Title:
Resustain
Issue:
#3
Supervisor:
Christos Papastergiou
Authors:
Physentzidou M. Nicolaou M. Atef Afifi O. Avraam Kalia Benjamin I.C. Chrysoulakis G. Dalarian A. Elhage N. Gregoriou S. Joseph T. Papaoikonomou E. Patsalosavvis G. Orfanidis K. Siali A. Stavridou M. Sukhanova A. Sukhanova S. Tsafara P.P. Xixis D.
Date:
January, 2022
CONTENTS 4-9 10 - 13 14 - 17 18 - 23 24 - 29 30 - 35 36 - 41 42 - 45 46 - 51 52 - 55 56 - 61 62 - 67 68 - 71 72 - 75 76 - 83 84 - 89 90 - 99 100 - 109 110 - 113
New construction or conservation? Earth Shelters and their importance for the surrounding environment. How light can change our Quality of life? The Mashrabiya. Leveranging the past for a better future. Disappearing Cities. Vertical Forests in Cyprus. Why is the Rocky Mountain Institute one of the most sustainable buildings of its era? What is Landscape Urbanism and who originated the term? The “Baton” goes to the sustainability of the Olympic Games premises. Interview: How sustainable Design reflects to the buildingsin result of the users life? Sustainable Architecture: Buildings of the future. How has Green Vertical Architecture Evolved, from its Inception ‘till Today? Cradle to Cradle. Steel as a sustainable material. The importance of Landscape Urbanism in Architecture. Liuzhou Forest city: The Redefinition of a Green City You may be asking... ‘’what is healing architecture?’’ and then... ‘’how can architecture around the world calm anxiety?’’ Getting to know KAAF Architects: An interview with Alexandros Kitriniaris. “Productive Infrastructure” A shift towrds sustainable cities.
Benjamin I. C. Gregoriou S. Physentzidou M. Atef Afifi O. Joseph T. Avraam K. Nicolaou M. Papaoikonomou E. Patsalosavvis G. Xixis D. Dalarian A. Orfanidis K. Sukhanova A. Sukhanova S. Siali A. Chrysoulakis G. Stavridou M. Tsafara P. P. Elhage N.
NEW CONSTRUCTION OR CONSERVATION?
Should We Build From Scratch or Re-adapt and Preserve? by Christos Benjamin Student No.: U184N0049 Over many years, population growth and the constantly changing needs of people result in continuous urban growth and development. The need for more space is met either by the consumption of unused free space or the Re-adaptation and re-use of existing structures. Many buildings in Nicosia have been abandoned, have neither been properly maintained nor inhabited. Developers have been overlooking neglected buildings because their renovation may be costly. People prefer to construct new buildings which cut off views and eat up space. A big issue is that newly-built apartment buildings in the town center remain empty because of the high prices of properties and rent. Those vacant plots can be used instead for the creation of parks or even for construction of other more useful buildings for the community, while other abandoned ones can also accommodate dwelling needs. Empty spaces in preexisting buildings and landmarks could be restored and, if necessary, modified. Sustainable architectural proposition strategies may be the solution to the problem, keeping the memory, history and the character of an area intact. In this way, empty plots in cities will not go to waste. In my opinion readaptation is the best suitable solution as it is more sustainable, and may prove a valuable solution for the future of cities. In this article, the importance of restoration and preservation is discussed using the city of Nicosia as an example. Historic buildings in cities are very important, as their existence affects various aspects in our society such as culture/education, the economy and the environment.
Advantages of Adaptive Re-use Due to the increase in demand for goods and building materials, the price of almost everything has gone up. Today, people seek easier and cheaper solutions that would offer them good quality for less. Thus, adaptive re-use, if adopted by the vast population, will lead to a more sustainable shift in the development of the urban environment with respect to three main categories of sustainability: the environment, the economy and society.
Impact of Re-use and Restoration on the Urban Environment When people decide to restore old buildings and structures to host activities and programs again, it is only good for the environment, as there is no material wasted or transported to a dumping site. The designers may come up with ingenious ways to recycle any debris or other materials for new use on the building. In addition, the rehabilitation of old structures may be costly initially, but making them durable and energy efficient so they require less maintenance and consume less energy will yield dividends. Any effort in refurbishing and re-adapting buildings can help decrease suburban sprawl, traffic and the destruction of natural landscapes.
Restoration and Re-use boosts Economy
Restoration boosts local economies. During their holidays, many people decide to travel to different countries to visit important historical landmarks and many museums. Most of these buildings are owned and funded by governments. These create new job opportunities. Usually, old buildings were made with the use of local materials and handcrafted by local artisans whose techniques passed down to the younger generations, thus the local market is the best option. The money acquired from the tourism industry can help fund various community structures. In addition, having many unused buildings leads to the loss of tax revenue, thus making their use imperative. 4
Fig.1 Before-and-after Restoration images of an old building in the city of Nicosia
How Historic Landmarks and Old Houses influence Culture and Education
Historic buildings provide tangible evidence about the past. Parts of cities are large scale museums as they become learning tools for communities and students, not only for architects and builders! Upon visits to these old structures, designers may be influenced to design new building elements based on old traditional philosophies and techniques. Old buildings are beacons giving us a glimpse into the past, so that we do not lose connection with our history and can avoid mistakes that were made before. Historic buildings such as Cathedrals, public buildings, libraries and estates reveal the distinction amongst social classes. These buildings bear unique characteristics that can only be replicated with difficulty. Many buildings in Nicosia that were erected or in existence during the seventies, and became derelict and dilapidated from lack of maintenance, were unfortunately demolished and new ones built in their plots.
Fig.2
Unfortunately, a neoclassical listed building in Makarios Avenue was demolished and, in its place, a new shopping mall was built. Here, we see that budget and political influence can defy rules. Of late, many people realize the impact of their actions on society and the urban fabric. Many listed buildings have been restored in Nicosia, giving the city a face-lift and making it more inviting for strolls and walks. In history as well as in recent years, it has been observed that many listed old houses within the walled city of Nicosia have been appropriated to host other programs. Some became shops, workshops, cafes, bars, offices, and some combine living and work environments or even have multipurpose uses. This adaptive reuse could also be applied to more recent structures.
Fig.3 Diagram showing landmarks of Nicosia and note about them taken during site visit. 5
Although old structures in Nicosia, remnants of the past, show us important examples of sustainability, we tend to forget the potential of re-adapting and re-using. The architect of the walls of Nicosia used already treated stones of a previous wall for his design, tackling in this way issues of logistics and buildability and avoiding the use of left-over material as weapons by the enemy in case of war. This should set an example for architects to resource building materials from older structures or from discarded material. Before the establishment of the Cypriot Department of Antiquity in 1934, when more Nicosia landowners wanted to build houses and create new road networks along with sewage systems, they used stones from the outer skin of the city walls. Re-use should not be excessive to an extent where it somehow erases the former function or uses of buildings. On the other hand, the practices of preservation and readaptation employed for the Famagusta Gate, the current multicultural center and the Hadjigeorgakis Kornesios house should be welcomed, as these keep the memory and history intact while introducing new possibilities for the use of the space.
Fig. 4 Pictures showing the conservation of Nicosia’s old Venetian fortification walls
This adaptive process is taking place in other countries as well. Several architectural firms believe that restoration and re-use is important. One of them is that of the Pritzker-awarded duo, Lacaton and Vassal who state that ‘Architects should not demolish but always add, transform and reuse.’ The design team often tries to use translucent, recycled and inexpensive materials. Through their fantastic work, they promote sustainability mainly by preserving, expanding and adapting pre-existing structures according to the new programs they will host. Another mission of theirs is to always put people first, creating architecture to benefit an individual socially, ecologically and economically, assisting in this way the evolution of a city. Anne Lacaton states that “Transformation is the opportunity of doing more and better with what is already existing. Demolition is a decision of easiness and short term. It is a waste of many things—a waste of energy, a waste of material, and a waste of history. Moreover, it has a very negative social impact. For us, it is an act of violence.”
Fig. 5 Case study Analysis of Lacaton and Vassal restoration projects
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Disadvantages of Adaptive Re-use On the other hand, some believe that the restoration of a pre-existing structure puts restrictions on a design’s creation. Each plot and building may have its own peculiarities, but in general, they are sometimes hard for architects to adapt for new required programs. The restoration and modification of buildings may be a time-consuming and expensive proposition, and in many cases in Cyprus where it would have been possible, it was avoided for many reasons. There are multiple challenges and barriers that one may face when attempting this.
Economic factors
The budget always governs important decisions and inevitably affects the structure and aesthetics of the final product, from the selection of materials for the structure to the final finishes. The reuse of a structure, structural grids, columns, beams, floors and their conservation for modification of use, along with replacing old services with new ones may come at a high cost. In some cases, the finishes, flooring, ceiling and walls have to be very carefully and meticulously preserved if they have been damaged or worn out as well.
Pivoting decisions between effective adaptive reuse and historical value
Some old buildings are synonymous with the intangible aspects of sentiment for the societies they are in. Every building frame has a “notional value” to the context, past and current inhabitants and visitors. In the process of conserving or adaptively reusing, the designers must bear in mind complex narratives and perspectives that are historically invaluable to people.
The Lack of detailed information about the buildings
There is often difficulty to find precise drawings of the building or the best suitable materials, some of which are not even available in the market, leading to inaccuracies and inconsistencies when attempting to tackle various problems.
Constraints in design caused by Urban planning regulations on Town planning and listed buildings
In almost every city, some parts of it that are old are protected by very specific regulations to preserve the character of those areas intact. These rules are imposed by the Governments and urban planning authorities. Thus, there are restrictions about the products’ final appearances, regarding the distance of the building from the margins of the plot. For listed buildings, their old roof and floor tiles must be preserved and reused. Moreover, the façades of the buildings must be preserved and not altered, hence the new doors and windows must follow the design of the old ones. The buildings have to meet particular criteria that correspond to various impositions regarding urban regeneration and development. Problems may arise about the classification of buildings in the urban zoning scheme, as some may need to comply with more recent zoning classifications.
Considerations about Maintenance
The maintenance of old structures may be quite a difficult task for the contractor’s team as it is possible for frequent repair to be required due to deterioration and defects. Additionally, labour and construction costs, due to delays that may be caused by hazardous material contamination or by dangerous dilapidated structural forms, may sky rocket. Every era has its own design trends and some believe that everyone must follow them, or else they may be considered as old-fashioned and retrogressive. By many, adaptive reuse is considered as a luxurious practice that requires expensive materials in order to be properly realized. The infamous architect Rem Koolhaas in his New York exhibition, “Cronocaos” pointed out the issues arising from the problematic aspects of the preservation of buildings. “Has preservation become a dangerous epidemic? Is it destroying our cities?” Hence the poor cannot afford the expenses, they move out of the cities to live in cheaper homes. Only wealthy people can enjoy their comforts and aesthetics. 7
Koolhaas claims that this will result in “a new form of historical amnesia, one that, perversely, only further alienates us from the past”. It is estimated that in 50 years from now, about 70% of buildings that are in existence today, will continue to exist, hence re-use and adaptation for the provision of current and future needs must be the focal point in our practice. The best suitable method to deal with historical structures is the adaptive reuse. These concerns have been expressed by many architects and academics, that developers, preservation movements worldwide are working alongside governments which have become a force acting towards social displacement causing the phenomenon of gentrification.
Fig.6 Pictures from Rem Koolhaas “Cronocaos” exhibition
Fig. 7 Aerial photograph showing a contemporary part of Nicosia
Conclusion:
As many people buy second hand cars, clothes from thrift stores or retrieve old furniture and fix them, so can old, abandoned, dilapidated buildings of many sorts be re-adapted and re-used. Although, there may be many disadvantages of adaptive reuse and conservation, the pros outweigh them greatly. Adaptive reuse considerably impacts various layers of societies, culture-history and continuity, education, tourism-economy, and the built environment through prevention of extreme urban sprawl. Furthermore, adaptive reuse and conservation building projects might significantly improve unkempt areas, or even historically neglected urban spaces in and around them. In addition, people enjoy visiting empty plots, green spaces, parks, squares more for recreational purposes. These are a breath of fresh air from a busy weekly schedule in a dense urban environment. Their continued availability is made possible by their conservation through the avoidance of building unnecessarily and the adoption of adaptive reuse. It is my fervent wish that people may adopt the habit of reusing and repurposing as it will benefit us all as many cost-effective methods of doing this are discovered. 8
References: CYBC Documentary Venetian Walls of Nicosia. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqww3BipItw Dezeen. (2021). Ten key projects by Pritzker Prize-winners Anne Lacaton and Jean-Philippe Vassal. [online] Available at: https://www.dezeen.com/2021/03/17/key-projects-anne-lacaton-jean-philippe-vassal-pritzker-prize/ Fisher-Gewirtzman D (2016) Adaptive Reuse Architecture Documentation and Analysis. J Archit. Eng. Tech. 5: 172. doi: 10.4172/2168-9717.1000172 Nicosia Municipality. (2013). Famagusta Gate. [online] Available at: https://www.nicosia.org.cy/en-GB/discover/sights/famagusta-gate/ [Accessed 30 Dec. 2021]. Notes taken from the Art Historian Rita Severis talk during our site visit (26/02/2020). RTF | Rethinking The Future. (2020). The cons of conservation and adaptive re-use. [online] Available at: https://www. re-thinkingthefuture.com/rtf-fresh-perspectives/a1258-the-cons-of-conservation-and-adaptive-re-use/. Vintage Millwork and Restoration. (2020). The 4 Major Benefits of Historic Restoration and Preservation. [online] Available at: https://vintagemillworkrestoration.com/blog/the-4-major-benefits-of-historic-restoration-and-preservation/. 9
Earth Shelters and their importance for the surrounding environment Stefanos Gregoriou - U214N0021
Earth Shelters are a very unique and environmental-
ly conscious design strategy and practise, that has been around for many years, but only recently started to become an energy efficient go to, for the good of its surrounding context, nature and the environment. By taking advantage of the earth’s resources, earth shelters use the ground as exterior walls in order to benefit from the thermal mass of the earth. This also allows the interior of the building to reduce heat loss and maintain the desired temperature for the user through out the year. A further reason of its rise to popularity in recent years is the way earth shelters blend with the surrounding environment and the benefits that this has to the biodiversity around it as well. There is also a distinction between the types of earth shelters, with underground earth sheltered buildings having dirt cover three exterior sides and the roof of the building, in comparison with Earth Bermed buildings having dirt pushed up against the exterior walls only, and not onto the roof. Its really important to understand how this types of buildings can revolutionase they way people live in tandem with the way nature works. For a long time people did not care about the environment when it came to trying to build their family house, but at this modern time where the concerns and problems of our past wrong doings are rising up, earth shelters might be the perfect solution.
The history of earth shelters Earth shelters were used all the way back to prehistoric periods to be used as a place of protection, warmth and safety for early human inhabitants, even though technology in modern times has revolutionised this practice, caves can be considered as a very similar technique of using earth’s resources for shelter. Asia and Northern Africa where the regions where most of these earth sheltered dwellings where found dating back to before 2000 B.C. The climatic benefits that these shelters provided for the people that lived there where a revelation in combating strong winds and rain, but also in other climatic conditions they were the reason of a better quality of life, taking in sun for a warmer place of habitance or taking advantage of the cold in warmer environments as well. Furthermore, having in mind how long ago these earth shelters were regularly used we can make a connection to how agriculture was a very important part of peoples lives back then. With that being said people’s livelihoods where based on keeping their farms going and having their house next to their farms without negatively impact it was a major advantage.
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“Another type of building is emerging: one that actually heals the scars of its own construction. It conserves rainwater and fuel and it provides a habitat for creatures other than the human one. Maybe it will catch on, maybe it won’t. We’ll see.” – Malcolm Wells, 2002.
The Construction of Earths Shelters As like every other building, considerations and analysis of the area and the actual site have to be done in order to start the design and construction process, but a very important aspect of earth shelters are the quality of the water proofing and the insulation, in order to withstand the pressure and moisture applied by the ground surrounding the walls and roof of the building. In most occasions, starting with the durability and rigidity of the building, concrete is the material used for its construction with wood or masonry used in some cases because of their lower price. Earth bermed buildings specifically, usually have fewer problems with humidity and moisture because the roof is not covered by the ground, and its considered better for colder climates because of the balanced ratio of covered and exposed walls. In addition, the insulation used on the exterior side of the walls is not necessarily protecting the heat from coming in the building, but its actually used to keep the heat in the building. For the fully underground earth shelters, everything is been built on a flat site without having the benefit of exposed walls, but all the rooms and surrounded by a central courtyard that provides warmth, light and a sense of freedom and openness to an essentially buried building.
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How are Earth Shelters energy efficient? Earth shelters in recent years are mostly designed to be more energy efficient than a normal house. In order to achieve that, different kind of strategies are used mostly concerning on how to reduce energy consumption both for heating and electricity through what nature has to offer. In a conventional house, keeping the heat inside is not an issue but you would have to use energy in order to provide more heat to the building, in earth shelters the surrounding ground does all this work without the consumption of extra energy. A big contributor to reducing the heat loss in earth shelters, is the orientation of them as well. Minimizing window and door openings on the north and west sides of the house, with the prevailing winter winds coming from those directions will also enhance energy performance too. Having a big blanket of ground surface to protect the house from cold atmospheres and keep the heat inside is very important for the reduction of energy consumption, but also allowing natural light in the building equally helps with that. The actual planning of the house is very difficult in order to achieve the highest amount of natural light to come in all rooms of the building, but if done right the earth shelter would be basically a living and breathing house. With the majority of earth shelters having only one or two sides of the house exposed to natural light, is dependant on the architect and the site for the choice of the orientation in order to achieve maximum passive solar gains. In conclusion, earth shelters can be one of the most energy efficient solutions around, without the help of renewable energies but with the help of earth’s resources instead.
The contribution to biodiversity Biodiversity is a massive part of nature and it is what keeps the earth alive, but with that in mind when it comes to construction people always forget about it. Earth shelters are an amazing solution for this issue by attributing positively to the surrounding environment instead of destroying it. With a very small environmental footprint and the ability to preserve the natural fauna and flora of the area, the impact that earth shelters have are massive. Apart from being aesthetically pleasing when a building is blended with the surrounding context it creates a safer atmosphere for the living organisms around the site as well, which helps with the biodiversity crisis that we currently have in this day and age. While the building helps to combat the issues we currently have with loss of biodiversity, the opposite can be applied for the life of the building depending on the well being of the nature around. By taking care of what is around the earth shelter it benefits the house as well with better insulation due to the plants that might be on the roof or better moisture levels inside the shelter as well. Overall, earth shelters are one with nature, not just metaphorically but also literally, and their contribution to the betterment of the environmental issues we have in the world has to be more appreciated and practised in the future.
Is there a way to include earth shelters into a modern city? With the evolution of people and technology throughout time, cities around the world can be mostly described as concrete blocks of buildings divided by roads with a bit of greenery here and there. With that in mind the addition of earth shelters would be very difficult, but in my opinion there are a couple of ways we can move past that to incorporate them into modern cities. Firstly, if we can not protect our existing surrounding environment, why not create our own. The abandoned or unused sites around cities that have nothing to offer to the community can be used to create green eco-spaces not just for people but for nature, with the incorporation and practice of earth shelters. Furthermore, most cities in the world are getting bigger every year with their development which effects the biodiversity around instead of protecting it. With the understanding of the need to develop and expand a city in mind, why not use the principles of an earth shelter to our advantage in order to do so. In conclusion, the importance of this practise can save us from a lot of environmental issues we have in this day and age if we apply them correctly, not only for the preservation of our current environment but also for the development of our future environment.
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References https://www.bigrentz.com/blog/earth-sheltered-homes https://insteading.com/blog/earth-sheltered-homes https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/efficient-earth-sheltered-homes https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/40549 http://www.waynelabs.com/KenLabs/KenLabsThesis-LowRes.pdf http://2030palette.org/earth-sheltering https://www.buildwithrise.com/stories/underground-homes https://buildabroad.org/2016/10/29/earth-sheltering https://www.pinterest.com/pin/550494754440976098 https://ncma.org/resource/earth-sheltered-buildings
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HOW LIGHT CAN CHANGE OUR QUALITY OF LIFE? Micheal Physentzidou U184N0152
‘Light, electromagnetic radiation that can be detected by the human eye’. It works in a variety of situations where light is viewed, examined, and controlled. Through the sense of sight, light is a fundamental means of perceiving and communicating with the world. The Sun’s light heats the Earth, affects global weather patterns, and drives photosynthesis, a life-sustaining activity, on a large scale. The interactions of light with matter have shaped the universe’s structure. Physics is fascinated by the physical properties of light, whereas the arts are fascinated by the aesthetic impression of the visual world. Is it a wave or a substance? Light cannot be constructed, but its perception can be designed as a cultural interpretation. What does it mean to be in a dark room? What is the definition of a patio? On a summer evening, what is a narrow street? Light Bright, quiet or powerful light, artificial light or natural light, these are the rooms we design. Architectural lighting is illumination for the design and operation of a structure. Rather than being an afterthought, architectural lighting supports and enhances the design, resulting in a cohesive spatial experience. The presence of building necessitates the use of architectural lighting. Architectural lighting achieves a harmonious balance between art (architecture) and technology (lighting). Illuminated or lighted architecture can be found in both commercial and residential settings. Other fields of study, such as design, are represented as well. The psychological and physiological effects of light, as well as physics and engineering, all play a part. Architectural lighting is achieved by combining the aesthetic, ergonomic, or functional aspects of a structure with energy economy. It imagines, constructs, integrates, infuses, and arranges lighting into a coordinated system, taking into account the fact and advantage of natural light, electrical light, or both to serve and promote human action. As a result, design is concerned with a space’s precise function, or multiple uses. In the kitchen, for example, it’s normally vital to focus on illuminating food preparation and cooking. It may be desirable to prepare lighting for best sitting and viewing in a home theater or media room to stress clean sight lines, so that it may be comfortably navigated in the dark while watching the movie. The type of action being illuminated, the amount of light provided, the color of the light, which may modify the optics of specific objects, such as works of art, and the overall, whole environment are all factors to consider in lighting design. Another architectural aspect is the distribution of light in a given space, whether it be external or inside. Lighting design should also include the impact of illumination on the people who live there; however, this differs depending on the use. 14
The purpose of architectural lighting is to enhance the spatial experience. According to Munson, lighting can affect mood, texture, spatial awareness, and “exaggerate particular architectural characteristics, create closeness, and so on.” Light is important for human well-being and is essential for the success of any structure. Human behaviour, health, comfort, and mood are all influenced by light quality. Light, space, and humans all have an effect on and interact with one another. Light illuminates space; light requires space to receive it; and light inside space modifies human perception. They are intertwined in the same way that individuals require nourishment or a place to sleep. “Space and light and order. Those are the things that men need just as much as they need bread or a place to sleep” (Le Corbusier, 1965).
LES COLS HOSTEL COMPLEX RCR Architects redesigned an old farmhouse at Olot, in Girona Catalonia in order for it to accommodate a restaurant along with a hostel. The building was completed in 2005
Shadows are free. Lighting design should, in general, take into account the sort of action being illuminated, the amount of light provided, and the color of the light, which may vary. Any interior area requires light because it is the only way for us to see our surroundings. Altering the intensity, placement, and color of light can drastically change the mood of a space, making it an extremely useful weapon. And where there is light, there are shadows. When there isn’t enough, it’s difficult to complete needed activities. If used too much, then there is glare. Both conditions can produce eye irritation, which can lead to physical and emotional health problems.
When the sunrays contact the structure’s glass skin, they generate quite interesting shadow line patterns in the interior. Both during the day and at night, the shadows of the trees that surround the hostel complex may be seen on the building. Sunrays hide and seek among the tree branches, casting shadows on the walls. Shadows are also cast by the moonlight shining through the trees.
Mood and atmosphere. It’s important not to disregard the psychological aspects. In order to relax the eyes and the attitude, people must adjust their perspective. Light is a strong instrument, and it must be properly designed as a design element to complement the space it is illuminating. Incorporating a few distinct schemes into a single room can drastically alter how that space is perceived. Various systems are utilized depending on the space’s purpose. Restaurants and bars are some of the best examples of mood. Lighting intensity and color are useful elements for creating a desired environment, from brilliantly illuminated and boisterous eateries to romantic candlelit restaurants to suspiciously dim night clubs. A smart designer will, of course, make use of those free shadows to enhance the lighting design.
BLACK STEEL & GLASS
ROUGH NON-TRANSPARENT ELEMENT (STONE WALL)
FIXED TRANSLUCENT PANELS USED FOR FENCING
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Moods and emotions are influenced by light work in space. Lines appear as a result of color changes. It is extremely sensitive to light balance. When you enter a location that is fully evenly lit, for example, it has a direct impact on how you perceive the environment. Light has a powerful positive effect. It could be an emotional reaction or a reflection of how people interact in the environment. That creates an emotional response. It’s the way the light in that room makes people look. One of the key techniques used by architects to make statements in space is geometry. It makes significant use of light lines. Combining the fundamental form with light creates dramatic environments.
Sustainability When it comes to the design of light in a room, another key consideration is sustainability. Daylight is free and comes with no electrical expenses, and it has numerous advantages for people who live in indoor spaces. However, because sunshine cannot be our sole light source, how can we illuminate our environments in an environmentally friendly manner?
N IO T EC R
The walls, roof, and translucent dividers around the rooms are all made of glass. As a result, glass serves as the building’s skin. Whatever is in its immediate vicinity is reflected in the glass. As a result, the structure becomes one with the environment in which it is constructed. The bathtub is reminiscent of a raft and remains full and replenished through a proximity sensor
IN NS M TIO LEC ROO REF BATH THE
The majority of architects prefer to maximize the usage of natural light. Natural light improves architectural harmony between the external and inside, as well as between humans and nature. They believe that combining light with other elements such as colors may make a place more dynamic and appealing, and that light is an important natural element in architecture design.
WALLS AND FLOOR S
L EF
The human aspect is also crucial. Individuals prefer natural light to artificial light, thus they prefer to work during the day and want to be close to a window. Natural components have an important role in producing an appealing aesthetic atmosphere and contributing to a feeling of well-being. Sickness and absenteeism are more likely to occur throughout the day, in a work environment where employees are in a fixed posture for the majority of the time, and in scenarios where people work under complete artificial light settings. Some say that the psychological and physiological impacts that natural light appears to have on people are the most compelling reason for adopting it.
TRANCPARENT GLASS
TRANSLUCENT OPENABLE PANELS
In response to our increasingly environmentally minded modern culture, these are always evolving and improving. There is a suitable option for every situation, from fluorescent to LED to high-pressure sodium. It is believed that is critical to examine the light source’s function first, followed by the most efficient means of accomplishing this. LEDs are quite popular nowadays, however they are not the best solution for every lighting issue.
WHATEVER IS ON THE OUTSIDE BLENDS WITH WHAT IS ON THE INSIDE
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The components of an effective architectural lighting design are: The goal of lighting design is to ensure that needed functions and movement within a space are visible. When it comes to architectural lighting design, though, there is a lot more that can be done. To provide a detailed and distinctive ambiance, additional aspects are taken into account. These are some of them o The psychological impact on residents and visitors of the lighting design. o Lighting design may improve structural aspects and essential interior design elements. o Human circadian rhythms are taken into account (responsible for giving us better nights sleep). o Natural light is used to meet environmental quality and illumination requirements.
Conclusion There’s no denying that light is a crucial component. To correctly and successfully light spaces, make sure this is done not just aesthetically, but also scientifically. Architectural lighting design, when done right, can have a significant impact on an individual’s well-being. It can not only have a beneficial psychological effect, but it can also transform a space for the better. On the other hand, if lighting isn’t carefully handled, it can have a negative impact on a resident’s perception of space, limit overall visibility, and impede day-to-day performance.
The design team blurred the boundaries between the interior and the exterior, so that sleeping inside their structures would feel as if one were outdoors under the stars. Therefore, the building complex has a reciprocal relationship with its environment, enabling you to live with the rhythm of the seasons
References
Conclusion
Stark, Glenn. “Light.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, 1 Dec. 2021, https://www.britannica.com/science/light [Accessed 5 January 2022]. HatchDesign. “ELEMENTS OF DESIGN PART 4: LIGHT.” Hatch Design, HatchDesign, 19 Dec. 2012, https://www.hatchdesign.ca/ elements-of-design-part-4-light/ [Accessed 5 January 2022]. architects, AGi. “The Importance of Light in Our Architecture.” AGi Architects Blog, 8 June 2017, http://www.agi-architects.com/ blog/en/the-importance-of-light-in-our-architecture/ [Accessed 5 January 2022]. Lighting, Alcon. “The Art of Lighting Art — Insights.” Insights, Insights, 2 Aug. 2021, https://www.alconlighting.com/blog/lighting-design/lighting-for-art/ [Accessed 5 January 2022]. Light Journey. “Importance of Lighting | Natural & Artificial Lighting & Architecture.” Light Journey, 18 May 2020, https://lightjourney.com.sg/importance-of-lighting/ [Accessed 5 January 2022]. UKEssays. November 2018. The Relationship Between Light And Architecture Philosophy Essay. [online]. Available from: https:// www.ukessays.com/essays/philosophy/the-relationship-between-light-and-architecture-philosophy-essay.php?vref=1 [Accessed 5 January 2022]. Devenish, Bradley. “How Architectural Lighting Design Could Transform Your Space.” Hampshire Light, Hampshire Light, 9 Nov. 2020, https://www.hampshirelight.net/blog/how-architectural-lighting-design-could-transfrom-your-space [Accessed 5 January 2022].
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OMAR ATEF AFIFI
MASHRABIYA (Arab oriel windows as an
The third benefit is its power to control the air flow with its grand clear openings it manages to provide larger gaps in the clamp and as a result this enables the air to flow into the room in addi�on to altering when its ligh�ng considera�ons require narrow openings to reduce the shimmer the air flow then is reduced greatly. The fourth benefit is that it helps increase the humidity of the air stream as the wood chosen to be used in the Mashrabiya func�ons as a sponge that absorbs and even filters the amount of water to be reasonable (as long as the wood is not covered or painted), allowing the air that passes through the perforated wood to lose some of its moisture by absorbing the wooden bars when the weather is considered rela�vely cold. The fi�h and barely final benefit is that it provides privacy for the residents on the inside while allowing them to s�ll see the outside somewhat clearly, this is due to the twopart Mashrabiya as the lower part guarantees privacy all while the air flows through the upper part. Like many historical Islamic elements of architecture, the Mashrabiya stood for something beyond itself, Islamic architecture is known to rely heavily on numerous func�onal elements of symbolic forms this is due the transi�on from the physical to the spiritual meaning there is always a symboliza�on between heaven and the heaven on earth we witness in holy loca�ons. (Abdelghany abdelrazik, 2012)
environmental architectural element) The Mashrabiya in defini�on is an Arabic architectural element that has been known to be both beneficial, for those who chose to implement in their building structures, and incredibly magical in look and feel. Across the years it has been notably revived in numerous contemporary work each one with its excep�onal twist, whether using high-tech systems to have it operate or even giving it a more hipster young look to it; all while not even acknowledging the roots of the concept or serving the history that lies behind it any jus�ce. It is important to state that there are not sufficient areas of studies that cover this architectural element to begin with, therefore it makes it difficult to implement it as it was originally intended and instead leaves us viewing the Mashrabiya as a means to beau�fy the building rather than benefit it as it was intended. The lack of sufficient data also resulted in the renaming of the element into modernized version of their own such as calling it an air flake or even a geometrical panel, completely stripping the Mashrabiya from its heritage and depth Sabry, E., & Dwidar, S. (2015).
THE MASHRABIYA’S ORIGIN STORY: Mashrabiya has been known by different names according to different regions, the word itself is derived from the Arabic word “drink” which originally meant “drinking place”. In earlier �mes, it was a place with a sieve opening that had small water containers or jars that were put there to keep cool because of the evapora�on that resulted from the rapid movement of the air through its openings. Thus, began the Mashrabiya’s iden�ty and with �me its benefits began to increase, in fact several history professors believed that it has over five benefits; the first is the controlling of the temperature as in summer it helps cool the area so that the residents or users are not le� with immense heat in their bodies and allows cool air in the areas and rooms and in winter the openings actually face the sun which enables the interior temperature to increase and leaves the results warm. The second benefit is the idea of it controlling the light and its passage through its unique separa�on distance and the ideal size of the bars it has that manages to cover an opening in the façade so as to block direct solar radia�on.
fig.1 section of mashrabiya showing how system works
fig.2 mashrabiya across the middle eastern countries and their names
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SO, HOW DOES IT WORK? COOLING CONTROL:
When the concept of Mashrabiya was first introduced it was known to refer to the area that kept the water cool, when the water was kept cool this then caused the cool air to evaporate which resulted in waves in the air that would appear through the la�ce openings (Fathy, 1986), with the pass of �me the term Mashrabiya was used to refer to just that la�ce screen which consisted of wooden balusters with a circular sec�ons and was known that it was in fact the ideal scenario to ensure a flow of smoother cooler air that contributes to that evapora�on method. The Mashrabiya provides shade amongst the residence without full closing of the window while let�ng the air flow freely which is a massive help during summer since it reduces the temperature greatly.
fig.3 passive cooling system of mashrabiya
HUMIDITY CONTROL:
One of the func�ons of the Mashrabiya is that has the ability to control the humidity that get intact with your building as the absorp�on property of the wooden balusters help lessen the humidity, if the balusters are cold a�er a cold night the humidity is absorbed by the air which flows through the wooden Mashrabiya, this method is highly effec�ve in providing moist air instead of dry air in heated days and enables it to humidify and cool at �mes when its needed the most (Fathy, 1986).
VISUAL PRIVACY:
The Mashrabiya has been widely spread amongst the Islamic culture for mul�ple reasons but one that stands out greatly is the factor of privacy it offers when a�ributed. It’s main strength point is that it allows the residents to see the outside completely without exposing who they are or what the inside of their home looks like just by looking through the la�ce. For instance, if the Mashrabiya is viewing a street the distance between the balusters are usually a�ributed to smaller size at eye level. Each Mashrabiya puts into account where it will be located, the view it will be looking at and even who will be the users on the other end, it func�ons as a wall that is transparent on in the inside and beau�ful inside out. (Abdelkader,2018)
fig.4 controling inside light using mashrabiya pattern
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PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP AND SENSE OF BELONGING TO THE MASHRABYIA: From a very young age, Arab ci�zens have been accompanied by the Islamic heritage and its architecture on a literal day to day basis and as a result the eyes have grown accustomed to seeing the wonders of architecture as ordinary when in fact it is the furthest it can be from it. With �me, I myself have grown a special bond with the fascina�ons of Islamic architecture and it all started with the sight of the Mashat my grandfather house at Khan El Khalili, which is a loca�on I realized a�erwards that it is a landmark of Egyp�an culture, at first it seemed just seemed like a day visi�ng the family but with �me the stories that came along with the visit made me experience a sense of belonging. I look back upon those days and remember the sight of my father especially drink his morning tea right beside the Mashrabyia right a�er his Friday prayer he would sit feeling cool drinking a hot beverage and s�ll be delighted as ever as other experience the heat outside. My father would constantly tell me stories about how this exact spot was his getaway and I realized that when telling his stories that they were happening all year round which made me establish a sense of connec�on to the sight of the Mashrabyia and the stories my dad told.
fig.5 old cairo using the mashrabiya
fig.6 aperson in mashrabiya looking towads street in privacy of her home
fig.7 mashrabiya old cairo khan el-khlaili
“As I grew older with �me I started to see less and less of the Mashrabyia it was no longer part of Egyp�an homes and instead began to be part of statement places or grand fancy restaurants without even calling it for what it is. We replaced the heritage with technology and I cannot help but reminisce on the good days I could experience the breeze exactly how it is on the outside from the comfort of my home, in fact from �me to �me I s�ll find myself heading to Khan El Khalili to just spend the day there and experience the place for what it was meant to be a true work of art that just happens to be part of your day to day life.”ATEF AFIFI
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TO CONCLUDE: In the end, we can conclude that like all other elements of life the Mashrabyia has more or less lost its essence and has begun to be interpreted for other func�ons away from what it can actually thrive in. Perhaps in this day and age it makes the most sense to bring back the Mashrabyia and implement its benefits, with the thrive of global warming that cause unsteady weather condi�ons, the high dependency on electricity and technology, and the overpopula�on it just makes more sense to re-introduce an architectural element that provides reasonable weather all year round, proper ligh�ng without a bill and privacy to every part of your day. Which goes to show that history will always find its way back to you when you most need it.
REFERENCES: Abdelkader, R., & Park, J. H. (2018). Sustainable Building Façades: Modern Usages of e Traditional Mashrabiya. Open House International. Fathy, H. (1986). Natural Energies and Vernacular Architecture, Mashrabiya (pp. 46-49). Chicago, USA: e University of Chicago Press. Fathy, H. (1973). Architecture for the Poor (pp. 39-42). Chicago, USA: e University of Chicago Press. Sabry, E., & Dwidar, S. (2015). Contemporary Islamic Architecture towards preserving Islamic heritage. ResearchGate. Links: https://s.alarab.qa/n/219901 (Abdelghany abdelrazik, 2012) For visuals: https://www.researchgate.net/figure/e-Mashrabiya-section-and-the-transitional-social-space-the-authors_fig5_283732169 fig.1 https://spatialexperiments.wordpress.com/2016/09/17/adaptative-mashrabiya-from-mashrabiyas-to-dynamic-facades/ fig.2 https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/3/530/htm fig.3 https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/3/530/htm fig.4 https://talktravelapp.com/destination-travel-guides/beautiful-mosques-iran/ fig.5 Photographed by the author. (abdulkhalik ,2020) fig.6 https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Details-of-Mashrabiya-in-elevation-and-section-view-Ragette-2006_fig3_331277122 fig.7 https://images.app.goo.gl/yiEheMF8MZ6dmfgp8
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DISAPPEARING CITIES Folashade Omotoke Joseph
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mpermanence as a concept in architecture is a discussion which has evolved throughout the years, , Edward Ford in "The Theory and Practice of impermanence" 1997 highlights impermanence as more than just improvisation and convenience but also relates it to concepts such as ephemerality and durability in architecture. Intersecting with various movements such as modernism and High-tech, impermanence advocates for a view of architecture past the linear but instead begins to see architecture as a cycle as it relates to human life, needs and wants (Mcdonough,2002). Architecture should begin to transcend beyond the monument, accepting temporality as part of the physical manifestation of architecture. As we go forward, we need to begin to ask ourselves, in this ever-changing social, political and physical world, is permanence still logical? Or instead, should we begin to look to impermanence to create a new kind of architecture which embraces flexibility and acknowledges the need for change.
Ephemerality and temporarily in the urban landscape.
The city as we know it is based on a rigid structure with urban planning currently based on previously assumed aspects and needs of human life with permanence becoming the default condition, instead a sort of ephemerality should begin to be considered. An ephemeral city should work on symbiotic not parasitic relationships (Kotkin,2005) becoming fluid in terms of identity, atmospheres deviating away from given assumptions on value and collective identities but instead promoting a form of dialogue between the users and their environment leading to form of agency and control of the individual and the community.
“Is Permanence still logical?”
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Festivals as a sustainable tool of urban ephemerality
“The city should become tactile, perceptive responding to the endless performative human, non-human, material body mind forces” (Ploger,2018) a singular space cannot achieve this, Richard Sennet in “The Uses of Disorder” 1970 proposes the idea of a surface space which can promote an open system allowing for constant evolution, the urban environment moves beyond just inhabitation but becomes an experience as well in which urban space is ephemeral and unfinished. Currently festivals follow this concept of surface space as the space allowing for the possibilities of evolution, so the question is can the future urban landscape be adapted as a series of festivals providing differing societal functions in which nothing is fixed, and programs occur spontaneously almost similar to architecture of nomadic cultures.
“Can the future urban landscape be adapted as a series of festivals?”
Festivals initially served as symbols of counterculture but are currently utilized as forms of mainstream entertainment (Tyagi, Digital Environment magazine). What if the festivals return as a symbol of counterculture as it relates to the concept of permanence in architecture with the concept of festivals being adapted to become tools of spatial –temporal phenomenon in which temporary structures begin to provide both shelter and social stimuli. (Mehrota.R., Vera.F., 2015)
Figure 1: Burning man Festival
Figure 2: Coachella Festival
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Figure 3: Woodstock
Felipe Vera and Rahul Mehrotra in their book “Temporary flows and Ephemeral cities” 2015 look to festivals as possible base model for a spatial construction which is both temporary and cyclical and designed to frame the human experience, festivals as an urban prototype can begin to accept change with a design process that allows for production of flexible, elastic structures which aims to provides a sustainable economic, social, and physical environment. The festival leaves behind no trace physically but instead lives on in collective memory with the monument no longer being a massive physical element of permanence but instead a societal shared experience with material and social landscapes beginning to be organized dynamically. “With Impermanence land is no longer a resource continually consumed but instead a base of community with humans as an integral element” Kisho Kurokawa, the human element is brought back to the forefront of architecture.
Kumbh Mela: A case study in the festival as an urban tool
“Does Permanence Matter” Rahul Mehrotra, Kumbh Mela in India is a Hindu mega fair which occurs for 55 days at the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers once every 12 years and is considered one of the largest gatherings worldwide. The festival becomes a sort of pop-up city existing based on the current religious and social needs of the users.
Figure 4: Temporary Bridges at the Kumbh Mela
The site itself is temporary as it occurs only because of the natural seasonal cycle only being exposed when the water levels receded within a floodplain, the festival cities relationship with the land is not intrusive but instead carefully ensures not to permanently alter the landscape but still managing to take advantages of its natural resources allowing the Kumbh Mela to become a sort of category of eco- architecture. 26
“The Kumbh Mela is a temporary city whose population fluctuates between 3 million inhabitants on regular days and 30 million inhabitants on the festival’s most holy days. Shanghai, the world’s largest permanent city, has a population of about 24 million”
Figures 5: Showing the site before exposed
Figures 6 : The site is exposed
The grid as is utilized in the Kumbh Mela moves beyond the basics of planning, but instead also becomes the grounded territory meaning the geometry of the grid may change due to the morphology of the festival. Moving beyond conformity, the city manages to provide a medley of individual expression through autonomously conceived areas by the users therefore providing a sense of community and allowing for independence through spatial singularity. In terms of sustainability, the city employs the concept of reversibility of a festival constructed and disassembled purely based on the programmatic and spatial needs. Due to its temporality, it might be assumed that it is constructed in parts and differing moments but the Kumbh Mela is built unitary at once. The elements which come together to make the physical structures of the city are materials which are easily economically available , the materials once on site can be adapted to create a variety of typologies constructed throughout the city. At the festivals end the materials are re-absorbed into the system, given to small towns and counties for construction such as bridges or maybe shelter accepting the temporality of the physical (Mehrota.R., Vera.F., Khanna.T,. Eck.D. 2015)
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Urbanism in the festival of Kumbh Mela becomes an elastic condition, elastic not only in its physicality but also in its social realtionship with the program and users. Using the Kumbh Mela as an example we can begin to re-examine what the cities and the urban environment could look like, maybe the city can evolve to become a sort of pilgrimage not in relation to religious or cultural contexts but just gatherings of people to contribute to a network within a life cycle in relation to activity and program. The idea of disappearing cities is not necessarily a new concept such as Archigrams walking city which was conceived as a mobile metropolis, but the use of festivals as a possible means of sustainable consideration both socially and environmentally calls for us to reconsider not eradicate our urban inhabitance. What if like a festival the city was experienced not just occupied but continually evolving as it moves and exchanges functions and users.
References: Vera, F., & Mehrotra, R. (2015). Temporary Flows & Ephemeral Cities. Room One Thousand, 3. Retrieved from https://escholarship.org/uc/ item/18f9p6np Ploger,J.(2018). The Ephemeral City:The Difference betweem Rode Plads and Gillet Square.Experimental Cities. https://experimentalcities. com/the-ephemeral-city/ Sennett, R. (1970) The Uses of Disorder. Personal Identity and City Life, New York, A Vintage Book. Kotkin,J.(2005). The Rise of the Ephemeral City.Metropolis. https://metropolismag.com/programs/the-rise-of-the-ephemeral-city/ Mcdonough,W., Braungart ,M.(2002) .Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things. North Point Press. Ford,E. (1997). The Theory and Practice of impermanence. Harvard Design Magazine. Retrieved from: http://www.scribd.com/ doc/39568720/The-Theory-and-Practice-of-Impermanence Mehrota.R., Vera.F., Khanna.T,. Eck.D.(2015). Kumbh Mela: Mapping the Ephemeral Mega City. Hatje Cantz
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Vertical Forests in Cyprus Kalia Avraam - U211N1127
Vertical forests are architectural device that encourage architecture and nature to co-exist in urban areas, creating complex urban ecosystems. In other words, vertical forests are high-rise structures that are entirely covered with plants and leaves of trees (Vertical ForestING | Stefano Boeri Architetti, n.d.). It can be argued that the most significant vertical forest in Cyprus is the Jean Nouvel Tower 25, the white tower with the 'pixelated' facade that is located at the centre of Nicosia, next to Eleftheria Square (Jean Nouvel’s ’White Walls’ is a vertical landscape tower dominated by pixelated facade in Cyprus, 2016).
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Similarly, in Larnaca Kaimaklioti LLC is a building that obtains a vertical forest. The Kaimakliotis building reflects the four seasons, as the building is wrapped with stainless steel trellis, covered by climbing plants which become green in spring and summer, brown in autumn and absent of leaves in winter. Through this article, user experience will be explored for both buildings and the architectural process behind the Kaimaklioti LLC building will be highlighted through an interview with the architect himself.
North Facade
The 67 meter high building Tower 25 was designed by the French studio Ateliers Jean Nouvel and has been developed by the local architecture firm Takis Sophocleous Architects (Jean Nouvel’s ’White Walls’ is a vertical landscape tower dominated by pixelated facade in Cyprus, 2016). The building consists of 10 floors of residential apartments, 6 floors of offices and 2 floors of shops (Tower 25 - White Walls — Ateliers Jean Nouvel, n.d.). On the south facade, which receives most of the sun, there is a vertical landscape that acts as a “green” screen, covering around 80% of the building’s façade. This is done by various balconies which overflow with plants (Frearson, 2016). This living environment works as a natural “brise soleil” that reaches the height of its vegetation in the
summer. This vertical landscape acts as a shelter device from the sun, shielding the apartments and the offices from the intense heat and direct sun during the summer months and maximizing the sunlight during winter. (Tower 25 - White Walls — Ateliers Jean Nouvel, n.d.) The north façade has the advantage of nicer views such as the park and city, whereas on the east and west facades, there no such views and the plants are spread out on the pixelated white walls to reduce the noise, wind and sun. The 40 x 40 cm openings on the wall create fascinating shadows that define the exterior and interior space, depending on the position of the sun (Tower 25 White Walls — Ateliers Jean Nouvel, n.d.) 31
East + West Facades
Elena Hadjikyriacou, an ex-employee of Ernst & Young, Nicosia which has offices in the iconic building Tower 25, has described her experience working there. The question posed, whether the idea of the plants were working efficiently, was exploded and Elena elaborated on the fact that the plants helped a great deal with her psychology. She said, ‘the plants help you get calmer, especially during the breaks’. Elena also noted that the building wasn’t so functional because they reused the initial design for residential units as their offices. The lack of designated space for lunch or group meetings was another issue. Concerning room temperature, Elena was satisfied even during summer as they had air-conditioning units cooling the room down.
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She did mention however, during winter the building was cold. The fact that the windows are only on the one side of the building no direct sunlight was coming to the office space, hence artificial lights were on during the day. Moreover, another building that can be considered as a vertical forest is the 10-story Kaimakliotis building in Larnaca, completed in 2014 and designed in 2011-2012 by the architect George Solomou. I have interviewed Mr Solomou and our discussion was insightful as the specifics of the building could not be obtained online. The client was G. Kaimakliotis Accountants, thus the project type was specific to private offices (Kaimakliotis Tower - D&K EPS, n.d.).
In contrast with Tower 25, in order to create these green facades they use stainless steel trellis that are covered by climbing plants. Mr George Solomou stated that by this, ‘the building changes character and reflects the four seasons’. According to the weather, the plant leaves either fell or became greener. This natural method works in favour of the building as in the summer the green facades work as a shading system, and protect the building from the direct solar radiation, whereas in winter the building gets warmer as there are not leafs to block the sun. However, as the architect explained, in order to avoid overheating the users can open the windows/balcony doors. He also explained that they use low-emissivity glass which is an energy-efficient glass designed to prevent heat escaping out or entering in.
Since the building is located in one of the main roads of Larnaca, noise and pollution are really important aspects to consider while designing. Also, vertical forest reduces the urban heat island effect through the shadow that it provides, while creating a habitat for butterflies, birds, and other insects (Green Facades from Jakob, n.d.).
The green facades of the building have created thermal comfort, visual appeal and inspiration to the users of the offices but also to the people that pass the building every day, especially in spring, summer or even in autumn when the plants are green and vivid. Furthermore, green façade absorb the noise from outside and also improve the air quality around the building. (Scott, 2021).
The architect has also explained that the perforated deck outside at the balconies allow natural ventilation. Additionally, he described that the building can be considered sustainable due to the draining water system it uses to water the plants. Waste water from showers, hand basins and baths is recycled and reused for irrigation. Water collector/gutters on the roof collect the raining water and water the plants later on.
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Mr Solomou answers that the method used is hybrid and that at the time the most appropriate construction method for this project was the reinforced concrete structure with seismic bearings (FPS) that have been placed at ground level. The building has an advance Earthquake Engineering Solutions that can handle up to 8.0 Richter (Kaimakliotis Tower D&K EPS, n.d.).
In order to have a full perspective, I have interviewed someone that works in this building. Mr Christodoulos G. Kaimakliotis is a chartered accountant and a partner in the firm of George Kaimakliotis & Co. Ltd (Christodoulos G. Kaimakliotis – George Kaimakliotis & Co LTD, n.d.). He said that especially in summer where the plants are green and dense it makes them feel very energetic and well. The systems works also as a shading device, however sometimes they use blinds to stop the direct sunlight. Mr Christodoulos mentioned that he really enjoys taking his breaks at the deck and appreciate the environment even though the building is located at the heart of Larnaca. He explained that because the building is full of glazing there is a need of extra heating and cooling. Even though, there are a lot of glazing, during winter where there is not so much sun, they use artificial lights. According to the architect Mr Solomou the building uses led lights.
Lastly, both high rise buildings introduce vertical planting in Cyprus. The two buildings bring greenery and plants in the working environment. In both cases the users, Elena Hadjikyriacou and Christodoulos Kaimakliotis agreed that the plants boosted their psychology, especially during their breaks. Even though the architects of the buildings have considered the direction of the sun, through the users experience it can be concluded that the design by itself cannot satisfy the users’ needs and in order to be comfortable they require more elements, such as blinds for the days that it is sunnier, artificial lighting for the dark days and extra heating and cooling. Yet, in both cases they use energy efficient lighting and appliances. It is really important for our future that all high rise buildings are green and sustainable and these two buildings are good examples of green, sustainable architecture.
Green architecture aims at ‘reducing the negative impacts of the construction of a building and being sustainable by having ventilation systems with efficient heating and cooling. This also includes having energy efficient lighting and using renewable energy as well as using rainwater harvesting and greywater reuse’ (Craven, 2019). Therefore, both structures can be considered green buildings as they have embedded most of the above.
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Reference: World Architecture Community. 2016. Jean Nouvel’s ’White Walls’ is a vertical landscape tower dominated by pixelated facade in Cyprus. [online] Available at: <https://worldarchitecture.org/articles/ceegh/jean_nouvel_s_white_walls_is_a_vertical_landscape_ tower_dominated_by_pixelated_facade_in_cyprus.html> [Accessed 18 December 2021]. Frearson, A., 2016. Jean Nouvel’s Cyprus tower has plants bursting through walls. [online] Dezeen. Available at: <https://www.dezeen.com/2016/03/14/ateliers-jean-nouvel-nicosia-cyprus-tower-25-plants-perforated-walls-office-housing-block/> [Accessed 21 December 2021]. Stefano Boeri Architetti. n.d. Vertical ForestING | Stefano Boeri Architetti. [online] Available at: <https://www.stefanoboeriarchitetti. net/en/vertical-foresting/> [Accessed 21 December 2021]. Ateliers Jean Nouvel. n.d. Tower 25 - White Walls — Ateliers Jean Nouvel. [online] Available at: <http://www.jeannouvel.com/en/ projects/white-walls/> [Accessed 21 December 2021]. D&K EPS. n.d. Kaimakliotis Tower - D&K EPS. [online] Available at: <https://dkeps.com/kaimakliotis-tower/> [Accessed 18 December 2021]. ArchDaily. n.d. Green Facades from Jakob. [online] Available at: <https://www.archdaily.com/catalog/us/products/12673/green-facades-jakob> [Accessed 22 December 2021]. Scott, A., 2021. Creating a Green Façade with Climbing Plants | Commercial Silk. [online] Commercialsilk.com. Available at: <https:// www.commercialsilk.com/blog/creating-a-green-facade-with-climbing-plants> [Accessed 22 December 2021]. Kaimakliotis.com.cy. n.d. Christodoulos G. Kaimakliotis – George Kaimakliotis & Co LTD. [online] Available at: <https://www.kaimakliotis.com.cy/ironthm_team/christodoulos-g-kaimakliotis/> [Accessed 5 January 2022]. Craven, J., 2019. When “Green” Architecture Is More Than a Color. [online] ThoughtCo. Available at: <https://www.thoughtco.com/ what-is-green-architecture-and-green-design-177955> [Accessed 5 January 2022].
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Why is the Rocky Mountain Institute one of the most sustainable buildings of its era MARIA NICOLAOU – U184N2641 The Rocky Mountain Institute was built some time in between June 1982 and January 1984, and it is known that it was a trial of a building. Aiming to be functioning as a sustainable building while taking advantage of the available energy resources around the area while also renewable power technologies that existed at the time was an important factor for bringing to life this building.
As seen in the above diagram, the Rocky Mountain Institute, known also as the Amory Lovins House was built in the Postmodernism Era. At that time that the building was constructed, it costed around $500,000 along with the land and a lot of built-in furniture which means that each square foot was approximately $130 which was at this period the average on going amount rate for homes inside and around the Aspen. In an interview in Colorado that Amory attended he mentioned that “his house even though the temperatures in the Aspen area where the institute is located then could reach 46 degrees below zero Fahrenheit, that his house has no combustion (furnace)” Based on the construction they followed to build the house, there was an additional $6,000 to the cost of construction due to the energy and water efficiency technology. This may sound as a large amount but if calculations are made, the house saves $19 a day from the efficiency of it.
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The building has a final total of 4,000 sq ft structure which is insulated and is supported with heat by solar renewes powers on top of the building. The architects responsible for the building wanted to achieve a design that would be an excellent absorber and would keep the heat that it could benefit to other habitable conditions, for example the use of furnace. The glass that was used has a magnificent result of allowing natural sunlight and cover most of the interior spaces. More sustainable factors are the fact that sloping walls are reducing interior sound reinterpreting through the rooms while a central greenhouse humidifies the space. This helps to lower down the consumption of electricity and minimize the operating costs while it gives a more relaxing and pleasant stay for the owners.
GLAZING: For the natural light of the building while also for the advanced windows. Diagrams showed below explaining what happens exactly:
OUTSIDE
KRYPTON SELECTIVE COATING
INSIDE
The sloping walls are built using a technique invented by architect Frank Lloyd Wright also known as “slip forming.” Inside, stones were placed against the interior and exterior forms, and cement was hand-scooped into the space between the fundamental foam layer and the top shell.
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1. After the forms are removed 2. The excess concrete from the walls was cleaned with hand tools 3. The stones are washed. 4. The concrete dries overnight 5. The forms are raised twenty inches to place another “slide”
TRACKING & TILTING PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS
During the building’s renovation in 2009, a SunPower collection was added to the east roof.
SOLAR HOT-WATER SYSTEM Near the roof’s northern edge, there aresolar panels. It warms the tap water. As water runs through pipes, the water is first prewarmed to around 19–40°C.
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INSIDE AMORY’S GREEN HOUSE:
The green room that is located inside the building, functions as the building’s “heater.” The house’s manual heat is stored inside the masonry, the floor, the water (waterfall), and the earth beneath the house. The manual heating process is divided into two stages. The first phase begins with the capture of heat in September, and the second phase begins with the use of the stored heat in the cold months beginning in December. Two wooden stoves are accessible for backup warming in case that the stored heat won’t be enough to get through the winter the owners, but this happens in extreme cases of cold winter mornings. Afterall this was eliminated when back in 2009 a new active-solar thermal backup was installed. Besides all the above what could possibly else help to recycle as much energy as possible? What else could help the Amory Lovins achieve the goal of the most sustainable building that was ever built? These questions shall be solved regarding the trees inside the building, more specifically banana and papaya trees while also other vegetation is responsible to collect the carbon dioxide that may be in the atmosphere inside the building while at the same time providing humidity to the interior spaces. Another factor is the waterfall, which was designed to provide an extra layer of acoustic cover because the house was so’silent’ that even distant conversations were distracting. The waterfall also keeps the ponds inside the greenhouse from becoming stable, allowing nutrients and small animals to flow into the bottom pond. SUN PATH DIAGRAM:
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ENTRYWAY: The entryway acts as a shield, which has as a main ability to keeping cold winter air out of the house. The storm door is created from two layers of Heat Mirror It is three times more insulating than triple glazing glass It has an additional heat-reflective coating.
BATTERIES & INVERTER:
In the house there is also available a rechargeable battery that can store enough power to keep the house running for two weeks.
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References: Adler, B. (2014, July 25). Climate + Topic. Retrieved from Grist: https://grist.org/climate-energy/amory-lovins-high-tech-homeskimps-on-energy-but-not-on-comfort/ Center, R. I. (n.d.). RMI Innovation Center. Retrieved from RMI Innovation Center: https://rmi.org/about/office-locations/amory-private-residence/ RMI and AT&T: Working Together on a Portfolio Approach to Building Efficiency. (2012, September 17). Retrieved from RMI Innovation Center: https://rmi.org/rmi_att_working_together_portfolio_approach_building_efficiency/ Siemens. (2015, July 14). Amory Lovins on the New Energy Market. Retrieved from Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=AQ217DvU5WY Solaripedia. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.solaripedia.com/13/220/amory_lovins_uber_solar_home_(colorado).html
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LANDSCAPE URBANISM IN ARCHITECTURE IS THE LANDSCAPE ASPECT OF ARCHITECTURE POSSIBLY THE MOST SUSTAINABLE ASPECT OF ARCHITECTURAL PRACTICE?
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BY ELENA PAPAOIKONOMOU
WHAT IS LANDSCAPE URBANISM AND WHO ORIGINATED THE TERM?
JAMES CORNER AND HIS MAPPING
JAMES CORNER PRACTICES HIS MAPPING TECHIQUES ‘‘LANDSCAPE URBANISM IS THE THEORY OF URBAN THROUGH FOUR PRINCIPLES: PLANNING THAT USES LANDSCAPE AS A MEDIUM. 1. DRIFTS 2. LAYERING IT ADVOCATES THE BASIC IDEA THAT CITIES ARE BETTER 3.GAME-BOARD AND MANAGED AND STRUCTURED THROUGH LANDSCAPE 4.PHIZOMES DESIGN RATHER THAN CONSTRUCTION AND INFRASTRUCTURE DESIGN1.’’ AS A THEORY IT WAS ORIGINATED IN THE LATE 80S, PETER CONOLLY, RICHARD WELLER, AND CHARLES WALDHEIM WERE THE FIRST LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS URBANISTS THAT STARTED TO LOOK INTO THE BOUNDARIES OF THE PROFESSION. IN CHICAGO, IN 1997 THE FIRST LANDSCAPE URBANISM CONFERENCE WAS HELD.
FIG 5. 9 Map C01 Pedological Drift by James Corner fig. 1 charles waldheim
fig. 2 james corner
THERE ARE TWO PEOPLE THAT ORIGINATED THE TERM ‘LANDSCAPE URBANISM’ IN ARCHITECTURE, CHARLES WALDHEIM AND JAMES CORNER. LANDSCAPE DESIGN, ACCORDING TO CHARLES WALDHEIM, IS THE ARCHITECTURAL PROFESSION BEST ADAPTED TO ADOPTING “ECOLOGICAL URBANISM” IN ORDER TO CREATE MORE SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES.
fig. 3 book by charles waldheim
IN CONSTRUCTING A MAP, JAMES CORNER VALUES THE LIGHT AND DARKNESS OF A COLOR. THE LIGHT COLOR REPRESENTS THE TINTS, WHILE THE DARKER COLOR REPRESENTS SHADES. FOLLOWING THE HUE, IT CREATES A GRADIENT THAT MOVES FROM LIGHT TO DARK. HIS TECHNIQUE IS USED TO REPRESENT DIFFERENT FEATURES SUCH AS TEMPERATURE AND ELEVATION. BY UTILIZING THE METHOD OF DRIFTS IN FIG. 5 , JAMES CORNER WANTS TO COMMUNICATE TO THE VIEWER THAT THE MAP IS AN ABSTRACTION OF THE REAL WORLD, AND THAT THE FEATURES PORTRAYED IN THE MAP ARE NOT RESTRICTED TO A SINGLE PLACE AND TIME.
fig. 4 book by charles waldheim look into the book
ON THE OTHER HAND, JAMES CORNER’S WRITINGS, SUCH AS THE LANDSCAPE IMAGINATION: COLLECTED ESSAYS OF JAMES CORNER 1990-2010, AND OTHERS, INFLUENCED MANY OTHER ARCHITECTS WHO WANTED TO PUT THE LANDSCAPE URBANISM THEORY INTO PRACTICE, AS DID THE MOST INFLUENTIAL PROJECT IN THE POST-MILLENNIAL SERIES, NEW YORK’S HIGHT LINE, WHICH IS THE BEST EXAMPLE OF LANDSCAPE URBANISM BECAUSE IT DEMONSTRATES HOW fig. 6 Map C07 Windmill A CITY’S PROBLEMS CAN BE ADDRESSED IN THE MOST Topography by James Corner. SUSTAINABLE WAY. 43
JAMES CORNER HAD A UNIQUE WAY OF REPRESENTING MULTIPLE POINTS OF VIEW. FIG. 6 IS A MAP THAT REPRESENTS THE TOPOGRAPHY OF CALIFORNIA, WHICH IS A SITE WITH WIND TURINES. HE USES MULTIPLE VIEWPOINTS TO ALLOW THE VIEWER TO UNDERSTAND THE CONTEX OF THE MAP IN A DIFFERENT WAY THAN USING A SINGLE VIEW OF THE SITE.
HIGH LINE OF NEW YORK A UNIQUE EXAMPLE OF SUSTAINABLE LANDSCAPE URBANISM Location: Manhattan Urban design: James Corner Operations Architect: Diller Scofidio + Renfro Design vegetation: Piet Oudolf Realization state/year: 2002-2012
fig. 7 timeline of the High Line
‘‘THE HIGH LINE IS PERCEIVED TO BE A DERELICT ABANDONED UGLY POST-INDUSTRIAL STRUCTURE THAT IS POTENTIALLY DARK AND DANGEROUS. WHO WOULD EVER GO UP THERE? WHY WOULD ANYONE EVER USE THAT? THE HIGH LINE IS A REALLY GOOD EXAMPLE OF A FOUND OBJECT IN THE CITY, A SORT OF THING THAT HAD BEEN DISCARDED AND OVERLOOKED….WHEN WE STARTED THE HIGH LINE WE HADN’T REALLY BUILT THAT MUCH. BUT I THINK AS DESIGNERS YOU BRING A TREMENDOUS SENSE OF OPTIMISM AND FAITH IN THE CAPACITY OF GOOD DESIGN’’ TO TRANSFORM WHAT ARE MAYBE PERCEIVED AS NEGATIVE INTO SOMETHING POSITIVE. ‘‘ JAMES CORNER INTERVIEW: THE HIGH LINE AND INTIMATE IMMENSITY
THE DESIGN TEAM FOLLOWED SOME PRINCIPLES IN ORDER TO GUIDE THE DESIGN PROCESS: 1. KEEP IT BASIC 2. KEEP THE RAILINGS AND IMPROVE TO MEET CODE AND ASSURE SAFETY 3.MAINTAIN THE HIGH LINE’S LINEAR CONSISTENCY 4.PRESERVE THE STRUCTURE BY ALLOWING PEOPLE TO OCCUPY AND APPRECIATE THE NUANCES 5.PRESERVE LEISURELY MEANDERING EXPERIENCES IN A VARIETY OF SETTINGS. 6.KEEP UNCOMMON AND PLEASANT CONDITIONS 7.PRESERVE THE NATURAL, OPPORTUNISTIC LANDSCAPE BY UTILIZING EXISTING PLANT SPECIES 8. MAINTAIN THE INDUSTRIAL PRESENCE OF THE HIGH LINE AT STREET LEVEL DESIGNING THE HIGH LINE , P. 31 44
REASONS WHY THE HIGHLINE OF NEW YORK IS SUSTAINABLE THERE ARE SEVERAL PRINCIPLES WHY THE HIGH LINE IS SUSTAINABLE HERE ARE SOME OF THEM: 1. PLANT SELECTION 2. LOCAL SOURCING 3. WATERING SYSTEM 4. COMPOSTING 5. INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT 6. NATIVE POLLINATORS 7. SOLVETS AND CLEANING SUPPLIES 8. SNOW REMOVAL IN TERMS OF ECOLOGY, THE PARK HAS ACHIEVED ITS PURPOSE. THE HIGH LINE HELPS TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF QUALITY OF LIFE AND THE REDUCTION OF THE PHENOMENA OF “URBAN HEAT ISLAND” THROUGH SUSTAINABILITY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT. THE PLANTED ROOF TERRACE AND VEGETATION PROVIDE OXYGEN, SHADE, AND HELP TO MAINTAIN AND IMPROVE THE FLORA AND MICROCLIMATE.
THE PARK’S ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN STANDS OUT INCONCEIVABLY FOR ITS EXQUISITE AND EXACT EXECUTION. THE ARCHITECTS ARRIVED AT THIS CONCLUSION AFTER CONDUCTING AN EXTENSIVE INVESTIGATION. THE PARK HAS RECEIVED MULTIPLE AWARDS INCLUDING THOSE FROM THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS AND OTHERS, FOR BOTH ITS URBAN DESIGN AND ITS SUSTAINABILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY TO DISABLED PEOPLE.
IN TERMS OF SOCIAL IMPACT, THE PARK’S FREQUENCY OF VISITATION HAS EXCEEDED ALL PREDICTIONS, MAKING THE HIGH LINE ONE OF NEW YORK’S MOST ESSENTIAL ATTRACTIONS. THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE DEGRADED REGION THROUGH URBAN PLANNING AND INITIAL REGENERATION HAS RESULTED IN HERE, BUT ALSO IN MANY OTHER CASES, A POSITIVE POSITION FOR THE LOCAL POPULATION.
ECONOMICALLY, THE PARK HAS GENERATED UNANTICIPATED GAINS TO THE CITY, AS WELL AS THE MUNICIPALITY, EXCEEDING THE PROJECT’S BUDGET. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Landscape Urbanism,Wikipedia Corner, J. (2012) High Line of New york. Retrieved from https://www.thehighline.org/history/ Designing the High Line: Gansevoot Street to 30th Street. Ed. Friends of the High Line, Finley Printing: New York,2008 James Corner interview: the High Line and Intimate Immensity - Landscape Architects LAA 1.
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THE “BATON”GOES TO THE SUSTAINABILITY OF THE OLYMPIC GAMES PREMISES GIORGOS PATSALOSAVVIS U184N1448 Sport is a worldwide interest for billions of people. The sports community's common principles provide a strong foundation for mutual understanding, collaboration, and peace. In sports, there is a reoccurring issue of "legacy," which refers to the long-term advantages of sports facilities and event staging to host cities. The potential to leave a lasting, good legacy is dependent on sustainability. But, above all, it's an issue of values. Sport cannot remain insulated and unaffected by the global concerns of our day. Every athlete’s vision is to participate to the Olympic Games. Olympic games focuses the world’s attention, every four years, on one host city, presenting different competitions. The overall energy throughout the host city before the two-week games period is noticeable in a cloud of feel-good expectation, with athletes, tourists, and media contributing to the enthusiasm. The Games provide a chance for a country to display its culture and everything it has to offer. However, when the event finishes, these 'fortunate' host towns are frequently left with constructions that are no longer functional after their brief existence. Empty swimming pool facilities, abandoned arenas, and under utilized stadiums have become as much of a hallmark of the Olympic Games, with the structural and social consequences burdening previous hosts for years to come. Less cities have participated in the bidding process in recent years, indicating that the Games' effect is non better by the event. Olympic Games traditionally did not only give the chance to athletes to win medals but also to architects. The Olympics have always been the most important platform for the architectural community to demonstrate their work. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) awarded medals for architecture from 1912 through 1948. Architects were awarded gold medals for developing Olympic venues in 1928, 1936, and 1948. After 1948, the medals were no longer awarded, but the construction of famous stadiums has become an important aspect of hosting the event. The host towns and governments were on the hunt for the most eye-catching designs to outperform the previous hosts. Famous architects used design contests for these stadiums as a battleground, as it allowed them to expertise their ideas while also ensuring a place in the architectural hall of fame. It is worth mentioning that these skyline-altering innovations, which had little to no value after the games, usually came at a high price. 46
NEW PREMISES ARE NOT WORTH THEIR PRICE TAG As previous experience has demonstrated, new developments are worthless of less than a month event. Real consideration of the games necessity began as financial penalties continue to impose on host cities after the event. This shift in infrastructure design for the Games was thought to have occurred after the enormous expense of hosting Athens 2004; a blame for Greece's subsequent economic debt problem. At the urban and architectural scales, planning and design played a critical role in creating and preventing gaps between goals or aspirations and impacts. From the period of the 2012 Games bid in 2002-2004, Mayor of London said in Athens in 2004 that it would be completely unacceptable if the facilities built were to end up unused if they were to win the games. Buildings must be accessible to residents of the city and the poor regions that these sports are designed to revitalize. He promised that the Olympic stage set’s reusability and regeneration potential would be crucial components in London’s drive to provide the most sustainable Games ever’ when the 2012 Games were awarded to the city in 2005. Following the lead of Athens, the United Kingdom government opted to make a combination of existing, newly built, and temporary venues when preparing London 2012. On the other hand, Brazil government decided that the most of the venues for Rio 2016 would be facilities that had been renovated. Eighteen out of thirty two venues used were already existed venues with a bit of re-development. Brazil’s capital also highlighted the construction of recyclable temporary structures that could be demolished and used to construct public facilities such as schools. Despite all of London’s and Rio’s efforts, post-games places proved a financial problem for both those cities as plans to recycle the well-known temporary venues were also scrapped due to the high expense of removing them. In 2018, the IOC issued a special appeal to the Brazilian government to demolish them, claiming that they reflected badly on the Games' commitment to sustainability.
OLYMPICS HAVE BECOME LESS SUSTAINABLE OVER TIME Large infrastructural developments, as well as, massive parklands and architecturally prominent venues, were all part of the host cities for the most recent Games of the twenty-first century. The host country's government attempted to manage the high and often growing construction costs by assuring long-term "practical value”, leading in unplanned depreciation to fund long-term maintenance expenses with money from any post-event reuses, resulting in unintended obsolescence. Concerns over the Olympic Games' environmental effect were present. In the 1990s, the IOC issued its own edition of the "United Nations' Agenda 2", funded by oil giant Shell. Experts have examined all Olympic Games held since 1992 and found a distinct reduction in the games' sustainability since then.This tendency could be traced back to the event's growing magnitude, by producing a chain reaction of environmental, social, and economic consequences as in 1964 there were 5,500 athletes whereas in Tokyo were roughly 12,000.
THE FUTURE OF SUSTAINABILITY STARTS FROM THE OLYMPICS BY RENOVATION AND REUSE The IOC announced that all of the upcoming events will be carbon-neutral and, as of 2030, "climate positive”, as well as, recommended that venues must be reused in the future. Under that note, Tokyo 2020 Olympic organisers made a number of ground-breaking decisions. Finally Olympic Games' organisers chose to utilise historic buildings in the sake of redevelopment, heritage preservation, and waste reduction. This decision was not based on cost, but rather on the building industry's long-term viability. To be precise, 34 of the 42 facilities that hosted the event were refurbished and repurposed historic buildings. It developed a reduction of carbon approach that decreased the event's anticipated carbon footprint of almost 0,2 million tones. As mentioned, this was accomplished by reducing new development in favour of upgrading 25 existing sporting venues and making both old and new buildings more energy-efficient, in addition to using renewable energy and electric transportation. Paris is also following IOC advise for the 2024 Games. The Paris Olympics organisers have said that "polluting gas emissions for Paris 2024 will be in line with or even lower than those recorded in the two previous editions of the Games,” and that "95 percent of the facilities will be either existing or temporary locations”. The Olympic Games must embrace the unique symbol of this important sporting event, the structures that host the contests, since sustainability is a crucial problem. Athletes' villages, stadiums and arenas are all moving from expressions of architectural brilliance to instances of sustainable architecture, meant to last long after the contests are done and aid in the redevelopment of the urban environments where they are hosted.
FINANCIAL CHALLENGES The financial obstacles that Olympic host cities must tackle are numerous and complicated. As experience has spoken, the construction expenses were inflated by a slew of hidden expenditures, including delays, security, and infrastructure, to mention a few. The cost of hosting has risen by astonishing amounts each year. London 1948 costed $30 million, and the total cost of Beijing 2008 anticipated to be $40 billion. Many of the structures constructed for these events now serve as glorified sculpture.
TOKYO'S “BUILD LESS, REUSE MORE” STRATEGY Despite everything, it must be admitted that the Tokyo Olympics were the most expensive to date. A year’s postponement induced by the new coronavirus illness pandemic can be blamed for part of it. However, it is reasonable to believe that the funds were not spent to appease the showy egos of a few architects as it is likely that it went toward mainstreaming some actual sustainable practises rather than the award-winning tokenism seen in earlier events. Tokyo's “build less, reuse more” strategy, which was influenced by strong public engagement in decision-making, is noteworthy since it addresses all three pillars of sustainability; social, environmental and economic.
Tokyo 2021 organizers are working to make the Olympics as sustainable as possible. (insidethegames.biz) https://energytracker.asia/is-tokyo-2021-the-environmental-turning-point-for-the-olympics/
‘END OF AN ERA’ Ironically, Tokyo may have finally brought to a close the period of supersized Olympic building that it had started in 1964.The Beijing "Bird's Nest" stadium will host the 2022 Winter Olympics and Paris 2024 Olympic host city, claims that 95% of the venues would be existing or temporary, as "carbon emissions will be cut in half compared to the last two editions of the Summer Games." Architecture enthusiasts throughout the world are rightfully outraged, while the broader public is naturally uninterested. This disinterest for true sustainable activities, on the other hand, is a problem. 49
SUSTAINABLE STRATEGY The Strategy outlines how the International Olympic Committee wants to deal with the issue of sustainability. The strategy’s core is build on five key areas: More specifically, the main areas are as follow:
-The Olympic Movement sources the products and services and the material resource management throughout their lifetime.
-This is the construction and the implementation of outdoor and indoor sites, temporary and overlay structures, as well as support and administrative infrastructures at the Olympic Games.
-This will be achieved by considering the impacts on the environment and society when sourcing products and services.
-This will be achieved by the use of existing infrastructure with minimal environmental footprint, sites that respect protected natural and cultural areas and promote green urban spaces.
-The working conditions and possibilities for Olympic Movement workers, volunteers, and contractors by making sure workers and volunteers are healthy and safe by exemplify diversity, inclusivity and gender quality. Working conditions are in compliance with all applicable regional, local, and national regulations, as well as international agreements and standards, across the supply chain.
-On a local and global basis, people’s mobility and materials relate with this Olympic movement's operations by promoting sustainable tourism and by environmental and operations mobility solutions.
-Management of directly and indirectly greenhouse gas emissions resulting from Olympic Movement activities, as well as adaptation to climate change implications. This will be accomplished by effective carbon reduction strategies and the adaptation of climate change's repercussions.
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Managing a country's finances and the voracious thirst for new icons that host cities have may be difficult, but innovative techniques will only increase interest in the games. Combining a number of temporary structures with existing infrastructure pieces, all of which are designed to last beyond the Olympics, might result in a more successful event in terms of finance. Ideally Olympic Games in Los Angeles 2028,will consist of long term urban development mindset with an approached architecture. The massive scale of the contemporary Olympics, as well as the contentious link between economic development and environmental preservation, necessitates a thorough examination of the Games' conformity with the ideas and policies of sustainable development. This study of the Olympic influence on sustainability is a relatively new yet intriguing research topic. This notion is supported by the ongoing expansion of the Games' magnitude, as well as rising worries about sustainability. This gives the baton of potential and responsibility to the Olympic Movement to make a significant contribution to global sustainability, as outlined in the vision of: "Building a better world through sport.”
References
Anon., 2021. Down To Earth. [Online] Available at: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/ Anon., 2021. Olympic World Library. [Online] Available at: https://library.olympics.com/ Anon., n.d. [Online] Available at: 1. https://www.archdaily.com/900223/cities-are-avoiding-hosting-the-olympics-can-better-architecture-help-bring-themback ArchDaily, 2022. ArchDaily. [Online] Available at: https://www.archdaily.com/ Dobbins, T., 2018. Arch Daily. [Online] Available at: 1. https://www.archdaily.com/900223/cities-are-avoiding-hosting-the-olympics-can-better-architecture-help-bring-themback GUIDES, A. S. O. P., 2021. SUSTAINABILITY. [Online] Available at: https://stillmed.olympic.org/media/Document%20Library/OlympicOrg/IOC/What-We-Do/celebrate-olympic-games/Sustainability/sustainability-essentials/IOC-Sustain-Essentials_v7.pdf Hahn, J., 2021. DeZeen. [Online] Available at: https://www.dezeen.com/2021/07/23/tokyo-2020-olympics-sustainability/ Lando, 2021. Tokyo, infrastructure at the service of the Olympic Games. [Online] Available at: https://www.webuildvalue.com/en/global-economy-sustainability/tokyo-olimpics-sustainable-construction.html Somvanshi, A., 2021. [Online] Available at: . https://www.downtoearth.org.in/blog/environment/tokyo-s-gamble-with-its-olympic-architecture-needs-to-be-appreciated-78056 Tolis, A., 2008. [Online] Available at: file:///C:/Users/giopa/Downloads/7.2.9_SUSTAINABILITYANDTHEOLYMPICS-THECASEOFATHENS2004%20(1).pdf Tom, 2021. [Online] Available at: https://www.webuildvalue.com/en/global-economy-sustainability/tokyo-olimpics-sustainable-construction.html 51
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SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE: BUILDINGS OF THE FUTURE principles of sustainable architecture on current examples
by Anna Dalarian
PAST PRESENT FUTURE
From the past to the Future: The Relevance of sustainable Architecture To look into the future, you need to look into the past It is Important to look at sustainable architecture’s History and Theory to move forward. “As sustainable development relates with a philosophy, an ethical attitude, it is important to create each time a critical view. Critical view is related with the knowledge of the past (history) and the construction of a way of seeing (theory).” Sustainable architecture has existed since primitive times, and Su despite the introduction of the most advanced technologies at its current stage of development, its main task is to create a dwelling for a person taking into account the influence of natural factors. Such a dwelling is designed on the principles of maximum adaptation to the environment, based on climatic, economic, environmental, social and other factors. The building becomes a part of nature. The processes taking place inside it also tend to be cyclical and waste-free. Thus, it can be concluded that at present, sustainable, ene energy-efficient buildings are designed according to principles similar to nature, and the primary goal of such buildings is to ensure environmental and energy security, both for humans and for nature. The principles that were laid down in sustainable architecture are being reworked by modern architects, forcing them to turn back to the history of architecture and civilizations. And to understand what sustainable architecture is today, it is necessary to start by considering its origins. Going back to the traditional architecture, we can find many examples that achieved sustainability with traditional tools and tried to realize a positive relationship with the natural environment. So, sustainability is not a new concept, it has its roots in traditional design. Some people believe that su sustainable development in architecture should return to past forms of making architecture 56
Sustainable architecture strives to minimize the negative impact on the environment through the efficient and thoughtful use of materials, energy, space and the ecosystem as a whole. The design of sustainable architecture involves an increased attention to the issue of energy conservation and environmental protection. The concept of sustainable architecture is closely related to sustainable development. In general, the idea of sustainability is based on the desire to ensure that the use of currently available resources does not lead to destructive consequences for the whole society and does not deprive it of the opportunity to use resources in the long term. The eenvironmental and climate crisis by the end of the eighties led to a more open view of architecture, concerning means of efficiency and energy conservation, as well as means of protecting the environment and ensuring the well-being of humanity as a whole. Within just a few decades, the concept of sustainable architecture has become fundamental, laying the foundation for the active development of a broader area urban ecology. Following the development strategy, sustainable architecture was created in order to meet the needs of people currently living at a high-quality level, without taking away the same opportunities from future generations. The future is impossible without consideration the already existing countless scientific and design developments the "past" of sustainable architecture, experience of traditional folk architecture, the history of all architecture.
There is no denying that the topic of the environment is intertwined with the future. These topics were already relevant two decades ago, pointing to the importance of considering issues like the impact of buildings on the environment, the need to use renewable energy sources, how we think about building materials, the challenges of urban sprawl, and the relationship with natural systems. All these topics are now more relevant than ever. Croatian-Brazilian architect Marko Brajovic, whose work is related to biomimicry, says that "Architects are system thinkers and should understand the complexity of architecture as an organism, as a metabolic process inter-dependent with the environment, in constant transformation. That was the history of architecture, how it evolved through centuries adapting to changing conditions and how it has to evolve in this new chal lenging time." He says that "the future is the synchronicity of architecture with natural processes, as a reasonable, sustainable and meaningful meaning of life."
"All nature strives for self—preservation," said the philosopher Cicero. Architects of the 21st century began to think more and more about what the future of cities will be and how to improve the ecological background. The construction of buildings and entire districts according to the principles of sustainable architecture is one of the most inventive areas of urban planning in the 21st century. The architecture of the future is often associated with futuristic buildings, bizarre and complex facades, but it is already difficult to surprise them. Along with complex forms, filling is now valued, namely technologies that allow you to
save energy and resources of the planet. A few years ago, few people thought about the importance of rainwater collection systems, but now it is an integral part of modern projects. All projects of architectural bureaus, of course, take into account the design principles of sustainable architecture, so buildings and even cities are energy efficient and environmentally friendly.
"Architecture has to anticipate and envision the future, urgently evolving the actual anthropocentric (and mechanistic) perception into an ecological activity of inter-relationship with the Natural environment. Architecture integrated with the metabolic process of our planet design for co-existence with all species where humans can benefit mutually. " – Marko Brajvic
The future has arrived. Houses are being printed by giant 3D printers, the range of materials is being replenished - now you can build not only from wood, brick and reinforced concrete, but even recycled plastic, Tetra Pack or hemp panels.
World's first 3D printed neighborhood. (Joshua Perez/Courtesy of New Story 57
Foster+Partners architectural firm is known for its technological projects in the field of green urbanism all over the world. Arpan Bakshi, Associate Partner of the bureau, believes that
nature is the best place to look for ideas. Designing according to the principles of sustainable architecture will allow humanity to spend the Earth's resources much more slowly, "anticipating the needs of residents of megacities of today without compromising the ecology of the city in the future."
Apple Campus by Foster+Partners The most high-budget project of the last century is a new campus for Apple employees in California, the construction of which was completed in April 2017. The shape of the building resembles an alien ship landed on earth with an area of 260 thousand m2. The scale of this structure is impressive: the building consists of more than 3,000 huge glass panels, Foster + Partners has designed the world’s largest curved glass panels. Glass shades extend from the building, diminishing solar heat gain and glare. The building is using natural ventilation for cooling and only when it is the hottest days switching to air conditioning. Energy on campus is generated using biofuels, natural gas and carbon fiber roof solar panels. Daylight enters the office space through 14-meter glass panels, and at least seven thousand trees are planted along the inner perimeter of the building.
Apple Campus by Foster+Partners
Apple Campus by Foster+Partners
Futuristic city of the future Amaravati by Foster+Partners The district of the future in the ancient Indian city of Amaravati is being built right now. The architectural firm Foster+Partners has developed a large-scale project of an administrative complex in the center of the Indian city of Amaravati. The new area with an area of more than 200 km2 will be located on the banks of the Krishna River — this is an ideal location that will always allow you to have a rich supply of fresh water. Ecology is not in the last place in the project, so almost 60% of the area will be occupied by green spaces, canals and ponds. The city will also be equipped with a data collection center and will become as autonomous as possible due to the extensive use of solar energy. The architects paid great attention to modern infrastructure — in addition to electric vehicles and water taxis, the city will have a large number of shady streets and squares encouraging people to walk around the cit
Amaravati by Foster+Partners 58
ReGen Villages
ReGen Villages Professor James Ehrlich is the founder of the ReGen Villages eco-town, created based on the results of a Stanford University study. His architectural concept became the centerpiece of the Venice Biennale in May 2016. The pilot settlement ReGen Villages is already being designed in the city of Almer, the Netherlands. The ReGent Villages project consists of 203 houses of different sizes - from small houses made of wood and glass to villas for several families. It is positioned as the quarter of the future, because much attention is paid here to a thrifty attitude to all resources consumed by humans — food, water, energy. The concept of sustainable architecture in the design of the quarter was replaced by the concept of "regenerative architecture", according to which every resident is a part of nature. The ReGent Villages quarter, where a variety of healthy food will be grown— is an autonomous place of residence in terms of energy and water consumption. Designed according to the principles of regenerative architecture, the town will be equipped with a centralized operating system, which will use a blockchain mechanism that takes into account all indicators of human activity: consumption of water, food and other resources. In addition, the waste will be recycled and used as feed for fish and birds. If the owner of the property takes part in the management of the quarter, he receives a discount on the monthly payment of housing. This will make houses available for purchase to people of different incomes. ReGent Villages founder James Ehrlich shared statistics on demand for a project based on the principles of sustainable architecture — thousands of people of all ages signed up for the first 200 houses of the pilot version of the quarter.
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CONCLUSION
Human comfort and concern for the environment are, perhaps, the two main points of the architecture of the future. Hop Hopefully in the near future all buildings will be built according to the principles of sustainable architecture. Yes, they have a high cost, but, according to representatives of Foster + Partners, this is a good investment: the initial investment will be offset by a reduction in energy costs, the consumption of which is especially noticeable in cities with hot summers or cold winters. Foster+Partners representatives believe that all future changes in the world are a combination of different factors, but if we talk about long-term forecasts, then in the next 30 years — between 2020 and 2050 — we will see significant changes. The life processes of humanity will accelerate every year due to automation, and it will not be easy for the modern generation to adapt to new systems, but this issue is cyclical, because even now older people are experiencing difficulties with smartphones and computers. As slow as the world is now, it will never be. Arpan Bakshi from the London office of Foster + Partners, in addition to architecture, studied computer-aided design and methods of environmental analysis. A specialist in the field of forecasting boldly declares that in the future there will be many new specializations, most of which involve cooperation with robotics. In addition, machine learning will become one of the most sought-after professions of the future. The activity of architectural bureaus will take on a completely new shape. Specialists in the field of urban planning will design buildings and entire districts, calculating and anticipating all possible trends of future changes with the help of robotics and virtual reality resources. The architect of the future will always remain at the center of design, and the manifesto of urban development projects will be individuality.
REFERENCES https://arquitecturaviva.com/works/apple-park-1 https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2020/02/06/worlds-first-3d-printed-neighborhood-mexico https://www.fosterandpartners.com/projects/amaravati-masterplan/ https://architizer.com/projects/regen-villages/ https://www.archdaily.com/958188/from-past-to-future-the-urgency-of-green-in-architecture
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How has Green Vertical Architecture Evolved, from its Inception till Today
variety of ways. They were used for food production but also to create shaded spaces where tree planting was not possible. They were planted in buildings, gardens, and fields. Their use was both practical and aesthetic.
By Konstantinos Orfanidis
Green vertical architecture has a long history which dates back to ancient times. Though at the time the concept of green architecture was quite different from what we mean today. Back then the green element was meant quite literally, usually with the use of plants and greenery. Whereas today we combine it with the intent of sustainability. Babylon One of the first examples of green architecture can be found around 600 BC in ancient Babylon with the Hanging Gardens. The green element was likely incorporated in multi levelled terraced roof gardens supported by dirt filled columns allowing for the vegetation to grow its roots and showing a wide variety of plants and greeneries trying to resemble in its entirety a large mountain made of mud bricks.
Ancient Vineyards (image source: GrowUp)
Rest of the world Verticality was further expanded in the centuries to come. We can see climbing plants, such as ivy, covering building facades from Scandinavia to Britain to Japan. At first the use of climbing plants was primarily aesthetic but studies later showed that they actually protected the walls of ancient homes.
Climbing plants (image source: GrowUp)
Hanging gardens of Babylon (image source: Wikipedia)
Greece The concept of verticality can be traced back to ancient Greece. Because of its thriving wine industry, vines were used in a
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20th Century Approaching closer to today, as Land8 states, the Jugendstil movement of the 20th century used the characteristic of climbing plants in buildings to create a fluid change between house and garden. This concept however showed decline in the 1930s due to new construction techniques and people’s concern on the stability of walls. From this point on, architecture started changing course and every aspect of buildings was rethought in regard to sustainability. The first theory of today’s vertical gardens came in 1937 and is credited to Stanley Hart White, a landscape architecture professor, whose idea of “Botanical bricks” was about plant units placed vertically in a building despite the height.
Patrick Blank (source: Wikipedia)
Installation at museum of science and industry Paris (source: inexhibit) Stanley Hart White (source: tclf.org)
Stanley Hart White’s theory became popular when Patrick Blank, an ecological engineer, brought theory to reality with the green wall installation of the museum of Science and Industry in Paris. His design resembles today’s modern approach of green walls as he incorporated a hydroponic system, an inert medium and a large variety of exotic vegetation.
1990s Concerning green architecture and its relationship with sustainability, we can distinguish two main characteristics, near the 1990s as it was the area of focus in many projects at the time. The green roof and the green wall.
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Green roofs brought many advantages and uses to buildings. To name a few, they could collect rainwater, increase insulation, lower air temperatures, and create a natural habitat for local wildlife. To elaborate further, the technologies used on green roofs, could remove heat through evapotranspiration and provide shade, which resulted in cooler temperatures on the roof surfaces and the surrounding air.
Today, green vertical architecture is more widespread and can be seen all around the world through different approaches, but always keeping sustainability in mind. We can see vertical farms and gardens both for production and beautification of cities, vertical forests that can help clean the air or even buildings with cutting-edge technologies which are sustainable and energy efficient.
Green roofs (source: Construction21)
With the limited available land and the increase in urban density this type of architecture can be seen more often and can sometimes be regarded as the solution to our modern-day problems. However, it is still in its infancy, with many ideas staying at the conceptual stage and lacking practical application. The concept has existed for millennia but only now we can reach the summit of its potential.
Green walls usually come into two forms. As part of the façade or as an independent structure. Green walls help reduce the cooling and heating loads in the summer and winter respectively, by shading the wall surfaces and acts as an extra layer of insulation. Furthermore, they can reduce noise and clear up the atmosphere as the plants on the walls can absorb exterior pollutants and create oxygen at the same time.
Concept drawing (source: fritsahlefeldt.com)
Green Walls (source: global construction review)
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Having said that, there are many projects that can show how far we have come and an idea of the heights we aim to reach. One famous example is the Bosco Verticale in Milan by Boeri studio. It is considered the first vertical forest ever built in the world and has received many awards. The architect aimed to reduce the need for mechanical sustainability and focused more on environmental sustainability. The building is surrounded by vegetation which creates its own microclimate and filters out sunlight. The varied vegetation helps in absorbing environmental pollutants and protect from radiation and noise. As architectural digest states, this project invigorated the area, which was dominated by railroads and industrial buildings. The World Green Building Council called this project the most recognizable building of the decade, as it came at a time where protecting nature became one of the world’s greatest concerns.
Bosco Verticale (Images source: Archdaily)
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Conclusion
https://blog.growup.green/blogs/growupdates/thehistoric-origins-of-vertical-gardens-gallery https://www.archdaily.com/957558/verticalgreenery-impacts-on-the-urban-landscape
Throughout history, the concept of green vertical architecture has progressed and evolved continuously. Starting from simple vegetation planting to advanced sustainability systems. Today we create massive high-rise structures and constantly innovate new technologies to improve it even further and there are no signs of an end for its potential. So, there is only one question we need to ask ourselves today. How far are we willing to go?
Lubell, S. (2020, November 3). How Milan's Bosco Verticale has changed the way designers think about sustainable design. Architectural Digest. Retrieved from https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/howmilans-bosco-verticale-has-changed-the-waydesigners-think-about-sustainable-design Daniel. (2015, November 23). Bosco Verticale / Boeri studio. ArchDaily. Retrieved from https://www.archdaily.com/777498/bosco-verticalestefano-boeri-architetti Wikimedia Foundation. (2021, November 30). Hanging Gardens of Babylon. Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanging_Gardens_of_B abylon#Plants
References Tabb, P., & Deviren, A. S. (2017). The Greening of Architecture: A Critical History and Survey of Contemporary Sustainable Architecture and Urban Design. Routledge Taylor & Francis Group.
Wikimedia Foundation. (2021, July 10). Stanley Hart white. Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanley_Hart_White
Lan. (2017, August 23). Going vertical: The history of green walls. Land8. Retrieved from https://land8.com/going-vertical-the-history-ofgreen-walls/
Moreira, S. (2021, March 1). Vertical greenery: Impacts on the urban landscape. ArchDaily. Retrieved from https://www.archdaily.com/957558/verticalgreenery-impacts-on-the-urban-landscape
The historic origins of Vertical Gardens [gallery]. (n.d.). Retrieved from
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CRADLE TO CRADLE Philosophy of William McDonough By Alexandra Sukhanova
Cradle to Cradle concept Cradle-to-Cradle is a concept based on the idea of waste-free production systems that do not harm the environment. William McDonough developed this philosophy in 2002 with the main
Aspiration to reach all ve helps companies to make more sustainable and eco-friendly products.
Cradle to Cradle—a vision of a connnuous cycle of use and reuse of materials without any waste.
I n the Cradle-to-cradle system, all materials are divided into to categories: technical and biological nutrients. Technical nutrients are non-harmful synthetic materials that do not have any negative effects on the natural
William McDonough
environment. They can be used in continuous cycles without losing integrity or quality. Ma Materials made of such nutrients are 68
Structure of the Cradle-to-cradle system
William McDonough
According to McDonough, the structure of the
William McDonough is one of
Cradle-to-cradle system consist of five criteria:
the architects whose design praccce is focused on green architecture and transformaaon of manufacturing process in order to provide sustainable and eco-friendly environment. An American architect born in Japan in 1951. He got an excellent educaaon studied Dartmouth and and Yale Universiies, and opened his own architectural praccce called ‘’William McDonough + Partners’’ in 1981. William McDonough was the only one who received in 1996 the Presidennal award for developing sustainable architecture. He is also a Senior Advisor and Venture Partner at VantagePoint Venture Partners which is one of the largest venture capital investors in clean technology.
praccces.
NASA Sustainability Base
designed the NASA center according to his concept “Cradle-to-cradle” so that minimized its environmental impact by using space technology and the natural environment. Its structure is inspired by the wind tunnels of NASA Ames Campus and increases structural performance during seismic incidents. The building has a nar narrow exoskeleton structure <hhps://www.archdaily.com/231211/nasa-sustainability -base-william-mcdonough-partners-and-aecom>
which allows for the natural light to penetrate the whole building. There are no columns inside to create free open space and allow for flexibility.
Year: 2011
The use of large windows provides natural
Locaaon: Moffee Field, California
vennlaaon and conneccon with the environment. 69
Materials
Renewable forms of energy
Materials beneficial for human health and
The main purpose of the building site is the use
environment had been used in construccon
of only renewable forms of energy. The NASA
process. They were designed for technical and
Base is using a combined passive and accve
biological cycles. Materials included recyclable
strategies in order to have an ability to maintain
and available locally. Cerrfied wood, concrete,
comfort throughout the year. Natural daylight
aluminium, steel and glass combined high
and vennlaaon are maximized but an accve
recycled content that was available regionally
heaang and cooling systems are also provided.
thus reduced the transportaaon energy. UUlizing
The highlig highlighted energy systems used include the
braced frame and lightweight insulated metal
following:
panel cladding have been used in order to reduce
- Radiant cooling ceiling panels use 40% less
the amount of material for the building.
energy.
The building’s interior is
- Natural vennlaaon is used along with the system
performed by nontoxic
of automated windows for easier maintain.
recycled and recyclable
- Skylights are used in order to provide addiional
materials. The white oak
natural light in the building.
flooring was reclaimed
- Raised floor ensu ensures fresh air and allows for
from an old wind tunnel
system flexibility and user control.
daang back to 1953.
- High-Performance LED light provide the
The building’s
automaac controlled system where the light is
Cradle to Cradle
adjusted to the changing condiions of the
cerrfied Steelcase
outside light.
furnitu furniture is designed for
- Solar pho photovoltaic panels are designed in order
disassembly and easy
to generate up to 30% of building electricity
recycling.
requirements. Solar thermal panels provide domessc hot water.
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STEEL AS SUSTAINABLE MATERIAL by Svetlana Sukhanova
Steel and its use in architecture and other industries Steel is an iron-carbon alloy carbon content of which should limit to 2 percents , also limestone and magnesium should be added into the steel in order to make it robust. S teel is uulized in current transport structure such as structures of the rail system, the ones related to vehicles and ships. Rails, windows, doors, roofs, supporrng structures all of them are available for our use thanks to the steel. Steel plays a crucial role for medicine industry and it is the best possible material for making medical devices and equipment. medi
hhps://www.australiansteelframing.com.au/steelfloor-systems
Reducing steel’s environmental footprint According to World Steel Associaaon, new steel need to be employed and elaborated in order to improve the energy effeccveness of the products where steel is used. Research need to be made to recognize steel making technologies that diminish emission of CO2 of steel into atmosphere. For the fabricaaon of primary steel decrease of iron mineral plays as an energy-intensive measure. Carbon capture and storage which is a set of technologies that catch waste from the CO2 in method in order to achieve a greater the only m way of decrease of carbon, which helps to facilitate diminuuon of gas emissions into the atmosphere making world more sustainable.
hhps://theconstructor.org//ps/types-columns-buildin g-construccon/24764/
In Architecture steel used for columns, floor joists and bearers to support flooring structure; framing of the building’s walls, as well as for equipment used for heaang and cooling the building and also for duccng in the building’s interior. Thus, renewable energy, clean energy vehicles and energy efficient buildings depend on steel as important aspect for their funcconing.
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Steel can be processed again into the same material with idenncal characterisscs. Recycling plays a significant role in green economy, purpose of which is economic development which is environmentally sustainable, because such economy keep valuable materials from coming into landfills in the form of waste and also preserves beneficial resources. There is so called steel scrap or the recycled The steel, which have two sources such as pre-consumer scrap which is redundant from steel manufacturing and post-consumer scrap meaning that steel has achieved beneficial existence. The scrap produced from steel manufacturing can be gathered and then recycled to steel fabricaaon immediately. rec
hhps://sigg.com/en/recycling
Recycling of steel as another method to reduce environmental footprint Different way in order to reduce environmental Di footprint of steel appear to be decreasing energy that is encompassed in the materials which can be achieved by means of material recycling. Recycling steel take less energy than producing it from raw materials. Thus, outcome material will possess smaller encompassed energy. Encompassed energy is crucial ene component that is employed to evaluate sustainability of materials used for construccng a building. Steel having low encompassed energy mean that steel has small quannty of energy that is spent for the building's manufacture which give architects, who are c onfided to sustainability in use of materials in architecture, an opportunity to select materials respeccvely. As a result they choose such materials as steel, mber, concrete, limestone and the others.
Reuse of steel Reuse of steel, in turn, diminish encompassed energy in a greater degree. Total conservaaon of the encompassed energy is enabled when the consstuent elements of steel are reused. Guaranteeing that steel will not break throughout destruccon of the building is a significant problem that is included in the process of reusing steel. pr
Steel is completely recyclable material which life cycle considered to be endless. Endless recyclability is an important feature of steel, making it a constant resource for the world’s society, and, by acquiring such characterissc steel does not lose its properres which are strength, availability, plasscity durability material. making it a unique m
hhps://peachtreewaste.com/recycling-pickup-v2 -2/scrap-iron-steel-recycling/
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Advantage of reuse over recycling consists in the fact that when steel is reused, very small amount of energy or no energy at all is required for reprocessing so the worth of its energy during the process of produccon is conserved. that use steel are able to be Buildings th extended in order to create an extra pracccal space by uulizing light-weight construccons and its combinaaon with the roof-top as well as horizontal extensions as can be nooced in the Empress State Building in West London built in 1961 by Stone, Toms & Partners.
hhps://irei.com/news/capital-counnes-sell-west-lon don-property-240m/
A lot of corporaaons design the product for future reuse. Elements of the walls and roof, the beams all are consstuent elements of steel construccon that can be reused.
At south facade horizontal extension of the Empress State Building was made in order to enlarge the area of the office from the second floor to the twenty six floors and also make a horizontal extension by making a roof terrace on the twenty-seventh floor. At the same me verrcal extension was order to enlarge the space of the added in o offices starrng from the twenty-seven floor up to twenty-ninth having with a central revolving bar at the 30th floor.
Steel product remanufacturing Remanufacturing is when long-lassng products that were previously used recovered to condiion when they are like new ones. The process of remanufacturing takes the stage when each part of the product is washed thoroughly, then inspected for any damage it might have and renovated to the characterisscs established by fabricator or subsstuted with new components, aaer which it get tested in compone order to make sure that the product such as frame for the Empress State Building, reinforcing bars, roofing, insulaang panels for the use in the walls on the exterior parts of the building work properly. Tight toleraaon of the applied steel frame together with the concrete frame and accurate construccon allowed the The Empress State Building’s floors not to creep in the relaaonship of one floor to another while the steel frame was growing up it.
hhps://www.newsteelconstruccon.com/wp/ extending-the-empress-state-building/
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Importance of deconstruccon the building where steel is integrated into design
become more suitable way as was done in the Empire State Building because these covered materials are easy to be taken off and then steel is geeng disassembled and reused without any difficulty.
In order to guarantee sustainability in the o current mes when consuming of the resources increase, building’s deconstruccon become a maaer of significant importance
Reducing steel’s environmental footprint by decreasing content of iron mineral contained in it and recycling steel, reusing , remanufanufacturing it and adoppng the buildings for future diconstruccon that would contribute to minimizaaon of steel’s damage, making the process of its reuse easier are the crucial aspects of steel as environmentally sustainable material.
best way in order for steel to recover is The be not to demolish but to deconstruct the building. Deconstruccon of the building meaning that the building is disassembled gradually, piece by piece. Thus, caused harm to steel will be reduced to the smallest possible amount. It is necessary to plan the building’s design and structure adopted for buildin being deconstructed in the future, in order to contribute to minimizaaon of harm of steel during the process of building’s deconstruccon. When consider building for deconstruccon in the future for purpose of reusing the steel elements of it, conneccon types between the components become the most important ones. Components that are the easiest to disassemble in order not to destruct steel are the bolted conneccons . However, when concrete is used together Ho with steel like in the example of The Empress State Building, deconstruccon process of such building become hard to accomplish because of the difficulty of not damaging the steel when detaching it from the concrete.
REFERENCES Anthony de Carvalho, Filipe Silva, 2016. ‘’Research and Development, innovaaon and produccvity growth in the steel sector’’. Danielle Densley Tingley, Buick Davison, 2013. ‘’ Danielle Densley Tingley, Buick Davison’’. Noah I. McQueen, Caleb M. Woodall, Peter Psarras, Jennifer Wilcox, 2020. ‘’CCS in the Iron and Steel Industry’’. NSC2, 2003. ‘’E ‘’Extending the Empress State
When steel construcconal elements of the building are going to be reused, polluuon from fire proteccon may be an issue as uulizaaon of intumescent paint means of fire proteccon, its removal not only become a very hard thing to do but also not-economical and has harmful influence on the eenvironment. In the case where steel going to be reused, to cover steel with fire-resistant materials become
Building’’. Available at: hhps://www.newsteelconstruccon.com/wp/extendi ng-the-empress-state-building/. (Accessed: 10th December 2021) S. H. Taha1, M. G. Ibrahim1 & Ahmed AbdelMonteleb M. Ali, 2016. ‘’ Steel as a sustainable choice towards the green building concept’’. World Steel Associaaon, 2012. ‘’Sustainable Steel. At the Core of the Green Economy’’.
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THE IMPORTANCE OF
LANDSCAPE URBANISM IN ΑRCHITECTURE BY ANASTASIA SIALI
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Landscape urbanism is considered a sub – field of architecture and it means that the ci�es are be�er organized through the medium of landscape and no through various types of buildings or objects. For instance, urban design can be applied through interconnected and horizontal field condi�ons, rather through the arrangements of boxes of building. More specifically, this term a number of different strategies and methods for designing ci�es (big or small), by emphasizing on the performance over pure aesthe�cs.
The emergence of this term, along with the advancement of different digital design tools, must be considered to be among the most impressive and useful developments in the field of architecture especially in the last decades. It’s important also to state that during this period of �me a number of architects and prac��oners developed a number of interesting and high-ending projects. As a result, many accomplishments were made and many alterna�ves were also proposed in regard to urban architecture and its various uses in
different environments in the modern world. In addi�on, another important event is that the first conference in the world was held in 1997, in Chicago. Since then, a number of similar programmes began to take places in various universi�es in American and in Europe, such as Harvard and Toronto universi�es, as well as some European universi�es, like the Oslo School of Architecture. During the next years, landscape architecture was used in different urban and high – profile projects all over the world, such as the Olympic Park in London. Many famous people analysed this new term, such as American architect Stan Allen. Actually, he helped to unlock various poten�als in this field, opening up a wide range of discussions about geometry, composi�on and urbanism. Even though his own personal manner is “so� ” and diploma�c, he has a great presence especially in the last 25 years in the architectural field.
HISTORY OF THE TERM “LANDSCAPE URBANISM” Landscape urbanism appeared for the first �me in history during the 1980s and since then this term has undergone through different phases and interpreta�ons. At the beginning, landscape urbanism was mainly used by various American architects, like Richard Weller and Peter Connolly, who started to explore different limits and boundaries within their complex projects in various urban areas. In fact, the term was actually used in order to refer to the planning and re – organiza�on of post – industrial American ci�es, such as Detroit and some other ci�es. Alex Wall (an architectural theorist) discusses the influen�al idea of 1982 for Parc de Los Angeles Ville�e. According to him, the floor needed to be geared up in a new manner, as to give a new aesthe�c idea.
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According to him, architecture is a wide sphere and it can choose to be either heavy or weightless and, therefore, the landscape always remains light-weighted, due to its horizontal dimension.
URBANISM AND NEW APPROACHES IN THE MODERN WORLD
It is true that in the modern world, there is a new approach by many architects for scene configura�on. People have to deal with a number of complex and different challenges everyday with respect to social, ecological degrada�on of human se�lements and landscapes. Today, many ci�es all over the world face a number of problems regarding the rising of the waters of the sea, heavy rains and many scien�sts even worry about these ma�ers as well as about a possible mass ex�nc�on. All these problems are very serious and people need to do something about it, for a be�er future. There are many professionals and scholars, such as Alexander Felson, Teresla Gali-Izard, Quilian Riano and others, who prefer on adap�ng new methods, in order to pursue different and more syncre�c ways of having a be�er understanding about shaping environments. Even though landscape architecture is not a modern term, today many professionals and scholars talk about it. It refers to the design of landmarks, structures and outdoor areas, in order to achieve more aesthe�c outcomes. In fact, the scope of this profession is very broad and it can also be divided in certain sub-categories, like landscape architects etc. Since the 18th century, architecture and landscape had undergone various changes. In 2006, James Corner wrote “that extra pro fashion �me period scene has apparently lower back into vogue.” In fact, 1 Architect had been interested in the factor, as displayed through overdue social affairs of the American Collegiate Schools of Architecture, and through David Heymann’s remarkable ar�cles about these topics. More specifically, Heymann stressed out the point of view that “Scene Is Our Sex”. In this regard, many scien�sts seem to have same opinions on this ma�er.
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79 Courtesy High Line at the Rail Yards (2014) of TXdot
FAMOUS LANDSCAPERS AND ARCHITECTS
S�ll, architecture is being approached the same way as always, but today there are more powerful “tools” for that ma�er. Even studies in various universi�es about architecture and landscape are conducted in classrooms and conven�ons are taking place in a very typical way about these topics. As a result, many students do not have the opportunity to broaden their views. This is mainly why they learn to think like architects, to suit landscape into “boxes”, like the ones that were created by Vitruvious and Albetri, and to make their models by the usual programs that are offered today and the different means of modelling. But this way, it is obvious that they are going to follow a profession that one way or another is predicted and they won’t have an open mind to think of their profession in a broader way. For example, “Vogue” landscape architects are s�ll very solid within the service of architects and their clients: the developers, the speculators, the boosters.
MILLENIUM PARK (CHICAGO, ILLINOIS)
Repton (1752-1818) was a landscape gardener in England, where his famous different designs for various park improvements took the consistent form of a “Red Book”, where he actually showed his before and a�er proposals and he also included various maps, text and water colour views. More specifically, the text was consisted of certain altera�ons and descrip�ons of an English estate about his client. At that �me, many clients used his book to get some ideas when they wanted to decorate their mansions. In addi�on, Andrew Jackson Downing, who was Loudon’s American admirer, actually took up this term and used it as an equivalent to rural architecture. Even though Downing worked closely with a number of famous architects, like Calvert Vaux and others, he didn’t find it healthy to undertake Loudon’s novel formula�on.
BIG’S BIODIVERCITY IN PENANG, MALAYSIA
CARLOS UMANA GAMBASSI: ‘TACTICAL MORPHOLOGIES: RUGAO’
Rather, he focused on different varia�ons among the panorama and its buildings. According to him, buildings are actually the main components of the overall scene and, therefore, landscape and structure had been genuinely related. The dangers were pre�y obvious. It’s true that American landscape architects ques�oned all these ma�ers about landscape and architecture. Their society (known also as ASLA) began in 1899 with a few members at the beginning. Their main mission was to educate and lead a careful planning and designing methods of environments. In fact, Eliot argued that the term “panorama structure” could confuse many people.
In fact, landscape and architecture, even though they may be seen as two separate fields, they can be associated as a well-organized “marriage”. A�er all, many landscape architects understand that there might be some type of “gap” in this term, but according to some of them, if this “marriage” doesn’t stop crea�vity and technical skills, then, there is no harm. Though, the most important thing is for people to be able to think how we got at the point to talk about this term. In fact, the term landscape architecture was praised since 1840, when John Claudius Loudon, a famous architect, referred to it in the “Gardener’s Magazine”, by revealing a late compendium of the whole wri�ngs of his friend and teacher Humphry Repton. 80
Many years later, this form is definitely not clearer. Despite the fact that many people and architects have developed consciousness of these type of issues, like panorama issues, there are s�ll some people in the modern world that they cannot actually understand the role of panorama architects and how they can be useful. However, beneficial structure cannot fully describe or contain panorama prac�ce. A�er all, during the last decades, many scholars and prac��oners have actually proposed several trade names, like “land structure” or “panorama structure”. We need to point out that some of these prac��oners have actually embraced the term “panorama” in their everyday phrases. At the same �me, others used other similar terms, like “landscaping” and “panorama design”, but they actually outlined these phrases in a narrow way, that discover themselves banished to an extraprofessional realm of flagstones and lawns.
OLYMPIC SCULPTURE PARK
LANDSCAPE URBANISM IN SHENZHEN
CURVING PROMENADE / ROBERT W. WILSON
All these thoughts about landscape urbanism are very crucial, because they are very useful and effec�ve and they shape the new methods -one way or another- in architecture in the modern world. In fact, they cons�tute the main core of architectural phrases and various ideas over the ones of anthropology or mechanics etc. In preference of conver�ng areas into panorama architecture, modern architects don’t have to sacrifice any of their “panorama ideas” of mul�plicity or richness. The truth is that there are plenty of op�ons. In fact, landscape work is vaporous.
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Generally speaking, landscape architecture offers great opportuni�es to modern architects. It combines the best way possible design and science in both rural and urban environments, between people and nature. Architects work in a wide range of possibili�es, so in that way it’s not just a simple profession for them, but it is so much more. Landscape architects have to take into considera�on a number of things, before star�ng their work. In this way they need to have a broad mind, in order to be able to grasp the whole picture of their projects. They are playing a very par�cular role in today’s world, in addressing the top issues of our modern �mes: sustainable ci�es, climate change, preven�on of starva�on, housing and so much more.
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CONCLUSION Centuries ago, architecture and landscape played an ideological role especially during colonializa�on, by invading and removing. In the next years and more specifically during the 19th century many towns re-introduced themselves, by building some of the most large and ornate parks on Euro-American landscapes. As a result, there were a number of parks, exo�c gardens and other pleasure grounds that grew up in the USA, as well as in other parts of the world. Today, the new landscape science gives space for a number of new prac�ces that are fundamentally important, even though there are also ignored some�mes. Landscape architecture in the modern world can offer great possibili�es. Actually, it’s about crea�ng healthy and beau�ful ci�es, parks, streets and other public spaces, that protect people and the natural environment around them. The most important thing is that this type of architecture can create sustainable, healthy and safe landscapes, that can endure and evolve over �me. Landscape architects have to perform a very crucial role, by contribu�ng to the well – being of people in different parts of the world. In fact, they can do so by designa�ng and building vibrant and healthy communi�es, with green parks and gardens and by enhancing and by protec�ng biodiversity and natural areas through their work. These types of architects, like landscapers should actually be seen as collaborators in the process of studying and making great and beau�ful landscapes, just as inhabitants and users are some�mes understood in the modern world. For example, sub-fields, like landscape metrology, could emerge in order to address certain ques�ons in this field. Generally, there are a lot of opportuni�es for tension, more dra�s can be done upon inven�on or experimenta�on and, therefore, there will be a greater depth of insight in the modern landscape architecture. The new designs of the living should be designed on a new level, in a broadened and enriched way, in order to be able to fulfill many feelings.
‘‘In fact, the metaphor of landscape-as-architecture can be seen through a number of different and new realities and possibilities.’’
REFERENCES: 1.Allen, St. (2002) “Mat Urbanism: The Thick 2D, in Hashim Sarkis, Case: Le Corbusier’s Venice Hospital and the Mat Building Revival. New York: Prestel 2.Downing, J. (1844) A Trea�se on the Theory and Prac�ce of Landscape Gardening, Adapted to North America. New York: Wiley and Putman, p. 53 3.European Science Founda�on. (2010) “Landscape in a Changing World: Bridging Divides, Integra�ng Disciplines, Serving Society”, Science Policy Briefing 41 4.Kenneth, C. (1961) Landscape into Art. United Kingdom: John Murray Publishers Ltd 5.McHarg, I. (2007) Dwelling in Nature: Conver5.sa�ons with Students. New York: Princeton Architectural Press, p.24 6.Steiner, R. (2006) Living Urban Landscapes, in On Landscape Urbanism (pp. 246-253). Aus�n: Center for American Architecture and Design University of Texas 7.Waldheim, C. (2006) Landscape Urbanism Reader, Princeton Architectural Press
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You may be asking... ‘’what is healing architecture?’’ and then... ‘’how can architecture around the world calm anxiety?’’ Even if you don’t believe it or imagine it..
An exciting way to study and experience how architecture can lead and influence the serene mental is to have a look at how architects and designers create well-being spaces for serenity and relaxation. One of the most important examples is the yoga studios (Freed, 2021).
There are lots of studies and experiments that confirmed the common path between physical surroundings and emotional state (Freed, 2021). When we talk about ‘’healing architecture’’ we mean how the built environment can affect patients’ health and psychology (Freed, 2021).
This article investigates the relationship between architecture and yoga. Let’s learn what yoga is!!
It is so important that the main goal of all the healing environments is to engage patients into the procedure of self-healing as well as recovery.
Yoga has an India origin and started from the Sanskrit root word ‘’yui’’ which means ‘’joining’’ and ‘’union’’ and in few words this is usually translated as the union of mind and body. Also, it can be characterized as the key link of movements, breath and concentration that can take place during a yoga class
In order to achieve this goal, those spaces need to be therapeutic to avoid patients’ stress. Natural light, bright rooms, green spaces and exterior views are the most important characteristics that help the healing process (Freed, 2021).
(Blankenberger, 2016).
Figure 2: The five senses of a human body (Zohby, 2015)
Figure 3: The most famous yoga pose (Pratiquer du yoga pour combattre le stress, 2021)
Healing Architecture
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Yoga can develop: 1. strength 2. endurance 3. flexibility 4. calmness and in general well-being. As an overall philosophy, yoga is about linking the mind, body and spirit (Nichols, 2021). Figure 5: Open Empty Spaces (Franco, 2016)
Most of the times, there is an open central space as the main area, and some support rooms for storage and others. The central space is preferrable to be adaptable and flexible for different uses. A yoga mat has the standard measures of approximately 1.70x.0.60 taking into consideration that unfolds fully stretched and needs to keep the distance of at least 50cm between each mat to avoid any inconvenience during the exercises (Franco, 2016).
Figure 4: The most famous yoga pose (Dienstman, 2019)
Likewise, architecture is a combination of layers where each element has their own character and impact. It can be also characterized as a union of parts and pieces that in the final design a physical building created due to the combination of materials and finishes (Blankenberger, 2016).
Assuming all of the above, architects should start thinking more and challenge the idea of functional, environmental and aesthetic design. There are disciplines which really focus on the human being, as their main aim is to satisfy most of the physical and psychological needs. Architects need to identify and experiment the key features to achieve this spatially (Franco, 2016).
Figure 6: Yoga mat distances (Franco, 2016)
Furthermore, in some cases the instructor is located on an elevated area/platform. Another important room to keep in mind is the room where people leave their staff during the class, for example water bottles, slippers, towels and others. Mirrors are undoubtedly one characteristic that is principal when designing a yoga space (Franco, 2016).
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During the session and when the room is not occupied, it is critical to provide cross ventilation across the room to ensure that there is a constant supply of oxygen inside. Also, the room needs to have a first opening in the facade that receives the prevailing winds, as well as a second (ideally larger) opening on the opposite wall
There is a belief about yoga spaces which claims that they need to be completely silent in order to help people relax and focus on the exercises, but in some cases, it is better to use the exterior sounds of nature to calm down the mind. It is important to highlight the role of sounds, smells and water. An example for a natural sound is the birds, rain and for the smells the flowers, different herbs and candles (Franco, 2016).
(Hilal, 2018).
People can touch, smell, taste, hear and see water since it’s a multisensory experience. As a result, water influence architecture where people interact with it and contributes to a person’s well-being by allowing the senses to be intensified (Rust, 2011). Figure 8: Openings on the facade (Franco, 2016)
In the field of Yoga, several of the movements require a direct connection to the sun. Thus, architects should always prefer natural lighting and also adding devices to control its intensity. Natural light has the benefit for easier concentration and improving a good mood (Hilal, 2018). To reduce glare, most of the rooms have been designed with zenithal openings, windows on the low level of the floor or even fuzzy screens (Franco, 2016).
Figure 7: The use of exterior sounds and smells (Franco, 2016)
‘’The construction is transformed with light changes, thus achieving a balance with its natural surroundings, which is transmitted into their spaces and therefore to project users.’’
Ventilation is also a crucial part when you are talking about yoga spaces since ‘’breath’’ is the base for this development. Inhaling the fresh air helps to enhance spiritual development (Hilal, 2018).
Carolina Echevarri + Alberto Burckhardt, about their project ‘Yoga-Kamadhemy’, in Cundinamarca, Colombia.
Multisensory space experience
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Aesthetics and materiality play such an important role to in order to make the healing process achievable. Regarding the aesthetics of the space, it is important to avoid the exaggerated decorations and distracting elements (Franco, 2016). The colour palette and materials are the most important aspects as they directly affect the psychology of a person. Warm materials and soft colours such as white, crème, help the attendees to concentrate and focus on the exercises (Franco, 2016). Ground engages with the person as they have permanent contact so it needs a careful decision for the material, for example wood as it is soft and warm to the touch (Franco, 2016).
Example 1: Kamadhenu Yoga Studio / Carolina Echevarri + Alberto Burckhardt Kamadhenu is a private institution that contains all the basic principles of yoga. This institution pays attention to the relationship of the materials and aesthetics and how these influence the peoples’ psychology. The access of the building is based at the upper level so the users can live a ceremonially experience as they descend from a stone staircase to the exterior patio ("Kamadhenu Yoga Studio / Carolina Echevarri + Alberto Burckhardt", 2016).
Figure 9: Warm materials & soft colours (Franco, 2016)
Figure 10: Kamadhenu Yoga studio (Kamadhenu Yoga Studio / Carolina Echevarri + Alberto Burckhardt, 2022)
Ceiling height is also one of the important features to take into consideration when designing a yoga studio. The ideal height should be about 2.5m which can accommodate persons with their arms raised above heads. The idea for high ceilings is usually about the sense of airiness which is also necessary when you aim to gain optimal benefits from yoga (Hilal, 2018).
The overall materials have been used are concrete, wood, stone and glass. There is a strong balance between the selection of these materials as concrete gives solidity, wood warmth, stone focuses on the connection with the earth and glass reflects the light. Light plays such a fundamental role and the atmosphere in total is beautiful and serene ("Kamadhenu Yoga Studio / Carolina Echevarri + Alberto Burckhardt", 2016).
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Example 2: Ritual House of Yoga / goCstudio
Example 3: AYC / DX Arquitectos
The architects stated that ‘’ We believe in simple ways, in order and structure, in repetition, in air and wind, the sun, breathing and the shapes of the body in the space we need to look inward.’’
Ritual house can accommodate 40+ users and is the first yoga studio by the Ritual House owners. This studio contains a plywood box which mainly manage the circulation of the space during the day. This box hovers between the LVL wood rafters and oak flooring and creates a transition space ("Ritual House of Yoga / goCstudio", 2015).
Figure 13: Exterior view of the building (AYC / DX Arquitectos, 2015)
José Antonio Flores Soto claims that light builds over time. He also referred to the importance of the shadow as pure lights burns. This yoga studio is totally lined with wood in every part and it gives the sense of warmth. It has also different openings to let and prevent natural light during the day ("AYC / DX Arquitectos", 2015).
Figure 11+12: Materiality of the interior spaces (Ritual House of Yoga / goCstudio, 2015)
Another aspect of the design is the sliding wall which has several functions such as visual and acoustical privacy as well as allowing natural ventilation because of the large operable windows on the east and west. The most important element of this place is the LVL rafters as they create a physical rhythm and they get involved to the lighting design ("Ritual House of Yoga / goCstudio", 2015).
Lighting is achieved with the LED strips on the rafters’ length pointed up to the ceiling to design a gentle glow suitable for meditation and relaxation ("Ritual House of Yoga / goCstudio", 2015).
Figure 14: Atmosphere of the low windows (AYC / DX Arquitectos, 2015)
Yoga Studio Examples
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Example 4: Spa Querétaro / Ambrosi I Etchegaray
This center is for integral yoga and spa and its main characteristic is to achieve a constant contact with nature and exterior spaces (González, 2013).
The ground floor level has coloured concrete walls in order to enhance the materiality and the rooms next to the courtyards are made of wood (González, 2013).
Figure 15: Relationship of exterior spaces and nature (González, 2021)
Figure 17+18: Wood as a material (González, 2021)
For this reason, architects designed a thick slab to create inner patios with gardens and so, all the spaces are directly related through these patios (González, 2013).
Going up on the second floor where the yoga pavilions are, they have steel and glass to capture as much best views (González, 2013).
Figure 16: Sense of concrete walls (González, 2021)
Figure 19: Use of steel and glass to capture views (González, 2021)
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INTERVIEW by Evi Drousiotou (Yoga Teacher) Larnaca, Cyprus 1. What was your first aim/motivation that pushed you to teach yoga? At first, it started as a hobby. In my personal experience, yoga started to help me a lot with anxiety. Yoga has to do directly with a person’s psychology since it involves the body and breathe. 2. Based on your experience, what an ideal place for yoga looks like?
Figure 21: A photo of her own studio during exercise
With a few words, the spaces that adapt to their environment. To be more specific, when I visited Bali, the yoga studio was inside the nature and it was built from wood and baboos. The studio was surrounded by coconut trees and other exotic plants. As a yoga teacher, I truly believe that the most important is to have an environment in harmony because aesthetics are essential for relaxation and concentration.
3. How important is the decision of the materials in a yoga place and how much do they influence the exercise? Materials are undoubtedly a crucial part for a yoga space but it depends. For me, the most important is the existing place. Where it is, by what is surrounded, what was it before, etc. based on its existing nature then you design the yoga space in order to connect it with its environment. 4. During these years as a yoga teacher, did you realize that people can heal and change? Umm... I think I cannot use the word ‘’heal’’, but I would say that of course yoga had a positive influence in their psychology. The most important of all is the relationship with the body as well as each person’s relationship with their stress. The element of nature such as when it rains, or the green spaces push people to calm easier and concentrate.
Figure 20: A photo of her own studio Interview
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References: Bibliography: 1. Freed, A. (2021). Yoga and Architecture. Architecturalab.com. Retrieved from https://www.architecturalab.com/post/yoga-and-architecture. 2. Blankenberger, D. (2016). Yoga and Architecture: A Philosophical Design Approach. Cardinalscholar.bsu.edu. Retrieved from https://cardinalscholar.bsu.edu/bitstream/handle/123456789/200465/A376_2016BlankenbergerDenise-opt.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y. 3. Nichols, H. (2021). Yoga: Methods, types, philosophy, and risks. Medicalnewstoday.com. Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/286745#what-is-yoga. 4. Franco, J. (2016). The Key Architectural Elements Required to Design Yoga and Meditation Spaces. ArchDaily. Retrieved from https://www.archdaily.com/797259/the-key-architectural-elements-required-to-design-yoga-and-mediation-spaces. 5. Hilal, A. (2018). The Key Architectural Elements Required to Design Yoga Studio - Architecture List. Architecture List - A Directory of Great Architectures. Retrieved from https://www.architecturelist.com/2018/08/17/the-key-architectural-elements-required-to-design-yoga-studio/. 6. Rust, E. (2011). Healing Waters, Creating Therapeutic Space. Citeseerx.ist.psu.edu. Retrieved
from
http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.866.4561&rep=rep1&type=pdf#:~:text=The%20
multi%2Dsensory%20level%20of,an%20intensification%20of%20the%20senses. 7. Kamadhenu Yoga Studio / Carolina Echevarri + Alberto Burckhardt. ArchDaily. (2016). Retrieved from https://www.archdaily.com/788444/kamadhenu-yoga-studio-carolina-echevarri-plus-alberto-burckhardt. 8. Ritual House of Yoga / goCstudio. ArchDaily. (2015). Retrieved from https://www.archdaily.com/774176/ritual-house-of-yoga-gocstudio. 9. González, M. (2013). Spa Querétaro / Ambrosi I Etchegaray. ArchDaily. Retrieved from https://www.archdaily.com/318920/spa-queretaro-ambrosi-i-etchegaray. 10. AYC / DX Arquitectos. ArchDaily. (2015). Retrieved from https://www.archdaily.com/773973/ayc-dx-arquitectos.
References
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References: Figures: 1. Franco, J. (2016). The Key Architectural Elements Required to Design Yoga and Meditation Spaces [Image]. https://www.archdaily.com/797259/the-key-architectural-elements-required-to-design-yoga-and-mediation-spaces. 2. Zohby, A. (2015). Therapeutic Architecture: Role of Architecture in Healing Process [Image]. https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/rtf-fresh-perspectives/a597-therapeutic-architecture-role-of-architecture-in-healing-process/. 3. Pratiquer du yoga pour combattre le stress. (2021). [Image]. https://www.lunion.fr/id255863/article/2021-05-11/pratiquer-du-yoga-pour-combattre-le-stress. 4. Dienstman, A. (2019). 8 Easy Yoga Poses With Big Health Benefits [Image]. https://www.goodnet.org/articles/8-easy-yoga-poses-big-health-benefits. 5. Kamadhenu Yoga Studio / Carolina Echevarri + Alberto Burckhardt. (2022). [Image]. https://www.archdaily.com/788444/kamadhenu-yoga-studio-carolina-echevarri-plus-alberto-burckhardt. 6. Ritual House of Yoga / goCstudio. (2015). [Image]. https://www.archdaily.com/774176/ritual-house-of-yoga-gocstudio. 7. AYC / DX Arquitectos. (2015). [Image]. https://www.archdaily.com/773973/ayc-dx-arquitectos. 8. González, M. (2021). Spa Querétaro / Ambrosi I Etchegaray [Image]. https://www.archdaily.com/318920/spa-queretaro-ambrosi-i-etchegaray.
References
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Getting Getting to to know know KAAF KAAF Architects: Architects:
An Aninterview interview with with Alexandros Alexandros Kitriniaris Kitriniaris Panagiota Panagiota Tsafara Tsafara
This This interview interview was was aa constructive constructive discussion discussion
in in Italy, Italy, New New York, York, China, China, Germany, Germany, Moscow Moscow
with with the the talented, talented, award-winning, award-winning, young young
as as well well as as at at the the 25th 25th Congress Congress of of the the
architect architect Alexandros Alexandros Kitriniaris, Kitriniaris, CEO CEO and and
International International Association Association of of Architects Architects (UIA) (UIA) in in
founder founder of of KAAF KAAF Architects. Architects. Alexandros Alexandros
Durban, Durban, South South Africa. Africa. In In 2018, 2018, he he received received
Kitriniaris Kitriniaris isis aa graduate graduate architect architect of of the the
from from the the European European Centre Centre of of Architecture Architecture the the
National National Technical Technical University University of of Athens Athens and and aa
"Europe "Europe 40under40 40under40 Award". Award". He He was was
scholar scholar with with postgraduate postgraduate studies studies at at the the same same
distinguished distinguishedamong among the the 40 40 up-and-coming up-and-coming
university. university. He He explores explores and and specializes specializes in in
architects architects under under the the age age of of 40 40 in in Europe Europe for for
architecture, architecture, ecology, ecology, and and physiology physiology through through
2017-2018. 2017-2018. He He works works as as an an Architect, Architect, aa
innovative innovative and and leading leading biotechnological biotechnological
teaching teaching assistant assistant in in architectural architectural studios, studios, and and
advances advances to to guarantee guarantee the the positive positive impact impact of of
aa Ph.D. Ph.D. researcher. researcher.
architecture architecture for for the the benefit benefit of of society, society, the the economy, economy, and and the the environment. environment. His His work work has has been been awarded awarded in in international international architectural architectural competitions, competitions, has has been been published published in in prestigious prestigious international international architectural architectural journals journals and and has has been been exhibited exhibited both both in in Greece, Greece, as as well well as as at at international international exhibitions exhibitions and and events events 100
The The KAAF KAAF imprint imprint
What are the basic principles and
How do you start a project?
characteristics of your projects?
Initially we begin with a visit, an in-situ
In general, our philosophy and identity are
monitoring and observation of the phenomena
based on sustainable development principles
and the various processes that have to do with
and goals and regenerative design processes.
the air temperature, orientation, view, relative
More specifically, we rely on the 17 targets set
humidity, ground temperature, the covering
by the United Nations and the Paris Agreement
rate of the sky, the speed and direction of the
in 2015 and are based on the legally binding
wind, direct and diffuse radiation, and lighting.
international treaty on climate change, which
Once we collect that data, we analyze it, and
analyze how we should manage pollutants and
then we study other information that has to do
carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. At an
with the adequacy of the region's raw
architectural level, this objective is also linked
materials, the connectivity to renewable
to many other factors such as the orientation
energy, the concentration of its air pollutants in
of the building, the views, the management of
the atmosphere and the groundwater table. At
water, waste, wastewater and the
the same time, we consider the distances this
management of energy of the building
plot/property may have from local factories,
envelope. How you store, save, and use
production, transport, and storage of raw
energy, as well as the way in which a shell
materials companies with responsible
channels carbon dioxide. It is an overall
management. Another important part is the
strategy that should be integrated each time
ecosystem's carrying capacity, how much it can
into a specific project and context into the
withstand this intervention. So, the first step
environment to which it belongs. So, each time
includes collecting information during the site
a project has a unique operation process. The
visit. The second one is the research and
uniqueness of its identity is adapted every time
analysis of secondary factors that influence and
according to the requirements and challenges
affect the project's sustainability in terms of
of the specific project depending on its
movement, materials, and human resource
location, climate conditions, environment,
management. Through these two steps, a
society, and economy.
narrative of the project is conducted by considering the aspects and parameters we previously analyzed.
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What inspires you in the architectural process, what are your references ? Are there any architects you admire for their work? I admire several architects who rely on the
Inspiration will not appear whenever you want.
primary relationship of nature with culture and
As Nietzsche said: you have to believe that you
human with the natural environment. One of
have the luck to relate a finding with creativity.
the best-known architects that I admire his
So, inspiration relates to things you see in a
work is Peter Zumthor. Other vital offices are
place and is a matter of luck. The timing of
the Adjaye Associates in London, there are
observation can create a moment in your mind,
other architects from Africa, Tanzania,
a cerebral conclusion, a verbal narrative that
Morocco, and some specific directions in China
you can transform into an image or a sketch and
and Japan with a similar approach to
lead you to the production of a space and
sustainable design. Primarily, the inspiration for
whatsoever an architectural result. The
me comes more from the experience of the
collection of raw data (clean structures and
place. During a site visit, we collect specific
forms) is equally essential in studying the place
references, information and spontaneous
through reading related books and texts for the
observations which may work as a stimulus
area of interest.
moment for connections and moments we may
To conclude, the more primary the data, the
experience in other countries and places. This is
clearer the natural result is. This results in a
a triggering moment for me, as a sudden finding
unique result that does not involve other
can challenge your inspiration and can lead you
projects or associations other architects may
to the creation of a narrative. Inspiration does
have made on this site.
not come exclusively from what you see at that moment. It has to do with the trapping of the multiple narratives on this correlation.
Earthwood
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nd,
t
and
Urban Capacitor Urban Capacitor
ace
the
y
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2
2
Earthwood 104
Which project do you think includes all these
snaps on it. The wooden house consists of
ideas and expresses you the most?
natural timber, transferred to Greece and can
Certainly, the Earthwood project. It is a project that has generally been distinguished internationally for its sustainable identity. It is made of natural and recyclable materials, such as building wood and laminated timber. At the same time, it consists of rammed earth, with
be set up as an entire structural system within 4 days. At the same time, the structure is recyclable, adaptable, and convertible, as it can be dismantled and reassembled elsewhere. Another characteristic of this project is the circular management of water. More specifically, considering the annual
static reinforcements for enhancing the
rainfall data for the Attica basin, two water
strength of the building in case of an
reservoirs are created to collect rainwater
earthquake. The entire philosophy and
from specially designed surfaces on the roof
management of this project have to do with
and recycle it by filtering it (through UV lamps
the way in which we start. The project starts
and ozone filters) either for domestic use or
from zero by managing the wastewater and
for irrigation. At the same time, it manages the
waste that the city can cause through the
energy through a built-in system of
wastewater treatment plants. Through this
photovoltaic BIPV panels which are integrated
process, a final product is created, which can then be processed as a fuel and can be used in industry. Similarly, we used this process to create a specific composition from compressed earth, with a certain amount of lime and some additional fibers, which made the consistency of the material. In this way, we created a system with a large thermal mass: a wall with about 50-60 cm of rammed earth, which is the central element of the composition. Then the wooden house follows, which comes and
in the (10%) sloped roof which is located to the south. In this way the collected energy is stored in a battery of 14 kilowatts allowing the complete autonomy of the house of 4 people. Additionally, it manages wastewater and waste accordingly. To sum up, this project can be integrated into the global network of sustainable constructions by applying a circular economy which reduces the building's ecological footprint and increases its positive impact on the environment.
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Identity of a place: To what extent can you manage your thoughts and intervene in an area without identity? I believe that there is no place with a clear identity. A place's identity can be defined by the types of buildings: residential, commercial, industrial area. However, when the different types of buildings are mixed, there is no area identity. Although, the primary concern in an area is not its identity but the relationship between the natural environment and individual. In any case people will go to live in a place whether it has or doesn't have an identity, as their primary concern is how he will respond and assimilate to this environment. The relationship of the place with the natural environment and its conditions create its own character, which sometimes may not fit with the identity of the entire city. What is certain is that I do not identify the uniqueness of the image or social identity with the inclusion of a new wave or a subordinate in a particular place. I consider that the real identity of a building connected to a natural or an urban environment, depending on the location, the block, and its location, has a completely different attitude to many conditions and environments. So simply recognizing whether a particular place has or doesn't have an identity, or whether that place is for high society, or for an industrial zone, residential zone, or commercial zone is just one side of a city's identity.
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Biorama
How important is for clients and the market the sustainable design? It is vital for a client that a sustainable building benefits him efficiently, economically, and environmentally in a long-term period. Obviously, it is not too tolerable for them financially because conditions and data that go beyond the limits of conventional construction are needed for the early stages. Although, in the long run this is something that helps a lot in the type of investment, especially when we are talking about large investments such as hotels that consume and need large amount of energy. However, I do not believe that bioclimatic architecture is expensive. I think that there are some particular requirements and standards. If followed correctly, we can produce building infrastructures with high environmental, social and economic efficiency with a specialized methodology and diagrammatic logic. At the same time, it is not more expensive than conventional construction. We try to manage the humidity naturally, the temperature depending on the percentage of sky coverage, the energy coverage, and natural lighting with technical lighting, and various other factors. In fact, this part equally optimizes costs. For example, when we want 6070% of the use of air-conditioning, we can reach a level of thermal comfort. If in a house we remove this 70%, how can we restore the quality of thermal comfort? Therefore, for the client, bioclimatic architecture is beneficial!
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How easy is it for an architect to practice architecture encompassing How easy iswith it forquality, an architect to practice bioclimatic architecture principles during architecture with quality, encompassing the pandemic? bioclimatic architecture principles during thepandemic pandemic? The helped us with the materials certifications, which hadusbeen lately. The pandemic helped with lost the materials Before the pandemic, everyone in Greece certifications, which had been lost lately. could produce anythingeveryone without any Before the pandemic, in Greece could produce any over certification andanything without without any control certification any control over the materials. and Thiswithout has changed with the the materials. This has changed with the health, safety protocols and management safety protocols and management ofhealth, materials. Another positive aspect of the of materials. positive aspect pandemic was Another the convertibility and of the pandemic was the convertibility and use. recyclability of construction or space recyclability of construction space use. Moreover, another piece thatorhas Moreover, isanother piece has or contributed how we can that assemble contributed is how we can assemble or disassemble and at the same time change disassemble and at the same time change uses in given conditions, which will certainly uses in given conditions, which will certainly be a great concern in the future. be a great concern in the future.
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How does Greece respond to bioclimatic design,
I am worried about the mentality in Greece .
is there absorption at a level of professional
People tend to bring trends to the market
practice?
temporarily and then remove it.
In practice, there is currently no good
However, I hope and wish that the new
infrastructure, since the bioclimatic design has
generation has already begun to think about it
appeared in Greece the last few years, and many
differently from their way of living (recycling).
consider it a temporary trend. It is a common
The new generation grows up and lives in a
phenomenon that the inclusion of mechanical
period of crisis both economically and
equipment, like photovoltaics and wind turbines,
environmentally. This, I hope made them
does not mean that we obey sustainable design
understand better the importance and urgent
conditions. This is not based on terms of
need of bioclimatic design. Therefore, it is crucial
engineering approach but on what we discussed
to do it at least with the right foundations and
earlier and the repulsion of the building to
the right infrastructure, not as in previous years;
natural environment. So, Greece still cannot
when any trend was introduced to Greece,
absorb this. It is a trend in Greece; however, it
someone had to take it, develop it, and then
has been happening for the last 15-20 years in
throw it away. We do not have to forget that
Europe and maybe a little more in America.
what we deliver from generation to generation is
Unfortunately, in Greece we have a simplistic
a tradition without lacking its future. For this
approach in bioclimatic design by constructing
reason, this tradition can no longer be in hands
reinforced concrete buildings with walls of 25-30
that follow the trends and leave.
centimeters thickness and adding 20 centimeters of insulation. As well as introducing photovoltaics for reduction of energy consumption, calling the building passive. However, the proper
What are your personal goals for the future? My personal goal is to develop strategies and scenarios that can now be absorbed as much as possible in the market aiming to improve living
implementation of the bioclimatic design is
conditions and lifestyles, especially in modern
based on specific, innovative designed
urban centers .My message is that sustainability
techniques which are based on specialized
is the future!
knowledge. Walls: Eco- Suites Boutique Hotel
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