The Projection of Cloud Landscape
' The Underground Architecture'
Khao Luang ,Nakhonsithammarat
Khao Luang Trail Map
The proposal called ‘ Underground ‘. Reconception of hiking which
offer geologic experience and whole new level of natural phenomenon
underground. The project mainly focuses on creating a coherent and continuous
experience in Khao Luang National Park by creating new trait system and space
with a rock-cut architecture, Its location offers the beautiful and historical
setting of the well-preserved ancient tropical rainforest creates a potential
for the project to be even more exclusive.
The project is all about
creating a coherent and continuous experience, space by space. The
time frame is 3 Days 2 Nights with extension of time to appreciate natural and synthetic
phenomenon as well as another dimension of spatial experience within nature.
We are
going to hike with a group of 8-10 people with rangers. However, we are not
going to walk fast as usual, in order to see thing in depth.
Also,
hikers are not required to carry 10-15 kg as the project offer hospitality and
facility during the trip. They may forget about bringing sleeping bag, flysheet
and tent, which they are not necessary in this particular trip. All of these sum
up to 2-3k individually.
Overall Section
As Khao Luang is way higher than urban area, it become main
source of fresh water, flowing along watershed and being collected where two
watershed meet at certain point. Moist
evergreen forest, which can be found in the valleys and in damp gullies and
riversides. Over 300 species of orchids can be
seen within the park. Khao Luang is the only place in the world where some of these
can be found as its conditions and weather are very unique and suitable for
rare species for orchids.One of the most interesting area is the ancient tropical
forest. It is very high, 700-1000 msl, making it difficult to access and
well-preserved.
The atmosphere is intense with fog and steam, resulting
in condensation all around fern and moss And indeed,
it offer one of the best landscape scenery of Thailand and earn it reputation
for most difficult to hike. Evatranporation, commonly known as Cloud Sea is the characteristic
phenomenon of Khao Luang.
Geologically this mountain formation consists of a granite core under loose
soils. We can said it is the new born mountain as most bedrock recently emerge
from ground, creating such steep slopes. The average depth of soil is
approximately 10 cm to 50 cm.
Khao Luang Trail Map Zoom-In
There are total 6 space to walk through within the
project, including Gate, Hibernation, Purification, Enlightenment and Belvedere.
The criteria is we hike along the ridge line in order to reach the peak of the
mountain within the program and camp 2 time, on the way up and down of the
National Park.
Gate & Belvedere Axonometric
The very first space is
called Gate, the stimulation of struggle, difficulties and determination. Usually, we hike on ground which is superficial and tend to force
us to be aware of all surroundings. Rather, this space offer real-time section of soil
profile and geologic layers, where some part revel a real section of tree and
offer new challenge hikers to give a shot.
Gate & Belvedere Construction Details
By excavating ground layers into a path with a dimension of 3 m in wide and 4 m in height, the curvy rock wall functions as obstacles and a dimmy atmosphere force hikers to crouch, prone along the path. The limelight on top becomes a guideline as human instinctively follows where light goes
Gate & Belvedere Renderings
After a period of darkness, light is seen again at the bottom of the stairs, implying the beginning of journey.
Hibernation Axonometric
After
an intensive hiking, we will arrive at the campsite, Hibernation, a state a
deep sleep that to survive cold at night. Generally, campsite tend to be a real struggle which lead to uncomfortable with limited space to different functions such as cooking, gathering and sleeping. All of these have to be carried out in such limited space. This space hibernate deep underground and emerge a slight part for ventilation and lighting quality. The main important feature is space organization which no on-ground campsite could offer.
Hibernation Constuction Details
10 by 10 m volume is excavated to provide center and sleeping area. The center area is a gathering space where cooking and recreation are carried out. The a chunk of granite rock, covered with cold resistant material Tule mat act as comfortable bed which sleeping bag could be totally forgotten.
Hibernation Renderings
Another aspect of this space is the godray light that cast through shaft during a day. At night, these shafts become windows and protection from wild animal, as fireplace is set to keep temperature just right and it illuminate this space from inside to outside.
Purification Axonometric
The next space is located on monotonous ancient tropical forest, 1000 msl, which is the headwater where the freshest and purist water is first collected through condensation by cloud and steam. Bathing usually take place along rivers in a valley. It might be dangerous and uncomfortable because of slippery rocks and shallow steam. However, to get the best water and conditions, we must go to the headwater. The space takes advantage of steep sloop to create a subtracted space, programed to be bathing area, where water come from, Plants such as vine, surface and aquifers from different level leak through rock wall to form a reservoir. Once water level reaches maximum capacity, it will turn to be artificial waterfall.
Purification Construction Details
The
principle come from the study of hydrology, water always fall from high to low
land, underground and on-ground. This space applies the technique called
Indian-rock cut, which was used to carve out such vertical cut to create
subtract space, 20 m in height and 4 m in wide
Purification Renderings
Purest water is the main feature in this space, also such humid atmosphere will give the sensation of bathing with clouds.
Enlightenment Axonometric
This is a sculptural intervention inside a majestic mountain which provide decay logs as platforms to conduct the never-ending performance of nature.
Enlightenment Rendering & Video
Enlightenment, in this context means, to be with nature, understanding her dynamic, behavior and how humble and small we are, as well as experience the performance which allows sun, rain and the weak shadows of the moon to penetrate into the heart of a mountain, a never-ending performance of nature. Sunlight will slowly drift over the stone walls and piles of decaying logs where plants such as moss fern will grow according to dynamic of light, encompassing visitors in a silent shine to humanity. As a result, there will never be the same in every visit of hikers.
The Belvedere -The End-
The highest point usually is rockscape, where granite rock partially emerge
from ground to become a small balcony. Then I manipulate existing this
rockscape to offer safety and clear perspective of Khao Luang. A simple clean
cut from rock provide a flat surface that maximize potential of appreciation. The belvedere is the last viewing point in which it is possible to have a complete view of the landscape parallel with horizontal line. Here is the path that develops around the perimeter of the ridgeline and reveals the unseen landscape. After this, the path takes the hikers down along ridgeline, symbolize the idea of passage and achievement.
Design Summary
My project is my version
of architecture with no convention means like concrete, slab or column and
utilize what available within context such as hydrology, geography and most
important nature herself. It also integrates a balance between architecture and
nature as well as offer another dimension of spatial experience and natural
phenomenon.It offer more than on-ground experience,
limitation space, another dimension of appreciation. It becomes human intervention that maximize true potential of
nature and aims to be more authentic, more engaging and more open for everyone.
