BIOPHILIC SINAGPORE’S MANDAI ZOO-AREA OF STUDY

LITERATURE STUDY-1
Research, Process and Methodology
Location & Context
Concept & Development of Biophilic
Characteristics & Features
Elements affecting Design
 BACKGOUND

How did biophilic design start in Singapore?

In the 19th century, Singapore was covered in lush jungles, but these forests were cleared away for plantations and development
moving into the early 20th century.
Beginning in 1967, urban planners had a green vision for Singapore. Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew put the Garden City master
plan into effect. The aim was to create aesthetic spaces for residents and visitors alike and illustrate an efficient and committed
government.

The evolution of the biophilic city comes in 3 stages, each stage marked by several actions:

1. Garden City is defined by developing eco-friendly community programs, promoting environmental legislation, and
developing parks and recreational spaces.

2. City in a Garden includes building in greenery into daily life for Singaporeans, a nature conservation plan, and community
stewardship.

3. The Biophilic City in a Garden stage is comprised of developing world-class gardens, enriched biodiversity, and
involvement of 3P (People, Public, and Private) sectors.
 CULTURE &
ARCHITECTURE
• The culture of Singapore draws on the varied cultures of the different people of Singapore
The first people to live in area were indigenous tribes that still remain, they were followed by the Malay’s, who moved there
from mainland Asia in ancient times. Indian Cultures influences made their mark when trade began with those countries, and
increased with immigration to Singapore.
• Despite its small size, Singapore has a diversity of languages, religions, and cultures
• Singapore has a diverse music culture that ranges from pop and rock, to folk and classical. Western classical music plays a
significant role in the cultural life in Singapore
• Modern architecture in Singapore began with the transitional Art Deco style and the arrival of reinforced concrete as a
popular building material.

Evolving Architecture- Nature

The new generation of Singaporean architects have combined a
local form of Critical regionalism with lush skyrise greenery, in
line with the Singapore government's ambitions to create a 'City
in a Garden', where development sites commonly yield more
public green space than the site area itself. Designers including
international award-winning WOHA Architects have pioneered
developing new types of green skyscrapers.
 RESPONSE TO CLIMATIC
CONDITIONS

The Design attain to climatic control, a modern concept in

Singapore refers should provide the following points;
• Allow adequate ventilation for cooling and reducing
humidity.
• Use building materials with low thermal capacity so that
little heat is transmitted into the house.
• Control direct solar radiation.
• Control glare from the open sky and surrounding.
• Protection against rain.
• Ensure adequate natural vegetation in the surroundings to
provide a cooler environment.
• There are numerous features in the traditional Singapore
culture that are geared towards providing effective
ventilation.
 LOCATION

PHYSICAL MAP INDICATING SITE

CLIMATE
Singapore has a tropical rainforest climate with no distinctive seasons, uniform temperature
and pressure, high humidity, and abundant rainfall. Temperatures usually range from 23 to
32 °C (73 to 90 °F). While temperature does not vary greatly throughout the year, there is a
wetter monsoon season from November to February.

Singapore recognises that climate change and rising sea levels in the
decades ahead will have major implications for its low-lying coastline.
 INTRODUCTION

The area is designed as an eco-friendly resort that intends to

blur the boundaries between nature and living spaces. guided by
the principles of biophilic design, it features 24 seed pod-shaped 
treehouses with views out to the surrounding rainforest. the resort
is set to open in singapore‘s mandai area in 2023, encouraging
visitors to enjoy the surrounding wildlife in a non intrusive manner.
 
The 338-room resort, which features rooms with views out to the
surrounding rainforest, is being integrated into a 4.6 hectare site
that currently houses the Singapore zoo’s back-of-house facilities.
 
Biophilic design is a response to the human need for an
experience of the natural world in the built environment,
through use of direct nature, indirect nature, and space and
place conditions. it is thought to reduce stress, enhance creativity,
and improve overall well-being.

PROPOSED SITE-BIOPHILIC
RESORT
 Concept is that sympathetic to the existing vegetation. where
possible, the resort will be elevated several meters above the ground,
allowing native wildlife to move across the site. it will sit below the
upper canopy layer of the surrounding trees.

During construction, native tree species will be planted as part of a

re-greening effort, which hopes to enrich the site by enhancing its
biodiversity. more than half the trees already on the site will be
retained, of which 40% are of conservation value.

24 seed pod-shaped treehouses featured 

BELUM RAINFOREST RESORT- AREA OF STUDY

LITERATURE STUDY -2
Climatic Analysis
Orientation
Features affecting Biophilic Design
Context & Neighborhood
Materials adapted
Proximity within the forest Area
Air & Light ventilation
INTRODUCTION

Since Malaysia is a country with a hot and humid tropical climate, maximum energy consumption goes to ventilating and
providing cool air inside the building. Due to lack of recycling and shortage of world’s natural resources, energy costs have
been significantly rising. Building sustainability and the integration of passive design features has thus become the aim of most
designers, not only in Malaysia, but all around the globe.

Sustainable Architecture is not only rewarding for the environment but also is cost effective as it significantly minimizes
energy usage.

The most important elements of passive design in Biophilic micro aspects are:
• Site
• Orientation and layout
• Fenestrations
• Thermal mass of materials
• Application of shading devices
• Proper ventilation mechanism
 RUMAH KUTAI OR KUTAI HOUSE –TRADITIONAL TYPE OF MALAY HOUSE

This type of house is indigenous to PERAK, and has been existence since 1800’s, the name “KUTAI” means old or ancient.
The historical and heritage significance of the rumah kutai cannot be denied. These houses would face the river or lake, and
river was the lifeline of the community.

ASPECTS INCLUDED:
Pillars- The kutai house sits on 12 or 16 main pillars/columns
called “TIANG SERI’ or “TIANG ADAT”. These are made of
cengal, merbau or damar wood and come in different shapes and
dimensions; round, square or octagonal. Some houses, hav
straight pillars whereas some are cut so that the bottom of the
pillar are that they are not planted into the ground but just laid
onto a house a base made of cut stones, bricks, or concrete.

The Roof- It has a long and high roof that is made of “SAGO” or
“NIPAH PALM”. Nowadays, many Rumah Kutai owners have
replaced the palm roof with Zinc Roofing as it is easier to
maintain. The roof is supported by small tree trucks called
“KAYU BULAT”
ASPECTS INCLUDED:
Floors- The floor of the Rumah Kutai is raised to about two
metres from the ground and is usually made of wood from the
ficus plant species or wooden plants from the saw mill. There are
also those that are made from strips of palm trunks or from
hollow bamboo about 5-6cm wide. These strips are arranged on
top of wood of strips, there are gaps of about 2cm so that the
house does not float away in the event of a flood. In addition, one
can find a wooden beam, dividing the house into various room
and sections. Wherever, people stand and visit the space will be
covered with naturalistic elements and nature getting into
biophilic features.
Structural Components- As a light weight timber structure, a
traditional Malay house regularly uses posts and a lintel timber
structure. The posts rest on concrete or stone footings without
any foundations required. The structural frameworks for the
house consists of several posts braced by floor joists and the roof
is constructed using prefabricated methods where all the
structural components are constructed and assembled on site, this
allows the house to be dismantled, stored down and reassembled
again elsewhere on a different site.
 LOCATION

BELUM RESORT SITE

PHYSICAL MAP

INDICATING THE SITE

 APPROACH AND CONNECTIVITY

Kota Bharu

RESORT SITE

PENANG
Bayan Lepas
International Resort Approach
Airport
North – South Highway
East – West Highway
Jalan Baling – Kuala
Kangsar

Kuala Lumpur

View of Temengoor Lake

Johor Bahru Towards Temengoor Lake
VIEW OF TYPICAL BLOCK ARRANGEMENTS
CLIMATIC STUDY
 RAINFALL
•Pulau Banding is surrounded by hills
•- hence it is affected by mild rain during the
monsoon season
- less rain during other times .
•Only affected by the North-East Monsoon, as the
hills obstruct wind and rain from the west .

Rainy season : Nov – Dec , Jan – Feb

(Water level rise up)
Suitable time : March - September

retrieved from www.myweather2.com

 POSSIBILITIES THROUGH CLIMATE
ANALYSIS
1
2

4 3

1 Reception
2 Tor Tambra Bar
3 Phase 1 - Ara & Ixora Suite
4 Phase 2 - Deluxe Suite
5 On site atap house 5
 RESPONSE TO
• Open Space for well ventilated CLIMATE
• Bamboo Wall effectively Filter Sunlight
 RESPONSE TO
• Elevated to provide Well Ventilation and
CLIMATE
prevent Moisture
• Scenic View
 RESPONSE TO
CLIMATE

• Mechanical Ventilation by user to take

consideration
• Used wood trunk to filter sunlight
• Aesthetic purpose
RESPONSE TO
CLIMATE
RESPONSE TO
CLIMATE
 MICRO ANALYSIS/NEIGHBORHOOD
From Gerik or Penang Spots to view site

Parking lot
Viewpoint from cafe
Entry point Vehicular
circulation

Pedestrian circulation

Viewpoint from
roof garden
Views to site from
foot bridge
Viewpoint from
jetty

Pathway before
Tanjung 1
TOPOGRAPHY
 ADAPTING BIOPHILIC
FEATURES
Traditional Architecture
• Clustered Arrangement
• Usage of Local Materials
• Views & vistas to the forest
• Presence of Water-Temengoor Lake
• Semi-Nomadic Habitat
• Light Weight Construction
• Natural Air Circulation
• Lighting Consequences
Elevated Structure recommended to avoid flood
ORIENTATION water system to widely use the rain water

Elevated building Building orientation

Passive Design can be introduced

Elevated building to catch prevailing wind Reduce the solar heat To the building structure
Orientate building towards wind direction. through Reflective roof
CIRCULATION PATTERN
THROUGHOUT THE SITE AREA
Spot 1
SENSORY
Aural
Soft noises of vehicles from the main entrance Sound from the swimming pool area

Scent
Smells like generic green leaf, or a bit wood like from bamboo
Smell of water/ chlorine from pool Slight CO2 emission of vehicles

Visceral
Welcoming
Hierarchy (intersection/connection) Openness
Random yet Organized Transition of Space Gradient of
Shadow

KEY PLAN
 SENSORY
Spot 2
Aural
Smell moldy and musty sometimes
refreshing

Scent
Smell moldy and musty sometimes Smell of air-refresher

Visceral
Nature
Sweet yet fear (bees) Happy / joy Transition of Space
Blending of nature and architetcture Modern vs Traditional
 SENSORY
Spot 3 Aural
Sound of operation of boat
Sound of vehicles from the
bridge often

Scent
Slight CO2 emission from
motorboat

Visceral Anticipating
Breathtaking
Curiosity/ exploration Perception
Relate, Recall, Reflect
Dead-end yet a beginning (jetty)
Spot 4
Aural
Insects buzzing
Birds chirping
Leaves swaying in
the wind

Scent
Smell of musty
and humid
Drvopteris Campyloptera, has a slight disagreeable odor and a
sweetish afterward, somewhat bitter astringent and nauseous taste

Visceral
Lost yet guided
Exploration
Full immersion with nature (in nature rather than with nature)
Feeling small in comparison to the massive rainforest Iintimidating
Blessing from nature
Spot 5
Aural:
Soft birds chirping
Soft vehicles operation noise from the lake often

Scent:
Smell of rain, with the frequent rainfall, this area is
particularly wet and damp

Visceral:
Split road/ Junction
Choice
Represents life (if one chooses the easy way flat road, one
might miss an unforgettable experience) Courage
Spot 6
Aural Visceral Welcoming
Sound of human activities from the villa Sound of Secure (indoor) Serene
bamboo Concentrate / Crowded Breakaway/
Scent Getaway Warmth
Smells like generic green leaf, a bit wood-like Comfortable colour scheme
Pungent odour smell from the fruits when ripen
Smell of mosquitoes n repellent
Suggestion
Lifting up the building to avoid odour and
Touch
Grass, when walk barefoot, the grass feels aural disturbance while still able to attract
soft, comfortable, tingling, cold and moist the insects and birds as cherry tree grows
especially in the morning taller

Bamboo, it feels hard and woody on the outside, when

walking the bamboo stairs, the bamboo feels light and it is
hollow inside MICRO SENSORY
MATERIAL SUPPLIES- AROUND NEIGHBORHOOD CONTEXT

CEMENT SUPPLIER
CEMENT INDUSTRIES OF
MALAYSIA Bhd. (CIMA)
Distance to factory: 26.7km from site

TIMBER SUPPLIER
KILANG PAPAN WING WHO
Sdn. Bhd.
Distance to factory: 24.9km from
site
MAJU WEKO TIMBER
INDUSTRIES
Sdn. Bhd.
Distance to factory: 24.9km from
site

Tanjung Satu (Site)

 MATERIALS USED

PHASE 1
PHASE 2
TANJUNG SATU
[ SITE ]
PHASE 1

GOLDEN BAMBOO
Located at the reception area

Used as a non-structural material

RAMMED EARTH
Located in the bar and restaurant area
Aids in providing shade from sun and
Non-structural and used as aesthetic appeal
rain
Earth was excavated during construction
Readily available on site

HURU HARA BRICKS

Located on the exterior walls of the café area

Non-structural and used as aesthetic appeal

Bricks reused from previous structures on site

that were demolished
PHASE 2

RAMMED EARTH
Located on the exterior of the deluxe suites
REINFORCED CONCRETE
Non-structural and used as aesthetic appeal Used as structural material for the deluxe suites

Used as a form of shading and Has indents to reduce weight & cost Allows
privacy screening
for creepers to grow on the material

WOOD - CONCRETE
COMPOSITE

Located on the walkways linking the

deluxe suites

Used as non-structural floor boards

supported by steel structures

Eco friendly
TANJUNG SATU

NIPAH LEAVES
Located on the orang asli replica village
GOLDEN BAMBOO AND
Used as a roof covering for the thatched roof Functions as RATTAN
Located on the orang asli replica village
protection from sun and rain
Bamboo was flattened and used as a wall Joined
Readily available on site
together with rattan and nails

EARTHEN MATERIALS
 UTLITIES/SERVICES

Rainwater Harvesting

Wetland Sewage System

 SUGGESTEDSERVICES SOLUTIONS UTILITIES &
SERVICES
SewageSystem ElectricalSystem

Scheme Constructed Wetland Sewage System Build an alternative Power Substation in the site
Draw electrical energy from the villa’s substation nearby Biogas as an
Alternative Energy Source

Secondary Reuse or
Pre & Primary
Treatment Disposal
Treatment Gas Engine
Anaerobic
Organic Electricity
Digester
Waste & Heat
WaterSystem
Rainwater Harvesting

Catchment

Storage
Filtration
Irrigation &Cleaning Purposes

EXISTING SITE CONDITION
The trees on site cannot be cut without any valid
reasons
50% of the land should be reserved for
nature
and a maximum of 50% only can be used for
occupancy
Relocation of the mockup villages is
allowed but the destroying of these villages
is not allowed
No cut and fill is allowed for the site, the
has to remain
The maximum height limit for any building
site is 3 story's
ADAPTIVE OF PASSIVE DESIGN
Provide passive ventilation
Orientated to prevailing
wind, less obstructed
openings
Example: Perforated steel
panels, Bamboo cladding
façade, punctured bamboo
wall
contour
on the
INFERENCES
SELECTIVE MATERIALS
Low embodied energy material
On site material – Reduction of
transportation cost and time
Organic material – Decompose to
reduce waste
Example: Bertam leaves for roofing,
bamboo ceilings, earth rammed
AMAYA RESORT-BIOPHILIC ASPECTS, INDIAN
CONTEXT
LITERATURE STUDY -2
Location
Neighborhood & Context
Planning aspects
Naturalistic and Human elements
Blue & Green Observation
Flora & Fauna
AMAYA RESORT,HOWRAH, KOLKATA, INDIA
INRODUCTION

• Amaya is a resort located 40 Km away from the city of Kolkata, West Bengal,
in Uluberia, Howrah.
• Once famous for its natural conservancy of lakes and ponds and the
culturally rich settlements evolving around it, the city has lost its balanced
biological ecosystem to synthetic expansion. Whilst the rapid urbanization has
economically boosted the development, increasing concretization has cost the
city its green cover.
• Increase in urban stress due to competitive use of the limited land resources
has led to poor quality of life and urban environmental concerns. The dense
urbanity of the city and its depleting ecology has raised its vulnerability to the
effects of the foreseen global environmental change.
• Amaya, attempts to restore the misplaced association of built form and nature
by abandoning the trend of vertical high density development and adhering
to a biophilic design associated with horizontality.

Global Architecture & Design Awards 2018 - Second Award

Category: Hospitality (Built)
Architect: VIVEK SINGH RATHORE
Country: India
 LOCATION

RESORT INDICATING MAP

DISTRICT MAP

CLIMATIC CONDITION
PHYSICAL MAP
Kolkata is subject to a tropical wet-and-dry climate classification
The annual mean temperature is 26.8 °C. Summers (March–June) are hot and humid, with temperatures in the low 30s Celsius. Winter lasts for roughly two-
and-a-half months, with seasonal lows dipping to 9–11 °C in December and January. May is the hottest month, with daily temperatures ranging from 27–
37 °C, January, the coldest month, has temperatures varying from 12–23 °C. The highest recorded temperature is 43.9 °C, and the lowest is 5 °C. The winter
is mild and very comfortable weather pertains over the city throughout this season. Often, in April–June, the city is struck by heavy rains or dusty squalls that
are followed by thunderstorms or hailstorms, bringing cooling relief from the prevailing humidity. 

• Area: Spread across a vast area of 12.5 acres, the resort is set
amidst a scenic view, nestled away from the humdrum of the
city, the inclusive design of this urban getaway sorts to imbibe
the bond of human and nature.
• The resort obscures views of the industrial development
adjoining the site. The architects have attempted to retain the
natural habitat and embrace it in the design.
• The existing trees on the site have been preserved as part of a
comprehensive planning exercise. Through organic geometry
that mimics raw forms, the design seeks to bridge gaps between
the built and unbuilt forms.
• The intricately detailed forms fabricate explorative textures and
impart Zen expressions, spawning a sense of discovery amid the
users. The design breaks away from the monotony of primal
form and conservative design and ventures to amalgamate the
built form with its context.
CONCEPT
DEVELOPMENT
Amaya has been conceived as raw and neutral in its shade, absorbing
all the shades of urban stress and camouflaging with the earthy tones of
nature. The authentic architecture appeals to the five senses of its
users, engaging them with an intended mindfulness. A play of light and
shadow crafted by the unique geometry of bricks renders a simplistic
and tranquil texture to this contemporary architecture.
The connection between man and nature through fusion of the built
and un-built forms, the design reveals its underlying principles of
disseminating Zen ideologies of a placid and serene environment. A
contemporary interpretation of a Hindu temple integrated with Zen
philosophies with a dedicated lawn and Goushala has been placed on
site.
MASTER PLAN
MASTERPLAN ZONING
 ELEMENTS
DEVELOPMENT

An artificial lake has been conceived on the site, emerging as

focal point of the design

LAKE SIDE SUITS

The suites and residential clusters have been assembled along the lake,
creating a striking backdrop to their setting
Interior of Deluxe suite- viewing to nature
 ELEMENTS
DEVELOPMENT

SUITE BLOCK

MANDIR

BRICK JALLI
USED AS A SCREEN

WOODEN PATTERN USED

AS PARTITION DECK

The dynamic lake front has been further animated with an

SUITE BLOCK amphitheater, performance deck, monsoon deck, fishing deck and the
‘wanderers point’. The rich aquatic biodiversity of the lake stirs it to
life.
 MATERIALS USED
The design of the resort extensively pursues an association with nature, both
visually and conceptually. From locally sourced material procuration to
continuous and post-occupation evaluation, the design encompasses a
comprehensive assessment of sustainability in all aspects of design
conception. Fly-Ash used for manufacturing of Fly-Ash concrete bricks used
in the project has been sourced from the local thermal plant, employing local
village laborer's in the production process. Various techniques to incorporate
day-lighting and cross-ventilation in the design have been deployed to reduce
the energy consumption by shifting the burden from active to passive
systems. These strategies cautiously minimize resource consumption and
condense lifecycle costs.

ARRANGEMENTS OF BRICKS
SCREEN- BIOPHILIC DESIGN AND VERTICAL WOOD
 BIOPHILIC INFERENCES

DAY LIGHTING

SCREEN PATTERN ON WALLS