- Project addressed how architects, engineers and
designers of tomorrow can use their skills to contribute towards a better
living environment where humanity and nature co-exist in harmony - Workshop offered GSA Singapore students opportunity to bring their creativity
to a live project.
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| WY-TO Architects’ innovative MOBILE LOTUS |
Interior Design students from GSA Singapore
have joined forces with architecture and design students from The University of South Australia and Royal University of Fine Arts (RUFA), Phnom Penh in an international collaborative project in Cambodia focused on MOBILE
LOTUS.
have joined forces with architecture and design students from The University of South Australia and Royal University of Fine Arts (RUFA), Phnom Penh in an international collaborative project in Cambodia focused on MOBILE
LOTUS.
“an unforgettable and meaningful experience.”
GSA Singapore Interior Design student, Lee Pei Shan
“great learning exposure from the collaboration with different schools and students.”
GSA Singapore Interior Design student, Nick Lua Hong Zhu.
Designed by WY-TO architects
MOBILE LOTUS is a floating platform that supports the local infrastructure,
offering access to regular healthcare and health education for residents of TonléSap lake UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Built of local materials and easily assembled, the lotus-inspired design offers a community platform. Being mobile it can reach remote floating villages to treat and inform about common illness, sanitation and how to support the local ecosystem in a “one stop shop.”
MOBILE LOTUS is a floating platform that supports the local infrastructure,
offering access to regular healthcare and health education for residents of TonléSap lake UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Built of local materials and easily assembled, the lotus-inspired design offers a community platform. Being mobile it can reach remote floating villages to treat and inform about common illness, sanitation and how to support the local ecosystem in a “one stop shop.”
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| The MOBILE LOTUS houses a health centre for families |
In late 2017 students from the three international
institutions undertook a 10-day research, design and build workshop led by
WY-TO architects. The participants researched, designed, built and tested a
mock-up of the floating platform, facade system, super structure and interior
design of the MOBILE LOTUS.
institutions undertook a 10-day research, design and build workshop led by
WY-TO architects. The participants researched, designed, built and tested a
mock-up of the floating platform, facade system, super structure and interior
design of the MOBILE LOTUS.
Each team had a particular design focus: research and design of the floating base, design and detailing of the superstructure incorporating traditional construction techniques, materiality and function of the woven bamboo façade, and the Interior design, textures, ergonomics and fit-out for a clinical purpose.
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| International students join forces in the MOBLE LOTUS workshop |
The workshop not only offered a platform
for
exchange with participants from other institutions and academic disciplines, but
enabled the students to apply creativity and innovative thinking to a live
project in the Cambodian context.
exchange with participants from other institutions and academic disciplines, but
enabled the students to apply creativity and innovative thinking to a live
project in the Cambodian context.
History, culture, community, traditional
customs and ecological challenges were all addressed by the students who visited traditional floating villages as well as many
historical, cultural and architecturally significant sites as part of their
research.
customs and ecological challenges were all addressed by the students who visited traditional floating villages as well as many
historical, cultural and architecturally significant sites as part of their
research.
The hands-on workshop experience was designed
by WY-TO architects to equip the students with an advanced understanding of the
innovative, changing world of sustainable and cultural design with the students
encouraged to research, explore and interrogate design and construction
questions presented by the culture, urban formations, architecture, vernacular
and ecology of the Tonlé Sap lake.
by WY-TO architects to equip the students with an advanced understanding of the
innovative, changing world of sustainable and cultural design with the students
encouraged to research, explore and interrogate design and construction
questions presented by the culture, urban formations, architecture, vernacular
and ecology of the Tonlé Sap lake.
Having applied their skills to the creation of
a 500kg MOBILE LOTUS mock up the students then worked together to transfer it
onto its flotation system and into the water in a successful test.
a 500kg MOBILE LOTUS mock up the students then worked together to transfer it
onto its flotation system and into the water in a successful test.
The intense 10-day workshop ended with the
participants curating a public exhibition of their experiences during the
workshop. The exhibition showcased the students’ research through examples of sketches, diagrams,
scale models, technical drawings, photography, joinery and woven bamboo. Local dignitaries and design industry professionals were invited to visit the exhibition where they were taken through the workshop experience. Visitors
were also invited to experience the full scale mock- up in person.
participants curating a public exhibition of their experiences during the
workshop. The exhibition showcased the students’ research through examples of sketches, diagrams,
scale models, technical drawings, photography, joinery and woven bamboo. Local dignitaries and design industry professionals were invited to visit the exhibition where they were taken through the workshop experience. Visitors
were also invited to experience the full scale mock- up in person.
“We were very lucky to be able to be part of the
Mobile Lotus Workshop to build a better living environment for the locals,” says GSA Singapore Interior Design student, Lee Pei Shan “The workshop was split
into 4 groups (Floating, Framing structure, Facades and Interior Design) to
work on but it was all interrelated so students had the chance to experience and
gain knowledge of each aspect.”
Mobile Lotus Workshop to build a better living environment for the locals,” says GSA Singapore Interior Design student, Lee Pei Shan “The workshop was split
into 4 groups (Floating, Framing structure, Facades and Interior Design) to
work on but it was all interrelated so students had the chance to experience and
gain knowledge of each aspect.”
“We were fortunate to have the opportunity to
collaborate with students from UNISA and RUFAs and exchange different ideas,
gain new knowledge about different cultural backgrounds and make new friendships.
It was an unforgettable and meaningful experience that we will encourage people
to be a part of.”
collaborate with students from UNISA and RUFAs and exchange different ideas,
gain new knowledge about different cultural backgrounds and make new friendships.
It was an unforgettable and meaningful experience that we will encourage people
to be a part of.”
“It was a great
takeaway and learning exposure from the collaboration with different schools
and students from different cultures and disciplines,” adds fellow student Nick Lua Hong Zhu.
takeaway and learning exposure from the collaboration with different schools
and students from different cultures and disciplines,” adds fellow student Nick Lua Hong Zhu.
Ends
For further information contact
Lesley Booth
Lesley Booth
07799414474
@GSofAMedia
Notes for Editors
The workshop also included inputs from UNESCO and the WHO
WY-TO
WY-TO is an architectural design firm based in
Singapore and Paris, France. WY-TO has a particular focus on tropical
sustainable practices in both design and social responsibility. At the core of
WY-TO is a fundamental belief that design must serve a cause. Their mission is
to deliver inspired, thoughtful and long-lasting solutions that essentially
respond to real, humanistic needs. The Mobile Lotus is a grass roots, self-developed
project and welcomes support and participation from the greater community.
Singapore and Paris, France. WY-TO has a particular focus on tropical
sustainable practices in both design and social responsibility. At the core of
WY-TO is a fundamental belief that design must serve a cause. Their mission is
to deliver inspired, thoughtful and long-lasting solutions that essentially
respond to real, humanistic needs. The Mobile Lotus is a grass roots, self-developed
project and welcomes support and participation from the greater community.
Tonle Sap Great Lake Biosphere Reserve
In 1997 Tonle Sap Great Lake was recognized as the
first Biosphere Reserve in Cambodia. UNESCO Phnom Penh Office supported the
Royal Government of Cambodia in the designation of this area in order to
promote the sustainable management of the site.
first Biosphere Reserve in Cambodia. UNESCO Phnom Penh Office supported the
Royal Government of Cambodia in the designation of this area in order to
promote the sustainable management of the site.
The Tonle Sap Lake is the largest freshwater lake in
Southeast Asia, covering an area of around 250,000 hectares in the dry season.
The lake also constitutes one of Cambodia’s most important sites, rich in
natural resources. Due to a unique hydrological phenomenon, when the monsoon
begins, the swollen waters of the Mekong River force the Tonle Sap River to
reverse its flow northwards, feeding the Great Lake and spreading over the
surrounding flood plain.
Southeast Asia, covering an area of around 250,000 hectares in the dry season.
The lake also constitutes one of Cambodia’s most important sites, rich in
natural resources. Due to a unique hydrological phenomenon, when the monsoon
begins, the swollen waters of the Mekong River force the Tonle Sap River to
reverse its flow northwards, feeding the Great Lake and spreading over the
surrounding flood plain.
The vast wetland area resulting from this cycle is
home to an extraordinarily high biodiversity, both in terms of variety and
abundance of species. The Lake is also one of the most productive captive
fisheries in the world, providing more than 60% of the protein intake for the
Cambodian population.
home to an extraordinarily high biodiversity, both in terms of variety and
abundance of species. The Lake is also one of the most productive captive
fisheries in the world, providing more than 60% of the protein intake for the
Cambodian population.
However,
because of its economic value, the Tonle Sap Lake is coming under increasing
pressure from over-exploitation of its natural resources. In order to avoid
this to go further, UNESCO Phnom Penh Office is providing technical support to
the drafting process of the integrated Management Plan for the alleviation of
poverty and enhancing sustainable development in the Tonle Sap Biosphere
Reserve
because of its economic value, the Tonle Sap Lake is coming under increasing
pressure from over-exploitation of its natural resources. In order to avoid
this to go further, UNESCO Phnom Penh Office is providing technical support to
the drafting process of the integrated Management Plan for the alleviation of
poverty and enhancing sustainable development in the Tonle Sap Biosphere
Reserve