“Welcome to the no.1 green architecture, where people and nature become 1.”
Launched only this summer of 2015 by Dutch designer and manager in architecture, Raimond de Hullu, OAS1S™ seemed to be rapidly grabbing the spotlight in the sustainable architecture conversation, well at least the conceptual part, given how there is not much construction details and/or specification published yet.
Courtesy of OAS1S™
According to their website, “The OAS1S™ Foundation mission is global urban improvement by the OAS1S™ number 1 green architecture concept. Therefore The OAS1S™ Foundation supports realizations of OAS1S™ tree-like houses and forest-like communities.” This mission statement should be applaud as bold, radical and very courageous; bringing in a whole new dimension to the current conversations in green architecture. As of now, the dominant conversation in green architecture is mostly still the technically of designing net-zero buildings. However, OAS1S™ architecture opens a new door by proposing a “win-win-win concept for people, nature and society, with a mission for radical urban improvement.”
Courtesy of OAS1S™
Although I find the design of the building itself very conceptual, the planning of the “Green community” is extremely interesting. OAS1S™ communities are planned like the characteristic of forest, with mix trees with tree-like houses in an organic and public, compact and car-free lay-out. Aside from proclaiming to maintain a highurban density of FAR 1, while doubling the land use as a park, they proposed to have Community Land Trust that splits land and house ownership costs to make all green investments affordable. OAS1S™ markets towards the middle-class housing and people who demand high-quality and green living. Mixed-use is offered by different models for single and multi-family housing or hotel, more models are available.
Courtesy of OAS1S™
OAS1S™ architecture proposes to design its green architecture as trees, with tall, slim and detached houses averaging tree-like sizes (ca. 6 x 6 x 12 m) and vegetation facades. The interiors offers a fully customizable gross area of 160 m² over 4 floors (basic model). Each floors are connected by stairs with glass halls, and a 12 m high view towards a skylight. Each floor is differently directed to the surroundings by large windows with a loggia or French balcony. The design attempts to become the next desirable 21st century icon – one that fuses architecture and nature literally.
Courtesy of OAS1S™
OAS1S™ units are identical to trees in that other than consisting wood and leaves, it will also collect solar power, rainwater, produce oxygen and food, and provide shelter. The constructions are C2C, prefabricated of recycled wood, organic HQ insulation, green walls and triple glazing. The “green” installations consist of: Solar panels and boilers, water and air heath pumps, water and heath storage, grey water and filtration systems. How those technical installation are maximized to its efficiency in a randomized “forest style plot” is still unknown, but if those technically can be overcome, this simple and “smart” architecture has high potential to become the norm in future green buildings.
Courtesy of OAS1S™
Only time will tell if OAS1S™ truly becomes the “number 1 green homes beyond the currently highest certification standard.”
By : Delia Chang
