Project: CHI

Project Description:

Designed for the 2008 Greenfest Southbank Festival this experimental project features bamboo as one of it’s primary structural materials.

CHI has 3 Distinct Building Elements

1. Base - Semi-submerged water tanks the purpose of which is to store water, thermal mass and to act as a structural anchor
2. Dwelling - Off-site manufactured & finished units which provide 3 habitation modules including 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom, kitchen, living, dining, study and deck
3. Shield - Bamboo, steel and polycarbonate structure which acts as UV and heat solar screen, water and energy collection, air purification, living wall, food production

The Shield:

• Low environmental impact materials and construction.
• Maximum solar utilization through PV’s and photosynthesis, while shading the dwelling.
• Supplies drinking water, electricity, filtration of dwelling air, grey water purification and some food (living wall)

The Dwelling Module:

• Highly flexible internal layout and design options.
• Off-site manufacture and finishing for maximum efficiency in fabrication and speed of delivery.
• Seamless visual and services integration with the Shield.
• Low environmental impact materials and construction.
• Maximum thermal comfort through high performance insulation
• Highly efficient passive solar design
• Use of the innovative HydroMass system whereby the thermal mass of the concrete tanks and water are utilized to thermally stabilize the dwelling interior

The symbiosis between Shield and Dwelling - pure ‘CHI’:

• The Shield offers shelter and life support
• The Dwelling offers amenity to its inhabitants
• The inhabitants offer care and maintenance to the shield
• In this is a functional, practical and cost-effective symbiosis between Shield and Dwelling