CASE STUDY-TWO Ranweli Holiday Village

CASE
STUDY-TWO
Ranweli
Holiday
Village
-Waikkal
65
3.2
RANWELI HOLIDAY VILLAGE-WAIKKAL
3.2.1 Introduction
Ranweli Holiday village is situated in a scenic peninsula of 20 acres in extent in a
tranquill and idyllic location amidst a forested environment
about 5km away from
Negombo coastal belt. The hotel is surrounded by two rivers , a lagoon and the Indian
ocean. It is situated in the western coastal belt of Sri Lanka.
The main design concept of the hotel is 'splendor of nature'. Seemingly, the hotel has
followed Green Principles in a totally different way rather than Kandalama. The holiday
village was designed by Archt. Mihindu Keerthirathne in 1972.
3.2.2
Observation of the Eco-system: M a n g r o v e eco-system
The unique mangrove habitat with exotic flora and fauna and variety of rare birds of the
wet land and fish in the lagoon and river is unique. The mangrove community is
associated with continuous water causes, water- ways and sea. Palm trees in the
Peninsula and mangrove community around is consisted of the eco-system of the site.
Discover the unique eco-system and several species of contrasting habitat of mangrove
community and rare palm which grows naturally along the river. Wet black soil around
and fine sand soil can be seen in the site or in the palm garden. Normally the sunny
climate and sea breezes occurs .The site gets rainfall from South -West monsoon rain .
3.2.3
Analysis and Evaluation of(irecn principles tor tropical Architecture
3.2.3.1 Conserving Energy
•
Cight and ventilation
The correct orientation of building layout encourages the natural means of
cooling such as design for breezes, cross ventilation and sunlight. These are
used to enhance the design and has helped to achieve minimizing of artificial
cooling and lighting by creating large open spaces, central courtyards and
internal courtyards ect. (Bath room of chalet.)
The use of local building materials, the exposed brick-wall also has high
degree of that absorption and high insulation capacity and low heat gain
through the wall. Ibis would reduce the energy utilized for
air-conditioning
also . Similarly, the Hat ceiling used for bedrooms reduces the air that has to
be air-conditioned.
All
rooms
are
air
conditioned and solar power
provides
sunny
hot
days
showers.
direct
On
solar
radiation has been used to
heat the water.
The
holiday
village
has
minimized the use of glass as
a building material to avoid
heat gain in tropical sun and
sky glare.
Fig. 3.26 Solar power used in each chalet of the village
3.2.3.2 Working with Climate
The hotel is located in a specialized eco-system. mangrove habitat in a coastal belt. So
the hot climate occurs in breezes and direct solar radiation. Hence the designer has
worked with the existing mangrove forest in the coastal climate of the site very
sensitively.
The traditional built forms and roof style offer a springboard to a new architecture that
integrate the contemporary architecture.
The sky light has been used
to light up the bath room of
each chalet, to get
natural
light and ventilation.
Fig. 3.27 Natural sky light and ventilation
for the hath room
Design strategies has been used to cut off the direct solar radiation and withstand the
wind and rain.
68
3.2.3.2a Design statergies for tropical architecture
(i) Sun Protection
Lagoon
south
Fig3. 2H The layout of the holiday village
The lay-out of the village has been mainly oriented towards east - W e s t directions in
order to respond the views and sea breezes and wind direction. The direct sun path may
cut down by long eaves board verandahs. Due to East-West orientation some design
elements, landscaping are used to shade the buildings.
Fig. 3.2V The steep pitched roof with long eaves and
access for hreezes through the structure
•
Shading
The wide eves broad verandas and shade and shadow of mangrove vegetation
have eut down the direel sunrays and glare. The shaded courtyards, shaded
outdoor spaces have been encouraged. The shading elements or sun
breakers
provide
tranquill
the
needed
coolness.
The
shade
and
shadows
create
environment by penetrating tropical sun through the mangrove forest.
Fig. 3.30 Exploring the ecosystem an J experience the
shadows of the Mangrove vegetation
•
Vegetation and
Water
Fig 3.3 Section through the site
landscaping
have
been
carefully
handled
by
supplementing
the
existing
vegetation (mangrove forest and palm trees). The triangular courtyards are
created while conserving existing palm trees in the site and grasses have been
used in the landscape.
70
•
Openings
The glazed French window and another window provide views and get light. The
recess timber door will protect from sun and rain. The small light gets sky light
to the room and pergolas provide sky light to the bathroom. Some Windows
frame the sea views and get additional light and ventilation.
Fig. 3.33 Sea view though the west facing
gazed window create glare
•
Court yards
The
landscaped
internal
courtyards provide light and
ventilation
spaces.
light
to
the
Courtyards
wells.
Existing
interior
act
as
palm
trees are conserved by using
triangular
courtyards
creating walkways around.
Fig.3.34 Shaded internal courtyard reduce the heal gain
<$c Provide light and ventilation.
71
•
Structure
RoofsThe hip tiled roof is the strongest element in the Sri Lankan traditional
buildings. The double skin roof,insulation layer and timber ceiling reduce
the heat transmission though the roof. The thatch steep pitch roof design for
withstands the sea breezes also.
•
WallsExposed brick walls are used for exterior walls and cream colour
smooth
plastered walls are used for interior walls. Bricks have low heat storage
capacity and it reduces the heat transmission through walls .
•
Floors-
Terracotta tiles, cement rendered floors helps to minimize the heat gain and
reflection on floors and intensify the cooling effect.
(II)
Rain Protection
Steeply pitch roof and long eaves provide additional protection for walls and openings
from heavy rain and prevailing winds and breezes. Manually operated mats protect the
open common spaces (lobby, lounge, dining area), which are overhanging in open areas.
(iii)
Sand and dust control
External landscaping by grass and existing mangrove forest prevent the sand and dust
coming from beach area, the paving, glass ground floors also contribute to control the
sand and dust.
72
(iv) Humidity /Wind Control
The
coastal
creates
topography
some
characteristics
cyclones
prevailing
special
of
tropical
breezes
wind.
and
Specially
sea breeze Hows during the
night.
with
The very steep
the
voids
is
roof
kept
underneath the roof.
Fig;3.35 Show the voids for wind
flow though the building
Fig;3.36 The large voids for sea breeze
Generally, the high humidity
of wet land in the coastal climate create problems. The
evaporative cooling reduces the temperature of the air and makes the space comfortable.
The mats are used to protect the humidity (as well as direct sun) during the rainy seasons.
Apart from that the high plinth prevents the dampness during the rainy seasons. During
the hot dry climatic condition the plinth act as thermal barrier .
Enclosed out door spaces encourage the out door living in order to experience the
tropical coastal climate and eco-system. Out door swimming pool, eating spaces, sun
bathing facilities, encourage out door living. The landscaping of grass and brick parings
reduces the ground reflection.
73
Fig.
3.3? Out door sun bathing facilities
Fig. 3.38 Out dour eating spaces
3 . 2 . 3 . 3 M i n i m i z i n g (he new Resources
(I)
B u i l d i n g w i t h a p p r o p r i a t e materials
Local building materials such as bricks, half round tiles, terracotta tiles and timber have
been used for the construction of the hotel, which are eassily found around Waikkal area
.The walls are constructed with exposed bricks or non plastered walls in natural form.
During the construction stage, skilled and
unskilled
labour had
masonry,
carpentry,
been
utilized.
woodwork
etc.
Lor
the
local builders and craftsmen had contributed
their wisdom with local building techniques
and local building standards.
This approach exemplifies the basic concept
of eco tourism and also reduces the energy
consumption
in transportation.
I he local
building materials act on insulated materials
to keep off the tropical sun and glare.
Fig: 3.39 The door made out of a local building
Material
74
(ii) Waste m a n a g e m c n t / R c u s c & Re-cycling;
The self contained and recycling methods have been used for waste treatment. The
production of compost for vegetable plots are encouraged.
The sewerage treatment plant is in operation. The well -trained hotel staff contributes lot
of waste disposal and they guide guests to separate recycling and non-recycling wastes
by using three different colour
dustbins. After separation, wastes are removed for
recycling purposes. The recycling papers are used in Ranweli resort and these are
provided by Green leaf program.
3.2.3.4 Respect for user
Ranweli holiday village mainly cater for local and foreign eco- tourists or nature lovers.
The concept of Splendor of Nature is further achieved though architecture, site planing
imageability, an articulation of spaces and selecting building materials etc. in order to
create eco-friendly architecture.
(i)
Imageability
The Chalet type construction with local building material resembles a Sri Lankan village.
The traditional built forms. Architectural elements .scale and proportions are reminds of
domestic Sri Lankan architecture, that integrate the image for the designing of the hotel
contemporary architecture.
•
•
Fig 3.40
Identify
the traditional
domestic
•
•
•
•
Central meeting point
•
architecture
•
•
•
•
Fig: 3.41
Traditional
village
layout
with
central
meeting
point
a
75
The use of loeal building materials such as bricks .timber, trunks of palm trees, half
round titles and
lay-out created village atmosphere as the image and created with
sensitivity to blend with the and natural environment.
The design has been very sensitively handled while maintaining an ecological balance.
The language of architecture carefully handles the attitudes and behaviour of visitors
Unconsciously, the architectural elements and emotional experience. The ferry-ride, long
walkways and village center may created for community living and uplifted the ecotourist experience for the user.
Fig. 3.42 ('osy and homely atmosphere
fig 3.43 The fluid interaction with the eco- system
Each individual involvement from the design to maintenance stage and number of
resources needed including human beings such as designers, builders and villagers also.
Local skilled and unskilled labour resources craftsmanship and local materials from the
site surrounding were provided for construction and maintaining purpose for the welfare
of the loeal people.
76
(ii)Architectural elements
•
Scale
The human scale buildings of traditional domestic architecture enhance the sense
of intimacy or an inviting quality of buildings. The modern interpretation of
traditional Sri Lankan architecture, its scale and proportion offer good climatic,
cultural and ecological experience through the holiday village.
Thus,
the
scales
architectural
of
the
elements
columns walls, roofs so on
and built form intensify the
homely
atmosphere.
The
scale of the buildings may
not over power the existing
character
of the
mangrove
habitat.
Fig;3.44
The intimate and inviting quality reflects through the
gahle roof Entrance porch
•
Volume
The hip roof has increased the volume of the space inside and the ceiling encourages the
physical and spatial comfort because the hot air flows up and thereby the cool air Hows
to the body level.
•
Enclosure plane
The exposed brick walls and terracotta tile floors and ceiling have defined the enclosure
plane. The visual properties of openings, timber panels, mats increase the quality within.
77
•
Colour and tcxtural effects
The
natural
colour
of
exposed
bricks,
coconut trunk columns, polished timber and
clay floor tiles may enhance the quality of
eco-friendly space. The natural colours and
texture stimulate the cooling effects or ecofriendly emotions that harmonize with the
natural environment.
Fig 3.45 Natural colour and texture
of exposed brick wall
•
Light
The tropical sunshine, skylight, rellective light, daylight arc used to create eco-friendly
tropical
architectural
space
defining
the characters
and
features
of the
site
by
Architectural elements. The tropical sunlight and shade has been used to create the
tranquill atmosphere to generate eco-friendly space within the holiday village.
( i n )l ' ' m o t i o n a l
Lagoon
Hg.
3.45a
experience of spatial progression
Gin Ova
Layout Platt-Spatialprogression
y<f^HlVf^
•'X
The approach way to the
delightful
the
village
country
shores of
following
roads
to
the
Gin oya create a
psychological impression of
nature excursion and give the
feeling of Eico
and
remoteness.
friendliness
Reduction
of the use of automobiles and
minimizing their penetration
into the site or eco system is
desirable.
•
Building approach
The double height gable roof entrance porch has inviting and intimate quality,
which create the sense of building approach. Similarly, the short ferry ride will
cross the river and glide the visitor to the mangrove forest.
•
About to enter
The walkway leads to the reception area. Hither side of walks way goes through
the forest and provides opportunity to experience the unique habitat. Hence, the
visitor's ' m o o d '
and 'behavior' gradually changes. The large open courtyards
alongside the walkway create a pause and act as transitional space of entrance
and stimulate the feeling of entering.
79
Fig 3.47
•
Walkway-leads
to
chalets
Entering sensation
Hie main walkway leads to the exact position of entering and the internal courtyard
provides visual contact with the exterior environment.
•
Having entered experience
The main entrance lobby transits the rest of movement path to main space and
generates the feeling of having entered stage of spatial progression.
The volume, lighting quality,
colour
and
textural
enhance
the
eco-friendly
sensation
to
communicate
one to pause briefly.
Fig 3.4H The exhibition and commercial area
effects
so
The climax
The main lounge space is the
'local point" of the spatial
sequence
and
important
space in the series of spaces.
I he large open space with
scenic sea view
makes
an
excitement and a pause. The
simple
non-decorative
architectural elements do not
distract
from
the
natural
environment. But here the
Fig 3.49The view of the main lounge
•
The intermediate connectors
The walkways connect other
spaces/bungalows
from
the
entry point towards the main
space and
other
secondary
spaces. The light and shades
provide forces for movement
along the required direction,
while
experiencing
the
mangrove forest and coastal
climate
Fig .3.50 Soothing semes and cleansing the body A miml
XI
3 . 2 . 3 . 5 Respect f o r site
(i)
Spirit o f place
The unique eco- system, winding rivers coverage to meet the sea. palm (ringed beach,
sunny climate and character contribute to create unique spirit in the site. The site itself is
a flat peninsula with palm garden surrounded by mangrove community
in the East,
lagoon in the North and sea in the South directions. The views of the green wonderland
of breathtaking beauty of the site and the wonderful view of the colourful sun-setting in
the evening intensifies the spirit in the evening.
Fig.3.51
The
site before construction
I ii; 3.52
Hie building
oriented to
capture
die \un selling view and il intensify the
spirit o/
the place
in the
evening
The entire complex was conceived and built with the priority of site sensitive
development .The holiday village is spread out over a Hat peninsula, where mangrove
forest and winding rivers converge to meet the sea. The site is located away from the
bustling towns and reach to a delightful village, which separates from the main
land.
S2
(ii)Dcsigii layout cSf Uuill environment
Sea view
Mangrove Ecu-system
Lagoon
I'ig: 3. 53 The layout of the village
The design lay out of the resort offers a feeling of community
from the secluded
bungalows and created relaxed atmosphere at the central meeting point. It reminds the
traditional village layout
and community living. The bungalows also offer the privacy
and an excellent view of the sea and river. There are 72 bungalows and 12 family rooms
that nestle with this forest environment.
I he connecting walk- ways
open
out
tended
into
palm
beautifully
gardens
and
lead to the village- center.
The human scale
buildings
with simple plan forms are
maintained
without
ovei powering
dominant
the
buildings
other wards buildings
nature.
Fig: 3.54 The view of site from the feny al the entrance porch
most
or
in
with
83
The earthen quality of buildings and
traditional
built
maintained
the
forms
have
environmental
quality of the site. But here, it does
not achieve "touch the earth lightly*,
therefore
the buildings
become
a
burden to the earth. However, the
site has become the most prominent
feature. The low carrying capacity
has maintained of X4 bungalows in
20 acres. So the visitor ratio impact
is bearable.
Fig 3.55 The layout of the chalets gets maximum views <V priverey
Ihe Walk- ways have been created
to
experience
light
and
through
it
the
shade
the
unique
which
mangrove
habitat
penetrate
forest
in
tranquill environment.
Fig: 3.56 The spirit of place used for meditation
So the site is a good example of an eco- tourist location. I h e layout reduces crowding
and provids opportunity to experience the eco system and relaxation.()peness is the most
significant character of the Ranweli resort.
Therefore
explore
nature
and
experience
enjoy
lovers
the
the specialized
could
site
and
coastal
climate through architecture of the
hotel.
Fig 3.5~('onnecting walkways
84
3.2.3.6 Holism
Most of the Green principles have been achieved by the Kanwali holiday village very
sensitively. The modern interpretation of traditional
vernacular architecture and
technology have been achieved though the architecture to sustain the unique eco-system
providing eco-tourist experience and respond to present environmental problems in
tropics.
Concluding Remarks
a) Majority of Green Principles have been sensitively applied for the designing and
construction of the holiday village. The traditional domestic architecture, built form,
proportions, with local building materials and labour have been used very sensitively
and has responded for the eco-system and its characteristics and climate.
b) The nestle building layout, articulation, design strategies offer excellent visual
stimulation to experience the mangrove eco-system, architecture, climate and culture to
explore and experience for soothing the body and mind in relaxed atmosphere.
c)Nevertheless, the hotel has followed majority of green principles successfully.
CASE
STUD
Y-
THREE