Project author Singh Intrachooto presented the Holcim Awards Silver winner for Asia Pacific in 2011, Urban Farm Urban Barn, at the 9th Green Forum organized by Green Architecture Advocacy Philippines (Green AP) held in Manila on September 7/8, 2012. The forum brings together local and regional experts in green technology to share opportunities for innovative solutions in the face of the challenges of climate change.
Last updated: September 08, 2012 Manila, Philippines
Singh Intrachooto was a key consultant on the project and holds a PhD in Design Technology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He is also a Design Innovation Ambassador for Thailand’s National Innovation Agency.
Urban Farm Urban Barn is designed to be an eco-community mall that supports food security in Bangkok’s Rat Burana district, particularly during natural disasters such as floods or storms preventing produce from being delivered to the district. Vegetables and fruit will be grown using organic farming methods.
Event organizer Lilibeth Ducut-Abais explained that the concept of re-creating agricultural production on the 1.4-hectare site within the booming city of Bangkok, replacing a former textile factory and abandoned farmland was replicable also in the Philippines. “The Urban Farm Urban Barn is a very interesting project that could serve as a viable model here,” she said.
The event, supported each year by Holcim Philippines, also featured an exhibition of Holcim Awards prize-winning projects that demonstrate an ability to stretch conventional notions about sustainable building and also balance environmental, social and economic performance. The partnership with Green AP began in 2005 when Holcim Philippines asked for support in promoting the Holcim Awards competition. The Concrete Substrates for Accelerated Coral Restoration project from Cagayan de Oro in the Philippines won the inaugural Holcim Awards Silver for Asia Pacific.