Vertical Velocity is an experiment in conceiving and organizing a piece of architecture solely based on the climatic parameters of the site. This is achieved by investigating three basic types of heat transfer, or thermodynamics – convection, conduction, and radiation, and manipulating their respective behaviors accordingly, in relationship to the climatic site condition of the site, in order to create a predominantly passive architectural system. The design by Glenn Hajadi of HighStreetStudio, is conducted as a final project in Thermodynamic Somatism, core studio by Inaki Abalos and Renata Sentkiewitz, at Barcelona Institute of Architecture.
In establishing Mediterranean coast city Barcelona as the site, two essential external climatic conditions immediately surfaced. First, high annual solar insolation and second – a mild external natural temperature throughout the year (14 – 24 degree Celsius range). The first is to be avoided, and the second is to be desired. This means interior space can be completely ventilated to the exterior with very minimal architectural intervention.
The resulting form is a manipulation of cubic massing to reach these two objectives. Courtyard typology is implemented as a traditionally used passive system in tropical and sub-tropical regions to ventilate interior space, taking advantage of the wind velocity to travel through the thin interior space (no more than 13m deep) with the void in the middle to perform suction. The height of the building is determined to optimize the rising wind velocity in higher elevation.
A residential complex layered with a gaming and computer center is a key combination for a contemporary hybrid typology, chosen due to the amount of energy produced in 24 hour cycle, thus allowing the transmission of heat. The objective was to achieve zero energy balance building. Internal organization is constructed to optimize energy production – consumption by vertical multi layering. Heat producing programs are located below absorber programs – programs using heat. Read the rest of this entry »