500000 THESIS 2557
PROJECT: Interior Architectural Renovation Design for Visitor Center and Accommodation,
Khao Laem Ya - Mu Ko Samet National Park
STUDENT : SIRIPAT PANUSBORDEE
LOCATION: RAYONG, THAILAND
AREA: 6,960 sq.m.
‘Conservation is a state of harmony between men and land’ as Aldo Leopold said. It is the important issue to concern when men decide to live among nature. Located inside of the national park, this project was challenged to create the architecture for human living without destroying the valuable natural resource.
Located in Khao Laem Ya – Mu Ko Samet national park which is one of the popular tourist spot in Thailand. Last 2 years there was an accident of oil spilt from cargo boat around Ko Samet and Rayong. According to the situation, national park plans to expand their business and establish the ecotourism center. This expansion would affect the existing natural surroundings.
The existing design is a typical design for national park of Thailand, so the design wasn’t related to its own site surroundings. Although there is none of the building using air-condition, it isn’t designed to use natural resource to create better ventilation. Also the appearance wasn’t get along with nature, as a result of using the prefabrication materials. This architectural problem was considered to be firstly solved.
Finding the solution way from returning to the definition of national park, ‘conservation’ was founded to be the main idea. So it is considered to be the design approach of project. The concept of conservation include conserving the natural atmosphere, using alternative natural materials, using natural resource to create better living and creating the awareness of conservation.
Materials are the closest thing to architecture. It can lead the building to become more functional. As this project’s main problem is ventilation, it is important to look for the pattern of airy material. Branch was considered to be an alternative natural material, it can be used as a lattice façade for architecture. Branch is available in national park, because they have to cut it down normally for a good visual and safety. It is also available in many orchards around Rayong. Other materials are also found from local source to create the character of project, such as fishing net and tie dye fabric. Fishing net is used as a part of facade furniture and structure.
Interior space was planned to connect to surrounding by locating the stifling part in the middle. The outside space around the building under the roof hang was design as a transition space between interior and exterior space, it is covered by translucent roof that allowed natural light to pass through. Branch was attached to fishing net to be a pattern of lattice that used to be a ceiling under translucent roof and façade around the building as to reduce the quantity of light and rain and allowed wind to pass through the building from every direction.
Interior space was designed to be closed to nature and local living by the use of net. For example, using net as a floor structure so user can sit on it and see the earth under the building closely or using it as a hammock that can hang up as a ceiling when no one used.
The use of alternative natural materials and the ways of living with nature are like the story that will tell visitor about the meaning of conservation and way of life with nature. To create the awareness, this project still has to do its function to make visitors satisfy in living with nature and conserving the things.