Post by account_disabled on Feb 19, 2024 13:32:17 GMT 10
At the heart of Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore stands Gaia, the largest wooden building in Asia. But this is not a conventional wooden building, as it has innovative features that make it one of a kind.
Gaia is a -story building built using the Mass Engineered Timber (MET) system. This architectural choice follows in the footsteps of architect Toyo Ito, author of the first wooden building on the NTU campus, The Wave Sports Pavilion.
With its impressive , m , Gaia is positioned Phone Number List at the top of the list of the largest wooden buildings in the country by surface area. But its greatness is not limited to its size, as it also stands out for its focus on sustainability and energy efficiency.
One of the most interesting features of Gaia is the inclusion of a "sacrificial" layer of wood. This additional layer is placed on the external surface of the beams to block the spread of fire in the event of a fire, creating a charred layer that protects the main structure. Thanks to this innovation, Gaia is not only the largest wooden building in Asia, but also fire resistant.
Additionally, Gaia is the eighth zero-energy building on the university's campus. The Green Mark Platinum (Zero Energy) certification supports this, which means that the building generates the same amount of clean energy as it consumes, thus avoiding carbon emissions.
Gaia's sustainability is also reflected in its choice of materials . The wood used comes from certified red spruce forests in Austria, Sweden and Finland. Before being transported to Singapore, the timber was prefabricated into compact panels and beams ready to be assembled, reducing material waste and construction time.
Gaia's roof has photovoltaic panels that generate , kWh of clean energy throughout the year, enough to supply both the building and the apartments located inside.
Instead of using fans, Gaia employs slatted blinds as façade protection and also incorporates open areas, terraces and “air wells” to improve natural ventilation and indoor well-being. Its passive cooling system takes advantage of the natural tendency of hot air to rise and cold air to descend, thus eliminating the need for energy consumption for cooling.
In addition, a large skylight on the roof transforms the interior spaces into protected outdoor areas, providing a pleasant environment full of natural light.
The construction of this impressive NTU complex not only represents a milestone in sustainable architecture in Asia, but is also an inspiring example of how wood can be combined with technology and intelligent design to create safe and environmentally friendly buildings.
Gaia is a -story building built using the Mass Engineered Timber (MET) system. This architectural choice follows in the footsteps of architect Toyo Ito, author of the first wooden building on the NTU campus, The Wave Sports Pavilion.
With its impressive , m , Gaia is positioned Phone Number List at the top of the list of the largest wooden buildings in the country by surface area. But its greatness is not limited to its size, as it also stands out for its focus on sustainability and energy efficiency.
One of the most interesting features of Gaia is the inclusion of a "sacrificial" layer of wood. This additional layer is placed on the external surface of the beams to block the spread of fire in the event of a fire, creating a charred layer that protects the main structure. Thanks to this innovation, Gaia is not only the largest wooden building in Asia, but also fire resistant.
Additionally, Gaia is the eighth zero-energy building on the university's campus. The Green Mark Platinum (Zero Energy) certification supports this, which means that the building generates the same amount of clean energy as it consumes, thus avoiding carbon emissions.
Gaia's sustainability is also reflected in its choice of materials . The wood used comes from certified red spruce forests in Austria, Sweden and Finland. Before being transported to Singapore, the timber was prefabricated into compact panels and beams ready to be assembled, reducing material waste and construction time.
Gaia's roof has photovoltaic panels that generate , kWh of clean energy throughout the year, enough to supply both the building and the apartments located inside.
Instead of using fans, Gaia employs slatted blinds as façade protection and also incorporates open areas, terraces and “air wells” to improve natural ventilation and indoor well-being. Its passive cooling system takes advantage of the natural tendency of hot air to rise and cold air to descend, thus eliminating the need for energy consumption for cooling.
In addition, a large skylight on the roof transforms the interior spaces into protected outdoor areas, providing a pleasant environment full of natural light.
The construction of this impressive NTU complex not only represents a milestone in sustainable architecture in Asia, but is also an inspiring example of how wood can be combined with technology and intelligent design to create safe and environmentally friendly buildings.