Building clusters were organized to have an urban front on one side, and a forest front on the other. Existing eco-habitats, including grassland, woodlands and peats, were retained as much as possible. Existing wildlife species were documented and a natural wildlife corridor connecting the site to the larger surrounding environment was enhanced through additional planting that provided food and habitat for them.
The natural topography was retained and natural water elements were implemented to support the existing hydrological flow of the site. Bio-swales purify rainwater, while channelling it from the roadside drains into the central core, where it is retained in a swamp and circulated through a cleansing biotope for further purification, before being reused for toilet-flushing. A deep respect for nature underlies this holistic design approach. It reflects mankind's desire not only to co-exist with nature in a sustainable manner, but also to engage with and learn from it.
This project was carried out by Atelier Dreiseitl, now member of the Ramboll Group.
Engineers: Surbana International Consultants
