Well-being Material Library

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Apichat Praditsmanont attended the launch of the Travel Tech Startup 2024 contest

MQDC STANDARD for All Well-Being

A great home should enhance your life quality and ensure your well-being. A high-quality residence comes from a commitment to excellence and the highest standards.RISC and MQDC together created the “MQDC Standard” based on “sustainnovation” to enhance life for residents, communities, and all life with 3 focus areas:◾️ Energy & Ecology: Sustainable energy conservation and ecological systems under the concept of For All Well-Being. Buildings are designed and constructed with energy- and water-saving materials, along with high-efficiency, eco-friendly air conditioning systems to reduce greenhouse gases and minimize impact on surrounding communities. The design also promotes rich ecosystems and biodiversity.◾️ Health and Wellness: Prioritizing the health and safety of residents through natural ventilation combined with fresh air systems, use of non-toxic and low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) materials to reduce health impacts, and thoughtful design of lighting, acoustics, and safety within buildings. MQDC’s FAHSI air-purification tower reduces PM2.5 and improve outdoor air quality.◾️ Senses & Happiness:Spaces foster positive emotions and sustainable happiness, grounded in behavioral and psychological research. Spaces are tailored for all users, with careful selection of materials, colors, and natural integration in design to promote relaxation, reduce stress, and enhance happiness in every aspect of living.The MQDC Standard serves as a comprehensive quality assurance framework from design through to construction and operation. It helps all teams set, maintain, and check standards at every stage. Regular inspections by experts ensure quality.MQDC Standard: Structural Standards◾️ Structures are designed to withstand earthquakes according to Ministry of Interior regulations, based on site-specific characteristics—for instance, Samut Prakan’s soft soil might be impacted by distant earthquakes.◾️ High-strength concrete is used without fly ash to maintain superior compressive and tensile strength, with no compromise on material quality to save costs.◾️ Roads and building foundations are supported by deep piles to mitigate soil subsidence and reinforce overall structural strength.◾️ The connection between walls and the main structure is designed with flexibility, using materials that can accommodate both vertical and horizontal movement.◾️ Retaining walls use the pile wall system instead of sheet pile to reduce earth pressure directly on the structural walls, ensuring long-term stability.MQDC Standard: Design Standards◾️ Practical and safe design—for example, laminated safety glass is used for exterior window frames to prevent dangerous breakage.◾️ All piping systems are centralized in dedicated shafts, with no floor penetrations. In the event of an incident (e.g., water leakage due to an earthquake), damage is contained within a small area. PEX seamless pipes are used in critical locations for greater durability.◾️ Floor drains are installed in corridors, and slope adjustments are made near elevators to prevent unexpected flooding such as from pipe leaks.◾️ Swimming pools are safely designed with large drainage systems and are set back from buildings to prevent fall hazards. A 2-meter perimeter is reserved for easy maintenance of drainage systems.MQDC Standard: Construction Material Standards◾️ All materials must be certified by structural and civil engineers, Thai Industrial Standards (TIS), and relevant engineering councils.◾️ Architectural materials must comply with TIS or environmental standards such as TREES, WELL, and LEED.◾️ Installation must follow manufacturer guidelines—for instance, tile installation requires spacing to prevent warping, and bathroom wall materials must be installed correctly to prevent detachment.◾️ Construction Management (CM) teams inspect every installation step—for example, ceiling framing must follow design distances and use standard equipment for safety and durability.MQDC Standard: Testing Standards◾️ Structural materials must be tested according to international standards such as ACI, BSI, ASTM, or their equivalents.◾️ Other materials, such as windows, must pass performance tests for air, water, wind, sound, and thermal resistance based on EN, JIS, ASTM, ANSI standards.◾️ Wind tunnel testing is conducted on high-rise buildings to ensure resistance to wind and seismic forces.◾️ Full-scale (1:1) mock-ups are created to review actual installation procedures, test systems, and resolve issues before full construction, minimizing on-site errors.A 30-year warranty offers further peace of mind to residents, covering 4 key areas: building structure, rainproofing, plumbing & electrical systems, and doors & windows.MQDC Standard goes beyond materials and structure to cover health, safety, and quality of life in every dimension. Story by Dr. Jittapat Choruengwiwat, Senior Vice President of RISC