2022 Bamboo Competition - Half Pavillion "Blooming Roots" by Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman.

The 5th Guangdong-Hongkong-Macao Greater Bay Area-ASEAN International Colleges Design & Construction Competition 2022 - Malaysian Final Round
1ST RUNNER UP
UNIVERSITI TUNKU ABDUL RAHMAN
Congratulations!
BLOOMING ROOTS
‘Rooted below the Water, Blossom above the Land’
Wetland, as the ecological environment for Nansha Bird Park, is a “stopover” sites which provide migratory birds with appropriate cover before moving on to the next journey.
In relation to the half pavilion philosophy of “harmony between heaven and human”, the wetland ecosystem is seek as the existing nature environment, where bird and human inhabit. Simultaneously, the ability of mangrove to support biodiversity habitat, adapt and complement to the environment, make it suitable to be seek as a natural “half pavilion” to the wetland ecosystem, which facilitate harmonious symbiotic relationship among the human, bird and nature.
Therefore, the design concept of “Blooming Roots” is inspired by the mangrove tree in term of its analogy and function.
Firstly, the hyperbolic structure is used as the overall structural concept, as it is inspired by the function and aesthetic of mangroves branching root to hold the soil and stabilize shorelines against erosion. Just like the mangrove root, primary and secondary bamboo structure are all interconnected, holding themselves together, making the whole structure stands firmly.
Secondly, inspired by the breathing mechanism of mangrove roots, where pores are present on the exposed aerial roots to adapt to the oxygen-poor environment, thus the hyperbolic structure forms porous openings that are able to ventilate the inner space. Bamboo cross section is also used as sectional ending resolution to emulate the breathing pores.
Thirdly, inspired by the function of mangrove root as a marine life habitat, the secondary structure and bamboo wicker layer cover up half the pavilion, providing sufficient shelter for human, but also allowing integration of natural surroundings, acting as a harmonious shelter for human.
Lastly, inspired by the function of mangrove canopy as a bird habitat, the upper roof canopy structure is designed as a bird perch, imitating the tree branches that invite bird, allowing bird observation without disturbing them, achieving harmonious relationship between bird and human.