WELL in Action: Future-Proof Your Building for Health and Resilience​

By RISC | 3 days ago

WELL in Action: ​Future-Proof Your Building for Health and Resilience​ Date: 27–29 August 2025​At DTGO CampUs​ราคาคอร์สละ 12,900 บาท ​รับเพียง 50 ที่เท่านั้น!!​​ชำระเงินได้ที่ บริษัท วี บีฟอร์ มี คอร์ปอเรชั่น จำกัด​​ธนาคารกรุงเทพ เลขที่บัญชี 133-5-47655-0 ​​​ติดต่อสอบถามรายละเอียดเพิ่มเติมได้ที่RISC mail: risc_admin@dtgo.com, ​RISC Line ID: risc_center, ​RISC direct call: 063-902-9346​-------------------------------------------------------- วันที่ 1:​Morning Session​ - บทนำสู่มาตรฐาน WELL​: อธิบายภาพรวมของ WELL Building Standard ครอบคลุมที่มา วัตถุประสงค์ โครงสร้างของมาตรฐาน และแนวคิดหลักด้านสุขภาวะในอาคาร​- แนวคิด Resilience ในบริบทของ WELL​: นำเสนอแนวทางการใช้มาตรฐาน WELL เป็นเครื่องมือสนับสนุนการออกแบบอาคารให้สามารถรับมือกับสถานการณ์ความเสี่ยงรอบด้าน ทั้งด้านสิ่งแวดล้อมและสุขภาวะ​- การเรียนรู้ผ่านเหตุการณ์สถานการณ์จริง แนวทางการประยุกต์ใช้ WELL สำหรับเหตุการณ์แผ่นดินไหวและน้ำท่วม ระบุข้อกำหนดภายใน WELL ที่เกี่ยวข้องกับการเตรียมความพร้อมและการป้องกันความเสียหายจากภัยธรรมชาติ​ Afternoon Session​ - แนวทางการประยุกต์ใช้ WELL สำหรับมลพิษทางอากาศ​: อธิบายข้อกำหนดของ WELL ที่เกี่ยวข้องกับคุณภาพอากาศภายในอาคาร และลดผลกระทบจากมลพิษ​- แนวทางการประยุกต์ใช้ WELL สำหรับมลพิษทางน้ำและภาวะขาดแคลนน้ำ​: นำเสนอเกณฑ์การจัดการน้ำที่ปลอดภัย และระบบสำรองน้ำในภาวะวิกฤต​- แนวทางการประยุกต์ใช้ WELL สำหรับการรับมือคลื่นความร้อน (Heat Wave)​: ชี้ให้เห็นข้อกำหนดของ WELL ที่ช่วยสร้างความสบาย (Thermal Comfort) ในสภาวะอุณหภูมิสูง​ วันที่ 2: ​Morning Session​ - แนวทางการประยุกต์ใช้ WELL Health-Safety Rating ที่เกี่ยวข้องกับการควบคุมความเสี่ยงการแพร่ระบาดภายในอาคาร​- การส่งเสริมสุขภาวะจิตในช่วงวิกฤตผ่านมาตรฐาน WELL​: นำเสนอข้อกำหนดที่สนับสนุนการออกแบบสภาพแวดล้อมที่ช่วยลดความเครียดและส่งเสริมสุขภาวะจิตใจของผู้ใช้อาคาร​- แนวทางการจัดการสารเคมีและวัสดุอันตรายภายใต้มาตรฐาน WELL​: อธิบายข้อกำหนดเกี่ยวกับการเลือกใช้วัสดุและการจัดการความเสี่ยงจากสารเคมีในอาคารอย่างปลอดภัย​ Afternoon Session​ - Workshop การประยุกต์ใช้ WELL สู่บริบทจริง ผู้เรียนร่วมฝึกวางแนวทางการนำมาตรฐาน WELL ไปปรับใช้กับสถานการณ์เฉพาะผ่านการวิเคราะห์เชิงปฏิบัติ​- ศึกษาดูงานโครงการ DTGO CampUs​: เยี่ยมชมอาคารสำนักงานที่นำมาตรฐาน WELL V2 ไปใช้จริง พร้อมรับฟังแนวคิดและกระบวนการออกแบบจากทีมผู้ออกแบบ​ วันที่ 3: ​Morning Session​ - การแนะนำ WELL Community Standard และ Health-Safety Rating​- อธิบายแนวคิดของ WELL ในระดับชุมชนและระบบจัดอันดับด้านความปลอดภัยภายในอาคาร พร้อมเปรียบเทียบกับ WELL V2 เพื่อสร้างความเข้าใจที่ชัดเจน​ Afternoon Session​ - ศึกษาดูงานโครงการ The Forestias และ The Aspen Tree​- เยี่ยมชมโครงการที่ประยุกต์ใช้แนวทาง WELL Community และแนวคิด Aging in Place พร้อมรับฟังมุมมองจากผู้เชี่ยวชาญที่มีประสบการณ์ทำงานกับโครงการจริง​

Why Isn’t This Year as Hot as Last Year?

By RISC | 1 week ago

Last summer felt a lot hotter—and there’s a reason. It was officially the hottest year on Earth in the past 175 years. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), global surface temperatures in 2023 were 1.55°C (±0.13°C) above the pre-industrial average (1850–1900), primarily due to global warming and an intense El Niño.This record-breaking heat was driven by the highest greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere seen in the past 800,000 years, coupled with warming from the Pacific Ocean during El Niño. The phenomenon began intensifying in 2023 and peaked in early 2024, pushing global temperatures to historic highs—including in Thailand.In fact, Thailand’s average temperature in 2024 hit 28.5°C, making it the hottest year in 74 years, dating back to records from 1951 to 2024.El Niño began to weaken by June 2024, however, and officially ended toward the year’s end. It was quickly followed by a short-lived La Niña, which began in January 2025. This led to a slight drop in Pacific Ocean temperatures and a temporary global cooling effect. But because this La Niña phase ended as early as March, its impact on global temperatures was brief—resulting in a summer this year that, while still warm, hasn’t been extremely hot.Still, while 2025 temperatures may be lower than in 2024, we shouldn’t be complacent. Much of the heat stored in the world’s oceans last year remains—and continues to contribute to long-term above-average global temperatures. This is why reducing greenhouse gas emissions remains an urgent and essential task we must all commit to—now more than ever.Story by Sirapach Mangkang, Geographic Information System (GIS) specialist, RISCReference byhttps://www.tmd.go.th/climate/summaryyearly​https://www.tmd.go.th/climate/El-Nino-La-Nina?show=25​https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/analysis_monitoring/enso_advisory/ensodisc.shtml?utm_source=chatgpt.com​https://wmo.int/media/news/january-2025-sees-record-global-temperatures-despite-la-nina?utm_source=chatgpt.com​https://wmo.int/news/media-centre/wmo-report-documents-spiralling-weather-and-climate-impacts?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExSTl4Vm85Zldwa0NZR1pnVgEeRsIDw0bfpWMgDWSE4OtG631k4VifzWwXia-mk80oEYs4t2Z6HGYAEHXXKyU_aem_6j0-pm_0CQ7VfuQ2MPMdvA#:~:text=The%20clear%20signs%20of%20human,social%20upheavals%20from%20extreme%20weather.&text=WMO's%20State%20of%20the%20Global,doubled%20since%20satellite%20measurements%20began​

What Do Animals Do in the Rainy Season?

By RISC | 2 weeks ago

ในวันที่ฟ้าครึ้ม และฝนโปรยลงมา ผู้คนมากมายมักมองหาที่หลบฝน เช่นเดียวกับสัตว์หลากหลายชนิดที่เลือกซ่อนตัวอยู่ใต้ใบไม้หรือพุ่มไม้ แต่สำหรับสัตว์บางกลุ่ม ช่วงเวลานี้กลับเป็นโอกาสในการออกมาเคลื่อนไหว และใช้ชีวิต​ฝนไม่ได้เพียงช่วยให้ต้นไม้เจริญเติบโตงอกงาม แต่ยังส่งผลต่อพฤติกรรมของสัตว์น้อยใหญ่ในธรรมชาติอีกด้วย โดยเฉพาะสัตว์ในกลุ่มที่ชอบความชื้น อย่างเช่น กบ เขียด ไส้เดือน หอยทาก และแมลงหลายชนิด ที่ออกมาเคลื่อนไหว ตลอดจนหาอาหารเมื่อพื้นดินเริ่มมีความชื้น เพราะความชื้นในดินช่วยให้พวกมันเคลื่อนไหวได้สะดวก และลดความเสี่ยงจากการสูญเสียน้ำผ่านผิวหนัง ขณะเดียวกันสัตว์ผู้ล่าอย่างงูขนาดเล็กก็อาศัยจังหวะนี้ออกมาหาเหยื่อ นอกจากนี้ ฤดูฝนยังเป็นช่วงเริ่มต้นฤดูผสมพันธุ์ของสัตว์หลายชนิด โดยเฉพาะสัตว์สะเทินน้ำสะเทินบก และแมลง ความชื้นและแหล่งน้ำตื้นที่เกิดขึ้นชั่วคราวช่วยให้เอื้อต่อการวางไข่ และการเติบโตของตัวอ่อนอีกด้วย​สำหรับใครที่ต้องการสร้างสวนในบ้านที่เป็นมิตรกับธรรมชาติ ก็สามารถเริ่มจากการจัดการพื้นที่เล็กๆ ให้มีแหล่งน้ำตื้น ที่เหมาะสำหรับสัตว์หลายชนิดให้เข้ามาใช้ประโยชน์ รวมถึงการปลูกพรรณไม้หลากหลายชนิด ทั้งไม้พุ่มเตี้ย ไม้ผล ไม้ดอก เพื่อสร้างแหล่งอาศัย และแหล่งหลบภัยให้แก่สัตว์ต่างๆ ในธรรมชาติ ตลอดจนการเลือกใช้ปุ๋ยอินทรีย์แทนการใช้ปุ๋ยที่มาสารเคมี จะช่วยอนุรักษ์สิ่งมีชีวิตเล็กๆ ในดิน และส่งเสริมความหลากหลายทางชีวภาพในสวนได้อย่างยั่งยืน ​ส่วนการดูแลไม่ให้มีสัตว์ไม่พึงประสงค์เข้ามา สามารถป้องกันได้ด้วยการดูแล หมั่นตัดแต่งพุ่มไม้ และหญ้าให้ไม่รก รวมทั้งตรวจสอบ และจัดเก็บวัสดุที่อาจเป็นแหล่งหลบซ่อน เช่น กองไม้ หิน หรือกระถางเก่า เพื่อลดโอกาสการอยู่อาศัยของสัตว์ที่อาจเป็นอันตราย​เราจะเห็นได้ว่า ฝนไม่ได้เปลี่ยนแค่บรรยากาศรอบตัวเราเท่านั้น แต่ยังเปิดโอกาสให้เราได้เห็นชีวิตเล็กๆ ในธรรมชาติที่เคลื่อนไหวไปตามจังหวะของฤดูกาล อย่างที่เราอาจไม่เคยสังเกตมาก่อน ลองหยุดดูรอบตัวในวันที่ฝนตก บางทีอาจมีอะไรบางอย่างที่คุณไม่เคยเห็น รอให้คุณได้มองอยู่ก็ได้เนื้อหาโดย คุณ กชกร รัตนมา นักวิจัยความหลากหลายทางชีวภาพ RISC

Flowers Affect You More Than You Thought.

By RISC | 2 weeks ago

Flowers might seem minor details of nature, blooming only briefly before they fade. But flowers have a huge impact on us—and especially our minds. The colors of flowers aren’t just attractive. They can also influence our psychological state. Each color can stimulate our emotions, feelings, and even behaviors through the brain’s perceptual and neural mechanisms. Research in color psychology shows that colors direct affect our emotions. Our brains automatically process and respond to colors. Studies have found that warm colors such as red, orange, and yellow tend to evoke feelings of enthusiasm, brightness, and energy. These colors can draw attention and stimulate emotions like passion, confidence, and joy. That’s why red roses have long been used as a symbol of love. Cool colors like blue, green, purple, and white, on the other hand, are associated with calm, relaxation, and healing. These colors are frequently used in environments designed to reduce stress and boost feelings of safety and friendliness. Thoughtful green space—with carefully selected colorful plants and flowers—can serve as a powerful tool for restoring mental and physical well-being. Whether in gardens, playgrounds, or public spaces, flowers can promote positive behaviors, create emotional safety, and foster human connection. Flowers can transform the feel of a space and influence our actions—especially in today’s urban society, where life is fast-paced and full of pressure. A small natural area filled with a variety of colorful plants can help uplift the moods of passersby, even if just for a moment. Story by Kotchakorn Rattanama, Biodiversity Researcher, RISC References byLi, H., Zhang, X., Zhao, M., & Guo, S. (2023). Psychological and physiological responses to flower colors: Evidence from human experiments. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 80, 127871.

Waste to "VALUE": Transforming Waste into Worth

By RISC | 3 weeks ago

Thailand generated 19.8 million tons of industrial waste in 2023, 18.7 million non-hazardous and 1.1 million hazardous, according to the Department of Industrial Works.Most industrial waste comes from sugar production (38.8%), thermal power generation (14.3%), food and beverages (11.9%), steel (6.4%), ethanol (5.7%), along with other industries such as paper, automotive parts, chemicals, plastics, and textiles.Large volumes of waste are typically generated during industrial production—and the amount is increasing each year. Without proper management, such waste can have severe environmental impacts, including hazardous chemical contamination, microplastics in soil and water, and the spread of harmful pathogens.The Circular Economy focuses on reusing waste to reduce overall volume and sustainably transform it into valuable resources.This process starts with product design that minimizes resource use and reduces waste during production. It also includes considerations for end-of-life product management, such as using biodegradable, recyclable, or reusable materials. Importantly, by-products from manufacturing should not be treated as mere waste, but as valuable resources—offering opportunities to create added value, such as using them as raw materials for new products. This maximizes resource efficiency.One example is the production of carpet tiles from nylon fibers by Tarkett.Tarkett’s carpet tiles are designed to be disassembled: The carpet pile, made of nylon fibers, can be chemically recycled along with other production scraps and nylon waste (e.g., fishing nets, mesh, garments, and plastic parts) into new nylon fiber for producing new carpets. The backing layer, once separated, is shredded and reformed into new backing material for future carpet tiles. This thoughtful design and material selection significantly reduces waste, lowers environmental impact, adds value, and cuts disposal costs.Turning waste into new products through circular design not only reduces waste and environmental impact but also adds value—through materials engineered for recycling and efficient resource use at every step. The outcome is not only lower disposal costs, but also new business opportunities to develop sustainable products.If your organization or industry is looking to turn factory waste into value and build a sustainable circular economy, contact:RISC Line ID: risc_centerTel: 063-902-9346Email: risc_admin@dtgo.comStory by: Supunnapang Raksawong, Materials Researcher in Sustainable Building Material, RISCReferences:National Statistical Office. Thailand Environmental Statistics 2024: https://www.nso.go.th/public/e-book/Indicators-Environment/Environment-Indicators-2567/Department of Industrial Works. Industrial Waste Summary 2023: https://api.diw.go.th/public/tableauPublic.jsp?name=A4&ms=1744165687192Tarkett. Climate and Circular Economy

How GIS Boosts Urban Well-Being

By RISC | 3 weeks ago

Over 58% of the global population already live in cities and 68% will likely do so by 2050, according to a UN report. As well as rising population, this urban expansion involves growing city boundaries. City growth could seem positive. But urbanization, without effective urban planning, can threaten well-being, from health to the environment and society. Geo-informatics technology (GIS), however, can give precise and accurate access to spatial data. Systematic collection and spatial analysis in area assessments, urban planning, and decision-making can promote better well-being: Health: GIS can help analyze accessibility to healthcare and the spatial distribution of medical facilities to fully meet the population’s needs. Environment: GIS supports analysis of access to green spaces, helping urban dwellers relax, exercise, and reduce their health risks. It also plays a role in disaster risk assessment—impacting both physical and mental health, quality of life, and financial stability. Furthermore, satellite imagery can be used to monitor air pollution that affects public health. Society: GIS can help identify areas with high crime risks, enabling planning strategies that reduce dangers and enhance safety for urban populations. In addition, geo-informatics technology helps monitor land-use changes through satellite imagery, which can be used to forecast urban growth trends. This contributes to more effective city and infrastructure planning—ensuring cities become inclusive spaces that promote the well-being of all residents. Story by Sirapach Mangkang, Geographic Information System (GIS) specialist, RISC References: https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/share-of-population-urban?time=latest#sources-and-processinghttps://unhabitat.org/programme/sustainable-development-goals-citieshttps://population.un.org/wup/assets/WUP2018-Report.pdfhttps://www.bot.or.th/th/research-and-publications/articles-and-publications/articles/regional-articles/reg-article-2023-10-09.htmlhttps://www.okmd.or.th/okmd-opportunity/urbanization/256/https://www.sdgmove.com/2021/01/25/sdg-updates-good-health-and-well-being/https://www.sdgmove.com/2023/02/23/disparities-in-thailand-healthcare-services/https://www.gistda.or.th/news_view.php?n_id=5935&lang=THhttps://www.gistda.or.th/news_view.php?n_id=7964&lang=THhttps://www.gistda.or.th/news_view.php?n_id=2450&lang=TH

Eye-Tracking Technology for Safer Cities

By RISC | 1 month ago

Eye tracking, which we looked at for neuromarketing (see https://bit.ly/40LGLjL), is popular in behavioral research, advertising, and digital media. It helps identify areas of interest or the most-viewed elements. This enables deeper insights than traditional surveys by understanding people’s automatic perception behaviors. The results are accurate and make it easier to further develop products.This technology is now being adopted across various fields—including city design.City design refers to planning and designing urban areas to balance space usage, infrastructure, environment, economy, and quality of life. The goal is to create cities that meet human needs, are livable, efficient, and sustainable. Urban design typically involves architects working in collaboration with engineers and government authorities.When traditional architectural approaches to city design are integrated with unexpected, cutting-edge technologies like eye-tracking systems, the results can be surprising. Let’s explore what that looks like.City design has started using this technology as a tool to improve wayfinding signage by analyzing visual attention. This helps enhance signage design—its colors, typefaces, and focal points of interest.A compelling example comes from a collaboration between the Institute for Transportation Development Policy (ITDP) and Chelsea in Suffolk City in Boston in the USA. The project aimed to draw more attention to bus stops. The city added brightly colored floral patterns to the area around the bus stops and seating. Eye-tracking technology was then used to monitor where people looked. The visual output below, with green-yellow-red highlights, indicates areas of the image that were viewed less to more frequently. As we can see, adding color and floral patterns around the bus stop successfully attracted more visual attention, helping people recognize and approach the stop more effectively.This is just one example of how behavioral science technology can be applied in conjunction with urban design. It shows how technology can be effectively leveraged in real-world applications. Curious about the next article? Stay tuned to this page!Story by Nattapat Tanjariyaporn, Senior Researcher in Brain Computer Interface, RISC​Reference byBiometrics + Bus Stops: What Eye Tracking + Facial Expression Analysis Reveal | The Genetics of Design

Emergency Preparedness: How to Survive Disasters

By RISC | 1 month ago

How can we be ready for disasters that could wreck our well-being as well as our homes?The recent earthquake from the movement of the Sagaing Fault between the Indian and Eurasian plates reached Thailand, harming buildings in Bangkok and its metropolitan area. These effects were exacerbated by long-distance seismic waves and soft soil, amplifying tremors into long-period waves.The extent of the damage suggests that Thailand has managed relatively well in terms of preparedness, according to experts. Many buildings have been designed and constructed to legal regulations, helping alleviate immediate concerns.But what if an earthquake has its epicenter in, or far nearer to, Thailand?Not only high-rises but also detached houses, townhouses, shophouses, office buildings, and commercial spaces might suffer extensive damage. Most buildings aren’t currently mandated by law to consider earthquake resistance in their design.The city’s public infrastructure could also come to a standstill. Roads and traffic systems could become unusable. Electricity and water supplies could be cut off. Telecommunications systems—including phone and internet—might collapse. Even a few hours of disruption to the metro system recently caused widespread chaos.Prevention and mitigation are the most effective ways to reduce risk. They include designing new buildings and reinforcing old ones to withstand seismic forces, incorporating fire prevention measures, and flood protection such as raising floor levels, installing flood barriers, or relocating machinery and MEP systems above flood levels.Since natural disasters can strike at any time, we must be prepared not only for earthquakes but also for floods, fires, wildfires, air pollution, chemical explosions, and more.What should we always carry or keep at home?Unlike countries like Japan and the U.S., Thailand has not yet been able to invest heavily in an Earthquake Early Warning System. Without early warnings, disaster preparedness and a clear evacuation plan become essential and urgent.Public buildings, which are responsible for the safety of many people, must be able to respond rapidly and communicate accurately and efficiently. Various agencies provide useful resources for planning and adaptation—such as emergency management handbooks for public buildings and office towers—published by the Building Resource Management Association.Residential homes should maintain readiness by keeping essential items in stock and rotating them regularly.- Drinking water is most critical with at least enough for 3 days (3 liters/person/day) and ideally up to 7 days depending on local conditions and the time needed for external aid or recovery.- Non-perishable food—canned or ready-to-eat meals that do not require cooking or electricity—should provide adequate nutrition, particularly protein.- Sanitation supplies, such as plastic bags for waste.- Emergency bags for each person, including pets, that can be quickly taken if evacuation to a shelter or safe zone becomes necessary.Beyond the initial preparations, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yusuke Toyoda from the College of Policy Science and the Institute of Disaster Mitigation for Urban Cultural Heritage at Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto, and a Researcher Alliance member of the Environmental Research Institute at Chulalongkorn University, offers critical insights from Japan’s disaster management experience—lessons Thailand has yet to fully integrate.Victims don’t only die during the disaster. If their mental and physical health deteriorates due to trauma and they are separated from their families or communities while relocated to limited shelters, the isolation may lead to delayed deaths—especially among the elderly. This highlights the need for temporary housing solutions that consider family and community ties to help prevent lonely deaths post-disaster. In short, mental and social preparedness is just as important as physical readiness.Another key point: Analysis from the 1995 Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake in Japan found that 34.9% of survivors saved themselves, 31.9% were saved by family members and 28.1% by friends or neighbors. Only 1.7% were rescued by official emergency teams. This data reinforces the critical importance of self-reliance during disasters. When a crisis hits, government response teams will already be stretched to their limits.All of this reinforces one message: We must strengthen structures, develop mitigation strategies, and create preparedness plans to survive emergencies. The best outcome is when we not only protect ourselves and our families but also become a source of support for our neighbors and community.Written by Saritorn Amorncharuchit, Assistant Director, RISC.Further reading:- Building Resource Management Association. Emergency Management Handbook for Office Buildings During Earthquakes – Tenant Access Protocol (March 30, 2025).https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Dg9PEC5RDRy1gmXfL0gXPTGxx8EBpSWS/view?fbclid=IwY2xjawJcPRxleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHS8G5gyr_NOpaJLwf3MWXmQ289hIrwQRhjKSTndUE9WXcffIWtACD05OPg_aem_6GxVDRjM9gYhWaYn37w3AA​- Building Resource Management Association. Crisis Management Guide for Public Buildings During Earthquakes – For Building Management Teams (March 31, 2025).https://drive.google.com/file/d/16xpcz_ryvs7O_E4uHVtJSnLQjQxYeIge/view?fbclid=IwY2xjawJcPbdleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHVjviq9mNJfqqVKtVu9sOaFK_GUhfKpJFaqPW7EkzLHCfkWGkfa7SSx4kw_aem_2kWtm_hbgkGP8pnkBO4USg​- Japan Fire Research Association. Report on the Investigation into the Fires Caused by the 1995 Southern Hyogo Prefecture Earthquake (November 30, 1996).- Japan Living Guide. Disaster Preparedness: Stockpiling and Emergency Food in Japan (January 29, 2024).https://www.japanlivingguide.com/expatinfo/emergencies/emergency-food/​

Earthquakes have occurred before, so why was there so much damage this time?

By RISC | 1 month ago

Bangkok might seem largely free from earthquakes. But the city experienced 35 quakes in the 30 years from 1995 to 2025, according to the Thai Meteorological Department:- 1995–2005: 7- 2006–2015: 17- 2016–2025: 13Most of these tremors were felt in high-rise buildings and were mild to moderate. But the most recent on 28 March was the first to be noticed across the city, causing tall buildings to sway. Buildings under construction also suffered damage. The rise in frequency and intensity makes the issue of earthquakes less remote.Why did this recent quake cause more damage? Bangkok isn’t on an active fault line or in a primary seismic risk zone. But it often experiences tremors from distant earthquakes for several geological reasons:1. Soft Soil: Much of Bangkok (as well as many central provinces) is on ancient sediment from the Chao Phraya River. Soft clay can reach depths of 10–30 meters. This type of soil can amplify seismic waves. When earthquake waves travel from distant locations and reach these soft soil layers, the energy can become amplified at certain frequencies—making tremors more perceptible, especially in tall buildings.2. Low-Frequency Earthquakes: Large, distant earthquakes tend to release low-frequency seismic waves, which can travel up to 1,000 kilometers without significantly losing energy. These low-frequency waves primarily affect tall buildings over 10 stories, while people at ground level might not feel much (as seen in the recent March 28 earthquake). The taller and more flexible a structure is, the more its natural frequency is likely to resonate with the earthquake waves—causing noticeable swaying.Even though tall buildings near the Chao Phraya River face greater risks due to the amplification of seismic waves in soft soil, these risks can be mitigated with proper structural design that adheres to relevant safety standards. You can explore design guidelines for seismic safety in this article (https://mqdc.link/4lfVStr) by Sarithorn Amorncharuchit, a key developer of wellness-focused building design standards under the Research & Innovation for Sustainability Center (RISC).Story by Napol Kieatkongmanee, Senior Sustainable Designer and TREES-A, Building Technology, Intelligent Systems, Innovative Solutions Specialist, and Ms. Sirapach Mangkang, Geographic Information System (GIS) specialist, RISCReferences:https://earthquake.tmd.go.th/document.htmlhttps://earthquake.tmd.go.th/documents/file/seismo-doc-1606435108.pdfhttps://op.mahidol.ac.th/rm/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/earthquake_140516.pdf

MQDC STANDARD for All Well-Being

By RISC | 1 month ago

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