A musical, industrial & residential, advanced ECHOlogical project
For the climate analysis data from Barcelona airport have been used, with the help of programs – Climate consultant and Lady bug tools in grasshopper.
Barcelona, nestled along the northeastern coast of Spain, boasts a Mediterranean climate characterized by mild, wet winters and hot summers. The city experiences distinct seasons, with moderate temperature variations throughout the year.
Passive cooling strategies are crucial in Barcelona’s hot summers. Buildings are designed with natural ventilation, shading devices, and thermal mass to reduce reliance on mechanical cooling systems. These approaches ensure comfortable temperatures indoors while promoting energy efficiency and sustainability.
Radiation > In Barcelona, during the summer, the radiation pattern shows a higher concentration of solar radiation from the east and south directions, leading to increased heat gain on the building’s east and south-facing facades. In contrast, during the winter, the radiation pattern indicates a more uniform distribution of sunlight across different directions, with lower overall solar radiation levels due to the sun’s lower angle in the sky.
Wind > Barcelona’s wind patterns are influenced by its coastal location and surrounding geography. In the summer, the southeast winds bring warmth and humidity from the Mediterranean, while in the winter, northwest winds from the Pyrenees bring cooler, drier air. These wind dynamics play a significant role in shaping the city’s humidity and temperature throughout the year.
Temperature > In the summer months, the psychometric chart depicts higher temperatures and lower humidity levels, indicating the prevalence of hot and dry conditions. Conversely, during the winter, the chart shows lower temperatures and higher humidity, reflecting the cooler and wetter weather typical of the season.
Barcelona has a very big outdoor culture and tends to adapt to the climate to keep the activities outdoors, some activities become more static and intimate during colder months.
CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT
There are three programmatic clusters – industry, gradient and housing, that have been assessed for their acoustic and thermal requirements in relation to one another and hence a spiral diagram was made further explaining the concept developed for this design proposal.
Mixing of housing and industry will be achieved through music and “gradient spaces” that relate to both musical industry and housing, regulating thermodynamic and acoustic properties, as well as creating a sense of community in the building.
The table showcases a selection of estimated temperatures and noise levels in a given space during different seasons and times of the day to study relations of spaces that will further be simulated and tested.
The aim was to align the overall block volume with both the conceptual framework and the site conditions. The spiral was used to define the boundaries of the volumes, adjusting their height and openings based on the directions of the sun and the wind.
To create spaces within the urban block with varying acoustic and climatic properties, the volumes were arranged using a spiral across different scales. This ranged from the general division of volumes to the design of small living spaces. To achieve this, the principles of fractal geometry were employed.
