The Emerald Green Thumb
Sustainable Urban Farming Educational Centre
To change the perspectives of modern society and culture towards sustainable urban farming through learning, social communication and awareness of issues in Malaysia. This project is to design a educational centre that focuses on combining multi-functional spaces and activities which allows the public to get an experience with the 5 basic human senses through exhibitions, interactive programme, augmented reality , farmers market and cafe.
Urban Hijau is a local social enterprise specialized in sustainable urban farming started in 2013 and got officially registered in 2015. Their goals is to spread awareness and educate the public, mainly kids, adults, aspiring farmers and gardeners about permaculture (sustainable farming), healthy eating habits and profitable job in the farming industry in urban areas. It is also to encourage the public to plant their own produce to help avoid food crisis from happening.
Photo credits: uhijau.org
Reception Area
Concrete texture, light grey patterned tiles, wood and greeneries are paired together in the reception area to make space appear inviting with the light and soft component that soothe the eye of visitors. The tactile and visual warmth of the wood seamlessly up and over the backdrop, creating contrast with the Bespoke concrete curve L-shaped reception table. A customized curved mirror is installed right at the end of the table to create this continuous connection, linking back to the blooming hibiscus concept.
Waiting Area
The design of the waiting area is inspired by the concept of undulating hibiscus petals. The artificial green ceiling design is mounted with stainless steel wire mesh on both sides in this gentle curve shaped to represent the delicate process of blooming hibiscus. Aside from that, wood texture, fabric materials and soft tones are the main elements and colours used to give out this comfy and relaxed ambience so that visitors feel relax and not overwhelmed. On top of that, it is to highlight the plants in the surrounding as it is the main focal point of this centre.
Exhibit 1 : Permaculture | Aquaponic Showcase Area | Exhibit 2: Seedbank
The first exhibition area displays brief information on the importance of permaculture and exactly what is permaculture. Curved wooden panels for the information display are installed in a way that they protrude out. This creates a divider between one space to another. Further down is a virtual reality area that allows visitors to get a three-dimensional experience of what it’s like to be on an actual farm. The flowering effect is strongly applied to the ceiling.
Aquaponic showcase area is designed to engage the sense of touch and sight of visitors. However, on the right side is a seedbank that exhibit seeds that are being stored to preserve genetic diversity. In this area, visitors could scan the seeds with their phone and get in depth details about the particular seed. The structures mimics the hibiscus anthesis process, maturing and ready to develop into a full blown flower.
Exhibit 3 : The Issues
This exhibition area incorporates augmented reality that link phone to the interactive LED screen and it projects information on the phone about climate change, the pandemic, poverty and the food crisis happening in different countries and with this centre, we can save the earth by planting our greens easily even in an urban area, anywhere and anytime.
Organic Herbal Tea
The retail space that sells organic herbal tea that are planted in this centre. This is to encourage and promote healthy diet and to plant own herbs.
Café| Salad Bar | Cashier Area
The café and salad bar area is provided to allow visitors to indulge in fresh produce sourced from this centre. It also encourage interaction with one another.
Vertical Aeroponic Farm & Hydroponic System Area
To learn about future farming in urban area. The layout design of the farm and ceiling design is based on the hibiscus concept as it slightly rotates outwards as a process of blooming. The skylight is built to bring natural lighting into the space for the vegetables to grow better. Moreover, air conditioners are provided in the space to make sure the temperature is kept below 30°C, respectively, for successful plant growth. This area mainly uses wood and concrete material to put the focus on the vegetables with its vibrant colour.
Herb Garden | Mini Urban Farm
These areas are designed to allow visitors to get their hands-on and learn about the basic of farming and how to incorporate them at home with the help of our Urban Hijau's professional farmers. Ventilation blocks are used to replace the existing brick walls to promote cross ventilation and natural lighting. This area is kept simple with its design by using wood, concrete and rattan. It is to accentuate the vegetables and herbs in the space.
Rooftop Edible Garden | Rooftop Flower Garden
Visitors are taught to plant their own edible garden and with the knowledge learnt, they can adopt this quality and apply it at home too. Tinted glass roof are installed so that the rooftop space doesn’t get too hot in the afternoon but at the same time brings in sufficient amount of sunlight for the vegetables and fruits to grow.
As for the flower garden area, a seating area is built with a wooden structure that represents the individual flowering of hibiscus petals, spreading out. It is a place to rest and study the biography of the flowers with the guidance of our professional gardener. The blooming concept is further applied to the flowerbed with its curve and different height, representing the hibiscus petal shape and sizes.
