Confidential Master Planning Project, Southeast Asia

Project Description

McLennan Design led the master planning and conceptual architectural design for a competition winning entry for the development of a new 500-unit ecovillage in Southeast Asia. The property owner, a non-profit organization dedicated to land conservation, was seeking proposals for a new model for how local low to mid-density residential development can meet market demands, strengthen wildlife corridors, honor local native culture and history, and promote community interaction and a sense of place.

Our team took the unusual approach of starting with a deep understanding of the land through the lens of a biologist and native culture expert. In depth evaluations of regional, local and site-specific biological flows, sacred sites, waterways and community connections helped to establish the buildable areas and served as the foundation for the architectural design and planning principles that followed.

MD spearheaded the development of a set of design guidelines and principles that informed the conceptual layout and architectural designs at multiple scales. We produced diagrams and narratives to support approaches for street layout including; the integration of stormwater features, wildlife crossing strategies, measures to “tame the car,” and provisions for play and gathering areas in central woonerf
(slow street) zones. The renderings we produced in-house were informed by the architectural design guidelines established early in the process such as; public spaces opening onto sunny outdoor rooms, solar roof orientation, courtyards for passive cooling and front porches for promoting community interaction.

The project is being guided by the principles of One Planet Communities, an international benchmark for community planning by Bioregional. It is also informed by, and several buildings will be certified under, the Living Building Challenge.