Cooking Space Design at Diyasaru Wetlands, Sri Lanka

University of Moratuwa (UoM), Faculty of Architecture, Department of Architecture, Moratuwa

Project idea

A good kitchen always brings good fortune to the user since it represents the fuel for life. For a kitchen to be perfect, many things are to be considered. Among them, two main characteristics are anthropocentric values and aesthetic approach. And that's where the Architecture pops in. The cooking space is designed to cater and respond to the activity patterns of the user.

User

A hypothetical user anticipated by me have been selected as the user category. A well known personality "Steve Irwin" whom is a zoologist, wildlife expert and a TV personality and his wife will be catered throughout the design. Steve has won hearts all around the globe for his enthusiasm for crocodiles presented on television as "The Crocodile Hunter".

Location

After analyzing the user, the most prominent location to be selected was a wetland. User tends to enjoy his company with crocodiles and wildlife, therefore, selecting a site to satisfy his interests was key. 'Diyasaru wetlands' at Thalawathugoda, Sri Lanka is an urban wetland park which offer experience in many ecotourist activities as well as recreation and leisure.

Project description

Design Approach - "Salvage Wilderness"

After doing in depth research on crocodiles and their behavior, the methodologies they follow when building habitats inspired me to approach the design in an Eco friendly, sustainable manner.

Crocodiles build their nests using organic materials. As time continues, the nest decompose to soil and become a part of the nature itself. Therefore, my concept initiated as "Salvage Wilderness" symbolizing the balance of nature.

The main functionality of a nest is to provide safety and subsistence for the eggs from external forces. Therefore, the same essence have been interpreted throughout the design by providing necessary strength to withstand forces as well as shielding the interior from drastic weather conditions.

Context molds the form, and the form follows function. Therefore the shape of the form is derived by existing features present in the context. Diyasaru wetlands is a sensitive context filled with greenery. Blending the form with the context is key. Therefore, by following the patterns of the existing landscape and tree canopies, a form to the cooking space was approached. The structure sits on the context by camouflaging with the surrounding (Similar on how the crocodile nests camouflage with wilderness). Grabbing these essence on the design procedure helped in resulting sustainable strategies.

Technical information

The hypothetical user (Steve Irwin) will be using the cooking space for certain period of time but not a permanent stay. Therefore the structure is designed in such way that it will decay with time and decompose to the soil causing zero harm to the nature. At a later day the design will be decomposed and become part of the nature. This is the whole motive of designing a sustainable form on a sensitive site. The cooking space is designed using vernacular architecture consisting an organic shape. Using organic materials in the structural process will support the form to camouflage with the surrounding landscape.

Materials

• The whole structure is built using bamboo as it withstand strength and flexibility. Bamboo is a lightweight material which can be abundantly found in the context itself. (water bamboo)
• The roof is covered with teak leaves which can be found in the immediate context. Teak leaves are added to maintain the organic essence of the structure as well as to camouflage from the surrounding. Teak leaves are water resistant and also acts as a cooling insulation layer to cool down the interior under the hot sun.
• Other than bamboo and Teak leaves, timber is used for the decking purpose and the arrangement of furniture. Adding timber panels are aesthetically appealing as well as it supports the decaying process.

Dome shape

The overall shape of the roof designed as a dome will reduce excessive heat gain as it allows the air to cross ventilate efficiently while cooling the structure effortlessly. The timber decks are curved in order to get a maximum of 360° of views of the surrounding wildlife.

Decking detail in a flood situation

The wetland causes flood once per every year. Therefore, generating a solution for this crisis is essential. Underneath the timber decks, bamboo poles are been fixed horizontally to avoid sinking in a flood crisis (bamboo has floating properties). There is a wooden detail which detaches the deck from the piles when the water level rises. The superstructure will separate from the substructure and float on the flooded water without causing any damage to the structure. When the water level gradually drops down, the structure will eventually floats its way down towards the piles again. To avoid the misalignment, cables have been fixed vertically aligned joining the piles and the decks.

Joinery

Cane is used to tighten the bamboo columns while stretchable cables are used to connect the deck and piles.

Collapsible furniture

The user 'Steve Irwin' is a personality which enjoys his freedom. He adores space as he move freely on decks. Therefore, providing him with maximum amount of space is a necessity. The solution has been provided by accommodating collapsible furniture in the open deck area which can be folded out into seating objects and folded back into the deck whenever he wants more space. Using collapsible furniture is function oriented with a technical solution.

Lighting

Diyasaru wetlands is an ecosystem rich in bio diversity. Therefore we have to protect the wildlife from light pollution in the night time. More light will chase the crocodiles and other animals away from the structure as it strikes the opportunities for the user to interact the wild animals. Therefore, using dim lights is the best option which will preserve the calmness as well as having an aesthetic approach.