Our partners Building Trust International are are aiming to save wildlife with eco-lodges. Building Trust international are pleased to announce a new sustainable design prototype for an eco-lodge that will assist local villagers protecting natural areas by attracting local and foreign tourists to see critically endangered species thereby creating local income that is not based on selling forest products. Building Trust international have worked alongside Atelier COLE, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the Sam Veasna Center (SVC) on a new eco-lodge designed and built by the local community, NGO partners and through a hands-on participatory design and build workshop.
Eco-lodges in Cambodia
Lodge designed by Atelier COLE in partnership with WCS and BTi © WCS and Building Trust
Building Trust were requested by WCS to work with the local community in Tmat Boey, in the north of Cambodia to design and construct a new lodge facility for WCS and SVC’s well established award winning eco-tourism project. The project is located in Kulen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuary and is managed by the Ministry of Environment.
Adobe plaster is placed onto bamboo weave. © WCS and Building Trust
Birdwatchers from across Asia and beyond flock to Cambodia for a glimpse of two of the world’s rarest birds: the giant ibis and its cousin the whiteshoulderedibis. The birds’ nesting grounds sit at the outskirts of Tmat Boey, a rural village where WCS and SVC have worked with the community to develop an eco-tourism project. This ground breaking project has turned village farmers into custodians of the natural habitats the wildlife around them inhabit. Protecting threatened forests and in doing so providing an income to the whole community.
The roof is lifted into position. © WCS and Building Trust
The community receive a conservation contribution from every visitor who sees an ibis while on their tour. These community contributions are then used by the village to purchase items such as medical supplies, school books and pay for repairs to local infrastructure. A great incentive for the locals to protect these magnificent birds.
The eco-lodge takes shape. © WCS and Building Trust
The design makes use of natural materials such as earth and bamboo. An adobe mix was created to place on the external walls with a lime plaster used to form a smooth, clean finish. Bamboo was sourced locally and used to create the roof and side wall facades. Recycled plastic bottles were collected from the local community and used to help create a staircase to reach the lodge itself, while also educating on the importance of recycling and reusing materials. It is hoped the newly designed lodge will attract wildlife enthusiasts from Asia and beyond who while being amongst nature will be inspired by the sustainably built lodge. The adobe and lime plaster have a cooling effect and the form creates a natural airflow throughout. The new building features moveable swinging windows which were built from locally sourced timber and can be positioned to allow guests to watch wildlife from thecomfort of their own room.
Community consultation at Tmat Boey. © WCS and Building Trust
The overhanging split roof was used to create a frame protecting the natural materials within. The concept of the wrap around angled roof is based on reducing solar gain on the walls and defining the building against the dense forest canopy with more than a nod to traditional northern Cambodian architecture.
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The workshop itself allowed for the crossover of skills between the Tmat Boey community, local contractors and Building Trust volunteers. Working alongside the community ensured ownership of the project by the people it supports. Building Trust are due to host a number of design and build workshops throughout 2015 promoting natural building, community engagement and sustainable construction techniques.
Community help out on site. © WCS and Building Trust
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WCS and BTI share a set of core values, valuing high quality outputs with a commitment to sustainability. We also share a similar approach; community consultation is at the heart of what we do, at every stage of the conservation process, because of this we are excited to work with BTI. Their beautiful, functional and sustainable designs help us increase the benefits that remote communities receive from the biodiversity values of the areas where they live and we work.”
Ross Sinclair, Director, WCS Cambodia Press Release from Louise Cole, Building Trust International
You can find out more about Building Trust International on their official LAN Partners page
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