DESIGN REPORT FOR RETREAT

CENTER IN HORTON PLAINS

M J F M LIZNY
AR18706338
[Date]
ORIGINATION MODULE
 ABSTRACT
This report is based on the design project that we are currently doing for the origination module.
In this design report we are supposed to research on contextual studies on Horton plains and the
interesting findings of our own which is related to Horton plains and its climate. And also, we
have to analyze and evaluate the findings and finally come up with a critical argument for our
retreat center design to be done in future. I have explained about Horton plains and retreat
center and analyzed them well and concluded how I can design a retreat center there in this
particular environment which adapt to the climate and fulfil the requirements of the user.

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 LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 2.1.1 Location of Horton plains............................................................................................ 2
Figure 2.1.2 Map of Horton plains national park............................................................................ 2
Figure 2.1.3 Site plan ...................................................................................................................... 3
Figure 2.1.4 Site sections ................................................................................................................ 4
Figure 2.1.5 Loam soil ..................................................................................................................... 4
Figure 2.1.6 small stones on top of soil .......................................................................................... 4
Figure 2.1.7 ..................................................................................................................................... 5
Figure 2.1.8 views of site ................................................................................................................ 6
Figure 2.2.1 Sambar deer ................................................................................................................ 7
Figure 2.2.2 Leopard ....................................................................................................................... 7
Figure 2.2.3 Purple face monkeys ................................................................................................... 7
Figure 2.2.4 Fishing cat ................................................................................................................... 7
Figure 2.2.5 yellow eared bulbul .................................................................................................... 8
Figure 2.2.6 whistling thrush .......................................................................................................... 8
Figure 2.2.7 Spot winged thrush ..................................................................................................... 8
Figure 2.2.8 Sri Lanka spur-fowl...................................................................................................... 8
Figure 2.2.9 commonly found grass................................................................................................ 8
Figure 2.2.10 ................................................................................................................................... 8
Figure 2.2.11 ................................................................................................................................... 8
Figure 2.3.1 ..................................................................................................................................... 8
Figure 3.1.1 ................................................................................................................................... 10
Figure 3.4.1 ................................................................................................................................... 12
Figure 5.7.1 ................................................................................................................................... 16

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 LIST OF TABLES
Table 4.4-1 .................................................................................................................................... 14

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 Table of Contents
ABSTRACT ..................................................................................................................................... i

1 INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................... 1

2 CONTEXTUAL STUDIES ............................................................................................................. 2

2.1 Physical context ................................................................................................................ 2

2.2 Biodiversity ....................................................................................................................... 7

2.3 Environment and ecology ................................................................................................ 8

2.4 Social context ................................................................................................................... 9

3 ANALYTICAL STUDIES ON OWN INTEREST............................................................................. 10

3.1 Behavior of sambar deer ................................................................................................ 10

3.2 Shape of the landscape of Horton plains ....................................................................... 10

3.3 Problem identified.......................................................................................................... 11

3.4 Concept .......................................................................................................................... 11

4 RETREAT CENTER ................................................................................................................... 12

4.1 Needs of different age groups in a retreat center ......................................................... 12

4.2 Mundane requirements ................................................................................................. 12

4.3 Deeper needs ................................................................................................................. 12

4.4 Brief ................................................................................................................................ 13

5 CRITICAL ARGUMENT ............................................................................................................ 15

5.1 Shape .............................................................................................................................. 15

5.2 Connectivity.................................................................................................................... 15

5.3 Zoning ............................................................................................................................. 15

5.4 Light and ventilation....................................................................................................... 15

5.5 Adapting to the climate.................................................................................................. 16

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 5.6 Technologies that I am going to use to solve the issues found in Horton plains .......... 16

5.7 Colors and plants used in the roof ................................................................................. 16

6 PRECEDENT STUDIES ............................................................................................................. 17

7 CONCLUSION ......................................................................................................................... 19

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 1 INTRODUCTION
The retreat center is a place for restorative that means people go away from home to unplug
their workloads in a calm and totally different environment. Quietness fill our mind and heart
with peace. People require retreat center for meditation, yoga, rest, swim and walk and to build
spiritual practices. For this purpose, they seek for a calm place that is surrounded by nature. The
activities take place in a retreat center varies with the place where it is built. Different age groups
expect different types of recreational activities that will make them relax.
Horton plains in the central highlands, is a windiest and coldest place in Sri Lanka. It is well known
for the national park and the ecology that is consist of grasslands, marshy lands, montane
evergreen forests and aquatic system. Variety of flora and fauna species can be found there.
Herds of sambar deer, which ads more beauty to the plains are most commonly seen animal in
Horton plains. The elevation is about 2100m above the sea level. The unwritten history of Horton
plains belongs to the period of king Ravana and the written history is starting from 1830s during
the period of British ruling in Sri Lanka.

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 2 CONTEXTUAL STUDIES
2.1 Physical context

Figure 2.1.1 Location of Horton plains

Entrances to Horton plains national park

 1.Pattipola entrance
 2.Ohiya entrance

Figure 2.1.2 Map of Horton plains national park

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Site plans and sections

Figure 2.1.3 Site plan

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 Figure 2.1.4 Site sections

Soil type
Loam – mixture of sand, clay and silt
Good for foundations for its evenly balanced properties

Figure 2.1.5 Loam soil Figure 2.1.6 small stones on top of

soil

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Topography

Figure 2.1.7

Infrastructure facilities

Electricity - There is no electricity supply from the Ceylon electricity board. This region is getting
electricity through solar panels. The quality of solar panels they have installed are not enough to
fulfill the requirement. So the amount of energy they produce is comparatively lower than the
other regions in Sri Lanka because this place doesn’t get the maximum sun light due to the fog
and the mist. Some of the nearby regions are getting electricity produced by the wind turbines.

Water - The pumped ground water is commonly used for all the activities other than drinking.
The visitors has to bring drinking water that is needed for their stay in Horton plains.

Waste management - Usage of sustainable method to compose the organic waste but the non-
organic waste has to be carried back by the visitors. There is no any waste water treatment
methods in use.

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Views and vistas

Figure 2.1.8 views of site

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2.2 Biodiversity
Various types of flora and fauna species can be found in Horton plains which belongs
to countries wet and montane zones. Most of them are native and some are
immigrant. Elephants were also found in Horton plains earlier. But the British
colonials hunted the whole population during the past century.

Commonly found animals

Figure 2.2.1 Sambar deer Figure 2.2.3 Purple face monkeys

Figure 2.2.2 Leopard Figure 2.2.4 Fishing cat

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birds

Figure 2.2.8 Sri Lanka spur-fowl Figure 2.2.7 Spot winged thrush Figure 2.2.6 whistling thrush Figure 2.2.5 yellow
eared bulbul

Plant species

Figure 2.2.9 commonly found grass Figure 2.2.11 Figure 2.2.10

2.3 Environment and ecology

 Temperature during daytime ~ 17°c
 Temperature during nighttime ~ 8°c
 Annual rain fall ~ 5000mm
 Humidity ~ 65%

Figure 2.3.1

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2.4 Social context
Foreign tourist and local tourist visit here as couples, families or with group of friends. Some of
them hire a guide or a tracker to get the maximum benefit out of it and for security reasons. Most
of the visitors are middle age group because the children and the senior citizens doesn’t have the
body power to walk around Horton plains. Some people bring their own vehicle but some people
park their vehicles at the entrance and they get the trackers vehicles to explore.

Need for a retreat center in Horton plains

Horton plains has been declared as a world heritage site in 2010. This has resulted the growth of
the number of tourist who visit here. People visit from different region to feel the beauty of this
place. Most of them are like to spend over night to live with this nature. But the following factors
are stopping them from staying in an accommodation.

There are only two bungalows available to rent inside the Horton plains national park. But these
buildings are with poor facilities. The LED lights are not enough to light up the whole building.
This creates inconvenience for the people who stay there. The dormitory type buildings are not
suitable for families and also couples need more private space to stay. Sanitary facilities in the
existing buildings are very poor.

The buildings are not responding to the climate. The materials that has been used to build are
very common materials that can be found all over the island. They didn’t choose any material
that will adapt to the climate of Horton plains. They have built using bricks and asbestos sheets.
The existing buildings provides spaces only for sleeping and dining. They don’t have space for
recreational activities. Connectivity is missing in these buildings. These buildings exterior is also
not welcoming the people as well as the animals. And also people are unable to feel the
wilderness after going inside and locking their door.

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 3 ANALYTICAL STUDIES ON OWN INTEREST
3.1 Behavior of sambar deer
Sambar deer are commonly found in Horton plains. They roam as a herd not more than six
members. 6 years old completed male form a group of six including female and young sambar.
They have a very interesting specialty in hearing and smelling senses. When they feel like they
are in danger they make a wild sound which is an alert for all the nearby deers. They are very shy
type. When they see people they quickly disappear. How they adapt to the climate in Horton
plains – thick undercoat covered with full of hair. The coat absorbs the sun light and traps more
heat. They typically search for sheltered areas to eat and rest. They usually eat more grass, fruits
and water plants. They eat less during colder season. Moreover, they are good swimmers. Their
life time is approximately 20 years.

Figure 3.1.1

3.2 Shape of the landscape of Horton plains

Mountainous landscape covered with vegetation. The top of
The mountains are slightly flat, and the gradient of the slope is
Lesser. Mostly the mountains are stacked with each other and
Forming a continuous mountain range. The sizes of the
Mountains together are comparatively same in size.

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3.3 Problem identified
What I found throughout my research is the existing buildings in Horton plains are not inviting
the animals as well as people. Who stays inside the building are unable to feel the wilderness and
the unique ecology of the Horton plains. If the animals are not distracted by the massive building
structures which doesn’t blend with the nature they will move freely in the way they like. So,
people also will get the chance to watch the reality in animal behavior. This will make both parties
benefit from the building design. So, a building which flows according to the animal movement
and that responds to nature while making the user maximum use of it has to come up in future.
Because the architecture is for people even though the other factors also has to be considered
while building for the people.

3.4 Concept
Wilderness come into space through freedom of movement
The reasons for why people choose to stay in Horton plains are the ecology and wildlife. So, my
design intention is to satisfy the people by providing both. They must feel the ecology and
wilderness while being at the building itself. For that, the building must invite the animals
specially the herds of sambar deer that is most commonly found in Horton plains. How the
sambar deer perceive the environment is different from people. Since they are very shy type,
they are not happy with the massive structures which distract them. What they want is the same
topography that will not show any difference compared with other spaces in Horton plains. They
should be able to move freely as how they were. To achieve this concept, I have studied on the
movements of a sambar deer and how can I make it more freedom through the way I create my
architecture. Through this people will enjoy watching them from closer distance. Architecture is
for people and what peoples need is to invite the animals into the space where they stay.

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 4 RETREAT CENTER
Retreat center literally means a place for connection, reflection and renewal.

Figure 3.4.1

4.1 Needs of different age groups in a retreat center

 Children under 10 – painting, games, biking and lectures
 Teen age – meditation, yoga, painting, biking and fun activities
 Adults – meditation, yoga and lectures
 Elders – meditation, building relationships with same age group
4.2 Mundane requirements
 sleep
 dining
 sanitary facilities
 peace

4.3 Deeper needs

 Enjoy the wildlife from a closer distance
 living with nature

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4.4 Brief

Activities Types of users Number Required area of

of users the space m^2
Visitors rooms & Foreign tourist 10
dormitories Local tourists 15
Drivers & trackers 05 200
Minor staff dormitory Minor staffs 04 20
Sanitary facilities(T&B) Foreign tourist 10
Local tourist 15
Drivers & guides 05
Staffs 01
Staffs(minor) 05 40
Entrance lobby Foreign tourist 07
Local tourist 10
Staffs 01
trackers 01 30
office staffs 01 9
restaurant Foreign tourist 07
Local tourist 10
Trackers & drivers 04 75
kitchen cook 02 25
Observation tower Foreign tourist 05
Local tourist 03
trackers 01 12
Laundry Foreign tourist 05
Local tourist 05 20
Recreational space Foreign tourist 08
Local tourist 12

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 Meditation & yoga
Drawing room
Lecture hall
Playing area
Hot water pool
Bicycle parking
Services area
total
Table 4.4-1

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 5 CRITICAL ARGUMENT

5.1 Shape

The reason for this particular shape of my building is encouraging the animals movement over
the roof. This will not distract the animals because they look same as the landscape of Horton

Plains. Green roof also makes this building to blend with the nature.

5.2 Connectivity
Architecture is an art that connects spaces. Locating the spaces is very important while
designing a building. People has to feel comfortable to find the spaces easily. So for my project I
feel that it is necessary to connect the most common spaces with the lobby because that is the
starting point for their journey inside the building.

5.3 Zoning
5.4 Light and ventilation
Since this place is being covered by mists often the orientation of the building has to be done
according to the sun movement. Sun is the main source for light. And also, sun rise and sun set
are very interesting to watch. So that I have oriented my building towards the sun.

Cross ventilation has to be avoided in these types of buildings to avoid the cold air movement
inside the building.

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5.5 Adapting to the climate
Orientation matters for heating also. By directing the building openings towards the sun building
gain heat and people feel very comfortable to be inside.

The building is very compact, and the volume is less because to cater the climatic needs.

Part of my building is going underground because this will suit the colder climate and heat up the
building.

5.6 Technologies that I am going to use to solve the issues found in Horton plains
High efficient solar power

Rainwater harvesting system used to design the landscape with water

5.7 Colors and plants used in the roof

This is chosen according to how sambar deer perceive the environment.

Green, yellow - seasonal changes of plants

Blue - far away mountains appear in blue, so I am going to use this strategy to install solar panels
in the restricted area for animals.

Figure 5.7.1

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 6 PRECEDENT STUDIES

Sustainable home in California

 Architect – mickey muannig

 The use of sod roof has reduced the
energy consumption
 Of the building by half
 Sod roof is a good insulator during
winter

Wave house in France

 Architect - Patrick Nadeau

 Thermal insulation system and
 an automatic mist irrigation system has
been used

Vacation cottages in ice land

 Architect – PK arkitektar
 vegetation on the ground has been
re installed on top of the roof.
 award winning project

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Romantic Wildlife Retreat near
Yala National Park, Sri Lanka

 rooms are built in separate blocks

Landscape design
 Harvested rainwater has been used to
create artificial water body

bamboo house in Bali

 Walkways ways are covered to protect

the people as well as not disturbing the
environment

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 7 CONCLUSION
This design report describes regarding the design for the retreat center in Horton plains. The first
part of the report provides the nature of contextual studies describes about the physical contexts,
biodiversity and the ecology of the region by referring to its social context. These analyses have
helped to formulate the demands and the existing problems at the commencing of the project.
The second part of the report have briefly progressed with the analytical studies on the problems
identified, conceptual solutions derived with the reference to the physical landscape of the
Horton plains. The essentiality of the retreat center has been clearly depicted successively with
the context of different age groups and the mundane requirements. Furthermore, it gives a clear
interface regarding the immense need of the retreat center due to the wide range of recreational
interests aesthetically.
The final parts of this reports have been referred with the collaboration of precedent studies
based on this topic and the critical argument. The logistics have been formulated based on the
shapes, light, ventilation, aesthetic acceptability and the adaptation of the climatic requirement
in Horton plains. I hope that this report could be a more reliable pivotal reference to our project
that would be established throughout this module. Thank you.

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