Graft designed their Bird Island project as part of the Bird Island Green Home Competition held by the YTL group.
Located in Sentul Park, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia ‘Bird Island’ is an urban renewal development.

For the project Graft architects have designed a sustainable villa made with a silicone covered glass fabric. The skin twists and turns along the facade changing its transparency and guiding the view of the residents out to the landscape and views of the area. The tent structure reflects
sunlight and prevents direct sunlight to heat the main structure. Grey water fro sinks and showers will be able to be reused as part of the water drainage system they have incorporated.

The following is from the architects:

//Concept
‘We have applied an integrated strategy of developing a zero-energy house that seamlessly dovetails the economic and environmental advantages of environmentally friendly living with the needs of a demanding and cosmopolitan clientele. The environmental and economic features of this way of living do not conflict with our client’s lifestyle; rather it furthers their ability to comfortably enjoy their time at home.

While providing an expansive outdoor living deck that spans the whole of the site, the primary living space is concentrated inside cooled zones. A maximum amount of economical and energy efficient floor area is created and sheltered from the elements by a dynamic tensile structure. The traditional relationship between indoor and outdoor has been shifted, allowing for comfort while free of the bonds of traditional walls.

Extended living spaces are arranged separately from each other and bisected by landscaped areas with local vegetation. The surrounding tensile fabric flows through the interior, shaping and imbuing the spaces with sublime shading and view patterns. Heavy sliding curtains enclose living spaces and create privacy.

//Skin
The skin is a tensile, environmentally friendly fabric through which the outside world is seen. The skin turns and twists along the façade changing its transparency and guiding the view of the residents out to the landscape and views of the area. Viewed together, the individual strands of fabric create patterns which flow naturally over the skin.

//Materials
The construction materials have been chosen when appropriate from renewable or recycled materials. Special attention has been paid to select materials either for their low embodied energy, and/ or for their superior durability and performance.’

//Size: 16,000 sq. ft

For further information visit the architects’ website: www.graftlab.com.