The ‘concrete cloud’ concept is a tested unique green architecture concept that can be used for broad base application in the tropics like in Malaysia. Bayan Club, the prototype of this concept has proven this and the club’s pool design plays a vital role in achieving this green architecture concept. Located at Seri Kembangan, a sub urban in the state of Selangor, Malaysia, the building offers sport & commercial facilities to the residents of the surrounding areas. The sport facilities consist of a 50-meter long 5-lane swimming pool, a children pool, a tennis court, 3 badminton courts & a gym.
Project Name: The Concrete Cloud, Bayan Club
Studio Name: S.PIN ARCHITECT
Location: Malaysia
Site Area: 0.81 Acre
Built Up Area: 4917 Sq. m
Architects: S.Pin Architect
Lead Architect: Tan Sih Pin
Photographs: S.Pin Architect
The site is on a small hill with the land profile gently lowering down towards the south eastern side. There are residential blocks to the north whereas a rain water retention pond & a valley situated at the south. Due to this topography, the site receives constant breeze from the lower part of the land profile. Any solid build form will block the breeze that blows towards the residential blocks and create heat island effect at the residential blocks.
THE CONCRETE CLOUD CONCEPT
In order to let the breeze thru, the building have to be lifted up. Taking cue from the tropical overcast cloud, the design explores the concept of forming a heavy cloud form at the building top, enabling the spaces below to be porous & open, but protected from the tropical warm & humid weather. The design goes against the grain by stacking the space that require the least natural air movement on top, namely the hall with badminton court (the game requires no air movement), leaving the lower 3 levels skeletonised with spaces split into pods & voids.
LAKE, POOL & POND AS PART OF THE GREEN DESIGN TOOLS
Constant hill breeze penetrates the porous spaces & continues towards the town houses at the back. 2 design strategies have been adopted to cool-down the breeze:
- Having the ‘cloud’ to cast deep shade to the porous spaces below
- Introducing water elements at each open floor, namely; the water lobby, the swimming pool & the children pool and the outdoor lake pond with water cascades down from one water elements to other water elements at the lower levels.
Hence, the ‘Concrete Cloud’ with the help of the strategically placed pool & pond system:
- enables 70% of the building naturally ventilated
- creates a cooling microclimate within the club that is 1 – 2 degree cooler than the surrounding temperature.
The pool has been integrated with the retention pond’s community park nearby.
BREATHABLE BUILDING ENVELOPE
Inspired by the Malay traditional houses timber panel wall, for the badminton hall, we created wall with aluminum panels, hidden slits & with random glass panels, to enable the hall receiving natural ventilation & natural light.
