Project Details

General Information

The Tengger Desert, a major source of sandstorms threatening eastern China, has seen remarkable ecological restoration since the early 2000s through collaborative efforts of international funds, local government and non-profit organizations. Established by Mr. Xiangrong Wu in Alxa Left Banner, a non-profit group with initiative of “Planting Trees, Planting Hearts" has made the most outstanding achievement through sustainable planting approach and with the aids of volunteers from all over the world. The rangers of desert-locking forest, as they call themselves, often endure extreme weather conditions during long time operations in desert. Commissioned to design a field camp for rangers and volunteers, designRESERVE’s task is to create a durable, modular shelter system that also serves as a platform for public environmental education. The camp comprises nine modular units accommodating living room, kitchen, restrooms, showers, and storage. Each unit’s size and weight are optimized for transportation and fast assembly in remote desert areas. Arranged in a radial layout, the cluster, also called “Desert Ark”, provides a secure, aesthetically powerful, and spiritually enforcing retreat in the middle of desolate land.

Creative Solution (Creativity/Innovation)

The project utilizes reversible construction methods to minimize environmental impact, with the possibility of future relocations as reforestation program expand. Without permanent foundation, the complex sits on a platform of crushed stone, concrete canvas and reusable plastic pallets tied together by galvanized steel square pipe. Both physically and symbolically, the whole campsite is floating on sand. This approach significantly reduces the construction time, cost and energy consumption on site, while enhances the structure’s resilience to ever-changing “sand-scape”.

Social Impact (Inspiration/Impact)

The project achieves zero-carbon status and also fully self-sustaining. Adjacent to the site, lies a transient desert lake fed by groundwater from nearby Helan Mountains, providing natural water supply for desert-locking foresting and camp activities. Using septic system to collect and filtrate wastewater, the campsite is able to recycle 100% wastewater for irrigation and fertilization of planted areas. In summertime when daytime surface temperature could reach 45℃ high, the shading screen covering campsite effectively shades and reduces temperature for the deck and building interior. The campsite is fully powered by off-grid PV system consisting high-efficiency solar panels.

Participation/Cooperation

We worked with Prof. Weiguo Xu’s lab from Tsinghua University to develope and print the 3D concrete structures in a Wuxi Factory. The modules were then transported to Tengger Desert and installed with the help of local herdsmen.

Vision for the Future

As China’s first 3D concrete-printed structure in desert environment, the project not only supports ecological restoration in ethnic minority region of Inner Mongolia, but also serves as an architectural prototype for future extraterrestrial habitat of humankind. Each unit’s size and weight are optimized for transportation into unpaved desert site and crane lifting. All units are assembled in only three days. Many key interior fixtures are designed to integrate with the prefabrication of concrete body in the factory, resulting in minimal site laboring and easier maintenance. The structure's undulating curves can withstand extreme windforce as strong as 34meter/s in record.