1. General information
2. Objectives of the intervention
Goals of the intervention
One of the three main development focuses of the projects was the creation of a Grand Park, the green area of the building along the following objectives:
1. Contribution to the improvement of the urban environment by planting trees and creating a green area with low maintenance costs and efforts.
2. Addressing the heat island effect impacting the district due to high building density.
3. Creation of a public garden that is available for workers of the building and any locals, thus improving visitors' quality of life with the help of nature.
4. The reduction and filtration of the run-off water though a Water treatment garden.
The overarching goal for this new Council of Engineers office building is to achieve gold or higher for TREES-NC certificate.
(Ref. 1,2,3,5)
1. Contribution to the improvement of the urban environment by planting trees and creating a green area with low maintenance costs and efforts.
2. Addressing the heat island effect impacting the district due to high building density.
3. Creation of a public garden that is available for workers of the building and any locals, thus improving visitors' quality of life with the help of nature.
4. The reduction and filtration of the run-off water though a Water treatment garden.
The overarching goal for this new Council of Engineers office building is to achieve gold or higher for TREES-NC certificate.
(Ref. 1,2,3,5)
Quantitative targets
The quatitative targets that links to TREES certificate and green area includes:
1. Provide open green space more than 25% of ground area of the building.
2. Grow 1 tree per 100sq.m. of open space
3. The area of hard pavement that receive direct sunlight is less than 50% of the site area.
(Ref. 6)
1. Provide open green space more than 25% of ground area of the building.
2. Grow 1 tree per 100sq.m. of open space
3. The area of hard pavement that receive direct sunlight is less than 50% of the site area.
(Ref. 6)
Monitoring indicators defined
The monitoring indicators observed highlighted in connection with the TREES certificate are:
- Sustainable site planning which include 3 sub-criteria: 1) the amount of open green space exceed 25% of building ground. 2) the ratio of tree per open space exceed 1tree/100sq.m. 3) select native specifies plantings. - Water infiltration and flood mitigation
- Mitigate urban heat island effects which includes 2 sub criteria: 1) install roof garden or vertical garden to reduce sunlight reflection. 2) the ratio of hard pavement and site area lower than 50%.
Water conservation
- Water saving strategy and effective water usage
The first requirement regarding Building Management indicate that the project need to provide manual for working and maintenance which include protocol for monitoring and evaluation of the operation of all relevant systems within the building.
(Ref. 6)
- Sustainable site planning which include 3 sub-criteria: 1) the amount of open green space exceed 25% of building ground. 2) the ratio of tree per open space exceed 1tree/100sq.m. 3) select native specifies plantings. - Water infiltration and flood mitigation
- Mitigate urban heat island effects which includes 2 sub criteria: 1) install roof garden or vertical garden to reduce sunlight reflection. 2) the ratio of hard pavement and site area lower than 50%.
Water conservation
- Water saving strategy and effective water usage
The first requirement regarding Building Management indicate that the project need to provide manual for working and maintenance which include protocol for monitoring and evaluation of the operation of all relevant systems within the building.
(Ref. 6)
Sustainability challenge(s) addressed
Climate change adaptation: What were the goals of the NBS?
Climate change adaptation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
Implementation activities
Green area and sky garden
41% of the site is green area which can be divided into 4 main parts:
1. Entrance garden consist of sloped pathway that lead to the main office entrance on the second floor and planting areas that mainly covered by small shrubs. The slope pathway allows people with wheelchair to access the building more easily while the selected vegetation helps invite people to go up to the garden.
2. The stepped garden includes normal planting beds with trees and shrubs, and overflow ponds with aquatic plants that act as bio-filter. The water that passes through the bio-filter system in this area is grey water from the building such as water from hand washing. The grey water first passes through the main water treatment system in the building before being pumped into the upper pond for second filtration. The water flows down to lower ponds while being filtered by aquatic plants and is collected in the water tank underground. The flowing of water also help lower the local outdoor temperature and the building’s temperature. Along the stepped garden is seating which integrated with planting beds. Planting create shades for the seating area and the seating arrangement form a small amphitheater. People can sit and relax here and also hold event or seminar.
3. The main sky garden consists of planting beds with trees, seating area, main open space and a sculpture of Vishnu God which is worshiped by the engineers. The open space is a multi-function area where people can hold event or gathering.
4. Planting area on the ground level that surrounded the building.
All green areas are connected with either slope or stairs. The designer intentionally use steps and provide maximum shades to encourage people to move outside which is good for their health.
Planting selection for low maintenance and require less water.
1. Only trees and shrubs, no grass,
2. All plantings are native to Thailand.
3. Consider plantings that require less water
4. Select trees with large leaves so if they fall, they can be collected easily and won’t clogged the drainage system.
5. Mix variety of planting, both size and species, to promote biodiversity
Materials selection
1. Outdoor permeable pavement which help mitigate heat and allow infiltration.
2. Select materials with module that match with the landscape design. This can help reduce material waste.
3. Choose material with light colour to reduce heat absorbtion.
Water system that associated with the sky garden
1. Install underground detention tank
2. Install water treatment system for reusing grey water from the building
3. Double slabs floor system allow surface water to run through and being collected in the tank more easily.
4. Separate piping system for rainwater that fall on hardscape area and water from planters.
Apart from clean tap water, there are two additional sources of water being used in the project including:
1. Rainwater has been collected from outdoor surface and stored in the tank underground. This rainwater is mainly use for the cooling system of the building and part of it is for watering planting areas.
2. Grey water from the building go through treatment system to filtered out dangerous substances before being diverted to bio-filtration system outdoor and stored in reuse water tank. This safe grey water is mainly use for watering plants.
Other building components and construction methods that enhance building system’s function, support sustainability and fulfill the requirement for TREES certificate
1. Automated car parking system which help minimized time on car and reduced carbon released
2. Install solar cell panels on the roof
3. Outer Facade that can filter and reduce sunlight in the building by 40%
4. Inner facade use glass that can reduce light reflection
5. Provide space for trash separation, promote recycling
6. Install water filtration system, all grey water or used water from the building will pass through the system. After the filtration, part of the water will be kept in water tank for further use and excess water will be released to the main city’s drainage system.
7. Use colour and materials with low VOCs released.
8. Use water saving toilet fixtures
The project is in the process of platinum TREES-NC certificate application.
(Ref. 1,2,3,4,5)
41% of the site is green area which can be divided into 4 main parts:
1. Entrance garden consist of sloped pathway that lead to the main office entrance on the second floor and planting areas that mainly covered by small shrubs. The slope pathway allows people with wheelchair to access the building more easily while the selected vegetation helps invite people to go up to the garden.
2. The stepped garden includes normal planting beds with trees and shrubs, and overflow ponds with aquatic plants that act as bio-filter. The water that passes through the bio-filter system in this area is grey water from the building such as water from hand washing. The grey water first passes through the main water treatment system in the building before being pumped into the upper pond for second filtration. The water flows down to lower ponds while being filtered by aquatic plants and is collected in the water tank underground. The flowing of water also help lower the local outdoor temperature and the building’s temperature. Along the stepped garden is seating which integrated with planting beds. Planting create shades for the seating area and the seating arrangement form a small amphitheater. People can sit and relax here and also hold event or seminar.
3. The main sky garden consists of planting beds with trees, seating area, main open space and a sculpture of Vishnu God which is worshiped by the engineers. The open space is a multi-function area where people can hold event or gathering.
4. Planting area on the ground level that surrounded the building.
All green areas are connected with either slope or stairs. The designer intentionally use steps and provide maximum shades to encourage people to move outside which is good for their health.
Planting selection for low maintenance and require less water.
1. Only trees and shrubs, no grass,
2. All plantings are native to Thailand.
3. Consider plantings that require less water
4. Select trees with large leaves so if they fall, they can be collected easily and won’t clogged the drainage system.
5. Mix variety of planting, both size and species, to promote biodiversity
Materials selection
1. Outdoor permeable pavement which help mitigate heat and allow infiltration.
2. Select materials with module that match with the landscape design. This can help reduce material waste.
3. Choose material with light colour to reduce heat absorbtion.
Water system that associated with the sky garden
1. Install underground detention tank
2. Install water treatment system for reusing grey water from the building
3. Double slabs floor system allow surface water to run through and being collected in the tank more easily.
4. Separate piping system for rainwater that fall on hardscape area and water from planters.
Apart from clean tap water, there are two additional sources of water being used in the project including:
1. Rainwater has been collected from outdoor surface and stored in the tank underground. This rainwater is mainly use for the cooling system of the building and part of it is for watering planting areas.
2. Grey water from the building go through treatment system to filtered out dangerous substances before being diverted to bio-filtration system outdoor and stored in reuse water tank. This safe grey water is mainly use for watering plants.
Other building components and construction methods that enhance building system’s function, support sustainability and fulfill the requirement for TREES certificate
1. Automated car parking system which help minimized time on car and reduced carbon released
2. Install solar cell panels on the roof
3. Outer Facade that can filter and reduce sunlight in the building by 40%
4. Inner facade use glass that can reduce light reflection
5. Provide space for trash separation, promote recycling
6. Install water filtration system, all grey water or used water from the building will pass through the system. After the filtration, part of the water will be kept in water tank for further use and excess water will be released to the main city’s drainage system.
7. Use colour and materials with low VOCs released.
8. Use water saving toilet fixtures
The project is in the process of platinum TREES-NC certificate application.
(Ref. 1,2,3,4,5)
Type of NBS project
3. NBS domains, ES and scale
4. Governance and financing
5. Innovation
Type of innovation
Please specify technological innovation
The building's main concept revolved around the "flying box" idea, which integrates advanced structural engineering design with multimedia technology. Additionally, the building "floats" in a gigantic public park, showcasing the ecosystem of the environment. The advanced engineering design is present in all elements of the building, including the park's ecological system and energy-saving inventions. (Ref. 5)
Novelty level of the innovation
Please specify novelty level of the innovation
It is considered to be an iconic building of a non-profit organization who thought about social responsibility and wellbeing. These are clearly
expressed by the vision of the architectural design that is to “Represent the Future Engineers with Architecture and Technology” (Ref. 5)
expressed by the vision of the architectural design that is to “Represent the Future Engineers with Architecture and Technology” (Ref. 5)
Replicability/Transferability
