Thammasat Urban Rooftop Farm


Repurposing 236,806 square feet of unused rooftop space, the landscape architects helped Thammasat University envision and implement a solution with Asia’s largest organic rooftop farm—Thammasat Urban Rooftop Farm (TURF). Integrating modern landscape architecture with the agricultural ingenuity of traditional rice terraces, TURF creates an inclusive circular economy for the campus, incorporating sustainable food production, renewable energy, organic waste, water management and public space for all.


Inspired by the ingenuity of traditional agricultural practices on mountainous terrains across Southeast Asia, TURF’s landscape architects integrated the earthwork of rice terraces with modern Green roof technology. The cascading rooftop can slow down run-off up to 20 times more efficiently than a conventional concrete rooftop.


As rainwater zigzags down the slopes, each level of TURF harvests run-off from the previous cell, forming distinctive clusters of micro-watersheds along the terrace to helping absorb, filter and purify rainwater while growing food for the campus. By the end of its journey, four retention ponds await on each wing, capable of holding up to 3,095,570 gallons of water once combined. These ponds significantly reduce the volume of storm water leaving the site while mitigating unexpected flood and drought disasters. They present a solution to storing excessive run-off during intense storms for future use during dry spells.


Reusing the water from the retention ponds, TURF manages on-site water management to minimise water footprint on food production. A solar-powered pump pushes stored water upward for roof irrigation. Furthermore, the cascading layers of rice and vegetable plantations enrich the soil’s nutrition, reducing the amount of soil mass lost during heavy rainfall. This prevents polluted run-off as well as particulates airborne toxins from entering drainage systems and natural water bodies.


By carving into the mountainous architecture and maximising the use of the inclined surface, TURF utilises every level of the terrain to create multi-functional public spaces. Twelve individually designed areas on the slopes serve as oval- shaped outdoor classrooms, while small pockets dispersed along the staircases provide social spaces and access to the crops. A large amphitheatre provides an accessible and flexible recreational and educational space for all visitors.


PROJECT DATA Project Owner Thammasat University Landscape Architect LANDPROCESS Architectural Design Arsom Silp Institute of the Arts Interior Design


Dimensional Interpretation Studio (Din Studio)


Structural Engineering Degree System Co., Ltd


MEP Engineering TPM Consultants Co.,Ltd Construction Management CM49


Photos/Images LANDPROCESS; Panoramic Studio


4 Harvesting rainwater to feed the campus 5 Platforms for outdoor learning and socialising


SOCIAL SPACE


SOCIAL SPACE


1 SURFACE


OVERFLOW SURFACE


RUN-OFF CHANNEL 1


CASCADING ROOF SECTION


WATER


GREEN ROOF INSULATION AIR-GAP INSULATION


MEMBRANE SYSTEM


Image courtesy of LANDPROCESS


OUTLET FOR RUN-OFF TO LOWER PLANTER


DOUBLE ROOF STRUCTURE


PLANTER’S SOIL DEPTH


4 2 OVERFLOW PLANTER 2


Image courtesy of Panoramic Studio; LANDPROCESS


5


36 FUTURARC


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114