Project 08 | Weathering Eco Haven

A hospital extension project designed with biophilic spaces and Mass Engineered Timber.

Master of Architecture, Year 1

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The project focuses on MET and biophilic design and aims to encapsulate the

ephemeral qualities of nature and timber as a material. This medical facility

would engage biophilic design principles to help enhance the wellbeing or

healing process of users and our primary design methodology are timber

weathering and the incorporation of biodiversity. The proposal aims to serve

as a catalyst for bringing the ecosystem closer to us as well as the appreciation

for weathered timber aesthetics.

The 2 main methodologies would be to engage Timber Weathering and

Biocentric Design. A medical facility is often associated to clean aesthetics.

But by choosing to focus on timber weathering which is usually seen as dirty,

t project allows for an appreciation of the natural quality of timber. This

aesthetic of weathering is neutralized by creating a series of undulations as

a louder execution method. The secondary approach is to bridge the ecology

through the project to integrate a larger group of users into our facility, with

hornbills being our keystone species.

Synthesized vignettes exploration led to a form that comprises of 5 blocks,

divided into 3 zones, the social wing, medical wing and the aviary. The

orientation of the building is positioned to align with the East-West sun in

order to minimise overshadowing and to facilitate timber weathering.

The undulations of the façade would create varied flows of rainwater runoff,

potentially affecting the weathering patterns of the timber façade. For

example when the façade is angled, water could just run off reducing water

retention. However when its angled in a gentler manner, water can continue

to trickle downwards slowly, creating opportunities for weathering of timber.

The openings on the undulations are created according to the internal spaces

behind the façade.

Physiotherapy

Different heights and visual hierarchy allows for patients to be rehabilitated

while feeling safe behind greenery as screens. The proximity of patients with

the greens enhances the intimacy of their experience with biophilic healing.

Patients Waiting Area

The waiting areas are designed to frame the external greenery through facade

openings. These views capture the rail corridor and provides a different degree

of biophilic experience for users.

Nests

Individual nests are semi-enclosed pods which allows for a portion of the rail

corridor to be framed by the building to allow for a conducive space for users

to appreciate the weathering and the views.

Nesting Birdhouses

The roof of the building consists of planter boxes which doubles as nesting

birdhouses for hornbills. This allows for a space of rehabilitation for not just

the patients, but also for other fauna to be reconnected to their habitat.

The Aviary is a central courtyard that greets the users entering from both

the entrance lobby and from the green corridor. The contrast of an external

weathering façade and pristine timber elements on the ceiling can be

appreciated from a single volume, to double volume, then open to sky.

Our spaces are organised such that public flow is through the social wing

and the medical wing of the building is where the key clinical services like

physiotherapy rooms, labs, and pharmacy are. The whole project features

many distinct biophilic spaces for users to enjoy and to appreciate the views

and the weathering of the facades.

The structure of the project is based off a post-and-beam system which

comprises of The H profile column, double beam system, CLT Floor slab.

The H profile column’s recesses are designed to allow for M&E services to

move among levels, and the double beam system allows for the services

traverse in the first axis; while the elevated CLT floor slab allows for the

services to traverse in the second axis. This system allows for services to

be neatly organised and unconcealed, allowing for better maintenance and

visual inspection.

Weathering Eco Haven aims to serve as a catalyst for bringing the ecosystem

closer to users and the community by introducing the appreciation for

weathered timber aesthetics. This biocentric design which incorporates the

ecosystem provides a glimpse of a medical facility which engages biophilic

design principles to enhance the wellbeing and healing process of patients.

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