, wind and scenery into the building. This is done by creating opening at its center, enabling the nature to be part of the building and cross ventilation.
2. Natural Light
Reducing energy consumption by utilizing natural light through lots of openings and transparent walls.
3. Green Roof and Walls
The building's roof is specially designed to enable greenery plantation and its maintenance. Walls at the center of the building are designed to facilitate plants grooming as well. Such concept creates cool temperature in the building.
4. Movable secondary skin outside of glass walls to control sunlight intake to the building.
5. Water reuse
Rain water is collected in a tank, with water treatment facility, attached to the building. This allows re-usage of rainwater to water plants, wash cars and flush toilet.
6. Indulging the scenery from practically every part of the building.
Viewing deck in the center of the house is a perfect space to enjoy the hill scenery outside. Yet it can also be enjoyed from major rooms as well.
8. Efficient in construction by using modular structure
C. Interior Concept
1. Creating efficient zone for activities spaces, furniture layout, and circulation
2. Utilizing natural light and air flow
3. Optimizing the potential of site and building by designing furniture layout that enables optimal usage of sunlight and the scenery.
4. Using recycled and non toxic material for furniture and fixture
5. Using less fixed-furniture, more loose-furniture to allow re-usage and re-layout
6. Decorating the interior with air purifier or mosquito repellent plant to support healthy living
2. Utilizing natural light and air flow
3. Optimizing the potential of site and building by designing furniture layout that enables optimal usage of sunlight and the scenery.
4. Using recycled and non toxic material for furniture and fixture
5. Using less fixed-furniture, more loose-furniture to allow re-usage and re-layout
6. Decorating the interior with air purifier or mosquito repellent plant to support healthy living
-QB Architects-
