RIZAL TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY

College of Engineering and Industrial Technology

Department of Architecture

CHAPTER I

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction

Tourism is important to most developing countries and particularly to

those that have good climate, scenic beauty and strong cultural heritage. In

most cases, it has brought about a favorable foreign exchange. In the

Philippines the resorts are in demand to foreign and locals as it offers

relaxation, entertainment, and landscape view. Times goes by many

entrepreneurs invest in having a resort and hotel resulting to increase the

number of tourist spot here in the Philippines. But thinking about a great

waterfront resort will give the local and foreign tourist an experience of a

lifetime.

The demand of tourism has led congestion in boracay and palawan

one of the famous beaches here in the Philippines. Decongestion of

popular tourist spot by providing a recreation venue in San Isidro Puerto

Galera, Oriental Mindoro, a tropical white beach resort with inherent beauty

of coral reefs wherein the researcher proposed to do the project that will

defines the beauty of Puerto Galera.

 RIZAL TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
College of Engineering and Industrial Technology
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Therefore, a project was created by the researcher that will bring res

ort to the higher level of design and complexity. A combination of resort,

hotel, convention, swimming pools, and oceanarium, for indoor marine

interaction, water amenities, landscape, indoor and outdoor activity areas

biomimicry and organic architecture.

The researcher’s purpose of putting Oceanarium to a waterfront

resort complex is to provide an active ecological education and tourism

facility for Philippines. While Biomimicry is unusual use, it is the imitation of

the models, system, and elements of the nature for the purpose of solving

complex human problems a practice that simulate processes that occur in

nature. While the Organic architecture promotes harmony between human

habitation and the natural world.

Therefore, the purpose of the research paper is to study the

standard for a waterfront resort complex with oceanarium, biomimicry and

organic architecture. To contribute to the development of not just the social

but economic status of the Philippine tourism in San Isidro Puerto Galera

through evolution of resorts. Also this paper gives recommendation to

encourage investors, businessmen, capitals to invest on such projects.

Theoretical Framework

The research was conducted to fulfill the course syllabus as well as

to satisfy the researcher's proposal for a recreational, relaxing, leisure and

 RIZAL TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
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vernacular architecture for waterfront development and mixed use hub that

will cater to the upper class Filipinos for visitors and middle class. As a

result, the author must restrict the proposal on the Philippines-based San

Juan, La Union.

Throughout the ages, man has constantly sought, explore, enjoy

with nature. In doing so investors are investing to tourism attraction,

however natural environment has often been exploited to an irreparable

extent while society ignorantly believed the earth to contain infinite

available resources. Thus time man has come to realize the difference

between renewable and nonrenewable resources. The researcher wants a

recognition and preservation of these renewable natural resources in

creating a oceanarium on a waterfront complex that will practice and

learned the conservation techniques. Hence, that it will be educational

tourism for general public on the natural environment at San Isidro, Puerto

Galera becomes increasingly important for its preservation.

The researcher will adopt biomimicry and philosophy of organic

architecture to the resort, hotel, convention halls, swimming pools, and

oceanarium.

Biomimicry is the imitation of the models, systems, and elements of

nature for the purpose of solving complex human problems; biomimicry in

architecture and manufacturing is the practice of designing buildings and

 RIZAL TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
College of Engineering and Industrial Technology
Department of Architecture

products that simulate or co-opt processes that occur in nature. (Mortice,

2016)

"A philosophy of architectural design, emerging in the early 20th

cent., asserting that in structure and appearance a building should be

based on organic forms and should harmonize with its natural

environment."

(Dictionary of Architecture and Construction)

Conceptual Framework

The researcher used the INPUT, PROCESS, OUTPUT, in the IPO

Model for the study.

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

1.Demographic
profile of tourist local
and foreign in Puerto
galera.
Conduct of
2. The location, type
survey through A W aterfront
of services, no. of
questionnaire . T ourism
man power,
population. C omplex
Analysis and
3. The possible interpretation of
outcomes in creating data .
a resort in Puerto
galera.
 RIZAL TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
College of Engineering and Industrial Technology
Department of Architecture

Statement of the Problem

This research aims to study the principles and standard for the

preparation of planning a oceanarium, biomimicry and organic architecture

waterfront Resort complex.

Specifically, it aims to answer the following problems:

1. The rise in hotel demand due to the influx to San Isidro Puerto

Galera of local and foreign tourist. Despite tourism improving in

recent years

and the "Best Undiscovered Domestic Tourist Destination"

competition, there is increasing pressure for lack of accommodation

on the long city's beaches.

2. The largest foreseeable problem of the Oceanarium facility will be

the controversy created when phillipines is having an especially dry

summer and water rationing is put into effect.

3. The potential for organic architecture in the Philippines, the

impression of typical Filipinos when they organic architecture is that

they are buildings with plants, or that they look very similar in

nature. Not realizing that they're supposed to work as one that

contributes to the community.

4. Neglected possibilities of biomimicry as a green building on the

 RIZAL TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
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Philippines. Perceptions of common Filipinos when they hear green

building is that they are buildings that grow plants in them or they look

somewhat similar in nature. Not knowing that they should function as one

that contributes to the environment.

Hypothesis

The hypothesis of this research focuses on the application of

biomimicry and organic architecture and design accordingly to the basic

architecture guidelines for a Water Front Resort Complex.

Scope and Delimitations of the Study

This study focused on the preparation and designing of a Biomimicry

and organic architecture resort complex, to build and maintain all the

amenities and unite as one.

The researcher will also analyze the economic and environmental

effects of the plan on the site. It will cross every rule, if it will affect the

place and people, if it is harmful. The plan was designed to cover high-

class and foreign tourists from middle-class Filipinos. The researcher will

also cover the estimation of the project's population density, which will

impact the project's layout.

The study is not aimed at stopping resorts near the site and replacing big

resorts in the Philippines, but it does add to the country's beautiful features.
 RIZAL TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
College of Engineering and Industrial Technology
Department of Architecture

The research study was limited to learning how to create a building that

mimics and harmonize nature and will not set new standards on how to

construct a building.

Significance of the Study

Due to the rapid population growth in urban areas, and congestion to

famous tourist spots people nowadays are looking for ways to find breaks

and have freedom for a while. A new kind of relaxation can be created with

the proposed thesis project.

A proposed thesis project that will contribute to the progress of the

economic, tourist population of the San Isidro, Puerto Galera through

innovation of resort designing is a one way to see the proposal. By also

focusing on preserving the natural environment in creating a oceanarium

for us to be responsible and also to create a learning recreation area. The

project will also show how biomimicry and architectural organic resort

complex can greatly collide with the environment for a purpose. The

proposed thesis project will help to eradicate pollution to the surrounding

environment through new technologies.

The resort will make a big contribution towards changing the way of life

for investors, owners and people around. The proposed thesis project

could show that there are still more ways of getting closer to the natural

environment while still relaxing and enjoying the resort.

 RIZAL TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
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Department of Architecture

This research paper will help those who aspire to suggest buildings that

relate to nature and aspect of biomimicry and organic architecture to get

insights and tips. In addition, it will also be a great help in enhancing the

development of resorts in the Philippines to a world class level.

Definition of Terms

Waterfront a part of a town next to an area of water such as a lake, a

river, or the ocea.

Oceanarium a large seawater aquarium in which marine animals are

kept for study and public exhibit.

Biomimicry It is a concept termed biomimicry, which literally means

to mimic life. Design solutions adapted through the use of biomimicry are

intended to foster a more sustainable human experience and existence.

Major architectural design firms, in building and city design, are actively

using this new discipline.

Organic architecture used to describe his environmentally

integrated approach to architectural design. Wright was not concerned with

architectural style, because he believed that every building should grow

naturally from its environment. (Frank Lloyd Wright 1867-1959)

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CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

This analysis follows a thematic review that addresses the key

subjects of the proposal which also respond to the question of the research

asked. It splits the analysis into parts: 1. Waterfront resort complex should

be build according to tourist and local Demographic profiles. 2. Complexity

of the resort. 3. Oceanarium Design of aquarium tanks, Water system,

lighting. 4. Biomimicry and organic architecture application to the project.

Waterfront resort complex should be build according to tourist and

local demographic Profile.

Puerto Galera is a municipality of the first class of the province of

Mindoro Oriental, Philippines that is formally the Municipality of Puerto

Galera. It is located in the easternmost part of the Oriental Mindoro and on

the south-western end of the island of verde, about 130 kilometers south of

Manila. The population of this is about 36,606. According to the 2015

census.

The traditional economy of the city used to be fishing and

subsistence agriculture, but with the boom of tourism at the end of the

1970s, the service sector became more and more important and led to
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population and economic growth. Of the 13 villages ("barangays") in Puerto

Galera, half of them now rely on tourism-based activities for sustenance.

The town has a number of business and commercial

establishments. Candava Supermarket, New Virgo Grocery, Parkway

Supermarket, Castillo Store are supermarkets in Puerto Galera. Major

banks include Philippine National Bank (PNB) Savings Bank, Rural Bank of

Puerto Galera, Maxbank, and other microfinance banks.

In addition, Mindoro is quickly becoming one of the key places in the

development of renewable energy in the Philippines. With several large

wind, hydroelectric, and geothermal projects under construction, the island

hopes to be a net exporter of electricity by 2016.

Tourism now represents the core activity of the city economy which

is well known for its beaches, scuba diving and entertainment activities,

The city and its beaches have also become one of the many sites of the

Philippines tourism industry.

This coastal town has a number of pocket beaches and snorkeling

and Scuba diving spots. The area was designated a Man and Biosphere

Reserve of UNESCO in 1973 and has some of the most diverse coral reef

diving in Asia. Since 2001, the marine environment has benefited from a
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huge reduction in the number of fishermen in the area, as they gain higher

revenue from tourism activities.

Puerto Galera is included in the list of the "Club of the Most Beautiful

Bays of the World", and is the only bay in the Philippines to be found there.

Among the beaches in Puerto Galera are Sabang Beach and White

Beach, which have an active nightlife with numerous bars and restaurants.

Both places are directly accessible from Batangas by bangka regular lines.

On the West, where is only a local boat connection to Abra de Ilog, the

planned road between the two cities has not been completed yet. On the

East, the city connects by road to Calapan through the Mindoro circular

road.

Sabang Beach is the main destination for foreign tourists. Big La

Laguna Beach and Small La Laguna Beach are considered part of Sabang

with resorts lining the beaches. Big La Laguna Beach is visited by local

swimmers and snorkelers. The city of Puerto Galera has a large central

Catholic church and a pier area with some dining outlets.

White Beach is situated 12 km east of Sabang beach. It is

connected by trike or jeepney to Sabang Beach. White Beach remains

popular with local travelers and Filipino families. The place features a long

beach of white fine sand. Filipinos like to come here at week ends and
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during the holiday season. There is a long line of restaurants and a variety

of shops, the place is buzzing with life day and night. Since 2001, White

Beach has seen uncontrolled development. New restaurants and places to

stay are encroaching on the beach itself.

Behind the beaches are the generally unexplored mountain ranges

of central Mindoro. A local attraction is the 9-hole golf course located on

the hillside above White Beach which has views over Puerto Galera's

natural harbor and the Verde Island Passage. Mangyan tribes are

scattered over the mountainsides - some of the more remote tribes have

virtually no contact with the outside world. Of the eight tribes on Mindoro,

the Iraya are the largest. They are based in the Puerto Galera area.

Puerto Galera, especially Sabang area, is among the top diving

destinations in the Philippines and in Asia. Diving sites are found less than

5 minutes from Sabang Beach. The diving generally focuses around the

areas either side of Escarceo Point. Marine life is diverse. 180+ species of

nudibranchs are found in the area and many species of fish can be seen. A

variety of wrecks have been sunk over the years in addition to the one

wreck of an engine of a WWII Japanese patrol boat. The major diving

federations PADI, CMAS, NAUI and Technical Diving International - [TDI]

are represented in the area, offering courses from beginners' open water to

advanced and technical diving (rebreather). Diving trips in the Verde Island
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passage, at the heart of the Coral Triangle are organised from Puerto

Galera. Many threatened species such as a variety of sea turtles including

hawksbills, olive ridleys, and green turtles, humphead wrasses, giant

groupers and giant clams are present in the Verde Island Passage.

The accelerated development of tourism jeopardizes the

preservation of its delicate ecological system consumed by

"overdevelopment due to a thriving but runaway free-market tourism".

Currently this appears to be the "biggest problem" of Puerto Galera.

Accelerated tourist oriented development poses degradation to the

environment, among which, seawater pollution brought about by improper

sewage and wastewater discharges. Unless serious action is taken, with

regular seawater monitoring, this situation poses a serious threat to the

sustainability of various tourist activities at the beaches.

In the summer of 1998, extensive coral bleaching occurred around

Medio Island and a large section of a shallow coral reef system (referred to

as the "Coral Gardens") died. Since then the coral has regrown with a

larger diversity of coral species replacing the prolific table corals. Corals in

Puerto Galera were largely unaffected by the 2010 El Niño event. The local

government declared the 4,828 ha of the municipal waters (12,690 ha) as

protected waters giving special protection to corals and reef fishes.

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In 2006 two super typhoons damaged the shallow reefs around

Escarceo Point. A major section of the faster-growing coral species

growing up to a depth of 6 metres (20 ft) was destroyed. This represented

about 5% of the coral reef in the area. Extensive signs of new coral

recruitment were noted in mid-2008. Acropora species (staghorn and table

coral) rapidly recolonized the area so that most of the damaged coral has

been replaced with new growth.

Complexity of the resort.

Oceanarium Design of aquarium tanks, Water system, lighting.

Flexibility built into a new aquarium allows for periodic alterations

and new exhibits, which is important to its continuing commercial success.

Consequently it will be more responsive to new developments in exhibition

techniques and will be able to respond to the increasingly sophisticated

demands of its visitors.

In an aquarium complex with several display areas, the sequence of

exhibits and information must be easily understood by visitors. The

sequence may combine large tank displays housing a variety of animals,

with small tanks showing aspects of aquatic life in detail. The trend is to

encompass entire ecosystems and present living animals within the context

of their habitat, in its widest sense, while also conveying information on

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animal behaviour, ecological and geographical aspects, water conservation

and pollution, the fishing industry and tidal mechanics.

The exhibits can be reinforced by a variety of multi-sensory

techniques and employ multi-media presentations. Each display addresses

a particular theme where biological information can be provided by

interactive devices.

Recent aquarium designs endeavour to recreate a complete aquatic

ecosystem in which natural replenishment is possible. The specific

environmental and behavioural needs of the exhibits have to be taken into

account; from the provision of rock arrangements to accommodate rock

dwellers and to allow fish to escape predators, to providing open space for

sharks to follow their continuous swim glide existence. The successful

exhibit has to combine the design skills of the architect and set designer

with the expertise of the biologist.

TYPES OF AQUARIUM TANKS

OCEAN SHORE TANK This is a tank that replicates the ocean shore,

complete with sand, waves and the shoe animal life. Wave machines are

utilized here to produce waves so as to create a natural effect.

GIANT OCEAN TANK It is generally a free standing cylindrical tank, 50 feet

in diameter and around four stories high with all windows all the way up
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and down. It has a depth of 25 feet of water. In this 20,000 gallons of salt

water live sharks, sea turtles, stingray, moray eels and other marine

animals. The giant ocean tank is a large basket of glass and concrete.

Compression rings to support the outward pressure of 22 feet of water tie

down its precast concrete columns together. The glass windows

surrounding the sand are 54 inches wide and 74 inches high. At the bottom

of the tank where the pressure on each panel approximates to 15 tonnes,

the glass is 3 1/2 inches thick and is made of four laminations. Glass fibre

piping is used for the piping purpose to meet the enormous pressure of

water. The circulation of this tank contains 200,000 gallons of water. The

sand is piled up into a slope, then the rocks are buried deep into the slope

of the piled up sand, then the rocks hold the bank in its place and prevent it

from collapsing. Rocks or the compositions of rocks are used as a focal

point for the fishes to rest. However a number of such elements should be

avoided, as shy fishes prefer to go and hide behind them thus deterring

their view.

SHARK CHANNEL OR TUNNEL The shark tunnel or channel should be

torroidal in shape or circular ended to allow for the large turning radius of

the sharks. The minimum width should be 24 ft. and a depth of 7 ft.

CORAL REEF TANK These tanks represent the tidal zone of the oceans.

They can go higher to depict the mid and the bottom zone. Though the
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coral reef tank can be constructed fully in glass the technical and the

constructional aspect need to be detailed out precisely. A full glass coral

tank requires specific maintenance. To avoid this, R.C.C. tanks can be

used such that it is punctured at different levels thus providing the view of

the different strata of the coral reefs.

The coral tank is designed so as to give the visitors a feeling of being in

water and observing closely the corals without the slightest fear of the

above mentioned dangers. A tunnel could be created so as to enable the

visitors to have a deeper look at the coral formations. Minimum depth

required in the tank is 15ft. (4.5mts).

Conditions required for coral development: 1. Corals are confined to clear

water less than 4000ft (122Mts) deep in nature. 2. The temperature should

not go below 65 degrees F. (18 degrees C). 3. The water should have

abundance of plankton to provide a food supply for the corals.

AQUARIUM TANK SHAPES The aquarium display tanks can have

different shapes according to the requirements:

RECTANGULAR BLOCK TANKS These types of tanks are suitable for

small fishes or invertebrates living in shoals and measuring 0.3 to 0.8m. In

length the size of the tank depends on the number of exhibits to be

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displayed in it. Usually for proper maintenance, tank capacity is restricted

to 1500 to 2000 gallons (6750 to 9000 litres).

Advantages: Since the form of the tank is rigid it can be grouped to form a

row; this type of layout is economical and saves on space. Tank with a

height of 0.6m needs to be arranged by the height of the visitors looking at

the centre of the tank. Larger heights must have a proper viewing window

distance maintained from the viewing tank.

Disadvantage: Since the arrangement is in a single row it tends to be

repetitive and monotonous and hence lead to museum fatigue.

SLOPING SIDEWALL TANKS: In these tanks the sidewalls are tilted to an

angle, the maximum being 45 degrees so as to avoid the fishes from going

out of the vision of the viewers.

Advantages: Due to the angle of the sidewalls feeling of spaciousness is

created as the walls go out of the visual field of man. This sort of an

arrangement facilitates better viewing. In all glass.

construction, side of the tank should be limited to the glass size, fabricated

to the required specification. Fibreglass can be used in such cases. It is

completely inert, light, readily altered, drilled and can resist water pressure

to a certain limit larger size tanks are possible with the help of concrete for

large size species.

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Disadvantage: The main disadvantage is that the spacing of these tanks

needs some considerations if it is to be made economical. Also the total

volume of the tank is restricted to 2000 gallons.

ROUNDED SIDE TANKS In this case the sides are rounded to prevent the

aquarium from looking like concrete tanks with rigid forms. They help often

to break the monotony. These are helpful especially for the sharks that are

incapable of sharp or abrupt turns.

OCEANARIUM TANKS Fishes, when swimming, tend to go in circles,

especially fish of large size like the sharks and dolphins. Thus the tank can

be circular, oval or doughnut shaped as shown earlier.

CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS FOR TANKS Ideal tanks are those that are

least costly, light in weight, readily altered or moved, inert in the seawater,

with hard and smooth materials among other things. Though there are

many materials available for tank construction, no currently available

materials from which tanks may be produced have quite all the foregoing

desirable features. The different construction materials are as follows:

FIBERGLASS: For small tanks containing about 2000 gallons of water

fibreglass or plastic, impregnated plywood seems to be a good choice.

Fibreglass is completely inert, light weight and can be readily altered or

diluted fibreglass is probably the most practical supporting material for all
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but the largest tanks since it is lightweight, strong, does not deteriorate and

can be easily fabricated into any shape. Adhesives for sealing the tank

include epoxy resins, polyvinyl chloride, silicone rubber and neoprene.

GLASS Sheets of polished plate glass up to 6m in length can be used. As

a thumb rule ¼ inches or 6mm. Thickness of the glass for 12 inches or 30

cm of depth could be allowed. Therefore water that is 24 inches deeper

requires ½ inches thick glass and 36 inches deep requires ¾ inches thick

glass. For an extra safety margin ½ inches should be increased.

Acrylic is the very versatile, can be shaped into dome, and can be shaped

into dome and cylindrical sections. Dome windows that project into the tank

can provide an intimate fish eye view of the aquarium. Cylindrical tanks can

provide attractive features, particularly effective when housing shoaling

fish; tunnel forms also, provide a unique underwater experience. Acrylic

can be separated but is a good insulator to cope with temperature

differences that would otherwise promote considerations. Acrylic can be

assembled with millions, sealant joints or with bonded joints. invisible joint.

structural mullions would require the panels to be designed to a higher

degree of safety. Panel sizes range from window panels 24ft long x 8ft high

and 8 inches thick to tunnels 65ft long 5ft radius.

WATER SYSTEMS There are three basic types of water systems: open,

closed and semi-closed.

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OPEN WATER SYSTEMS In open systems the water flows through the

aquarium once and is discarded. This provides water quality comparable to

that of the natural environment and there is no build-up of toxic metabolic

wastes; however, temperature control and pumping are usually costly and

filtration often is necessary. Hence an open system is not preferred.

CLOSED WATER SYSTEMS Water is continuously re-circulated in closed

systems and is only renewed periodically. Metabolic wastes must be

treated since they are not continuously flushed from the system. An

important problem is that ammonia must be rapidly removed or

transformed because it is harmful even at very low concentrations. In the

aquarium the bacteria that convert ammonia to nitrite reside primarily in the

filter material and a slow sand filter with a large surface area is usually

provided to ensure their abundance. Plant growth in the aquarium,

especially in marine systems are not usually sufficient to utilize the entire

nitrate produced by bacteria from nitrite. Although some aquariums have

operated many years with a minimum of water renewal, it is normally

necessary to replace from 1 to 10 % of the water per month to maintain a

low level of nitrates. The use of charcoal in both fresh water and seawater

system helps to slow down the accumulation of nitrogenous wastes.

Metabolic wastes also cause an increase in the acidity of water. Carbonate

compounds are commonly used to maintain an optimal level of acidity,

particularly when water renewal is infrequent.

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SEMI-CLOSED WATER SYSTEMS Semi closed are the same as closed

systems except that there is a constant connection to the water supply and

the problem of dissolved wastes is controlled by the regular addition of new

water; this system is more economical than the open type in terms of

temperature control and pumping. Systems vary through simple flow

through systems to completely automated recirculating systems with

special provisions for monitoring and controlling the physical and chemical

characteristics of water. The turnover rate or rate of water replacement, of

individual aquariums is important and should be no more than two hours. In

addition, aeration by means of air stones (diffusers) should be provided to

guard against asphyxia in the event of an unexpected water supply failure.

Fishes and invertebrates can also be maintained without filtration or

aeration in aquariums that are ‘balanced’ with plants; however, the balance

between plants and animals is very difficult to attain on a large scale or

even in a normally stocked aquarium, especially a seawater aquarium.

Freshwater pools for mammals and birds present a special problem. They

generally require a higher filtration rate and greater filter capacity because

they accumulate large amounts of faecal wastes. Air-breathing animals,

however, are not highly sensitive to water quality; thus, chemical

treatments, such as chlorination, which could kill fishes, can be used to

control bacteria and to improve water quality. Seawater formulas are

simpler; for a 2% sodium chloride solution will satisfactorily maintain

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whales and dolphins. Seals and sea lions have been kept in fresh water,

but this may increase their eye problems because of the osmotic effect of

the freshwater on the eye tissues.

CLOSED WATER SYSTEMS 1. Unless aquariums can be built near a

dependable source of water, which is unpolluted, disease free and clear

closed water systems become necessary. 2. Completely closed system in

which water is added only to make for the loss by evaporation. 3. The

closed system, which has some flows through. 4. The site selection need

not be dictated by unavailable fresh water source. 5. Environmental control

of various parameters such as salinity, temperature and photoperiod. 6.

Ease of monitoring as storage is in reservoirs. 7. Convenience of sampling.

8. Convenience of continuous visual monitoring. 9. Ease of maintaining

several systems simultaneously. 10. Preferential selection of the biota

without the danger of contamination of the water by the plank tonic forms.

Natural water is subject to seasonal temperature fluctuations and may be

subjected to nature’s effects as storms, floods etc. it may be carry various

parasites, pollutants are also taken care of in a closed water systems. By

equipping a closed water system with good aeration and an efficient

biological filter the two most serious problems-ammonia toxicity and the

change of the ph levels can be greatly reduced. The following parameters

have to be agreed to: 1. 500 litres of cultured water are needed by per kg
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of animals. 2. sq.m filter. 3. Bed consisting of 2.5 mm grains of calcareous

filter containing some magnesium shall be used. A flow rate of 80 litres per

minute through each sq. m of the filter bed surface shall be maintained.

Replacement of 25% of cultured water per month or in some cases 33%

every fortnight. The lamp and the water surface will prevent damage and

will cut down excessive losses due to evaporation.

WATER TREATMENT Water quality is of the utmost importance, as it

provides the life-support medium for the animals. Water treatment must

remove animal wastes, prevent the growth of harmful microorganisms,

remove toxic chemicals and maintain water clarity for viewing. It is

necessary to control salinity, hardness and algal growth. It is also

necessary to manage turbidity (resulting from suspension of fine air

bubbles, silt etc.), colour and light levels. An aquarium building needs a

specific engineering system to service the tanks, requiring approximately

90% of the building's area. The equipment includes filters, sterilisers,

pumping systems, heaters, reserve tanks, piping etc. Most aquariums have

been located near the sea and have an unlimited supply of sea water. The

water quality in the tanks is maintained by an 'open system', directly

circulating fresh sea water. When fresh sea water is unavailable as a result

of location or impurities, a closed system in which water is recirculated

becomes necessary. Water management filter systems include sand and

gravel filters, diatomaceous earth filters, biological and ultra-violet filters.

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Treatment to eliminate micro-organisms and algae include chlorine, ozone,

ultra-violet radiation, copper salts and protein skimmers. Each species

requires a specialist designed system.

MECHANICAL FILTRATION It is the straining of the solid particles from

the aquarium water. It does not remove directly the dissolved ammonia nor

does it remove the algae or the solid particles trapped in the plants and

other objects. Wave makers improve the chances of removing the trapped

solids through the mechanical filter or vacuum filters can also be used.

Mechanical filters use filter material such as sponge paper phlox etc.

sponge being the commonest. These filter media have numerous small

pores, which trap the particles. These get clogged after some time and

need to be cleaned.

CHEMICAL FILTRATION This is the removal of dissolved wastes in the

aquarium waters. The dissolved wastes are of two types, polar and

nonpolar. Chemical filtration in case of non-polar can be actively achieved

by filtering the water through gas activated carbon. This works best on

nonpolar wastes though it also removes polar wastes. Polar wastes can

also be removed by another method called protein skimming, which is very

effective in removing dissolved, organic. Gas is developed from carbon,

which is processed to develop large number of minute holes, which trap

non-polar wastes at molecular level by means of ion exchange and

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absorption, and carries out a process of molecular sieving. Reef aquaria

people are concerned about the phosphate leaching from activated carbon.

Low ash carbons have low phosphate leaching chances and they also

reduce the chance of undesirable pH shifts.

ZEOLITE This is another chemical filtrate. Protein skimmers are used in

reef aquariums. They have an ability to remove organic matter before it

decomposes. The process involves taking advantage of the polar nature of

the molecules, which are attracted, to the surface of air bubbles injected by

column of water. The resultant form is gathered and skimmed off.

INTEGRATED TOTAL FILTRATION: Modern advancement in filtration

technology has produced total integrated systems, which are aimed

particularly at the marine end of the fish keeping market. They include

some form of mechanical filtration followed by a biological filtration,

including a denitrifying filter. For marine tanks, such a set up also has

protein skimming. In an integrated system, filter parts are modular and

easily serviceable, but the combined bulk of the systems on top of the tank

often make special hood and lighting necessary.

Lighting manufacturers have responded to the different needs of the

aquarists by providing a range of bulb type and qualities. In general the

human eye responds to the aquaria lit with yellow green light because it

appears warmer and more appealing. Plants however prefer red/blue ends
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of the spectrum. Although some light is absorbed in the water, the average

aquarium is not deep enough or normally not cloudy enough, for these to

make an appreciable difference.

NATURAL LIGHTING This is a correct spectrum range for all animals and

plants. This encourages algal growth. But this is quite unpredictable and

uncontrollable. Excess of sunlight would cause excessive growth of algae,

which would suffocate the aquarium.

TUNGSTEN LIGHTING These are extremely unsuitable as a form of

illumination for any type of modern aquarium. They do not give an optimum

light spectrum for good plant growth and are efficient, converting most of

the energy into heat, rather than into useful light output. They are therefore

no longer recommended as they have nothing to offer to the aquarist.

Biomimicry and organic architecture application to the project.

Hotels in resort destinations show wide diversity, responding to the

tourist attractions of the locality as well as marketing requirements. Hotels

in rural surroundings, isolated from business and local users used to create

their own individual amenities. (Fred Lawson, 2000)

Biomimicry is unusual use, it is the imitation of the models, system,

and elements of the nature for the purpose of solving complex human

problems a practice that simulate processes that occur in nature. While the
 RIZAL TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
College of Engineering and Industrial Technology
Department of Architecture

Organic architecture promotes harmony between human habitation and the

natural world.