MQDC finalising Asean’s first sustainability and well-being lab

The research hub, the first of its kind in Asean, is set to open in mid-November. 
Thailand-based MQDC is building and equipping the facility at an initial investment of over Bt200 million by the company. On its completion, it will host full-time researchers and fund studies.
“The opening of this facility marks a key moment for the building sector in Thailand,” CEO Visit Malaisirirat said on Tuesday. “We want the centre’s research to be available to the public and general homeowners and not limited to MQDC’s use. We have also set aside millions to fund young research fellows in the areas of sustainability, well-being and innovation studies.”
Singh Intrachooto, a designer and architect known for his work on using recycled material in design and construction, will lead research at the new facility, heading MQDC’s Research & Innovation for Sustainability Centre (RISC) team.
“RISC will conduct research under the principle of ‘sustainnovation’,” he said. “We will be finding ways to achieve environmental sustainability while boosting well-being, health and economic development.”
RISC’s new headquarters will be equipped with a floor-testing chamber, radiant flooring, a weather chamber, sensors for volatile organic compounds, acoustic testing equipment, and heat and light sensors and testing labs.
The facility is built with environment-friendly materials and will be the first office in Thailand certified with the WELL Building Standard from the International WELL Building Institute. 
The base’s eco-material repository will be Asean’s largest public green-material library. The facility will also hold plants and simulation labs with environment-friendly designs for over 300 items.
Over the next five years, Singh aims to increase RISC’s research network to over 100 members. 
MQDC’s upcoming projects will pioneer environment-friendly technologies in Thailand, such as energy recovery ventilation for indoor air quality at Whizdom Station Ratchada-Thapra and Smart City remote asset management at Whizdom 101. 
Under its commitment to ‘all well-being’, the developer pursues a concept of ‘sustainnovation’ which encompasses home AI, automation, clean energy, financial technological models, and improved understanding of human needs and behaviours.