Master of Science in Architecture | Design and Energy Conservation. PORTFOLIO COMPETITION 2016 ABA Arizona Builders Alliance
The project was born from a known fact: nature provides ways for living beings to adapt to their surrounding climate. It achieves this by giving their bodies certain mechanisms that vary depending on the living conditions of each species. Animals and plants, both, have these abilities that humans can learn from. In the past, people had to adapt to their climate using natural processes that decreased application when mechanical HVAC systems arrived. They can be applied these days as well, to make living spaces more comfortable, without the need of mechanical systems, as we are so used to.
Natural ventilation
Stack effect
Evaporative cooling
Natural processes
Building proposal
Interior thermal comfort
Earth integration
Passive cooling
Passive heating
This project in particular is using the extracted principles from the African termite mounds, that are known for keeping their inside temperature constant, regardless of the outside temperature. This is achieved by the team work of the termites. They collaborate with the maintenance of the mound, opening and closing vents as needed to allow natural ventilation.
Termite Mound
Building’s Conceptual Diagram
Master of Science in Architecture | Design and Energy Conservation. Mixed-‐use Multifamily Building with Natural Processes to Achieve Thermal Comfort
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PORTFOLIO COMPETITION 2016 ABA Arizona Builders Alliance
Multifamily building in Tucson, Arizona that uses natural processes (earth-integration, naturally ventilated, and properly oriented, among other passive strategies), to minimize the use of mechanical systems. Its users will live with thermal comfort and it will be thanks to natural processes found in termite mounds, translated to passive environmental strategies. The proposed multifamily function of this building is due to the exponential growth this city is having: it provides housing to several families/individuals in one piece of land. SPEEDWAY BLVD.
STONE AVE.
Commercial Area
Mechanical Room
Mechanical Room
Courtyard
Commercial Area
Roof view. W/O Scale
Master of Science in Architecture | Design and Energy Conservation. Mixed-‐use Multifamily Building with Natural Processes to Achieve Thermal Comfort
Ground level. W/O Scale
3/8
PORTFOLIO COMPETITION 2016 ABA Arizona Builders Alliance
Apartment 01 Apartment 02
Mech. Room Apartment 08
Apartment 07
Courtyard
Apartment 09 Apartment 10
Apartment 03
Mech. Room
Apartment 04
Apartment 16
Mech. Room Apartment 06
Courtyard
Apartment 11
Apartment 12 Mech. Room
Apartment 05
Apartment 15
First underground level. W/O Scale
Apartment 14
Apartment 13
Second underground level. W/O Scale
The building has one level above ground (commercial) and two levels below ground (residential) with 13 apartments, a courtyard, two entrances to the residential area with elevator an stairs each. Each apartment is entered through the courtyard and has a view to private “English pits” that provide natural light, a view to native vegetation, and ventilation. Master of Science in Architecture | Design and Energy Conservation. Mixed-‐use Multifamily Building with Natural Processes to Achieve Thermal Comfort
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PORTFOLIO COMPETITION 2016 ABA Arizona Builders Alliance
NORTH FAÇADE
The facades are simple with white walls and wooden overhangs. The passive cooling and passive heating features are, on purpose, what most stand out on them. The two entrances are framed by the chimney ends at each of the sides of the building, and the English pits, in ground level, are framed by glass rails for privacy and protection from the outsiders.
SOUTH FAÇADE
WEST FAÇADE
The establishments’ signs are located on the overhangs for easy identification. The commercial spaces are visible form the streets, and the tenants’ services (Leasing office, Laundry, Gym and Lounge) are on the sides of the building with less street proximity.
EAST FAÇADE
Master of Science in Architecture | Design and Energy Conservation. Mixed-‐use Multifamily Building with Natural Processes to Achieve Thermal Comfort
5/8
PORTFOLIO COMPETITION 2016 ABA Arizona Builders Alliance
This section shows each natural process applied to the building with an explanatory diagram.
SHADING
COOL AIR PIPES/ EARTH COOLING
COURTYARD DESIGN
UPDRAFT STACK VENTILATION
Master of Science in Architecture | Design and Energy Conservation. Mixed-‐use Multifamily Building with Natural Processes to Achieve Thermal Comfort
UNDER SLAB DISPLACEMENT VENTILATION
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PORTFOLIO COMPETITION 2016 ABA Arizona Builders Alliance
LIGHT SHELVES IN SUMMER
RADIANT FLOOR
LIGHT SHELVES IN WINTER
RAIN WATER HARVESTING
SOLAR ACCESS / PASSIVE HEATING
Master of Science in Architecture | Design and Energy Conservation. Mixed-‐use Multifamily Building with Natural Processes to Achieve Thermal Comfort
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SOLAR FLAT PLATE COLLECTORS
SOLAR FLAT PLATE COLLECTORS TO TANKS
PORTFOLIO COMPETITION 2016 ABA Arizona Builders Alliance
eQuest Energy Simulation
From above ground building to proposed building with strategies
3 LEVELS ABOVVE GROUND (FOR COMPARISON)
PROPOSED BUILDING WITH STRATEGIES Solar flat plate collectors
Courtyard
Warm air exhaust chimney
Cool air pipes Louvers and overhangs for shading Vegetation to help cool the summer warm air
English pits
PERSPECTIVE VIEW WITH THE NATURAL PROCESSES’ COMPONENTS
Master of Science in Architecture | Design and Energy Conservation. Mixed-‐use Multifamily Building with Natural Processes to Achieve Thermal Comfort
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PORTFOLIO COMPETITION 2016 ABA Arizona Builders Alliance