Case study

Asian Architecture [ARC 2213/2234]
PROJECT 1: CASE STUDY
THE EFFECTIVE APPLICATION OF RECYCLED MATERIALS IN
BELUM RAINFOREST RESORT IN SUSTAINING JUNGLE
NATURAL MATERIALS
NAME: SOH YOU SHING
STUDENT ID: 0308010
LECTURER: MS NORHAYATI BINTI RAMLI
SUBMISSION DATE: 11.11.14

The effective application of recycled materials in Belum Rainforest Resort in sustaining
jungle natural materials
The effective application of recycled materials in Belum Rainforest
Resort in sustaining jungle natural materials
Table of Contents Page
Abstract…………………………………………………………………………………3
1.0 Introduction………………………………………………………………………...4-5
2.0 Sustainable Architecture………………………………………………………….6
2.1 Green Building Index (GBI) System…………………………………….6-7
3.0 Recycled Materials…………………………………………………………………7
3.1 Rammed earth…………………………………………………………....8-9
3.2 Bamboo……………………………………………………………………9-10
3.3 Belian wood sapling………………………………………………………10-11
3.4 Brick………………………………………………………………………..11-12
4.0 Life-cycle Assessment (LCA)…………………………………………………….12-13
4.1 Life-cycle Assessment (LCA) framework………………………………14-15
5.0 The effectiveness of using recycled materials in sustaining natural jungle
materials in terms of LCA………………………………………………………...15
5.1 Rammed earth………………………………………………………………..16
5.2 Bamboo………………………………………………………………………..17
5.3 Belian wood sapling…………………………………………………………..18
5.4 Brick…………………………………………………………………………….19-20
6.0 Innovative ways of recycled materials that could be used……………………..20
6.1 Broken glass bottles as wall cladding………………………………………..21
6.2 Cardboard………………………………………………………………………22-23
7.0 Conclusion………………………………………………………………………….24
8.0 References………………………………………………………………………….25
ARC 2213/2234 Asian Architecture 2

Abstract
The main objective of this research paper is to investigate how effective is the application of
recycled materials in Belum Rainforest Resort in sustaining jungle natural materials. This
research paper focuses on the different types of recycled materials used in Belum Rainforest
Resort and their respective properties. In order to sustain jungle natural materials, Life-cycle
Assessment (LCA) plays an important role for the manufacture process, transportation, usage
and maintenance of the recycled materials. Next, different research methods were carried out to
complete this research paper, such as observation through digital recording, document analysis
from case studies, books and also online resources. The four main types of recycled materials
found in Belum Rainforest Resort are bamboo, rammed earth, belian wood sapling and brick.
These materials are actually existing materials which used to be part of the building or materials
found on site. As a result, it was found that the recycled materials used in Belum Rainforest
Resort are very effective in term of sustainable through LCA. These recycled materials used in
Belum Rainforest Resort have low embodied energy and operational energy, and it require
minimal energy for maintenance. Besides that, there are other innovative ways of recycled
materials found that can be used, like wall cladding made of recycled water bottle, cardboard
honeycomb insulation made from recycled paper fibre and etc. In a nutshell, the recycle materials
used in Belum Rainforest Resort are sustainable to preserve the jungle natural materials.
Although recycled materials are not commonly used in our country yet, we can see that architects
nowadays are increasing the use of recycled materials so that it can be further developed and it
eventually it will become a common practice.

1.0 Introduction
“Species of plants and animals are disappearing a hundred or more times faster
than before the coming of humanity, and as many as half may be gone by the end of
this century. An Armageddon is approaching at the beginning of the third millennium.
But it is not the cosmic war and fiery collapse of mankind foretold in sacred scripture. It
is the wreckage of the planet by an exuberantly plentiful and ingenious humanity.”
(Wilson, 2002). The author of The Future of Life, Edward O.Wilson defines that the
state of our planet is caused by human activity, like deforestation, global warming,
pollution and more. Therefore, sustainability is very significant in order to sustain our
forest although it is not easily done.
There are different views and opinions of what sustainability is but the original
definition of sustainable development is the development that meets the needs of the
present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
(Brundtland, 1987). The principles of sustainable aim to address the problems of
environmental degradation and lack of human quality and quality of life, by supporting
development that is sustainable in economic and social terms and is capable of
retaining the benefits of a healthy stable environment is a long term (Sassi, 2006). As a
result, sustainability plays an important role as it will change the way we live and also
our personal ethnics.
Next, there are a lot factors that cause the negative impacts to the environment
and one of the factors that cause the most negative impact is the built environment. It
results from the extraction of materials, manufacturing process, the transportation
energy, the operational energy until its final disposal. The impact of materials use is
very complex and far-ranging. In order to sustain our jungle natural materials, there are

a lot of ways that we can do. Recycled materials are one of the most effective
strategies to reduce human impact on the environment. In this century, we can see that
society finds them obliged to reduce consumption and to take maximum advantage of
everything we have already produced (Bahamon & Sanjines, 2010). We can start to
see this happening in the architecture industry in Malaysia. There are different kind of
strategies we can use to achieve sustainability in architecture and recycled material is
one of the main strategies that can sustain our jungle natural materials in term of Life-cycle
Assessment (LCA).
This paper will investigate the effective application of recycled materials in Belum
Rainforest Resort in sustaining jungle natural materials by responding to the following
research questions:
Question 1: What are the effective applications of recycled materials used in Belum
Rainforest Resort in sustaining jungle natural materials?
Question 2: How effective is the application of recycled materials in Belum Rainforest
Resort in sustaining jungle natural materials in terms of Life-cycle Assessment (LCA)?
Question 3: What are the other innovative ways of recycled materials that can be used
in Belum Rainforest Resort?

2.0 Sustainable Architecture
The three main resources required to construct and run a building are materials,
energy and water. Sustainable architecture is an architecture which will consider these
three major resources in terms of their depletion and the environmental and social
impacts associated with their use (Sassi, 2006). Also, it is a kind of architecture that
“take less from the earth and giving more to people”. Another word for sustainable
architecture is Green Building. A green building focuses on increasing the efficiency of
resource use such as energy, water, and materials while reducing building impact on
human health and the environment during the building’s lifecycle, through better siting,
design, construction, operation, maintenance, and removal (Green Building Index,
2013).
2.1 Green Building Index (GBI) System
Green Building Index (GBI) is an assessment tool which evaluates a building to
achieve its sustainability in architecture. There are three stages of GBI Assessment
process which are application and registration, design assessment (DA), completion
and verification assessment (CVA). In Malaysia, there will be six main criteria that will
be based on for a building to be awarded the GBI rating (Diagram 2.1.1). As a result,
building materials is one of the most effective applications being used to achieve
sustainability in architecture among the six criteria.

Diagram 2.1.1: The GBI Rating System (Source: http://www.greenbuildingindex.org)
3.0 Recycled Materials
Materials advertised as recycled materials can have anything from 100 per cent
recycled content to as little 20 per cent or less (Sassi, 2006). Recycled materials can
be categorised into two types. One consists of manufacturing waste while another one
consists of post- consumer waste. Manufacturing waste contains of waste from the
manufacturing process of anything whereas post-consumer waste contains of
newspaper, glass, plastic containers and etc. In Belum Rainforest Resort, there are a
few recycled materials that can be found and it is used effectively to sustain the natural
jungle materials in terms of Life-cycle Assessment (LCA). The four main types of
recycled materials used are rammed earth, bamboo, Belian wood sapling and bricks.

3.1 Rammed Earth
Rammed earth is used widely in Belum Rainforest Resort. The architect uses it
to build as the wall for the villa and the café area of the Resort (Figure 3.1.1 and 3.1.2).
Rammed earth is a natural, healthy and non-toxic material as it is formed by
compacting damp soil from the site between temporary forms. Rammed earth acts as a
cooling device to the surrounding as it keeps the nearby areas cool and thus reduce
the over reliance of mechanical system. Rammed earth also acts as a load bearing wall
as it has the strength that can last for decades. Besides that, rammed earth is a
material that would resist fire and pest. It only requires minimal maintenance. It became
more popular nowadays as it is an environmental-friendly material compare to solid
masonry wall. According to Diagram 3.1.1, we can see that during the production of
rammed earth, the process is simple and firing process is not required at all.

Figure 3.1.1 and 3.1.2: The rammed earth used as the wall of the phase 2 villa and café of
Belum Rainforest Resort (Souce: Soh.Y.S.)
Diagram 3.1.1: Sketch diagram of manufacture process of rammed earth
(Source: Soh.Y.S.)
Step 1: Framework is built and a layer of moist earth is filled in.
Step 2: The layer of moist earth is compressed.
Step 3: Next layer of moist earth is added.
Step 4: Successive layers of moist earth are added and compressed.
Step 5: Framework is removed leaving the rammed earth wall
3.2 Bamboo
Bamboo from Belum Rainforest Resort is mainly recycled bamboo imported from
Indonesia. In Belum Rainforest Resort, it is used as roof structure; partition and also
shading devices (Figure 3.2.1 and 3.2.2). Bamboo is a very durable material as it can
last for 120 years. Besides, it is a very popular material used in Malaysia as it is light-weight
and flexible. Refer to Diagram 3.2.1 and 3.2.2, the construction of bamboo is
simple and easy compare to metal as it usually does not require any machinery.

Recycled Bamboo partition is also found in the washroom of Phase 1 Belum Rainforest
Resort because of it has the characteristics of anti-bacteria and anti-fungal.
Figure 3.2.1 and 3.2.2: Bamboo used as the roof structure and also partition in Belum
Rainforest Resort (Souce: Soh.Y.S.)
Diagram 3.2.1 and 3.2.2: A sketch diagram of the simple construction method of
bamboo shown in elevation and plan view respectively. (Source: Soh.Y.S.)
3.3 Belian Wood Sapling
Belian (Eusideroxylon zwageri) is a hardwood tree which occurs in Sabah and
Sarawak of Malaysia. In this tropical climate, only Belian, the hardest wood can last
more than a century. The architect of Belum Rainforest Resort imported pieces of
recycled Belian wood sapling as the material itself is durable and it is naturally resistant
because of the unique anatomical features, that it is nick-named as "Borneo ironwood"
(FRIM, 2014). Belian wood sapling is used extensively in Belum Rainforest Resort. It

acts as a screening device for privacy purposes. Also, it acts as a shading device for
the resort (Figure 3.3.1). The architect also uses this material as the railing around the
restaurant of the resort (Figure 3.3.2).
Figure 3.3.1 and 3.3.2: Belian wood sapling has been used as shading devices and railing of the
resort (Souce: Soh.Y.S.)
3.4 Brick
The brick wall used in Belum Rainforest Resort is actually salvaged bricks used
from the existing building on site. The architect did not want to waste the bricks after
the previous building has been taken down. Thus, he used it effectively as a decorative
wall cladding for the Resort (Figure 3.4.1). With the properties of porosity, salvaged
bricks can provide a comfortable condition for the users during day time and prevent
heat loss during the night. Moreover, brick is the good sustainable material as it can
resist and prevent the spread of fire due to its characteristics of low thermal
conductivity, zero flammability and high heat capacity.

Figure 3.4.1: Recycled bricks are used as decorative wall cladding of the resort.
(Source: Soh.Y.S.)
Figure 3.4.2: A close up of the brick wall that adds aesthetic value to the resort.
(Source: Soh.Y.S.)
4.0 Life cycle-Assessment (LCA)
Life-cycle Assessment (LCA) is the assessment of the impacts associated with
materials from their resourcing and manufacturing to their disposal (Sassi, 2006).
Another name for Life- cycle Assessment is Life-cycle Analysis. The specific material
will be analysed from its extraction of material until its final disposal stage through the
use of LCA.

Diagram 4.1.1: Process of Life cycle-Assessment (LCA)
(Source: http://www.greenspec.co.uk)
During the life cycle of a material or product, there will be relevant inputs and
outputs of the product system. Example for inputs are the energy and water used to
extract the raw materials whereas for outputs are the waste, emissions and by-products.
Diagram 4.1.2: Stages of product life-cycle, showing the inputs and outputs

4.1 Life-cycle Assessment (LCA) Framework
There are four phases for the Life-cycle Assessment framework according to the
International Standard for Environmental Management (International Standard 14040,
2006). Below are the four main phases:
Diagram 4.1.1: The Life-cycle Assessment Framework
(Source: http://www.pavementinteractive.org)
1. Goal and Scope Definition (Phase 1)
At this phase, it determines the reason to carry this study and functional basis
comparison is chosen.
2. Inventory Analysis (Phase 2)
This phase consists of the calculation of emissions and energy used by raw
materials and the emissions to the atmosphere, land and water.
3. Impact Assessment (Phase 3)

Phase 3 will evaluate the importance of potential environmental impact of a
product system through its Life-cycle Impact Assessment.
4. Interpretation (Phase 4)
Results from phase 2 and phase 3 will be collected and combined so that it can
find out the most significant input and output of the product system.
5.0 The effectiveness of using recycled materials in sustaining
jungle natural materials in terms of LCA
Life-cycle Assessment (LCA) will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of using
the recycled materials in Belum Rainforest Resort in sustaining the jungle natural
materials and also reducing the negative impacts to the environment. There are two
main energy during the LCA of the materials, which are embodied energy and
operational energy. The definition of embodied energy is the total amount of energy
used for extraction, transportation and manufacturing of the materials. Operational
energy is the total energy when the material is in operation, including the maintenance
energy of the material in the building.
5.1 Rammed earth

As mentioned earlier, during the production of rammed earth, only compaction of
earth is required whereas firing process is not needed, unlike bricks. Thus pollution,
such as greenhouse gases and toxic emissions will not occur during the process. The
main source of energy required will be fossil fuel (diesel) for the transportation and
extraction of soil and clay. As the earth is sourced locally for the manufacture of
rammed earth, the resort saves a lot of cost in terms of transportation. Also, there will
be low carbon emissions and energy released. Moving on, rammed earth is an
environmental-friendly material because it has low embodied energy (Table 5.1.1). The
use of rammed earth does not need any coatings or paintings thus it helps to reduce
the impact of deforestation.
Table 5.1.1: The embodied energy for rammed earth
Diagram 5.1.1: Sketch diagram of the Life-cycle Assessment of rammed earth
(Source: Soh.Y.S.)
5.2 Bamboo

The harvesting of bamboo is as simple as the harvesting of timber. So low energy
is required during the harvesting process. For sure, fuel energy for transportation is
required. Moreover, it requires minimal and simple manufacture process. Less pollutant
is being released during the process so jungle natural materials are actually preserved
and conserved.
Diagram 5.2.1 Sketch diagram of the Life-cycle Assessment of bamboo
(Source: Soh.Y.S.)
Bamboo is a material that is highly sustainable and cost effective. For
example, the bamboo in Belum Rainforest Resort is specified without any finishes
or coatings to maximize the potential for recycling, unlike metal. In addition,
bamboo is easy to construct which makes the construction energy low. It has low
operational and embodied energy as it requires low maintenance. The best thing
about bamboo is it can recycle or reuse again when it comes to the stage of
disposal.
5.3 Belian wood sapling

Although low energy is required during the harvesting of timber, the process of
harvesting will cause damage to the forest and ecosystem. Fuel energy will be used
during the transportation of timber to the factory. At the same time, air pollutants such
as carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide will be produced from the vehicle during the
transportation. Low energy will be needed during the production of timber compare to
brick as the process is simple.
Diagram 5.3.1 Sketch diagram of the Life-cycle Assessment of Belian wood sapling
(Source: Soh.Y.S.)
As mentioned earlier, the Belian wood saplings in Belum Rainforest Resort
are imported from East Malaysia, which are Sabah and Sarawak. Although it is
recycled wood sapling, the transportation energy is very high because it requires a ship
to transport the wood, which means a lot of fossil fuel (diesel) is consumed. Belian
wood sapling only required minimal amount of energy for maintenance as Belian wood
is a very durable material. When the resort come to the stage of demolish, Belian wood
sapling can be recycled again to conserve and preserve our jungle natural materials.
5.4 Brick
Brick is made out of clay. The main source of energy during the process of clay

extraction and the transportation of clay is fossil fuel (diesel). Its manufacturing
process, such as forming, drying, firing and cooling requires a lot of energy. Thus the
energy consumption for brick manufacturing is higher compare to steel. There will be a
lot of air pollutants being released to the environment during the process of mining,
manufacturing and transporting bricks. As we know, air pollutants are very harmful to
our health. These air pollutants such as carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen dioxide and
etc. give negative impact to our environment and we will not be able to sustain our
jungle natural materials. Also, chemical substances used during the manufacture of
brick will be released from the factory to the river which will pollute our environment
additionally.
Diagram 5.4.1 Sketch diagram of the Life-cycle Assessment of brick
(Source: Soh.Y.S.)

In Belum Rainforest Resort, as the bricks used are from the existing structure, it
saves up a lot of energy of quarrying, transportation and manufacturing of bricks.
When these recycled salvaged bricks are used from deconstruction, it reduces
the number of transportation. At the same time, the amount of pollutants released
to the environment will be reduced, such as carbon dioxide and carbon
monoxide. Thus, it improves air quality. Moreover, the Resort saves a lot in terms
of cost of materials compare to producing and transporting new bricks. Brick itself
has the characteristic of high thermal mass. This helps to save up a lot of energy
for the cooling and heating of the interior space. Overall, recycled bricks have low
embodied energy and operational energy as it requires low maintenance.
6.0 Innovative ways of recycled materials that could be used
In this century, the new generation of architecture uses more waste as a raw
material for construction. The results prove that the use of recycled materials can be
very diverse and it gives a very good impact to the society and the environment. In our
country, we are still unfamiliar with the use of recycled materials in architecture
industry. Some countries have further developed recycled materials and bring the use
of recycled materials to another level. As a Malaysian, we should learn from other
countries and start using recycled materials more often to conserve and preserve our
natural jungle materials.

6.1 Broken glass bottles as wall cladding
Figure 6.1.1 and 6.1.2: Wall cladding which made out of broken glass bottles
(Source: http://www.dezeen.com)
In Argentina, there is a Chalu family who used glass from broken bottles to clad
the walls of a patio in its refurbished casa chorizo (popular housing typical of the center
of Buenos Aires). The Chalu family wanted indirect light into the patio within the
restriction of tight budget. In the end, they used their famous local cladding technique
by smashing glass bottles in situ to obtain pieces of glass. After they had polished and
fixed onto a 1-inch base of white cement, they provided a cheap durable cladding that
requires no maintenance (Figure 6.1.2).
Diagram 6.1.1: Sketch diagram of the recycling of the bottles (Source: Soh.Y.S.)
Stage 1: A batch of used bottles is purchased.
Stage 2: Bottles are broken up with hammer.
Stage 3: Pieces of glass are applied onto a layer of white cement on the exterior wall
by hand.

6.2 Cardboard
Figure 6.2.1: The School Club designed by Cattrell and Vermeulen Architecture
(Source: www.blueyonder.co.uk)
Figure 6.2.2: The interior of the school which made out of recycled cardboard
(Source: www.blueyonder.co.uk)
Cattrell and Vermeulen Architecture who designed the School Club which locates
in United Kingdom developed this project with the participation of school’s pupils. This
project is inspired by origami and the architects feel that cardboard is the best
sustainable material to complete this project. The walls are made of cardboard panels
whereas the roofs were edged with wood so that it will be more solid and easier to
assemble. Furthermore, even pillars were made from thick cardboard tubes and they
were grouped together to form partitions.

Diagram 6.2.1: Sketch diagram of the recycling of cardboard
(Source: Soh.Y.S.)
Stage 1: The school cleans the cardboard and removes any metal or plastic clips.
Stage 2: The school’s teachers and pupils put the cleaned cardboard into a container.
Stage 3: A truck takes all the containers to the pulping plant.
Stage 4: The cardboard are soaked in water and then liquefied, turning into paper pulp.
Stage 5: Pulp is compressed and dried in cardboard sheets that can be used as
structure or as tubes.
Stage 6: The new construction material is taken back to the school as assembled to
form a new structure.

7.0 Conclusion
In a nutshell, the recycled materials applied in Belum Rainforest Resort are
sustainable in conserving and preserving the jungle natural materials. Although some
of the recycled materials are imported from other states or country, the environmental
benefits are very high.
As we know, the construction industry is one of the most polluting in the world and
the architects nowadays have been using waste product and make it into a useful
structure or building (Bahamon & Sanjines, 2010). We can see more creative and
imaginative building made out of recycled materials in this century. Reusing materials
bring to light a movement of diverse professionals from around the world who address
this fundamental theme: the reuse of materials with architectonic purposes (Bahamon
& Sanjines, 2010).
Besides that, the usage of recycled materials will raise the awareness to
environmental issues. Although recycled material is not commonly used in our country
yet, thus only through the increased use of these recycled materials can further
developed and their use ultimately become a common practice. Architects should also
encourage the use of recycled materials through building design and provides
appropriate recycling facilities in the building.
Lastly, in order to sustain our jungle natural materials, we must highly support and
encourage the use of recycled materials in our country through education so that our
next generation will know how to conserve and preserve our mother Earth in the future,

8.0 References
Anderson, J. (2014, March 7). Embodied Energy & EPDs. Retrieved October 30, 2014,
from http://www.greenspec.co.ukhttp://www.greenspec.co.uk/building-design/
embodied-energy/?$
Bahamon, A., & Sanjines, M. (2008). Rematerial from Waste to Architecture (1st ed., p.
339). New York: W.W.Norton.
Burnett, G. (2003, January 18). Cardboard classroom article for 'Permaculture
Magazine' Retrieved from
http://www.gb0063551.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/cardboard/
Etherington, R. (2008, June 8). ChalÃº house by Adamo-Faiden - Dezeen. Retrieved
November 3, 2014, from http://disqus.dezeen.com/2008/06/08/chalu-house-by-adamo-
faiden/
Gromicko, N. (2009, December 24). Bamboo Construction and Inspection. Retrieved
October 20, 2014, from http://www.nachi.org/bamboo-construction-inspection.
htm
Life Cycle Assessment. (2008, June 9). Retrieved October 10, 2014, from
http://www.unep.org/resourceefficiency/Consumption/StandardsandLabels/Me
asuringSustainability/LifeCycleAssessment/tabid/101348/Default.aspx
Life Cycle Assessment. (2010, June 16). Retrieved October 7, 2014, from
http://www.pavementinteractive.org/article/life-cycle-assessment/
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). (2013, September 7). Retrieved October 28, 2014, from
http://www.greenspec.co.uk/life-cycle-assessment-lca/
Sassi, P. (2006). Strategies for Sustainable Architecture (1st ed., Vol. 1, p. 296). New
York: Taylor & Francis.
Wilson, E. (2002). The Future of Life (1st ed., Vol. 1). London: Abacus.

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