Moss Bar
Design Year: 2017
Design Type: Commercial - Bar
General Info: Student Work - 3rd Year
School: Billy Blue College of Design
Computer program: 3Ds Max & Photoshop
Awards: 4th International Green Interior Awards
Student Project Division - Highly Commended
Download the 4th International Green Interior Awards Shortlist
Concept
We were given a brief to design a bar that would be located on the top floor of a Westfields in Pitt St Mall in Sydney. Through research on biomimicry & biophillia I discovered the sustainable benefits of moss which lead to the main concept for this design. I learnt that moss has many benefits to both the environment and to humans. I also included a bar with lower sections so people in wheelchairs can order drinks, and a separate room designs to lower sound and diffuse light for people with autism and other various disabilities to encourage social inclusion and interaction for all.
Sustainability
Concrete:
Concrete is the most commonly used construction material in the world today and its constituent materials occur naturally in all parts of the world. Concrete has excellent thermal mass and can absorb and store heat. It’s high thermal mass can significantly reduce energy requirements for heating and cooling in homes and commercial buildings. It is also very durable, has excellent sound insulation, can be recycled at the end of life. Concrete is the most economical, enduring and fit-for-purpose building material; delivering strong performance across the three pillars of sustainability – social, environmental and economic. Moss can also be grown on concrete. I also used a concrete base for my living MOSS logo.
Recycled & Reclaimed Wood: Recycling timber is an environmentally friendly form of timber production and is very common in Australia. Timber can be chipped down into wood chips which can be used to power homes or power plants at the end of life cycle. In this case, I have chosen to use both recycled wood for my flooring & reclaimed wood for custom furniture /joinery in my design. This helps reduce the stress on plantations, reduces landfill & gives the piece’s character.
Recycled Steel:
Steel is one of the world's most recycled products. Steel is 98% - 100% recyclable - which means its life cycle is potentially continuous. Steel scrap is a necessary component in the production of new steel & can have a life cycle of up to 60 years. Steel is suitable for recycling as it does not lose any of its strength or quality in the recycling process. Recycling steel is great for the environment as it lessens the strain on our natural and human resources, both presently and in the future.
Polyester:
Polyester is made from petroleum, a non-renewable resource that creates damaging environmental impacts during the extraction process. However, when considering the whole lifecycle of the fibre, from the raw materials, through the use phase to the end of the lifecycle, polyester is not as environmentally damaging as believed. It has lower energy impacts during the washing and cleaning phase and is also completely recyclable at the end of its life. Polyester textile recycling has been developed using the clear plastic water bottles, or PET as the raw material, a source of plastic that would otherwise go into landfill. I have selected polyester as my choice of fabric for the upholstery in the design. The material I have selected is stain resistant, water resistant, breathable, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, dust mite control, low vocs,and applies to BCA group 1.
Engineered Stone:
While there are pros and cons to the environment for both natural stone and engineered stone, I have chosen to use engineered stone table tops for the bar. Engineered stone is durable, strong, has a strong resistance to scratching, chipping, staining, heat and acid. It is easy to clean, non-porous, very hygienic, never needs to be resealed and lasts longer than natural stone, making it a good option for a busy bar. While stone is available from across the globe, locally-sourced Australian stone will help reduce any greenhouse gas emissions that are typically associated with importing goods from overseas.
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