SAMO: Seaweed Cultivation & Conservation Facility with Amenities

Idea projektu

Climate change has been an evident matter that scientists and researchers spend time on, bringing alternative solutions to combat this ongoing phenomenon. In this fast-driven world, industries and establishments rely mostly on “single-use” plastic as a means of commercial use and a marketing strategy to attract market demand. This led the United Nations to institute the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to address these destructive practices. Researchers and scientists alike find ways to reduce “single-use” consumption by introducing bioplastic alternatives. There have been studies from these researches using mushrooms, grains, bamboo, hemp, avocado seeds, and seaweed. Seaweed demonstrates significant potential in reducing carbon footprints and can be utilized for various purposes, including the production of fertilizers, an alternative to bioplastics, and as a food source.

Project SAMO (a Bisayan word for "brown seaweed") was established to foster collaboration among locals, researchers, aspiring seaweed farmers, and industry stakeholders. Its objective is to advance technologies related to seaweed and to highlight its significant contributions to economic development and environmental sustainability.

Popis projektu

As visitors and guests enter the building, the first thing they notice is the Reception area's unique appearance. The designer wishes to showcase the seaweed’s features, which are reflected in the columns and ceiling design.

The Seaweed Exhibition showcases several varieties of seaweed found in the Philippines, as well as information on seaweed's importance to the environment and industry. The space also caters to the rainwater harvest system. The Aquaponics area allows individuals to harvest available crops as well as purchase seaweed fertilizers and conditioners for agricultural usage. As they enter, the personnel will help them and provide a brief overview of the setup and crops being planted here. They will be given a basket and gardening equipment as part of their experience harvesting the crops provided. These crops will also be contributed as produce for the facility's food court.

The FABLAB Workshop is where people get to make their customized bioplastic ecobags. These eco bags are made out of gelatin sheets that are procured from the SAMO. After spending time enriching and understanding the capabilities of seaweed, visitors can spend their time frolicking around the greenspace and immersing themselves in nature. The Dry & Wet Laboratory is where researchers and marine biologists scrutinize and perform experiments to ensure the purity of the byproduct (Sodium Alginate) and proper culture of the seaweed seedlings. The seaweed is preserved in the cultured tanks for further research. Once the cultured seedling has grown to sufficient size, it is transferred into the ocean to mature naturally until it reaches its harvestable size.

Research Offices are placed adjacent to the laboratory for easy access as well as having a comfortable & focused experience in studying more about brown seaweed and its living conditions. This place is also efficient in dealing with collaborative work and meetings which would be done in the conference room. Restrooms are specifically constructed to meet the needs of the users of this facility. The food court allows visitors to engage their palates in a variety of seaweed-based dishes. People will recognize that seaweed is both sustainable and an investment in the food sector. Aside from that, guests can enjoy the beautiful view of Calero, Liloan's shoreline, and get to observe seaweed harvesting ahead.

Technické informace

The building is constructed with precast concrete that is durable and cost-efficient to use for every area of the facility. Polycarbonate sheets are used as roofing material with a UV-resistant coating and are lightweight to install. TPO (Thermoplastic Polyolefin) Membrane Roofing is used to deflect any harsh UV rays, is energy efficient, prevents the buildup of mold & algae, and is also cost-effective. Additionally, the installation of solar panels promotes sustainability and reduces dependency on conventional electricity sources.

Dokumentace

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