LEVAMENTUM

parametric Sustainability thermal comfort Urban Urban device 3d modeling dubai architecture culture graphics design ILLUSTRATION

Project Name: LEVAMENTUM (Comfort)

Location: Deira, Gold Souq Abbra Station

Function: Urban Device / Pedestrian Bridge

Plot: 12,000 sqm

Project theme

The UAE is ranked amongst the countries with the greatest risk of exposure in the world to the possible impacts of climate change. This would result in warmer weather, reduced precipitation, droughts. The UAE is one of the countries with the harshest climates that includes very high temperatures and unbearable humidity. The experience of walking for local pedestrians even tourists is not a comfortable one whether it is in an urban space in the middle of the city or open space near the creek. The need to design for the peoples psychological state in the space or even the thermal comfort of the body is non existent. Enhancing the pedestrian experience is a very important thing due to how tedious walking can become due to the harsh weather.

Proposal

A shading mass, levitated mass or bridge that spans along a pedestrian walkway connecting two Abra stations, it will integrate devices and methods to create a comfortable walkable space that acts as a boundary between the harsh climate and a space that achieves thermal comfort by reducing heat intake and humidity. The mass acts as an urban sustainable device that will be made of lightweight, cheap and thermal resistant materials or panels that reduces the heat intake to create a cool space for the pedestrians, this will be achieved by integrating wind towers and applying the stack effect in order to create a space that is naturally ventilated instead of artificially cooled. This will enhance the space for the pedestrians, on top of the already complex and breathtaking space that will make the pedestrians journey more adventurous. As for the ground floor the design will act as a shading device for the whole trading port as the traders sit for hours in the sun and they are in need for a place to rest and cool down. Finally the design will be built according to the suns behavior and will follow multiple sustainable goals and be a self sustaining, lightweight and adaptable (changing panels) that serves the need of the people and the community.

Site Location and Site Analysis

Concepts

Creating my concept and researching themes in my project I had to accomplish the three bottom line of sustainability ( People, Planet and Profit).

People (Social): To serve the people the space must focus on their psychological and thermal comfort, these can be achieved by keeping in mind ways to cool the building down and create a breathtaking and enjoyable space by adding things like vegetation that is said to always create a positive and peaceful space according to the gardens of paradise in my research. This space will also educate the people whether they are just passing by or visiting on the impacts of climate change and the development of sustainable design. Also they will be educated about the local vegetation and culture through the botanical garden and cultural center.

Planet (Environmental): The sustainable aspect of the project is that it is aware of it's surroundings and the community it is built in and how to create a thermally comfortable space whether it is in the exterior or interior. The design also tries to tackle many of the SDG ( sustainable design goals ) in a lot of aspects whether it is for the climate, energy, good health, or economical growth. Most importantly the bridge serves the environment and the city. One the spaces is also occupied by a botanical garden to study the local vegetation and also create a peaceful space for the people.

Profit (Economy): I chose this site due to its high rate of tourist activity this will increase to the sites tourist attraction and can also bring more local pedestrians that walk across this path or people who travel by using the Abbra. The buildings does not rely on artificial cooling and is made on cheap long lasting material so that it does not consume a lot of money from keeping it maintained. Also the shading for the trading port will make the job easier for the traders and they will always find the function useful in some ways bringing more visitors to the space.

Design Process

Structure Process

Exploded Diagram

Grasshopper Script and Manipulation of Elements

My Grasshopper script had to be made up of 3 separate parts of my projects those 3 are the form manipulation of the panels, the structure form and the Thermal analysis of the final mass.

Main Entrance Perspective

Sun Radiation Analysis and Shading Diagram

Panel Diagram

The Panels in the project are the adaptable part of it, the way they are placed they can easily be replaced by anything else depending on the weather or the occasion the bridge is needed for. The materials used are very cheap and the panels are easily assembled due to the materials used. The honeycomb sandwich was the best choice to decrease the amount of heat entering the spaces, including the green choice of low-E glass and the Fiberglass framing that has a long life span and less maintenance needed.

Sustainability Diagram