ARCHITECTURE STUDIO AIR DESIGN JOURNAL
APBL30048
ANDREA VALENZUELA 590512
FRESH HILLS Artist Team: Matthew Rosenberg Artist Location: Los Angeles, USA 2nd Place, 2012 Technology: Wind turbines -Wind turbines installed in artificial landscape, the form of which places the turbines in optimal position as it reaches upwards towards levels of increased energy potential. -Redirects airflow towards turbines vortex. -Air flow aided by naturally resulting low pressure system1. Expanding Future Possibilities -Employment of wind power technologies, which is not commonly used beyond simple wind turbines, ‘leads by example’. Contribution to site and inhabitants: -Bamboo forest in the centre offers an on site maintenance solution for the ‘skin’ and also functions as a community garden. Native vegetation is housed here, promoting engagement with the local environment. -Central hub draws visitors as a place to gather and reflect; as opposed to turbine farms that isolate landscapes and prevent visitors. -Facilitates discourse and education about sustainable energy generation and inspires future possibility. Likeminded individuals with an interest in sustainable infrastructure are likely to be drawn to Fresh hills, facilitating positive community interaction and exchange of ideas between those who share common interests. Contribution to ideas, ways of thinking: -“The apparatus is generated from the grafting of fresh kills wind rose data onto the site”2. This design demonstrates connection between site-specific data and the designed structure. The symbiotic relationship between site and design is as emphasized by the concept of organic architecture3. -Education about, and inspiration to create, land generators andnew, more innovative forms of natural energy harvesting. Critique: -Scheme outlines plan for bamboo forest, but does not consider lifespan of bamboo cladding vs. growing time. -No solution is offered to the noise generated by wind turbines; required in order to utilize the central hub as a community space. Should this be resolved, however, this design solution increases usability of the space even in times of low power generation potential.
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1 “2012 Second Place Award Winner”, landartgenerator.org, Last Modified 2013, <http:// landartgenerator.org/LAGI-2012/8Y8B8U8R/#>. 2 Ibid. 3 William J.R. Curtis, “The architectural system of Frank Lloyd Wright”, in Modern Architecture Since 1900, (New York: Phaidon Press, 1996) pp 113-129.
Matthew Rosenberg, 2012, Electronic Image, landgenerator.org, <http://landartgenerator.org/LAGI-2012/8Y8B8U8R/#>, accessed 10 March 2014.
Ibid.
Ibid.
Ibid.
FRESH KILLS COASTER Artist Team: Jason Shannon, Paola Yanez Artist Location: Jersey City, USA Technology: -Solar panels due south. The slope of the running track is based on angles of optimum solar energy gain. South facing panels generate the most amount of electricity, on average, of all possible orientations1. -Pavegen kinetic energy converters harness kinetic energy of runners using the track, increasing energy output of the coaster2. Expanding future possibilities: -Introduces the concept of attracting users and generating energy as part of one unified strategy. -Transportable idea, applicable to any site. Contribution to site and inhabitants: -Creates usable space, which promotes exercise and healthy living, community, and the harmonious relationship with wildlife and landscape. -The raised track leaves animals undisturbed and minimizes need for clearance of natural vegetation. Contribution to ideas, ways of thinking: -Adaptable technologies which can keep up to date with new developments; investment would be encouraged in projects which will not as quickly become outdated. -Iterates that a single design is not limited to a single form of energy generation. -Humans are in many ways responsible for environmental damage, this initiative allows them to also be the solution. The ability to contribute fosters interest in environmental and sustainability issue. This opens up the question of how else we can help. Critique: -The scheme assumes humans to be heavily environmentally and/or fitness motivated. While the gradients of the track optimize solar gain, the steep slopes create a strenuous circuit and are likely to deter potential users. -The design is likely to produce seasonal benefit. Lack of sunlight is often accompanied by cold weather in autumn and winter. It is likely that less people will run in this weather. The coaster will experience simultaneous reductions in energy output through both the solar and kinetic generator systems during the colder months.
1 “Your Solar Panels Aren’t Facing the Wrong Way”, Forbes, last modified 11 November 2013, <http://www. forbes.com/sites/tomkonrad/2013/11/22/your-solar-panels-arent-facing-the-wrong-way/>. 2 “FRESH KILLS COASTER”, landartgenerator.org, Last Modified 2013, <http://landartgenerator.org/LAGI-2012/XWWXWW11/#>.
Jason Shannon, Paola Yanez, 2012, Electronic Image, landgenerator.org, <http://landartgenerator.org/LAGI-2012/XWWXWW11/#>, accessed 10 March 2014.
Ibid.
Ibid.
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