As food prices are ever increasing, self-sufficiency in terms of food will help the urban poor save daily costs yet not lack in nutrition.
Aquaponics is a sustainable food production method where traditional aquaculture (fish cultivation) meets hydroponics (growing plants with mineral nutrient solutions). Compared to hydroponics and aeroponics, this method is the most energy and water efficient method to grow vegetables and fruits while also raising fish for human consumption. Aquaponics uses 90% less water than soil-based growing.
Figure 1: Picture depicts an example of an aquaponics farm. (Source: http://www.proaqua.com/aquaponics)
This method mainly relies on the symbiotic relationship between the plant and the fish. The principle of aquaponics is that the effluents accumulated in the water from the fish tank is lead to a hydroponics system where the waste is broken down by nitrogen-fixing bacteria at the root of the plants. It is then absorbed by the plants as vital nutrients. The water which is now filtered and cleansed is repumped to the fish tank and the closed-loop cycle continues.
Figure 2: The cycling of the water from the fish tank to the growing tray.
As this method relies on natural processes, any addition of chemicals will endanger either the plant or the fish. For example, chemical fertilizers, if added, will be toxic to the fish and cause them to die. In this sense, it will require the home owners to practice healthy, organic growing.
In this system, a balance is required between the number of fishes in the tank, the size of the tank and the amount of plants grown. If a large tank is used with insufficient fishes reared in it, the plants will not receive enough nutrients to grow healthily. If too many fishes are reared, the plants will not be able to filter the water quickly enough and it might be too concentrated with effluent, thus becoming too toxic for the fishes. A good balance will ensure healthy growth of both the plants and the fishes.
The proposed aquaponics farm will be located next to the kitchen for the convenient retrieval of fresh produce. A variety of vegetables can be planted at the same time (it doesn't matter since they do not compete for nutrients in this system) to encourage consumption of different types of vegetables which provide different phytonutrients beneficial to the human body.
Figure 3: A variety of plants can be grown at the same time (here, water from the tank flows through the gravel).
Posted by TF101 DESIGN STUDIO at 20:31 No comments:
Figure 1: Exploded axonometric showing prefabricated steel construction and Bio-based materials
(Source: Author)
Steel
The superstructure for Zone.Zone House is mainly formed by Steel I-beam. The frame of the building is designed with consideration based on prefabricated building systems. Steel I-beams are prominently used in prefabricated building; this is because steel I-beam is easy to configure and install during the construction progress. Steel have been recognized for its strength, durability, and functionality, hence it can last throughout the whole lifespan of Zone.Zone House. Steel is relatively easier to be recycled due to its unique magnetic properties, hence at the end of the building’s lifespan, these steel I-beams can be reused or recycled.
Wood – Polylactic Acid Composite
Wood – polylactic acid composite is a combination of wood fiber and bio-plastic. Wood fiber can be harvested from recycled wood or industry timber residue, while the bio-plastic or known as polylactic acid is extracted from biomass, such as oil palm tree trunk and rice husk. Both sources of material for this composite timber are from natural resources, which fits the concept of sustainable material. Composite timber have good workability and advantages in water resistance and is low maintenance. Similar to plastic, composite timber can be molded into desired shapes, which can reduce the possibilities of material wastage. This composite timber will be used for Zone.Zone House’s floor decking and wall panel, where all of these panels are prefabricated into modular units for the ease of transportation, installation, alteration, and material management.
Fly Ash Concrete
Fly ash concrete wall is used for the internal partition wall in Zone.Zone House, due to the high thermal mass properties of concrete. The high thermal mass helps in slowing down the heat gain process, and keep the internal spaces remain in its thermal comfort level. Concrete is commonly used in most of local construction due to its availability and is abundant in the local material industry. Fly ash concrete is a combination of fly ash, cement, aggregate and water. Fly ash is a residue from burning industry. Previously it was not used but released to the environment instead. Fly ash is now used as a replacement of cement in a certain percentage, and by doing this, indirectly the amount of fly ash that is released into the environment can be reduced.
Tempered Glass
It is the main element for double glazing glass window. The glass pane is separated by a gap of air in between, where this gap acts as a filter to reduce heat transfer across the building envelop. This allows natural light to penetrate but as for the heat it isn’t transmitted into the internal spaces. Glass is a highly recyclable material, and by the end of the building lifespan, the glass panes from the windows can be reused or recycled into various glass product. By doing this, it helps to conserve raw materials, reduce energy needed to produce new glassware and minimize the use of landfill.
Polylactic Acid Plastic
Polylactic Acid Plastic or known as PLA, is a type of plastic created by using bio based resources, such as corn starch. It is a sustainable material which has the advantages of normal plastic, such as durability, waterproof characteristics and can be molded in any shapes and desired forms. The suggested PLA in our Zone.Zone House is based on local found biomass such as oil palm tree trunk and rice husk, where both raw material is abundant in Malaysia. PLA will be the main material for our planter box modular unit. This is because of its light weight and weather-resistant properties which is advantages. PLA is very clean to recycle as well, as it turns back to its original monomer after recycling without producing any harmful byproducts.
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