THE LEAF | portfolio

The LEAF

Group Project

This project emphasis on environmental awareness by embodying a sustainable design approach. The project pays special attention to the green roof, green wall, rainwater harvesting, passive ventilation, and choice of locally supplied and produced materials for the buildings structure, interior and exterior.

GREEN ROOF :

Currently in our planet, due to lack of green spaces, the extra heat cannot escape into our atmosphere causing the heat island effect. Our green roof is an extensive green roof which means it needs little to no irrigation or maintenance. The green roof will reduce roof temperature and heat flux rates which means it will decrease the heat island effect in this area. It will capture 50 - 85% of incoming rain, reduce air pollution, reduces noise pollution and increase the life of the roof.

GREEN WALL / RAINWATER HARVESTING :

On the wall facade of our building, we have a green wall to grow fresh produce for the cafe and restaurant in our building. The rainwater will be collected from the green roof and then filtered through our filtration system. The shape of the filtration system will enable our produce to get watered as some of the rainwater will sit at the bottom of the Z shape and some of the water will be pumped through to the next section. The remaining water will be stored in an underground rainwater harvesting tank which will reduce stormwater discharge into sewer systems. This also means our building doesn’t have to rely on external means of water supply and will decrease costs.

PASSIVE VENTILATION :

The tips of our building act as greenhouses which, in summer, have increased natural stack ventilation due to solar gains. In winter, the greenhouses are closed and a fan system powered by photovoltaics pulls the warmed air back through the building, creating a warm loop of fresh air. Trombe walls on the south facade follow the same logic.

MATERIALS / STRUCTURE :

Roof: Solar Panels and Green Roof
Structure: Steel frame, concrete trombe walls for thermal mass
Second Skin: Black metal louvres