AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH CENTRE

DESIGN BRIEF
• Protection and enhancement of site
• Aesthetics and building efficiency
• Energy and Water efficiency
• Construction and development impact
 KEY CRITERIA

Protection and Enhancement of site

Every effort should be made to limit the impact of the development on local ecosystems and to preserve and protect biodiversity wherever possible.

Aesthetics and building efficiency

It is important that the eco institute is in harmony with the environment, both in terms of being aesthetically pleasing and resource efficient. How it
sits on the site, orientation and layout, the use and consideration of other purposes for the building and the materials from which it is made will all
have a bearing on its aesthetic appeal.

Energy and Water efficiency

The aim should be to build using natural systems rather than replacing or working against them. This involves making good use of daylight
(depending on the climate) and using natural ventilation, passive solar gain and passive cooling techniques. Consider whether energy can be supplied
wholly or partially by renewable energy technologies such as photovoltaic solar panels, solar hot water collectors .Consider water recovery techniques
such as rain water harvesting, grey water recycling and xeriscaping (low water-use landscaping).


Construction and development impact

If possible use a construction team with experience of ‘green’ development and suppliers with a proven environmental track record.Make it clear that
in preparing the site for construction it should not be completely cleared or all vegetation removed, rather, existing vegetation should be catalogued
and viewed as a potential asset for the development of the site. Consider how storm water will be contained, erosion and sedimentation prevented
and topsoil retained for landscaping the site.
 TYPES OF EARTH CONSTRUCTION

Cob is good for anything except height. It is

particularly good for curved or round walls.

Rammed Earth is strong and ideal for solid,

squat, single storey houses.

Adobe or Mud earth bricks can easily cope

with two storey houses.

Wattle and Daub is elegant and fine for

Seismic Zones.

*For our consideration we will be looking into rammed earth technique and
mud wall technique
TECHNIQUE
RAMMED EARTH
TECHNIQUE
Adobe or Mud Walls
 NATURAL POOLS
Ponds or swimming pools can be constructed and maintained on an organic model,
sometimes called natural pools, where the water is contained by an isolating membrane
or membranes, in which no chemicals or devices that disinfect or sterilise water are
used, and the water is instead cleared through use of biological filters, other organisms
used in water purification, and plants rooted hydroponically in the system