Sustainable Architecture

Project Brief

For this project, I'm researching and developing an idea for a sustainable architecture project. I want my project to be something that would be built here in Jordan and have the least amount of impact possible. I want to figure out what local resources and building techniques are available.

Process Journal

Empathize & Research

I'm starting with a bit of research into what sustainable architecture means and examples of it in Jordan or the Middle Eastern region.

This idea is actually from Vietnam, but I like the rooftop gardens. I wonder if there are examples of this in Amman.

TAA Design tops red house in Vietnam with a stepped vegetable gardenArchitecture studio TAA Design has made the green roof of this house in Quang Ngai, Vietnam, from stepped planters finished in red plaster and tiles.

This is a pretty crazy idea for a resort in Wadi Rum. While it has little impact on the visual landscape, I wonder about its viability with the constant movement of sand.

A Visual Journey within the Sanctuary of Wadi RumJordanian architect Rasem Kamal transformed the phrase of “form follows function” into “subtraction follows function” with proposed resort in Wadi Rum.

I was originally looking for information about why all of the rooftops in Jordan are flat, but I found this instead. It has a lot of information about how building practices keep Jordan's structures from being comfortable year round.

Why Jordan's buildings are thermally uncomfortable?Jordanian households and public buildings are characterised by poor thermal insulation in general. Latest statistics show that less than 30 per cent of villas in Amman abide by the national building codes concerning thermal insulation, while 10-15 per cent of apartments abide by the building codes. However, smaller commercial apartments seldom adhere to building codes that regulate thermal insulation, with only 5-10 per cent of small apartments in Amman abiding by the regulations on thermal insulation.

al-'ula house by nicolas dorval-bory + caroline corbasson blends in the saudi arabian desertnicolas dorval-bory architectes + caroline corbasson have envisioned 'al-'ula', a house that blends in in the saudi arabian desert.

This is not in Jordan, but I really liked the way this building fit into its surroundings in the desert.

I also really like the way they built the golf clubhouse at Ayla. I've been here before and it is a really cool building both to look at and to enter. They did a great job making it blend with the environment.

dune-like forms articulate oppenheim architecture's golf clubhouse in jordan

While this article doesn't specifically address sustainable architecture there are examples of it included. This highlight of last year's Amman Design Week recounts how the exhibition focused on local sources, materials and techniques. I got to visit the exhibition that is described here and it was really cool. There were a lot of unique ideas.

innovation, craftsmanship and local materials take center stage at amman design week 2019

Define

After looking through the examples I found above and thinking about what I would like to create, I decided it would be fun to try to design a house for my family somewhere outside of Amman that blends into the local landscape, uses local materials and is as environmentally friendly in both construction and energy use. My POV statement is below.

An active family of four needs a home that is environmentally friendly in both looks and operation while providing the family with plenty of indoor and outdoor space for living, working and playing.

Ideate

I took some time to jot down some ideas. I listed things that are important to us as a family, ideas I think would be cool and thoughts on location. One thing I did not include here is that I would want to design with my kids in mind, but also with the idea that they will eventually go off on their own. I don't want this to be a huge house, just big enough.

Prototype

I made two rough prototypes. My SketchUp skills are still developing but these give a basic idea of two small houses made from recycled shipping containers. They both use 40' x 8' containers as their base.

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