a2m.be
2019.04
futureproof design
permacity
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permacity what is permacity?
Reinvent Paris Metropol; Paris-Charenton (FR) Š A2M/OXO/EAI
what is permacity? Inspired by the permaculture which “originally referred to permanent agriculture”, permacity is the application at urban scale of a sustainable system and a global design. As changes in resources and conditions (materials, water, energy, climate…) are less and less predictable, it’s more relevant than ever to create robust buildings. Buildings can offer greater resilience not only through their strength, but also through higher flexibility and adaptability to new contexts, functions, and climates.
permacity what is permacity?
How can we design a town like a forest, a sustainable ecosystem where each element contributes to a regenerating permanent cycle, alternately a consumer and a ressource? A2M designed the first development in Europe not only with neutral climate impact, but also with high resilience. This unprecedented and integrated approach utilizes the most advanced simulation tools directly “in house” with a mixed team of architects and engineers.
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can natural lighting shape a design?
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Sustainable design and construction is geared not only to more efficient, but also more resilient construction, capable of maintaining high performance in spite of climatic and technical vagaries. Indeed, the less the building relies on external fuel and systems, the more reliably it will function. The buildings that depend on advanced technological systems are also the most fragile, so our design work must combine two principles: ensure optimal energy performance and long term resilience. Nowadays, the passive standard ensures the most effective low tech approach, and is no longer a question, but a necessary condition if we are to aspire to lasting architecture. So, Passive House is the best first step to a more resilient path. As high technology is often the most sensitive element of a building (breaks down, needs power to
permacity what is permacity?
work, has complex controls, is subject to power outage‌), in times of big changes/ catastrophes, it presents the greatest vulnerability of a project and, therefore, a community. Designing a building that maintains its shelter function with fewer system/fuel dependencies is, therefore, one of the most essential steps toward resiliency. At this point, design is re-fueled with purpose: new tools and softwares allows us to precisely acknowledge the implications of the building envelope as soon as the first sketch is created. We aim to design buildings that don’t rely on high technology and mechanical input to be comfortable, but on the physical design of the volume itself.
Reinvent Paris Metropol; Paris-Charenton (FR) © A2M/OXO/EAI — On this urban design, the volumes were shaped in order to provide at least 1h of sunlight during winter solstice, or 2h hours during equinoxes.
It means relying on the physical capacities of the materials (insulation, mass, shading, glass…) instead of mechanical energy of the systems (heating, cooling, artificial light…).
permacity what is permacity?
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This approach also touches on aesthetics and other sensitive qualities of the built environment at the very start of building conception. The design process cannot focus solely on analysis and regulations, but must continue to deliver livable, beautiful, and enjoyable environments, which remains the most basic mission of an architect. As designers of the built and experienced environment, we want to use these new tools, not only to achieve greater numbers, but also to help us meet our vision of quality (comfort, natural light, flexible programming, atmospheric variety…). Designing without the awareness of architecture’s inherent capacity to provide comfort and delight passively is like trying to draw or build while being blindfolded.
the tools were directed toward mechanical systems performance, not physical evaluation of the building performance. In the structural field, this can be compared to the changes that appeared with computer calculations: many of today’s exciting structures couldn’t be calculated on paper – computation allows structural engineers to out-perform traditional structural compositions. The same transformation is about to happen in the architectural field. Architects can now actually see and thus design the indoor environmental experience, thanks to more beneficial utilization of building material performances.
Nowadays there are more opportunities in the design process for refinement per more calculated and controlled material performance design. This kind of research was not previously possible mainly because
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The revolution in our approach is that a fourth dimension – time – has been added to our drawings. We are now able to design in terms of flows (energy, materials, people, moisture, light…) which is a big revolution in the construction industry.
permacity what is permacity?
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permacity what is permacity?
One Center (USA) Š A2M/OXO/EAI
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permacity what is permacity?
On top of the usual three dimensional spacial relations, we can add a fourth one: time. So the more collaborative relationship between building elements is one important development in the field of design and construction: new buildings should no longer follow a linear life-cycle, but a circular one, where entire structures behave more like a modulation to weather conditions. For a building to be efficient, it must first be designed intelligently. To that end, we believe that it must capitalize on the site in which it is situated. The context, the density of the block, the width of the streets that line it will determine the exposure to the sun, the views that will be given priority, and the degree of attainable compactness‌ These old elements of architectural design, neglected in favor of the promises of technology, are vital for the passive architecture that we practice. Our method boils down to integrate from the outset all the parameters that have to be considered. Our urban approach includes the ergonomic and energy-related considerations for the building right from the start.
For some projects, we precisely balance natural light, volume and facade aesthetics so as to provide a smart design. For the facade of the Belval project (see p.20), we analyzed the radiation of the sun on each facade. As it is an office building, overheating might be the most important issue for indoor comfort. So we balanced the rhythm of our facade design, repeating more closely or not the facade elements as to provide a final appearance that we liked, but which was also effective, and allowing views from the office space.
This method has been used for decades, but the novelty is to integrate exact calculation in the design process. 9
Peterbos (BE) Š A2M
permacity what is permacity?
climateneutral neutral district climate disctrict 10 reduction / captation CO2
-4.00 -3.00
mobility
-2.00
biomethanisation
-1.00
green photocatalytic coating
0
emission millions kgEqCO2 per year
PV
1.00
consumption 2.00
embodied energy EE PP
3.00 4.00 5.00
business as usual
permacity what is permacity?
project
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For the project in Charenton-le-Pont in Paris, we calculated that our ‘small’ plot of 3 400 000 SF would absorb approximately 3 017 t EqCO2 /yr, which is equivalent to 1 480 acres of forest. Interestingly, we calculated that the total surface area of parcs and green zones in Paris is 1 360 acres.
permacity what is permacity?
So actually our project had the same effect on urban living as doubling all green spaces in Paris!
5 points of future-proof architecture
300 250 200 150 100 50 0
existing building
new building
low energy
passive house
1 |
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The first step to achieving a resilient organization is to reduce energy demand. While keeping the same – or greater – level of comfort, dependency on the grid and on active systems (energy, but also water, food, even air…) is drastically lowered.
2 |
new building
passive
net zero
PEB net zero house Achieving energy withenergy various renewables is the next step leading to regenerative organizations. For now, even with the most elaborate tools and analysis programs, buildings still need punctual input of mechanical systems. The main goal however, is to reduce dependancy of these systems and to then try to find a common thread so as to harmoniously integrate these appliances. Robustness of a system will also depend on its adaptability to the demand, proof on usability, and capacity to be ease of maintenance.
3 |
net zero energy
4 |
The 4th step targets the Carbon Neutral impact – use of materials and technologies that are reversible and with a very low carbon footprint. As the kWh/ sft/yr is the best unit to describe energy demand, to precisely assess the impact of a construction, the CO2 equivalent autonomous carbon regen neutral provides us with more micro data that can be faced against the macro changes we are experiencing. Integrating the life cycle of elements to the design process of relevant once energy consumption has been minimized. Embodied energy of the construction, but also allowing more flexibility, evolution, change with a structure that can even be adapted to the unpredictable.
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Finally, the concept of Permacity implies that for every sustainable aspect it’s better to carry out the project and insert a new dynamic on site.
Step 3 involves storage resources to reduce dependency on the grids, (mostly with batteries) allowing autonomous sustainability. permacity 5 points of future-proof architecture
200 150 100 50 0
existing building
new building PEB
new building
passive house
low energy
passive house
net zero energy
net zero energy
autonomous
carbon neutral
regen
The application at urban scale of a systemic and global conception: design a city like a forest, a sustainable ecosystem where each element contributes to a self-regenerating permanent cycle.
permacity 5 points of future-proof architecture
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With Permacity, we want to push the boundaries of the energy index, this particular way of conceiving the built world including various factors (energy, air, health, water, ghg, biodiversity, mobility, social interaction‌) will not only provide a climate neutral impact, but also will provide benefits in numerous aspects (health, social, cultural, biodiversity, depollution‌).
permacity conclusion
In spite of consuming our organic resources, action and building regenerate our environment.
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Reinvent Paris Metropol; Paris-Charenton (FR) Š A2M/OXO/EAI
permacity conclusion
first passivehouse in africa
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kinshasa
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permacity project
kinshasa
detail
For Kinshasa’s embassy, the design of solar shades was studied based on the impact of natural light and overheating inside. More than 200 simulations of various rhythms, inclinations and perforations were calculated. Based on the best objective results, an aesthetic choice could then subjectively be made.
program Embassy of Belgium & The Netherlands
performance passivehouse
client Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belgium
location Kinshasa (DRC)
collaboration Willemen groep, Dematco, Jean-Louis Paquet architect (local architecte), Stubeco, CES et Crea-Tec
year 2014 - 2017
surface area 5 769 m² / 32 097 ft²
permacity project
status completed 2017
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first parametric design
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belval
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permacity project
belval
detail
The determination of facade rhythm is based on accurate solar impact during the year. An algorithm is implemented with various parameters, changing the distance between elements in order to achieve the best ratio between natural light, views, and shade control.
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west
north
south
east
solar irradiation 0
NN 48%
43%
43%
35%
permacity project
310 100
kWh/m2 KBtu/SF 620 200
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one center
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permacity project
carbon neutral development
one center
detail
In this project, the interior-exterior surface ratio was dynamically controlled. Large three-story high patios invited nature into the constructed volume. The balance of those exterior and interior surfaces was regulated to maintain the imposed programmatic surfaces.
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permacity project
we do architecture very modern architecture passivhouse standard only prepress for magazine & books believe in building physics thermal bridges, moisture & neutral lightening simulations work like hell
we don’t overcharge outsource building physics restrain our diverse activities understand chaos theory we will make you smile work for right cause value your projects increase your ambitions build a better world
we are not "bio" extremists close minded only architects aliens neither wise in the ways of kung fu we won’t let you down
Since it was founded, A2M has set itself the goal of making our world more liveable by championing quality contemporary architecture with high environmental value. Although all A2M’s projects achieve passive house performance (and for some also Net Zero Energy, Exemplary Building, or Breeam) most are priced at an equivalent to or even lower than the standard market. The A2M team is composed of architects, engineer architects and thermal engineers. All specifically trained in different aspects of sustainable development, passive design, natural light analysis as well as dynamic simulation. These skills gathered under one roof enable us to combine the economic with the exemplary dimensions in each of our projects.
a2m.be
— ©CO 2 neutral certified company
permacity A2M
we share
we build
4 144
1 238 139
passive house dwellings 496 completed or in construction
m2 passive house [12 381 392 SF] 202 384m² completed or in construction
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exemplary buildings awards
27
1
MIPIM AWARD
20 + 14
office buildings
schools & kindergardens
permacity A2M
941 285
m2 zero energy [9 412 858 SF]
6
BREEAM / 52 876 m2 completed or in construction
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hotels
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Editor in charge: Sebastian Moreno-Vacca – A2M, chaussée de Boondael 6 (bte 13), 1050 Ixelles – BE
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