The document discusses a zero energy building design competition entry that proposes a closed-loop design approach integrating aquaponics. The design proposes growing food on building facades using an automated watering system, with fish waste providing nutrients to the plants. The fish would be housed in a roof pond covered with solar panels, providing cooling to the building while also generating income. The overall goal is for the building to function as a large aquaponic system that meets energy, food, and economic needs through a sustainable closed-loop model.

1. Eco building - zero energy
building design competition
SRM WED 2020
SRMIST
BY
AR.A.GRACE ANSICA
SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE AND INTERIOR DESIGN, SRMIST
Design by Ar.A.Grace Ansica

2. Eco building - zero energy building design
“Zero energy building design is basically
balancing the resources, what we take by
giving it back – net Zero energy consumption”
The high initial cost which we say gets
nullified by the buildings operation is one of
the factor that people don’t really take this
sustainable approach seriously.
We expect something in return physically
than the hidden cost cut and also the reach of
any sustainable technique is important.
Having this in mind I have chose a eco
friendly, sustainable, welcoming strategy.
“CLOSED LOOP DESIGN WITH PRODUCE”
Design by Ar.A.Grace Ansica
Source:
https://www.assetzproperty.co
m/blog/sustainable-initiatives-
construction-industry/

3. CLOSED LOOP DESIGN WITH PRODUCTION
Nature follows closed loop system in everything, thus making the
waste as resource – cradle to crave. Example,
Design by Ar.A.Grace Ansica
Source:https://thechangeiwanttosee.com/blogmain/blog/2
016/02/15/what-can-nature-about-our-waste

4. CLOSED LOOP DESIGN WITH PRODUCTION
Any building can be designed with closed loop system, after knowing
the Needs in terms of resources such as water, food, electricity,
equipments, temperature, etc. , the supply, the availability, accessibility
and the waste generation.
The term production I here refer to it as economy generation, as
architects we prescribe spacial design but as time goes, our client
defines the same space with a new function, the reason is because he
finds a different function to be more important than the assigned one.
Design by Ar.A.Grace Ansica

5. CLOSED LOOP DESIGN WITH PRODUCTION
So, lets prescribe spaces that generates income, health and happiness
that a client would never want to change. My ideology is to produce
wood where we reside or work or study or anywhere we are related to.
This approach not only helps to develop a sustainable food system but
also to improve the liveability of the city. However meeting food needs
can contribute to other objectives of planning and urban design are as
follows:
• health and fairness
• sustainability and resilience
• livelihoods and opportunity
• community and amenity
Design by Ar.A.Grace Ansica

6. CLOSED LOOP
DESIGN –
RESIDENCE
Design by Ar.A.Grace Ansica

7. CLOSED LOOP
DESIGN WITH
PRODUCTION –
RESIDENCE/
COMMUNITY
Design by Ar.A.Grace Ansica

8. Eco building strategy
• The main function of a designer is to maximize the resources and to efficiently
regulate the indoor temperature, growing food in the façade reduces the heat gain
and also gives food.
• But how do we use façade to grow good? The automated system to water the
plants with nutrients is necessary. That is when the role of fishes comes into scene,
the wastes of fishes becomes the nutrients for the plant growth and in turn the
plant filters the water and give it back to the fishes. This process is called
Aquaponics.
• A accepted passive method to reduce the heat gain is to have roof pond, an
element of aquaponics, the fishes can grow in roof pond (which will be covered
with solar panels during daytime to produce the necessary electricity and kept
open during night times to get chilled and chill the house during day).
• The building becomes a large aquaponic system which cools down the building as
well as generates income through fishes and food generation.
Design by Ar.A.Grace Ansica

9. Design by Ar.A.Grace Ansica
Conceptual
community
design

10. Pedestrian
and cycling
Friendly
Community
Encouraging
more human
Interaction
And
happiness
Design by Ar.A.Grace Ansica
Conceptual
community
design

11. Design by Ar.A.Grace Ansica
Conceptual
community
design

12. Design by Ar.A.Grace Ansica
Conceptual residence in the community design

13. • Urban farming has the potential to bring productive uses back to
urban lands while creating jobs, social capital and green spaces
(UNDP 1996). The city being the production yard, the food need is
satisfied with local and quality food and at the same time creating
opportunities and awareness among the people.
Environmental Benefits
The practice of urban farming results in relatively cooler
buildings,decreased runoff, enhances biodiversity improves air
quality, lessens air and noise pollution due to fewer food miles,
makes the more greener, etc.
Social Benefits
Urban farming encourages place making, aesthetics, provides
employment opportunities for farmers and others who got
migrated to urban limits for job, ensures food security, makes the
place as social capital, encourages Community living and ensures
healthy and nutritious food for urban people.
Design by Ar.A.Grace Ansica

14. THANK
YOU
Design by Ar.A.Grace Ansica