marra + yeh architects: shelter @ rainforest

‘shelter @ rainforest’ by marra + yeh architects, sabah, malaysia image © brett boardman all images courtesy of marra + yeh architects

malaysian practice marra + yeh architects have completed the ‘shelter @ rainforest’, a zero-energy structure in the jungle of borneo, a five hour drive from kota kinabalu in the state of sabah. the location functions as an accommodation for a manager and guests of the forestry company which stewards 100,000 hectares of nearby forest with sustainable reforestation.

a modular framework comprised of local materials and timber verncalur construction navigate the difficulty of the remote site and lacking of infrastructure. the building features mirrored halves which are joined with a dog run and bordered with a veranda peering into the canopies of the trees. even with an average 26 degree celsius temperature at high noon, the interior remains 8-10 degrees cooler than the outdoors. two section sizes, 100×50 and 50×50 intend to minimize the yield per tree on scarce wood resources, introducing plywood for wall diaphragms and flooring. as part of the project, the architects planted 100 saplings of tropical hardwood species.

elevation image © brett boardman

(left) view from veranda (right) lounging on the veranda’s perimeter seating images © brett boardman

view into living spaces from veranda image © brett boardman

living spaces spill out onto the perimeter veranda image © brett boardman

wooden screens along exterior wall in the closed position image © brett boardman

vents along the roof’s ridgeline cool down guests sleeping in elevated beds image © brett boardman

site plan

section

project info:

project team: marra + yeh architects (sydney & malaysia) structural engineer: professor max irvine photography: brett boardman