Contemporary Envelope Requalification: Innovation and Smart Technology for a New Approach to the Bu

Cover: S.Casarini, I.Luigabue, G.Magli

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I nternational Academic Journal

New technologies and tools for built environment comunication and valorization edited by Katia Gasparini

screencity

ISBN 978-88-96370-10-0 ISSN 2281-2210

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â‚Ź 20,00

Media Environment

Media Environment

Knemesi Publisher www.knemesi.com Screencity_I.A.J.

issue 01 November 2012 ISSN 2281-2210 ISBN 9788896370100 Annual Academic Journal

SCREENCITY STAFF

ADVISORY BOARD

Directors Simone Arcagni Katia Gasparini

Giandomenico Amendola Simone Arcagni Pierre Auboiron Simon Biggs Roberto Bolici Massimo Canevacci Francesco Casetti Derrick De Kerchove Ruggero Eugeni Katia Gasparini Laurent Jullier Salvatore Iaconesi Giulio Lughi Lev Manovich Rossella Maspoli Scott McQuire Roy Menarini Francesco Monico Mario Ricciardi Giuseppe Richeri Mark Shepard Oliver Schürer Mirjam Struppek Christian Uva Vito Zagarrio Pietro Zennaro

Editor -in-chief Francesco Carcano Editorial board Simone Arcagni Katia Gasparini Giulio Lughi Rossella Maspoli Roy Menarini Pietro Zennaro Editorial staff Veronica Brustolon Roberta De Monte Miriam De Rosa Lorenzo Gerbi Chiara Gregoris Mirko Lino Anna Martini Eleonora Nicoletti Matteo Pedrotti Alessandro Premier Eleonora Salvalaio Editorial Coordination Serena Perrone Graphic Design Roberta De Monte

Suplement of “Aria” journal Logged in Tribunale di Milano n.465 07 giugno 2005 Publisher Circom società cooperativa via Cartesio 2 – 20124 Milano Knemesi Publisher Strada dei Monti 6 , 37124 Verona contact: editors@screen-city.net www.screen-city.net © Knemesi Publisher all rights of reproduction and translation of published articles are reserved print ATENA.NET Srl , Grisignano (VI)

The monography is the outcome of a International Seminars and Workshop “MEDIA-ENVIRONMENT, New technologies and tools for the communication and valorisation of the built environment “, conducted at the Politecnico di Milano, in the Mantua Regional Campus, and with Università Iuav di Venezia by the “Colour and light in architecture” Research Unit. It was financed with funds of the Iuav Department of Research of Università Iuav di Venezia, year 2011-2012.

The volume contains essays by some academics, researchers, selfemployed professionals and specialised technicians coming from different areas at national and international level and with a specific cultural, technical and scientific background. The series of seminars also included a planning workshop to which 260 students, enrolled in the undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses of Università Iuav di Venezia and the Mantua Campus of the Politecnico di Milano respectively, registered and participated in.

Planning and organization of the series of seminars and workshops Scientific direction

Prof.ssa Elena Mussinelli Dott. Katia Gasparini

International Advisory board

Fabrizio Schiaffonati Elena Mussinelli Pietro Zennaro Andrea Tartaglia Matteo Gambaro Katia Gasparini Kathrin Moore Pierre Auboiron Oliver Schürer

Coordination Tutors

Alessandro Premier , Amina Dehò Veronica Brustolon, Roberta De Monte, Chiara Gregoris, Anna Martini, Barbara Massa, Matteo Pedrotti, Eleonora Salvalaio

No part permission of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner without written permission from the publisher, except in the context of review.

Unless specified, images and photos are the authors of the individual articles. For citations, photos and drawings belonging to the owned by third parties included in this opera, the authors of the articles are available to eligible not been able to find as well as for any unintentional omissions and /or errors of attribution in the references. Errors or omissions will be correct in subsequent editions.

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I nternational Academic Journal

screencity

New technologies and tools for built environment comunication and valorization edited by katia Gasparini

Media Environment

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CONTENTS 09

32

22

64

70

16

28

42

36

50

78

84

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screencity index

07 Elena Mussinelli, Roberto Bolici foreword

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media-environment: innovation and new technologies for the redevelopment and the

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toward the architectural chromatic and lighting immateriality Pietro Zennaro

32 Oliver Schurer

semantic light

61

thesis: Media Design Contest

Chiara Gregoris, Matteo Pedrotti

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dynamic envelopes and smart technologies for built environment

Alessandro Premier

valorisation of the built environment

Katia Gasparini

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urban_public environments

36

the electronic civilization: flow - elasticity dynamic surface

Elastic Group of Artistic Research

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new media sociology’s

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post cinema: architecture and media,

Giulio Lughi

towards the smart-city

42 49

colors and cultures of contemporary urban spaces design Rossella Maspoli

techno environments

70 Walter Nicolino, Carlo Ratti,

digital water pavillion project

Matteo Lai, Francisca M. Rojas

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technology for built environment

78

venetian fortified system: Forte Marghera

sustainable mobility - smart+connected

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contemporary envelope requalification: innovation and smart technology for a new

84

approach to the built environment

colour and light technology for new media environment

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thesis: d’Ancap_digital Architectural new cover

media-environment: systems and new technologies for the valorisation of the built environment Katia Gasparini

Katia Gasparini

27

case history

Andrea Bonifacio

Simone Arcagni

22 Kathrin Moore

valorization: workshop and case history

88

Workshop

and protection

Veronica Brustolon, Roberta De Monte

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Contemporary Envelope Requalification: Innovation and Smart Technology for a New Approach to the Built Environment Katia Gasparini

Within the series of seminars and workshops the case study on company Ancap offered a field of research and application ideal for students on the issue of valorization of the built environment, using new technologies coming out from the contemporary research and experimentations.

The case study has grouped many issues to deal with, in terms of design, construction, technology, and especially the environment. The demands of the property were related to some specific points, first of all the requalification of the factory envelope, because at this time appears as an anonymous warehouse in reinforced concrete. This was the main theme, which brings together two different approaches: the envelope requalification and his valorization, which, according to business demands, require a greater company visibility and identity in terms of both perception and communication. The second issue concerns the landscape in which the company is located.

The factory covers a production area of 20,000 square meters, employing about 170 professionals. Set in a hilly, d’Ancap is located in close proximity to the railway line that connects Venice to Milan. On the opposite side, to the south, there is a road that runs along the A4 motorway and that leads to the three neighboring municipalities: Sommacampagna, Sona and Castelnuovo del Garda. A dozen miles away is located the Verona airport, Valerio Catullo.

The construction, therefore, is not found as usually

happens in an industrial area, but in hilly area. It’s the only company in the area, located on the border railway between two hills and clearly visible from the top of them. The factory is perceptible from aircrafts taking off and landing from Verona, from the railway trains in transit to and from Milan. It should be noted that the company is one of the few still with railway crossing within the territory of the company, used in the past for freight transport and for which the company still owns the rights.

Having that construction and location conditions, it was required to design a new architectural shell, communicative, which returns company visibility even commercial terms, integrating the building into the hill context using color and light technologies.

The project should include an over cladding system, temporary or mobile, but structurally independent from the original structure. Were not provided limits on technologies and materials use, but the students were advised to use innovative technologies and possibly “smart” in order to meet the requirements related to energy saving and landscape non-invasive. The first line of action, to solve the energy problem, is very much felt by the business property because the production requirements need considerable energy expenditure. So where possible was required to use technologies allowing the full energy independence, and possibly an “Energy plus” envelope-type, in order to

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compensate the company energy needs, without thereby interfering with the environmental quality.

Another company request was to design an anti dust and acoustic barrier facing the railway, to limit the trains passage interference on the north elevation.

Description of the existing structure The building is 300 m long., wide 60 m., was created in 1964, having two later expansions. The supporting structure

is made of reinforced concrete columns (40x40 cm) on which were applied infill concrete panels (20 cm thick). The latter have a different grid dimension resulting from the three different interventions (5 m., 1.5 m., And 2.5 m.).

The roof is of three different types: the first part has a vaulted roof, the second and third vertical and horizontal shed. The windows change according to the system of modular panels: the first part, in which are located the offices, is characterized by continuous windows screens by metal shading devices,

Ancap, photo ŠBrustolon V., De Monte R.

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the second is equipped with not opening windows (1 x 2.25 m.), the third is made by fixtures, inwardly openable ribbon windows. On the north elevation, for the first 145 meters, was placed a sheet metal canopy to protect the waste material. The entire complex has a maximum height of 6 meters.

Analysis of the objectives and contextualization technologies The project’s objectives are four: - Draft rehabilitation with a new envelope having communication purposes - Requalification of energy plant - Valorization of the environment and countryside - Barrier on north side In essence, the project brings together three key concepts in architecture: requalification, valorization and reduction of energy consumption.

A draft “UPGRADING” assumes that the comparison between the needs expressed by users and performance to be understood as quality building offers, require not significant adjustments. The requalification project objective, in the light of the results of analytical tasks, will be to define the step of performance in relation to the new needs expressed by users and work programs necessary to improve the building or its components performance identifying appropriate solutions effectively responding to the requirements1.

Any recovery, requalification, valorization and management action2 produce effects on the surrounding, whether natural or man-made. These effects induce a qualitative change on buildings, on the roads accessibility and continuity of the ecosystem, as well as on the perception and use of the same places. The concept of “exploitation” of the environmental and cultural heritage

is enshrined both in the Italian Constitution (Article 9)3 as in the Code of Cultural Heritage and Landscape4. The same article states that the valorization includes educational goals of close links with the heritage, in order to improve the knowledge and conservation of cultural and environmental assets, increasing the usability.

The landscape valorization of protected areas concerns as much as requalification of buildings and areas under protection, same as (especially, in this case) the creation of new landscape values5.

The valorization then may be made through operations of highlighting all the parameters relevant to an area, to one or more buildings, to a process, with the aim of encouraging and highlight some aspects that are considered virtuous.

In the specific case of a building requalification the “valorization” refers to all those activities of promotion and support the requalification and preservation of existing buildings ensuring the best conditions for the use and exploitation. The maintenance and preservation of existing buildings also rely on meanings that go beyond their utility and act as cultural, educational and ethical topics able to stimulate a new awareness of environmental protection6.

The intervention recommended for students was the design of an over-cladding system. The system has been tested by me in previous research, classifying and analyzing numerous case histories on which they were made refurbishing or building new architectural envelopes.

In particular, the classification of requalification and regeneration of the building facades was inferred from researches recently completed and in the way to be published on the topic of requalification of the building envelope within the PRIN 20087. The term over-cladding identifies the process according to which the previous coating is left and used as the

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basis for the new one. Is carried out in the presence of redevelopment of existing buildings project and can serve to protect the existing facade in such a way that the building has regenerated the same life expectancy comparable to that of a new one. A classic example, often offered to the students and well-known in this field, is the intervention of over-cladding designed by UNStudio on HallWest Gallery in Korea. Even then it was to make works of requalification on an industrial building with precast concrete system, converted into commercial building, a shopping mall . In this project they installed a metal frame to support a coating of dichroic glass cladding backlit with a RGB LED electronically controlled. This intervention was aimed prominently for building perception and visibility, both day and night. In the realization of a new envelope having the purpose of communication the appearance performance becomes leading. In this case it is useful and necessary for students to a study the overcladding components and materials used same as the perceptual system intervention in relation to the environment. Based on the research even mentioned (Prin 2008 and others), the analysis of the perceptual system can be performed by a classification of the surface pattern. The analysis of the perceptual system allows the decomposition of architectural surface from the point of view of the drawing, of the regularities found within a set of observed objects (pattern) and the techniques used to grasp the visibility of the facade (technologies).

Specifically, the pattern identifies a repetition of a geometric graphic pattern on a surface, so much so that by examining “the object in all its parts, will establish the skeleton structural and relationships of the various parts with the whole”. In the study of the perceptual system the selection of appropriate technologies used to emphasize the perception of the pattern of the façade is essential. The technologies are

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Galleria Hall West, © K.Gasparini, maquette at Media Architecture Biennale 2010, Vienna

distinguished according to monochrome or polychrome colors, typical of glassy materials, plastic and metal. In certain cases it’s the material itself that defines the color of the facade, in others, the applied films, paints or dyes to obtain different tones and saturations. Completely different is the perception given by lighting technologies. In this case, in fact, the perceptual system is characterized by the use of lamps and / or LEDs. These are managed by computer systems allowing you to give more dynamism to the building and expand the color combinations available. The mixed technologies, finally, make use of both the color than light. In this category we can find electronic technologies often used in the construction of media facades, screens or interactive displays, materials and systems, “smart” technologies now often employed on energy consumption reduction.

The choice of a technology over another depends not only on the design target and the available budget, but also paying attention to the environment impact. There are three types of relapse: a. environmental, when the intervention upgrades the building from the standpoint of energy and insertion in the context (aspect); b. social-communicative, when intervention, as well as a technology upgrade or plant combines a surface action for the purpose of communication integrating pattern color and light technologies; c. economical, if the goal of reducing energy consumption and maintenance with interventions is focused to a technological upgrade for an overall building requalification.

As the architectural shell evolved from the point of view of communicative interaction with the environment through

the use of new technologies, so it was also with regard to the energy interaction. Today the building envelope is no longer just a protective physical barrier, but may be able to actively adjust the flow of light energy and thermal energy, as well as to generate electricity and usable heat for the “metabolism” of buildings8. In fact, it can serve as protection and closure of the interior from the exterior and changing situations, a “filter to select external welcome aspects from those unwelcome”, recreating indoor “an autonomous micro-environment thanks to mechanical systems and artificial plants”9. Currently, therefore, the cladding system is required to erform multiple functions in the same time. Convey information and modulate the relationship with the visual perceptual surrounding. Regulate the energy flow between the inside and the outside of the building. Respond to performance requirements of environmental control, primarily related to heat transfer, lighting and natural ventilation, sound and vapor transmission. Protect from rain and intrusion, from electromagnetic phenomena and to become ’active’ capturing renewable energy10.

The temperature regulation systems, sometimes coincident with those of media, may be both static and dynamic, and, in the latter case, can be automated by electronic control, or may comprise of special materials, so-called smart materials, capable of responding to changes in external environmental conditions changing in some properties (smart materials property-changing) or by returning the energy stored in an easily usable (smart materials energy exchanging)11.

For example, it can be easily obtained dynamic self-regulating solar screening capable of generating energy, mostly thanks to the integration of photovoltaic modules12.

So contemporary architectural envelope tend to not be recognized as a “wall”, closed, protective and massive, able to

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clearly divide the interior from the outside, as in the past. Today, the surface that bounds seems to be rather a selectively permeable filter towards the flow of information, matter and energy, “as a membrane having interface function”13.

photo © K.Gasparini, Media Architecture Biennale 2010, Vienna

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Note 1 - see Gasparoli P., Talamo C., Manutenzione e recupero: criteri, metodi e strategie per l’intervento sul costruito, Alinea, Firenze, 2006, p. 161 2 - For the definition of terms “recovery” and “requalification” consult the Italian national legislation and standards Uni, in particular UNI 11150-4:2005. For a bibliographical reference are recommended: Gasparoli P.-Talamo C., Maintenance and recovery, Alinea, Florence, 2006; V. Di Battista, C. Fontana, Flexibility and reuse, Alinea, Florence, 1995. In the discussion in progress there aren’t actions or proposals for restoration and requalification as defined in the standard or in the legislation but interventions and actions aimed at the pursuit of “environmental valorization” of areas and buildings 3 - Art. 9 of Italian Constitution: “The Republic promotes the development of culture and scientific and technical research. Protects the landscape and the historical and artistic heritage of the Nation” 4 - “Cultural heritage is made up of the cultural heritage and landscape assets” (Art.2 par. 1) “The valorization consists of functions and of regulation activities aimed at promoting awareness of the cultural heritage and to ensure the best conditions of use and enjoyment of the public assets of the patrimony (...) It also includes the promotion and support of conservation cultural heritage (...). The valorization is carried out in ways compatible with the protection such as to not compromise the requirements” (Art.6 par. 1-2-3, art.111) 5 - See: Ministry of National Heritage and Culture, Valorization of the State Cultural Heritage, http://www.valorizzazione.beniculturali.it 6 - Gasparoli P., Talamo C., Manutenzione e recupero: criteri, metodi e strategie per l’intervento sul costruito, Alinea, Firenze, 2006, p.173 7 - “Requalification, regeneration and valorization of social housing manufactured in suburban areas in the second half of the twentieth century, “national scientific coordinator prof. R.Di Giulio, resp. Research Unit: prof. V.Manfron. Project Title Research Unit IUAV: “Quality system, materials and building systems on requalification, regeneration and exploitation of high quantity residential buildings realized on urban suburbs on the second half of the XX century” 8 - See. Tucci F., “Interfaccia tra dimensione artificiale e biologica dell’involucro”, in Altomonte S., L’involucro architettonico come interfaccia dinamica. Strumenti e criteri per una architettura sostenibile, con prefazione di Giorgio Peguiron, Alinea, Firenze, 2004, p. 71 9 - Ibid.

10 - See ib. pp. 74-75 11 - See Addington, M.; Schodek, D. L., Smart materials and new technologies for the architecture and design professions, Elsevier, Oxford 2005, p. 80 12 - This paragraph on building energy performance and smart materials is extracted from Nicoletti E., “Il medium e il messaggio in architettura” in Gasparini K., Facciate mediatiche, Utet, Torino, 2012 13 - Gasparini, K., “Visioni superficiali”, in Premier, A. (editor), InSUPERFICIE. Percezione e realizzazione delle superfici architettoniche contemporanee, Knemesi, Verona, 2011, p. 49