Sky garden - Council of Engineers

Creation of new green areas

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)

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)

• Citizens or community groups
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