OVERVIEW
Its name represents the surrounding City of Elmina, which embodies wellness and greenery. Embrace the art of living; the ‘R&R Elmina’ should reflect this overall concept through the design of the New Upgrading R&R as a symbol of a gateway to this city.
Both R&Rs are existing R&Rs situated along the Guthrie Highway. The R&R has long been serving the users of the highway as well as the surrounding neighbourhood.
The upgrading of design is to create a more refreshing R&R that is modern yet fulfilling its function as a stop area for the public, as well as to become a new hub for the public and upgrade the quality of public space, representing the client’s intention to incorporate the Green Passive Design Strategy
OBJECTIVE
To transform the typical ‘linear’, mundane and ageing existing R&R into a new Green version. To create better architecture through the enhancement of space quality and to enhance the corporate image of the client. To incorporate Green Passive Design Strategy, e.g. outdoor-indoor concept, biophilic design, and reuse of existing building material into the new R&R.
THE DESIGN APPROACH AND CONCEPT
- Materiality
Using exposed clay brick and raw concrete/cement plaster/steel structure and component for all new walls/structure without plaster and paint. Expressing the natural colour using a recycled existing building’s GI purlin as a building façade. - Sustainability
The Existing roof purlin has been recycled as a wall component and as a front façade/shading device facing east-west sun. - Biophilic Design
Interweaving of public spaces with greenery inside/ outside the building, open concept design for natural lighting and cross ventilation, blurring the boundary between spaces. - Improving Outlook/Spatial Quality
Transforming the typical existing R&R building as if it’s a new building with a modern outlook & better spatial quality and ambience.
STANDOUT FEATURES
- 1. A triangular roof at the extended dining area serves as a main focal point that can be seen from afar.
- A massive concrete gateway serves as the entrance, as a welcoming gesture and sense of direction to the public.
- An extended dining space with an al-fresco concept surrounded by lush landscape, thus creating a new dining experience within a green compound.
- Naturally-ventilated toilets and a Surau with natural sunlight, and lush landscape inside and out to create a cooling and healing effect. It is also more hygienic.
- Articulating the design with natural materials like bricks, steel, concrete and cement plaster with minimal plaster and paint.
- Recycled material – The use of the existing roof purlin as the façade and wall for the new R&R.
- Biophilic Design The new building co-exists with a lush landscape inside and out to respond to our tropical climate and design.
