Sea gypsies left impoverished by the Indian Ocean tsunami in Phuket, Thailand, are to finally benefit from construction of a modern eco-friendly cultural center on the popular tourist island.

PHUKET, THAILAND: Sea gypsies left impoverished by the Indian Ocean tsunami in Phuket, Thailand, are to finally benefit from construction of a modern eco-friendly cultural center on the popular tourist island.

Aiming to preserve the region’s Orang Laut sea gypsy culture and provide a sustainable source of income for the villagers whose homes and livelihoods were destroyed by the Indian Ocean tsunami on December 26, 2004, local authorities last week approved Bt6.9 million ($225,600) in government funding for construction of the modern cultural center.

Using a combination of natural and high-tech construction materials, local Architecture firm Able Arcitects designed the center to eliminate the need for artificial cooling in the tropical climate and enable it to generate power from renewable energy sources.

The contemporary ‘fish trap’ form of the center was inspired by hand-made fishing nets used by the sea gypsies and won its designers this year’s Green Leadership award in the BCI Green Design Award’s Institutional category.

Former Chair of the US Green Building Council Kevin Hydes was on the BCI Green Design Awards panel of judges, who awarded Able Architects for “innovative and environmentally responsible architecture”.

Made from the latest polycarbonate tiles and flexible photovoltic strips to convert solar energy, the cultural center’s transparent roofs are shaped and positioned to ensure natural ventilation.

Natural materials incorportaed into the center’s design include hemp and bamboo. The center’s two main buildings, an exhibition area and an activities building, are also surrounded by water and trees to provide shade and additional natural cooling.

Expected to be complete in late 2011, the cultural center will serve as a tourist attraction showcasing the sea gypsies’ traditional way of life, and will provide a sheltered area for the Orang Laut tribespeople to prepare for and perform ceremonies.

The entire site of the project covers 4,000sqm. The larger 182-square-meter exhibition building includes a ‘life exhibition’ a library and a reception and souvenir area.

The villagers will be able to prepare for and perform traditional ceremonies in a 144-sqm activities building, which includes a stage and waterscape.


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