Ken Yeang - At One with Nature

is properly ecocentric, in terms of designing and building wholly based around the science

of ecology. This is perhaps what differentiates his work and ideas from other ‘green’

architects, many whose credentials are essentially driven by engineering technology, or

are simply based on green accreditation systems such as LEED or BREEAM.

There are specific patterns to the manner in which Ken consistently assimilates

biotic constituents with the inorganic structures of the built environment. For example,

one device regularly employed involves constructing sustainable territories within the

wider development and then populating them with selected indigenous fauna species,

to augment the local habitat. These are coordinated with selected flora typologies to

create a multifarious ‘biodiversity matrix’ that goes much deeper than merely adding

greenery or landscaping to his built forms. The book specifically focuses on his practice’s

latest projects, defining and explaining every cutting-edge tested technology, and newest

innovation within each scheme. This is coupled with a pursuit of the aesthetics of

ecological design, seeking to define in terms of form and materiality what a green building

or masterplan could and should look like.

Ken’s continued persistence in advancing green design towards ecocentrism

makes it environmentally significant; the Guardian newspaper named him as one of the

‘50 People Who Could Save The Planet’ in 2008. That urgency is now increasingly being

realised globally, and his work has never been more pertinent or visionary. Ken’s belief

is that up until the last decade, architects sought only to prevent further impairments

of the natural environment. Today – with the extent of devastation and its impact on the

biosphere evident – the design effort must become a full ‘race and rescue’ mission. His

ideas are therefore relevant not only to those in the design professions but also to others

worldwide who share his concern for the future of the planet.

INTRODUCTION xv

xii INTRODUCTION

GREEN TECHNOLOGIES xvii

Ecological design as the seamless

and benign biointegration of

ecoinfrastructures

© Ken Yeang (2021)

xviii INTRODUCTION

FAUNA & HABITATS xix

Species research as basis

for creation of habitats

within the built environment

© Ken Yeang (2021)

xx INTRODUCTION

Built environment as bioengineered ‘constructed ecosystems’

LIM KOK WING UNIVERSITY MDTC xxi

LimKokWing University

Ecomasterplanning must start with green infrastructures

xxii CASA ROCK

H- House

Commercial Developments

Vegetated ramp as art gallery

2 COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS

Frontal facade shows symmetrical blocks

Intermixing

Biointegration patterns

West facade

SUASANA PUTRAJAYA 3

Suasana Putrajaya

Putrajaya 2C5 is a 14-storey mixed-commercial development in the city of Putrajaya, Malaysia, completed in 2017. The

building's design features incorporate a Central Promenade that acts as an active public realm with seating, planting

areas, relaxation zones, reflective pools, temporal event spaces with additional retail spaces, as well as covered

seating areas.

Green terrace

Biodiversity enhancement

Experimental fritted-glass facade

Eco-cell

Rainwater harvesting

Double-skin facade

Verandah as transitional space

Sky-courts

Type :

Commercial Building

Owner :

Putrajaya Holdings Sdn. Bhd.

Location :

Lot 2C5, Precinct 2, Putrajaya

No of Storeys :

14

Date of Completion :

August 2017

Overall Thermal Transfer Value :

29.11

Roof Thermal Transfer Value :

20.88

Energy Efficiency :

60% efficiency

Building Occupancy Quality :

80%

Water Consumption :

55% reduction

GBII Rating :

Silver

Site Area :

3.86 acres

Gross Area :

77,837 sm 2

4 COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS

Outer facade sun

shading glass

Mixed-mode cooling

at verandahway

Green vegetated facade

Central

promenade

Double-skin glass facade

Faceted glass panels

Section of facade elements

Provide air cavity with minimised heat and glare

penetration

1. Low E-Glass

2. OTTV: 29.14 W/m2

3. VLT: 50%

4. Ceramic Opaque Coverage: 53%

SUASANA PUTRAJAYA 5

Cantilevered sky gardens

Green terraces

Fritted-glass panels as solar-shading

and ventilated double skin

Social impact: A celebration space for the public

Fly over on Malaysia's

National Day Parade (31 August 2018).

6 COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS

This is a pioneering project that pushes forward many of the concepts and ecophilic technologies

that Yeang has recently been developing. Two tower blocks house a unique 14-storey mixed-