Bioclimaticskyscraper:
Possiblenextstepofurbandevelopmentin
pollutedmegalopolises
BCS: POSSIBLE NEXT STEP OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN POLLUTED MEGALOPOLISES ‐ BY AIJA BAUMANE November 26, 2012 Type of assignment :
7th Semester Bachelor Dissertation
Education :
Bachelor of Architectural Technology and Construction
Management
Title of report:
BCS: Possible next step of urban development in polluted
megalopolises
Author:
Aija Baumane
Consultant:
Jesper Saxgren
Name of Institution:
VIA University College, Horsens, Denmark
Date:
November of 2012
All rights reserved – no part of this publication may be reproduced without the prior permission of the author. NOTE: This report was completed as part of a Bachelor of Architectural Technology and Construction Management degree course – no responsibility is taken for any advice, instruction or conclusion given within! 1
BCS: POSSIBLE NEXT STEP OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN POLLUTED MEGALOPOLISES ‐ BY AIJA BAUMANE November 26, 2012 Preface
This is my 7th semester dissertation of Bachelor degree of Architectural Technology
and Construction Management education with topic ‘‘Bio-climatic skyscraper:
possible next step of urban development in polluted megalopolises’’
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank all of those people who where a part from making my internship
in Shanghai, China, possible, as it turned out to be the most amazing time of my life
and main inspiration source for this report.
I would like to thank my practical placement company Topway Ltd, my bosses and
my colleges, specially Ivy; Song; Junyi Cai, Liu Hai Biao and the rest of people from
my drawing office, who where sharing the knowledge and made me realize
importance of architects role in today’s society.
I would like to personally thank my consultant Jesper Saxgren, who has been amazing
source of inspiration and guide thru difficulties I encounter when writing this report.
I would like to thank Laurids Green, who helped me to shape the topic of this report
back in China.
I would like to thank organizers and speakers of MonArch – month of architecture conferences at VIA, during November 2012, where I found great deal of relevant
information in order to complete this report in the form I am presenting it.
2
BCS: POSSIBLE NEXT STEP OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN POLLUTED MEGALOPOLISES ‐ BY AIJA BAUMANE November 26, 2012 Abstract
This report reveals problems we have in existing megalopolises and on bases of this,
it suggests to reconsider the way we build, specifically looking into rethinking high
rise construction, and offering possible solution: bio climatic architecture, explaining
its construction principles and benefits.
You call it bio climatic skyscraper or the future bio climate skyscraper – one thing is
clear, it is vision of better tomorrow. It shows the bases of environmental megalopolis
that can be integrated into existing ecosystem, starting with first skyscraper.
Revile the ways it can be built, in this report!
Key words
BCS; megalopolises; pollution; urban and natural environment; coexisting; indoor
climate; Dalian project; future construction; ecosystem; Ken Yeang; biomimicry;
parametric design.
3
BCS: POSSIBLE NEXT STEP OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN POLLUTED MEGALOPOLISES ‐ BY AIJA BAUMANE November 26, 2012 Listofcontents
Preface ....................................................................................................................................... 2 Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................... 2 Abstract ..................................................................................................................................... 3 List of contents .......................................................................................................................... 4 List of Figures ............................................................................................................................. 5 1. Introduction with problem formulation ........................................................................ 7 1.1. Background information and introduction of the subject of the report. ...................... 7 1.2. Rationalisation and professional relevance of subject chosen ..................................... 7 1.3. Problem statement/research questions ....................................................................... 8 1.4. Delimitation ................................................................................................................... 9 1.5. Choice of basic theory and sources of empirical data ................................................... 9 1.6. Choice of research methodology and empirical data ................................................. 10 1.7. Report’s overall structure and argumentation............................................................ 10 2. Introduction ................................................................................................................. 12 2.1. Where is the problem? Realization: first step towards change! ................................ 12 2.2. Eco design: Bio mimicry & BC architecture: drawing parallels .................................... 15 2.3. Urban development in future...................................................................................... 16 2.4. Connecting dots: C2C.................................................................................................. 18 3. Skyscraper analysis ...................................................................................................... 19 3.1. Philosophy on Skyscraper ............................................................................................ 19 3.2. Design analysis ............................................................................................................ 20 3.3. Skyscraper effect ......................................................................................................... 21 3.4. BCS Eco skyscraper: part of our ecosystem ................................................................. 21 4. Bio Climatic Skyscraper................................................................................................ 22 4.1. BCS base: back to1963 ................................................................................................ 22 4.2. Ken Yeang on bio climatic design ................................................................................ 24 4.3. BCS Design principles................................................................................................... 27 4.4. BCS Design benefits ..................................................................................................... 29 5. Case study: Dalian Project ........................................................................................... 31 5.1. Location analysis .......................................................................................................... 31 4
BCS: POSSIBLE NEXT STEP OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN POLLUTED MEGALOPOLISES ‐ BY AIJA BAUMANE November 26, 2012 5.2. Weather analysis ......................................................................................................... 33 5.3. Reflections on BCS design principles ......................................................................... 34 5.3.1. External wall ............................................................................................................ 34 5.3.2. Appropriate greenery .............................................................................................. 36 5.3.3. Fauna ....................................................................................................................... 37 5.3.4. Energy resources ..................................................................................................... 37 5.3.5. Statical core: material choice ................................................................................. 37 5.4. Possible parametric design integration into BCS ........................................................ 40 6. Future perspective on BCS development .................................................................... 43 6.1. Future BCS: BCS + ME + IT .......................................................................................... 43 6.2. Case study: Dubai miracles .......................................................................................... 44 7. BCS Cons ...................................................................................................................... 46 7.1. BCS integration ............................................................................................................ 46 7.2. Weather forecast ......................................................................................................... 46 7.3. Lack of technology in future BCS engineering ............................................................. 46 7.4. Society’s negation ........................................................................................................ 47 7.5. Economics .................................................................................................................... 48 8. Conclusions .................................................................................................................. 49 List of references ..................................................................................................................... 50 List of figures ........................................................................................................................... 51 Enclosure 1: Vocabulary ......................................................................................................... 53 ListofFigures
Figure 1 Dubai, year 1991 ........................................................................................................ 12 Figure 2 Dubai, year 2005 ........................................................................................................ 12 Figure 3 Horizontal expansion of low dense cities .................................................................. 13 Figure 4 New York City, USA .................................................................................................... 13 Figure 5 Early morning, Shanghai, China ................................................................................. 13 Figure 6 Morning after rain Beijing, China .............................................................................. 14 Figure 7 Morning before rain Beijing, China ........................................................................... 14 Figure 8 Mangal City, spiralling skyscraper ............................................................................. 15 Figure 9 Putrajaya waterfront in Kuala Lumpur ...................................................................... 15 Figure 10 Design practices ....................................................................................................... 16 Figure 11 Design Practises ....................................................................................................... 17 Figure 12 Earths carrying capacity ........................................................................................... 17 5
BCS: POSSIBLE NEXT STEP OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN POLLUTED MEGALOPOLISES ‐ BY AIJA BAUMANE November 26, 2012 Figure 13 C2C philosophy: biosphere and technosphere ........................................................ 18 Figure 14 Shanghai panorama ................................................................................................. 20 Figure 15 Victor Olgyay’s Vitruvius: What is BCS .................................................................... 23 Figure 16 BCS in Singapore, by Ken Yeang .............................................................................. 25 Figure 17 Zorlu Ecocity in Turkey, by Ken Yeang ..................................................................... 26 Figure 18 Dalian location ......................................................................................................... 31 Figure 19 Dalian visualisation .................................................................................................. 32 Figure 20 Dalian winter and summer comparison .................................................................. 34 Figure 21 Double glazed facades ............................................................................................. 34 Figure 22 Shanghai Tower ....................................................................................................... 35 Figure 23 BCS ventilation example .......................................................................................... 35 Figure 25 Sky gardens detail (Singapore's BCS) ....................................................................... 36 Figure 24 Interior sky forest .................................................................................................... 36 Figure 26 Constructing behaviour ........................................................................................... 38 Figure 27 Statical experiment results ...................................................................................... 38 Figure 28 Parametric design experiment ................................................................................ 39 Figure 29 The John Hancock Center by Fazlur Rahman Khan ................................................. 40 Figure 30 Skyscraper spatial development.............................................................................. 41 Figure 31 Orientation & contest based morphology ............................................................... 42 Figure 32 Dynamic Tower – Dubai, UAE .................................................................................. 45 6
BCS: POSSIBLE NEXT STEP OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN POLLUTED MEGALOPOLISES ‐ BY AIJA BAUMANE November 26, 2012 1. Introductionwithproblemformulation
1.1.
Backgroundinformationandintroductionofthe
subjectofthereport.
This report is my individual research of bioclimatic architecture, with main focus on
high rise building industry development. I will work with principles and conepts of
designing bio climatic skyscrapers, and presenting how does BCS construction can
enchase surrounding ecosystem.
My main insipiration on writting this report was one of my practical placement
projects from my employment company Topway in Shanghai, China.
Project was an high rise buidling of aprox. 330m in heigh, located in Dalian, China.
It become my inspiration not because it was enviromental in any way, totaly opposite:
becasue it was yet another skyscraper, no better than any other.
The chance to participate in this project design made me realize what could be
possible impact on development of hihg rise construction, affecting whole buidling
indsutry development and the shape of our future cities.
I use this unike oportunity of writting this report, to explore the ways how we could
develope high rise construction as enviromental structure in bio climatic maner.
Structure that would enchase exisiting ecosystem. I offered then a bio cliamtic
sksyscraper, as a base for possible solution.
I will introduce reader, and my former employment company to a unique way of
building, meaning - having a balance between high rise building construction and
surrounding ecosystem, giving a vision of sustainable urban development.
With the information presented in this report anybody in building industry can find a
tools to become a part of creating sustainable future. Here can be found information
on ways how to achieve this goal.
My motto is: Building industry can make a difference.
1.2. Rationalisationandprofessionalrelevanceofsubject
chosen
I think human kind is facing a major problems in existing megalopolises.
In this report I will support this fact with detailed information, what then proves that it
is an actual relevant issue to solve.
As I had a chance to live in one of currently biggest megalopolis in the world Shanghai, which has official population over 23 million people, I had a several travels
7
BCS: POSSIBLE NEXT STEP OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN POLLUTED MEGALOPOLISES ‐ BY AIJA BAUMANE November 26, 2012 thru out mainland China during my stay - It all become life changing experience.
Living in this enviroment made an impact on the way how I want to see the future
development of ’’cocnrete jungles’’.
During my inthernship in China, I realize that architects has an impactfull power to
shape a diferent city - meaning – diferent high rise building construction, more
enviromentaly friendly, but they lack knowlege and information on how to do it, that
made me come up with the topic and problem statement for this report.
The goal is, to have an impactful results after the report is done. I will present my
findings on the ways of enviromentaly friendly high rise construction to my company
with a hope that theory will lead to actions: not in a day or two, however, to move
step forward in rethinking today’s construction.
Every architect, with knowledge of this report, would carry a responsibility in offering
new design to our clients and developers, when ever we are in a position to do it.
I believe, there is a chance for real actions to follow this theoratical report.
Possibility of this to happen, makes this into a real tool in order to achieve the goal of
sustainable city.
1.3.
Problemstatement/researchquestions
Problem Statement
What could be a solution for existing problems in polluted megalopolises around the
world?
What can construction of bioclimatic skyscrapers offer city inhabitant and
surrounding ecosystem?
Research questions.
‐
‐
‐
‐
‐
‐
‐
‐
Why do we need to reconsider future development of megalopolis?
Can BCS offer solutions for existing problems in urban environment?
What is impact of BCS construction on urban environment and ecosystem?
How does BCS works?
What is BCS, pros and cons?
How could we implement Ken Yeang’s bio climatic design principles into
case study of Dalian project?
How could look future BCS?
How does society’s acceptance and negation manifest in case of BC
construction development and why?
8
BCS: POSSIBLE NEXT STEP OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN POLLUTED MEGALOPOLISES ‐ BY AIJA BAUMANE 1.4.
November 26, 2012 Delimitation
In this report I will not look into project cost - financial long term relation of BCS
future, as costs are variable and estimation can only be brief, even in case study
situation, the financial accept of this project is yet another topic for dissertation.
1.5.
Choiceofbasictheoryandsourcesofempiricaldata
My analysis and following appraisal/interperetation of this report is mostly based on
theory and practise of eco-architect and bioclimathic arhcitecture ‘‘father’’ –
malaysian architect Ken Yeang.
Ken Yeang has designed large number of low-energy green buildings including highrises in over 20 countries worldwide, during his 35 years of practise and he is
continuing his work today with several, worldwide recognizable projects, around the
globe.
His created principles of designing bioclimatic skyscraper have a realistic vision of
how to improve an urban environment in order to coexist with our ecosystem. He
shows how to design built environment as artificial ecosystem, which are seamlessly
and benignly bio integrated with natural environment.
Theory, that he has written and investigated is a life time job investment and it has
been referenced all around the world, implemented into practise with recognizable
results, there for, I, as an author of this report, consider this literature as reliable
source of information and good theoretical basis of my personal foundings.
All the printed sources used to back up this report are latest available according to
date I was writing this report and are issued by reliable publication institutions.
In case of using electronic findings as source of information, I have been doing
quality check of whether the source can be trusted, by, for example, comparing it with
similar data on another electronic source and checking particular sources origins.
9
BCS: POSSIBLE NEXT STEP OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN POLLUTED MEGALOPOLISES ‐ BY AIJA BAUMANE 1.6.
November 26, 2012 Choiceofresearchmethodologyandempiricaldata
Secondary research methods will be used at the introduction phase of this report,
when presenting existing problems that this report is trying to solve, and explaining
the concepts and principles of building bio climatic high rise construction.
I have used qualitative data in supporting some of my theoretical base explanations.
Also I have included some quantitative data - different charts in order to get an
overview and better understanding on some subjects this dissertation is presenting.
When going into case study of Dalian project and BCS design principle adaption, I
will be using primary research methods, coming up with some quantitative data, as
results of my experiments, and qualitative data – the conclusions and revelations I
have come to after finishing my research on case study and secondary research of
theory on subject overall.
I have chosen these particular methods in every specific case, because during the
process of writing I find out these methods to be the most productive and appropriate
ways of answering my problem statement and research questions.
1.7.
Report’soverallstructureandargumentation
My report consists of three main parts
1. Introduction
2. Main section
3. Conclusions
Introduction of this report is based on secondary research: by going to library –
studying Ken Yeang’s books and other relevant literature; by using electronic sources,
and reading online data, doing some data analysis, in order to introduce reader to
theoretical background of existing problem and to prove that megalopolises today has
an actual real issues to be solved.
Main section will vary, combining all different research methodologies.
Secondary research methods will be used when explaining and analyzing theoretical
background of bio climatic architecture construction and background of Ken Yeang’s
practise.
Primary research will be used when investigating case study. I will examine the
climate conditions of construction project according to its location, and present some
quantitative data – like charts of possible BCS design.
10
BCS: POSSIBLE NEXT STEP OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN POLLUTED MEGALOPOLISES ‐ BY AIJA BAUMANE November 26, 2012 I will come up with qualitative data: observations based on my own knowledge and
my suggestions on how to implement some of BCS designing principles into case
study. In this report I will be innovative and present visions on possible BCS
development strategies.
I will be using qualitative data in order to express my opinion on cons regarding to
BCS construction and future perspective on its development.
At conclusion section I will answer my problem statement and research questions
based on findings of my report.
Bases if this report will be Enderuds and Pentagon research models.
11
BCS: POSSIBLE NEXT STEP OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN POLLUTED MEGALOPOLISES ‐ BY AIJA BAUMANE November 26, 2012 2. Introduction
2.1.
Whereistheproblem?Realization:firststep
towardschange!
Research shows, more and more people are moving to live in cities in order for better
life, job and education. World's largest megalopolis* excesses 20 million inhabitants
each.
In 1800, only 3% of the world's population lived in cities, a figure that rose to 47% by
the end of the twentieth century. In 1950, there were 83 cities with populations
exceeding one million; by 2007, this number had risen to 468. If the trend continues,
the world's urban population will double every 38 years. The UN forecasts that
today's urban population of 3.2 billion will rise to nearly 5 billion by 2030, when three
out of five
Figure 1 Dubai, year 1991
Figure 2 Dubai, year 2005
I think there are not many comments necessary for comparison figure above, urban
expansion is inescapable, and question is: how do we want to shape our future city?
Urban development logically will be most dramatic on the least-urbanized continents,
Asia and Africa. Surveys and projections indicate that all urban growth over the next
25 years will be in developing countries. One billion people, almost one-seventh of
the world's population, now live in slums.
Slums mean city expansion on horizontal level. By 2030, over 2 billion people in the
world will be living in slums. Over 90% of the urban population of Ethiopia, Malawi
and Uganda, three of the world's most rural countries, already live in slums. Low
dense urban environment development will lead to lack of horizontal space, thus city
expansion on vertical level.
12
BCS: POSSSIBLE NEXT STTEP OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN POLLU
UTED MEGALO
OPOLISES ‐ BY A
AIJA BAUMAN
NE November 26, 2012 Figure 3
Horizontaal expansion off low dense citties
By 2025 Asia alone will have at leaast 10 meg
gacities, including Mum
mbai, Indiaa (33
million), Dh
haka,
milllion), Shannghai, Chinna (27 million), Karacchi, Pakistaan (26.5 m
Banngladesh (266 million) and
a Jakarta,, Indonesia (24.9 millioon people). Lagos, Nig
geria
has grown from
m 300,000 in
i 1950 to an
a estimated
d 12.5 million today, and the Nigeerian
govvernment esstimates thaat the city will have expanded
e
t 25 millioon residents by
to
2015.
Todday more than 50% of the
t world’s population
n lives in citties. Globallly people sp
pend
apprrox. 70% off their time in buildinggs. In the ind
dustrialised world it is cclose to 90%
%.
I doo not think that
t this stattistic will chhange oppossite way.
Verrtical develoopment of city
c is inesccapable futu
ure of megaalopolises, and the currrent
wayy of construuction createes a lot of prroblems in urban
u
envirronment, theerefore we have
h
to reeconsider thhe way we build.
b
We should ask ourselves - how to buiild a sustain
nable, greenn city?
When we thinkk of today’ss megalopollis, is not the first thingg that comess to mind iss this
pictture of polluuted megaloopolis?
Figure 5
5 Early morningg, Shanghai, Ch
hina
Figure
e 4 New York C
City, USA
13
BCS: POSSIBLE NEXT STEP OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN POLLUTED MEGALOPOLISES ‐ BY AIJA BAUMANE Figure 7 Morning before rain Beijing, China
November 26, 2012 Figure 6 Morning after rain Beijing, China
There is a serious problem of pollution in nowadays megalopolises.
Here solving problems with putting on green roof on every building will not do
enough good anymore.
Apart from that, we have to deal with energy consumption in our buildings; we spend
way too much on cooling and heating building, rather than saving energy on making
better indoor climate by having smart high rise building design.
It is crucial for next architects to be educated on subject of eco architecture and
sustainable construction, offering a smart high rise design that would reduce energy
consumption, and enchase local ecosystem, shaping healthy future megalopolis!
Now, fortunately, we are slowly passing the time of inefficient, meaningless high rise
construction development observation. There have been established legislation
certification systems with regulations on green and sustainable construction, like the
Building research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) in
UK, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) in US, Green Star in
Australia, Haute Qualite Enviromentale in France, Green Mark in Singapore and
others. There are happening environmental conferences (annual COP, Rio+20 in 2012
and others) on environment protection issues and ongoing protocols have been
created, based on international law, and ought to be followed all around the globe.
By having all these green legislatures, based on social, economic and political models
of non-polluting manufacturing and industrial production process, using green
systems and materials, that are carbon neutral and with zero-waste, as it is with
ecosystem in nature, we might just reach the goal of eco city sooner than later.
14
BCS: POSSIBLE NEXT STEP OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN POLLUTED MEGALOPOLISES ‐ BY AIJA BAUMANE November 26, 2012 2.2.
Ecodesign:Biomimicry&BCarchitecture:drawing
parallels
‘‘The ecological approach to bioclimatic design is about environmental biointegration. Simply stated, if we are able to integrate we do and make in our built
environment with the natural environment in a seamless and benign way, then there
will be no environmental problems whatsoever. ’’ – Ken Yeang
Designing to imitate ecosystems is called ecomimesis. This is the fundamental
premise for ecodesign. Our build environment must imitate ecosystems in all respects.
This is what our tall building built form must do.
Then again ‘‘Biomimicry’’ comes from ‘‘bios’’ –meaning life; and ‘‘mimesis’’ –
meaning to imitate. I come to realization, that all of this is links one to another,
talking about the same thing. The ultimate goal: studying the absolute perfect
examples of life – creation of nature - and imitating them, bringing theory to practise,
applying to existing and new technologies, biotic to abiotic and reverse, improving
our artificial systems (thus the urban environment).
Figure 9 Putrajaya waterfront in Kuala Lumpur
Figure 8 Mangal City, spiralling skyscraper
15
BCS: POSSIBLE NEXT STEP OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN POLLUTED MEGALOPOLISES ‐ BY AIJA BAUMANE November 26, 2012 And though bio mimicry and bio climatic architecture is two different things, I like to
draw parallels, as both of them, deals with shaping architectural design and adapting it
to nature on some extend (bioclimatic case to weather and bio mimicry case to living
organisms), when the new studies are applied to architectural design, in both cases
similar goals are reached, like, lower energy consumption, better indoor climate,
ecosystem enchasing, fulfilment of sustainable concepts and other.
2.3.
Urbandevelopmentinfuture
So when I am talking about these new techniques of urban development, I am actually
talking about moving into a new age of civilization: economics which are based on
available renewable resources, cities which are based on sustainable supply and
demand, however acting as restorative or even better regenerative design concepts.
And there is a place for bio climatic architecture on this scale.
Figure 10 Design practices
In case of being just sustainable construction, I believe that in the future bio-climatic
construction can actually becomes a construction which is doing good to surrounding
environment, by enchasing existing ecosystem, purifying air, and others.
16
BCS: POSSIBLE NEXT STEP OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN POLLUTED MEGALOPOLISES ‐ BY AIJA BAUMANE November 26, 2012 Figure 11 Design Practises
Increasing energy consumption of today’s society, is directly linked to exponential
growth of population in the world today (Fig.12), there for it is not enough anymore
to talk about green or sustainable design, doing less harm or doing no harm at all.
Right now human impact with CO2 emissions, overall pollution, wasted earths
resource level and others, is so high, that it is official and obvious - we have interfered
with earth’s natural ecosystem, and the only way to continue to live on this planet is
to heal it. Heal it with using renewable energies over burning fossil fuels, possibly
having bio climatic eco megalopolises, which acts like forests. Integrating into
existing ecosystem, producing greenery, providing shelter not only for humans, but
for other living organisms as well, city eventually becomes part of earth’s product. It
complies with cradle to cradle, as well as and though it might sound as an illusion, all
it takes is to reconsider the way we build, and – REBUILD!
Figure 12 Earths carrying capacity
17
BCS: POSSIBLE NEXT STEP OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN POLLUTED MEGALOPOLISES ‐ BY AIJA BAUMANE 2.4.
November 26, 2012 Connectingdots:C2C
The idea behind Cradle to Cradle (C2C) is to create a fully closed cycle in which
through the use of appropriate design, manufacturing techniques and materials, we
can achieve products which can be fully re-gained both for the biosphere (all the
naturally produced materials) as well as for the technosphere (all the other materials
such as plastic which are not found in nature).
C2C goes even a step further, advocating that other things such as appropriate
policies, business models, working conditions and energy production (among others)
should also be compliant with the C2C philosophy, since the idea is to create a society
that has absolutely no ecological footprint whatsoever, or better said, in which our
ecological footprint does not damage but actually enhances our environment.
Bioclimatic architecture could be a base of C2C society.
Figure 13 C2C philosophy: biosphere and technosphere There is no perfect human.
There is no perfect architecture.
But we can try to build better than yesterday.
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BCS: POSSIBLE NEXT STEP OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN POLLUTED MEGALOPOLISES ‐ BY AIJA BAUMANE November 26, 2012 3. Skyscraperanalysis
3.1.
PhilosophyonSkyscraper
Now, when we understand the problems in urban environment, like smog, and
pollution, waste, energy consumption, CO2 emissions and all the other problems
which arise from these; now, when we understand the sustainable concepts of cradle
to cradle, ecosystem life cycles and basic bio designs, we ask ourselves:
‘‘What it takes, when it comes to skyscraper?’’
Finally, we can break it down.
Philosophy on Skyscraper is seemingly simple:
Symbol of technology for architects - Symbol of poverty for investors.
What is the true symbol of skyscraper?
Is there one?
Accordingly to what it is - can we create a better symbol of it?
Skyscraper is seen as the status symbols of world class cities. They do have a huge
energy requirement in order to sustain traditionally used closed control mechanical
conditioned systems that are inertly cut off from existing surrounding environment.
So what is the justification for designer to build skyscraper?
The skyscraper and the twentieth century are synonymous; the tall building is
landmark of our age. The skyscraper is this century’s most stunning architectural
phenomenon. Shaper of cities and fortunes, it is the dream, past and present,
acknowledged or unacknowledged, of almost every architect.
By Ada Loise
Author of ‘‘The Tall Building Artistically Considered’’
Oxford University, 1992
So, if every architect will want to design one, - is this justification? Clearly it is not.
Skyscraper can’t be just a ‘‘celebration of modern building technology’’ – today it is a
lot about money markets, real estate politics and investment. But now it is time for a
change, adding the third point of it – ecology.
19
BCS: POSSIBLE NEXT STEP OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN POLLUTED MEGALOPOLISES ‐ BY AIJA BAUMANE November 26, 2012 It has been enough of the times where skyscraper is a sign of wealth and poverty.
Let’s make into a sign of vision of better future for us, our children and our true home
- earth!
3.2.
Designanalysis
When you think of daily skyscraper, it is almost sad to realize the level of primitive
designing principles used. Huge steel beam/column constructions with glazed curtail
walls, combined with extra ‘‘hungry’’ ventilation/cooling/heating systems, creating
energy frame, that leads to bill, what simply gives headaches!
Figure 14 Shanghai panorama
From left: Shanghai World Finance Center; Jin Mao tower; upcoming tallest building
in China and the second-tallest in the world - 632 meter ''Shanghai Tower''
Shanghai, new Pudong area, China, June 30th , 2012
As it is obvious and clear, skyscraper is not an ecological building type. In fact, it is
one of the most un-ecological of all building types. The tall building over and above
other build typologies uses a much more energy and material resources to build, to
operate and eventually, to demolish.
Its unecologicalness is of course largely due to its tallness which requires for instance
greater material content in its structural system to withstand the higher bending
20
BCS: POSSIBLE NEXT STEP OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN POLLUTED MEGALOPOLISES ‐ BY AIJA BAUMANE November 26, 2012 moments caused by forces of high wind speeds at the upper reaches of its built form,
greater energy demands to transport and pump materials and services up the
building’s floors working against gravity, additional energy consumption for the
mechanised movement of people up and down its elevators, and other enhanced
aspects arising from its excessive verticality.
3.3.
Skyscrapereffect
Have you ever heard about skyscraper effect? Well, now you have!
Effect of skyscrapers on life’s of cities inhabitants is not really seen as positive.
And who can you possibly blame for this assumption?
Researchers are concern about ‘‘indoor city environment’’ that ‘‘skyscraper effect’’
holds with it.
There is really no sunlight. Streets been shadowed. Winters are cold, leaving no
warmth sun rays pass through tall buildings, whereas in summer time city turns into
concrete jungle sauna.
There are some serious problems in existing megalopolises and people need to wake
up and do something about it!
A new form of skyscraper have to be invented, well maybe it is already!
Maybe bioclimatic skyscraper will be the one!
So then Skyscraper effect could have positive influence on city inhabitant and
surrounding ecosystem.
3.4.
BCSEcoskyscraper:partofourecosystem
There are solutions.
Let’s look at some more facts.
In most instances, skyscrapers are build on zero-culture land, or land whose ecology
has already been cleared or build over and extensively modified. The ecological
benefit of the skyscraper build form is its small footprint which has lesser impact on
sites ecology and if the site remains vegetated it provides greater land area for surface
water percolation back into the earth.
Skyscrapers can be efficient urban structures, combined with transportation hubs, just
like in movie ‘‘5th element’’ till reality of Jacque’s Fresco ‘‘Venus project’’
transportation in urban environment is yet another subject, and in BCS city we can
come up with new solutions integrated in local operational system control.
21
BCS: POSSIBLE NEXT STEP OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN POLLUTED MEGALOPOLISES ‐ BY AIJA BAUMANE November 26, 2012 Designing BCS Eco skyscraper involves configuring its build form and operational
systems as low energy systems that are non–dependant. Ecomimicry* tells us that
ecosystems its only source of energy that has to be from the sun, all BCS (with fixed
foundations) from KEN Yeang’s practise has an analysis on solar situation during
different times of day, month and year. This is important to get maximum benefits
from alternative energy resources.
Ecosystems use solar energy, which is transformed into chemical energy, by the
photosynthesis of green plants and thus drives the ecological cycle. Bio-climatic
ecodesign seek to do the same.
Ideally, as in ecosystems, consisting of bio climatic urban environment, cities should
use energy-generation systems that imitate photosynthesis (e.g. using photovoltaic
dye-cells).
Eco design of bioclimatic architecture requires to use green materials and assemblies
of materials, and components that facilitate reuse, recycling and reintegration for
temporal integration with the ecological system.
Ecomimetically we need to think about how the BCS components and its outputs can
be reused and recycled at the outset in design before production, just like we have
discussed the C2C principles, embodied energy even before making the skyscraper is
an curial question and need to be considered very early at the process of planning and
designing.
This determines the processes, the materials selected and the way in which these are
fabricated, connected to each other and used in BCS built form.
4. BioClimaticSkyscraper
4.1.
BCSbase:backto1963
Kean Yeang’s definition of principles of designing BCS is a reflection on information
found in Vitruvius, designed by Victor Olgyay in 1963!
Let me introduce you to it.
Vitruvius is Victor Olgyay created four-partial model introducing fundamental
relationship between: climatology – biology– technology – architecture.
22
BCS: POSSIBLE NEXT STEP OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN POLLUTED MEGALOPOLISES ‐ BY AIJA BAUMANE November 26, 2012 Figure 15 Victor Olgyay’s Vitruvius: What is BCS
It works like this:
1. Survey the climate at the proposed building location. This should include
temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation and wind.
2. Evaluate the climate and assess the relevant importance of each of various
elements.
3. Propose a technical solution to solve each of the climate-comfort problems. The
technical solutions should include site selection, site orientation, shading
calculation, building form and shapes, air movement and indoor temperature
balance.
4. The first three stages should be incorporated into the architectural solution.
Victor Olgyay created Vitruvius (Fig 15) came to be the seed plant of what Ken
Yeang decades later will call BCS!
What half century later will finally become a topic of some student’s dissertation!
What will be next?
Some more of public awareness, maybe? I do not think that’s too much to asked.
Remember! Realization of the problem: first step towards change!
23
BCS: POSSIBLE NEXT STEP OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN POLLUTED MEGALOPOLISES ‐ BY AIJA BAUMANE 4.2.
November 26, 2012 KenYeangonbioclimaticdesign
‘‘Saving our environment is the most vital issue that humankind must address today.
Designing ecologically is thus fundamentally crucial.’’
By Ken Yeang
Ken Yeang seeks to revision the skyscraper in terms of responsiveness to its climate
and environment. He calls this a "bioclimatic" approach, where he seeks to design
low-energy, passive buildings with a focus on better occupant comfort. He seeks to
revitalize architecture as a craft, rather than an engineering problem, that addresses
building from the notion of the urban environment and the environment internal to the
structure.
Given that a location's climate is a relatively durable feature it is a legitimate starting
point for expression in relation to place. Bioclimatology, in architectural terms, is the
relation between the form of a structure, and its environmental performance in
relation to its external climate. Although such an approach has higher start-up costs, it
produces lower life-cycle energy costs, as well as providing a healthier and more
human environment within the structure. A bioclimatic skyscraper should be its own
little environmentally interactive community as well as interacting with the
surrounding community.
BCS design includes increased organic mass in the urban setting through landscaping
of greenery as part of the entire building façade and internal sections. Such greenery
also provides some shade, air-filtration, an improved micro-climate, photosynthetic
absorption of pollutants, wind breaks, and improved aesthetics.
BCS ventilation is achieved through a simple chimney effect coupled with wind
channelling, which is integrated into BCS at designing phase based on local climate
wind analysis.
This will be just one of many examples from Ken Yeangs architecture.
Eco-friendly bio climatic skyscraper in Singapore (Fig 16) is 26 storey structure that
features 855 m2 of photovoltaic panels delivering 39.7 per cent of the building’s
energy supply; passive ventilation methods; a biogas generation plant to convert
sewage into alternate energy and fertilizer; all wrapped in an organic envelope of
local vegetation that acts as an insulator. The contemporary design also features a
grey-water recycling system to irrigate its living, leafy facade. Designed: 1998; status:
pending.
24
BCS: POSSIBLE NEXT STEP OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN POLLUTED MEGALOPOLISES ‐ BY AIJA BAUMANE November 26, 2012 Figure 16 BCS in Singapore, by Ken Yeang Eco-Friendly Skyscraper in Singapore – Modern Tower by TR Hamazh and Yeang.
25
BCS: POSSIBLE NEXT STEP OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN POLLUTED MEGALOPOLISES ‐ BY AIJA BAUMANE November 26, 2012 Bioclimatic architecture is also sometimes defined as construction mixture of two
base elements: landscape and urbanism (Fig 17) Theory itself comes in different
forms, but I choose the one, which seems to be the most appropriate, and it goes like
this:
"Bio-climatic building, is building that takes into account climate and environmental conditions to help achieve thermal comfort inside. It deals with design and
architectural elements, avoiding complete dependence on mechanical systems, which
are regarded as support. (i.e. Using natural ventilation or mixed mode ventilation)
Architecture that has a connection to nature. ’’ By Ken Yeang Figure 17 Zorlu Ecocity in Turkey, by Ken Yeang Zorlu Ecocity in Turkey, by Ken Yeang, proposal of via Landscape + (high rise)
architecture intersection project (2010, Project phase: Under development)
26
BCS: POSSIBLE NEXT STEP OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN POLLUTED MEGALOPOLISES ‐ BY AIJA BAUMANE 4.3.
November 26, 2012 BCSDesignprinciples
The top points Ken Yeang considers vital in order to design bioclimatic skyscraper
are:
1. Service Core Position
The core position affects the structural design and thermal performance of the
bioclimatic skyscraper. Yeang identifies three core types. These are central
core, double core and single sided core. The double core is preferable in the
tropics with the cores on the east and west side of the building. That is, on the
elevations receiving most solar gain. In this position the cores provide a buffer
zone.
2. Lift lobbies, stairways and toilet positions
If on the periphery of the building lobbies, toilets and stairways can be
naturally ventilated and have a view to outside then this is where they should
be located. It would save need for mechanical ventilation and artificial
lighting.
3. Building Orientation
The tall building is exposed to the full impact of external temperatures and
radiant heat. The longest elevation should therefore face the direction of least
solar irradiation. (This is north and south in the tropics) This will reduce the
air condition load.
4. Window openings
Window openings should also be on the elevations with least solar irradiation.
Solar shading is required on the elevations receiving most solar heat. (In
temperature zones balconies or recesses on the elevations receiving the least
solar can act as ‘‘sun spaces’’ and collect solar heat)
5. Deep recesses
Deep recesses can provide shading to sides of the building receiving the most
heat. Alternatively if the window is recessed sky courts or balconies can be
formed to provide a flexible space.
6. Transitional spaces
Transitional spaces are designed as the zone in between the interior and the
exterior. These can either be just air spaces or unenclosed atriums. A louvred
roof over the top of atrium can act to encourage air or wind flow through
internal spaces of the building.
27
BCS: POSSIBLE NEXT STEP OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN POLLUTED MEGALOPOLISES ‐ BY AIJA BAUMANE November 26, 2012 7. External wall construction
Yeang describes external walls acting as an enclosing filter between the
building’s interior and exterior. In temperature climates like Scandinavia
external walls have to provide good insulation for winter use and open-able
parts for ventilation in warmer periods. In the tropics like Malaysia external
wall should enable good cross ventilation, protect from solar and wind driven
rain and accommodate heavy, rapid rainfall.
8. Building plan
The building plan should incorporate both the culture and work style of the
place. It should allow air movement through the building and allow sunlight in
to the building. In the tropics the ground floor should be naturally ventilated
and make a connection to the street by being open to outside.
9. Planting and landscaping
Yeang states that plants should be used because of their ability to cool the
environment apart of their aesthetic ecological qualities. Planting as vertical
landscaping will provide benefit to the surroundings by absorbing CO2 and
generating O2.
10. Solar shading
Solar shading is essential for all glazing facing the sun. In the tropics this is
essential all year round and in the temperate regions it is essential in the
summer months.
11. Natural ventilation
Good air circulation is essential for maintaining comfort in the building. Cross
ventilation allows fresh air in and exhaust air out. Air and wind flow in the
internal spaces are encouraged by wind scoops, side vents, sky courts, atriums
and transitional spaces.
12. Thermal Insulation
Heat loss from the building and heat gain to the building can all be reduced by
good thermal insulation. Smart solutions, like elevator form and placement can
serve as a thermal buffer between the inside of the internal spaces and external
environment.
13. Building mass
Warmth or coolth can be stored in the building structural mass to reduce the
mechanical heating and cooling loads.
14. Material choice
Materials are selected based on ecologically sound principles.
28
BCS: POSSIBLE NEXT STEP OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN POLLUTED MEGALOPOLISES ‐ BY AIJA BAUMANE 4.4.
November 26, 2012 BCSDesignbenefits
BCS benefits arising from design principles listed as following:

Carbon sinks – BCS will absorb carbon dioxide. Studies have shown, for
example, that 1 ha of woodland can absorb emissions equivalent to those of
100 family cars, meaning if we choose ecological materials for our BCS ecoconstruction, we can play big role here;

Pollution controller – attenuating noise and filtering air pollution from motor
vehicles; removing sulphur dioxide and reduction of particulates by up to
75%. Noise attenuation can be as much as 30 decibels per 100 metres.
Wetland bio climatic ecosystems are also effective in filtering polluted run-off
and sewage.

Natural cooling – reducing heat island effect *, which otherwise can increase
urban temperatures – relative to those in open countryside – by up to 5°C.
Imagine bio climatic skyscraper city – all this vegetation in the
ecoinfrastructure provides cooling. A single large tree can be functionally
equivalent to five room air conditioners and supply enough oxygen for 10
people.

Microclimate control – improving local microclimate conditions by providing
shade in summer, reducing wind effects created on streets and wind loads on
buildings, potentially cutting heating requirements by up to 25 % . BCS
development in megalopolises would have an positive impact on existing low
dense structures.

Flood prevention – reducing excessive run-off and increasing rainfall capture.
This reduces the risk of flooding in low-lying areas and can also recharge soil
moisture and groundwater.

Biodiversity enhancement – providing a broad framework for natural systems
and their function that are fundamental to species and habitat viability, healthy
soils, water and air. It ensures a wide level of species connectivity, interaction,
mobility and sharing of resources across boundaries. Such real ecological
improvements in connectivity enhance biodiversity and bolster habitat
resilience and species survival.

Habitat restoration – reversing, habitat fragmentation and increasing,
biodiversity to restore functioning ecosystems. This provides the fabric for
29
BCS: POSSIBLE NEXT STEP OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN POLLUTED MEGALOPOLISES ‐ BY AIJA BAUMANE November 26, 2012 sustainable living for human communities and build environments, as well as
safeguarding and enhancing natural features.

Design, good indoor climate & new resources – natural ventilation together
with smart solar shading creates cheep/good indoor climate for human and its
well being. BCS biomass provides it’s inhabitant with green indoor parks,
corridors, walls, gardens; possible urban farming (food resource); indoor
woodlands (wood resource); waterways (rain water collectors integrated into
design); good surrounding views and overall urban environment.

Energy consumption reduction – as BCS is built on passive energy mode, this
means, thinking as regular consumer: reduction of your electricity/ water/
heating bill! Whereas, thinking beyond: You’re one step closer to consider
yourself as sustainable (at least sustainable, remember, meaning – doing to
harm) citizen!
How you ever imagine, that there is benefits beyond obvious?
Like let’s look at it from aesthetic point of view.
Have you ever heard about term of biophilia*? - The Human affinity for life and lifelike processes. Thus, the implementation of a well-conceived eco master plan (BCS
urban environment) enchases the appearance of a site and the pleasure of all who use
it.
For instance, research has shown that a child’s experiences of the natural environment
shape his/her attitude to nature in later life. The eco master plan is intended to provide
a site’s human inhabitants with daily positive experience of the nature, and life in the
future.
30
BCS: POSSSIBLE NEXT STTEP OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN POLLU
UTED MEGALO
OPOLISES ‐ BY A
AIJA BAUMAN
NE November 26, 2012 5. Casestud
dy:Dalia
anProjecct
5.1.
Location
nanalysiss
Figurre 18 Dalian loccation
Dalian (B) is locatted at 38 ° 54 N ; 121° 36 E
Dalian is a coaastal city. Itt is surrounnded by the waters of the
t Yellow Sea to the east
and the Bohai Sea to the west and south.
s
Dallian is at Humid
H
Contiinental clim
mate.
Thiss zone is fouund in the interior
i
of continents beetween the 30 and 60 ddegrees latittude,
but usually above the 400 degree linne. 40 degrrees north of
o the equaator means less
direect sunlight and therefoore less warm
mth.
31
BCS: POSSIBLE NEXT STEP OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN POLLUTED MEGALOPOLISES ‐ BY AIJA BAUMANE November 26, 2012 Population of 6,170,000 people (2009), it is developing city in China.
Few hundred metres from coast, potential recreation area, place for tourists.
Place rich with wind and sun resources.
Figure 19 Dalian visualisation
32
BCS: POSSIBLE NEXT STEP OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN POLLUTED MEGALOPOLISES ‐ BY AIJA BAUMANE 5.2.
November 26, 2012 Weatheranalysis
Dalian has a humid continental climate with dry winters and hot summers.
The area within 40 km of Dalian weather station is covered by oceans and seas (69%),
croplands (24%), built-up areas (3%), and grasslands (3%).
Temperature
Over the course of a year, the temperature typically varies from -8°C to 29°C and is
rarely below -13°C or above 32°C. The warm season lasts from May 23 to September
25 with an average daily high temperature above 23°C. The cold season lasts from
December 3 to March 4 with an average daily high temperature below 5°C.
Precipitation
During the warm season, which lasts from May 23 to September 25, there is a 39%
average chance that precipitation will be observed at some point during a given day.
When precipitation does occur it is most often in the form of moderate rain (34%),
light rain (33%), thunderstorms (25%), and drizzle (5%). Thunderstorms are the most
severe precipitation observed during 16% of those days with precipitation. They are
most likely around June 27. Light snow is the most severe precipitation observed
during 11% of those days with precipitation. It is most likely around December 25.
Humidity
As Dalian is little bellow 40° latitude (38 ° ) and at the coast, relative humidity is
little higher than normal continental climate zones, and climate is little more tropical.
The relative humidity typically ranges from 31% (comfortable) to 97% (very humid)
over the course of the year, rarely dropping below 13% (very dry) and reaching as
high as 100% (very humid).
The air is driest around March 25, at which time the relative humidity drops below
40% (comfortable) three days out of four; it is most humid around July 28, exceeding
95% (very humid) three days out of four.
Wind
Over the course of the year typical wind speeds vary from 0 m/s to 8 m/s (calm to
moderate breeze), rarely exceeding 11 m/s (strong breeze).
33
BCS: POSSIBLE NEXT STEP OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN POLLUTED MEGALOPOLISES ‐ BY AIJA BAUMANE November 26, 2012 Figure 20 Dalian winter and summer comparison
5.3. Reflections on BCS design principles
5.3.1. Externalwall
During winter we experience quite low temperatures, and we need to take this into
consideration, when thinking how to heat our building most efficient way, as there are
also chances for snow and frost.
Appropriate insulation would be suggested.
We can play with facades when designing, having double glazed facades - creating
greenhouse effect-keeping warmth inside during winter– and coolth inside during
summer.
Figure 21 Double glazed facades
34
BCS: POSSIBLE NEXT STEP OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN POLLUTED MEGALOPOLISES ‐ BY AIJA BAUMANE November 26, 2012 Figure 22 showes Skyscraper example,
located close to Dalian climate zone, with
double-skin facade. This construction been
LEED recognized and when completed, will
become the highest skyscraper in China, at
632m.
Figure 22 Shanghai Tower
Solar shading is one of BCS principles that
cannot be forgotten and have to be taken into
consideration, where necessary.
In summer there will be problem of
overheating, there will be need for cooling
building, there for we need to think about
natural ventilation (Fig 23) that can be found
in with examples from some BCS project
concepts.
Recesses for appropriate greenery and
ventilation have to be integrated into building
design. (Fig 23)
Figure 23 BCS ventilation example
35
BCS: POSSIBLE NEXT STEP OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN POLLUTED MEGALOPOLISES ‐ BY AIJA BAUMANE November 26, 2012 5.3.2. Appropriategreenery
Greenery, that would be appropriate for this climate
zone, would be:
Humid continental climate vegetation like grassland
with scattered broad-leaved evergreen trees.
A wide variety of plants are found in this region.
Evergreen forests are found in the north and mixed
with deciduous forests (lose leaves). Most grasses
and shrubs would survive in Dalian climate.
Some areas would/could easily be covered in
grassland.
Dalian climate is excellent for farming, since it has
warm summers and regular rainfall.
Also Ken Yeang introduces us to indoor greenery
that will improve indoor climate and human health
(Fig 24) – see sky forest visualisation.
Figure 24 Interior sky forest
Possible implementation methods:
Green facade – details
Figure 25 Sky gardens detail (Singapore's BCS) 36
BCS: POSSIBLE NEXT STEP OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN POLLUTED MEGALOPOLISES ‐ BY AIJA BAUMANE November 26, 2012 5.3.3. Fauna
A wide variety of plants often supports a wide variety of animals including bears,
wolves, coyotes, deer, and other smaller mammals. Thousands of birds live in this
climate region. Many of these birds migrate.
BCS sky gardens and greenery becomes home for mammals, bats and birds, they
breed and feed in green areas enhancing biodiversity and restoring ecosystem what we
humans been destroying when building cities the way we used to do it.
5.3.4. Energyresources
Currently Dalian is mostly supplied by coal burning energy stations; however, I think,
the city developers should take into consideration the possible wind energy
development. Dalian is a coastal city, and there is a constant wind supply, headed
towards continental land.
As this Dalian BCS would become the tallest high rise building in Dalian, it would
have also an iconic meaning, and in combination with environmental friendly energy
supply for city, would impact the way Dalian citizens thinks and sees future city
development.
5.3.5. Staticalcore:materialchoice
I think when designing BCS we have a lot of possibilities, just like we can see that in
Ken Yeang’s projects, however, during my research I personally got a lot of ideas of
how we could improve BCS, and one of them would be thinking from statical point of
view.
High rise constructions in Asia, including China and Dalian, are mostly made from
cast in situ methods, what demands for a lot of concrete which is not C2C material: it
is hard to reuse, and it does not restore itself in nature, however, there is a way to
improve this, and the answer is – Parametric design!
Let’s analyse a bit.
Main concern when designing high rise building is the wind forces acting on the
facades.
37
BCS: POSSIBLE NEXT STEP OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN POLLUTED MEGALOPOLISES ‐ BY AIJA BAUMANE November 26, 2012 Figure 26 Constructing behaviour
Internal constructing behaviour when forces are acting on facade
With parametric design we use algorithms to define our desirable construction, and
not far from the nature, parametric design can revile optimized statical structure
design, especially when it comes to high rise construction.
I did an experiment. I tried to see what would happen with my high rise construction
if I put a wind load on facades, and assumed (logically) that it will have fixed support.
Feet: 20 m*20 m, height: 300m; Pressure on facades: 10000 N (case A)
A
B
C
D
Figure 27 Statical experiment results
38
BCS: POSSIBLE NEXT STEP OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN POLLUTED MEGALOPOLISES ‐ BY AIJA BAUMANE November 26, 2012 And results surprised me!
First case B was unsuccessful due to some of the pressure settings.
Case C showed the spatial design of mass structure, indicating where are the forces
going, and as getting higher, they get lighter, finally eliminating themselves.
Case D was an experiment of assuming of having more detailed construction
connections.
In Fig 28 reader can see a report results
from some PH. D student at Skidmore
Owings and merrill.
My case study statical analysis on
parametric design as possible solution for
Dalian project was showing surprisingly
similar results to this report.
Showing topology optimization design
for cantilever: a – design domain; b –
without consideration of manufacturing
constrains; c – with symmetry only and d
– with patter graduation and symmetry
constrains.
Figure 28 Parametric design experiment
What this all shows, is, that, actually, statically, all the rest of the mass we use in our
high rise construction is waste! We could have this construction as strong and
stronger, and there rest of ‘‘missing’’ parts could have only separating and thermal
functions.
Designing statical core of the building on parametric principles would let as save a lot
of materials, thus also embodied energy – energy what was needed to produce and get
materials in the first place.
We would use local concrete materials in from Dalian, China.
Research shows, based on parametric designing principles we would save more than
50% of the material mass.
This method is not entirely new! Famous architect Zaha Hadid been worldwide
recognized for her parametric design; also there is some high rise constructions where
this system been integrated on some extend in order to enchase statical properties of
the building, though the level of implementation of this in examples bellow is just a
‘‘gasp’’ from what it could be.
39
BCS: POSSIBLE NEXT STEP OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN POLLUTED MEGALOPOLISES ‐ BY AIJA BAUMANE November 26, 2012 Figure 29 The John Hancock Center by Fazlur Rahman Khan 5.4.
PossibleparametricdesignintegrationintoBCS
This could be a solution for material waste and solving statical properties of high rise
construction. It would be easy to combine with BCS principles, by having natural
ventilation and local greenery!
It already has wide openings and deep recesses. There are a lot of possibilities for
experimenting with transition spaces (horizontally and vertically) as well as chance on
new material integration, double skin façade construction and many other.
This could be the future design of BCS, as it rests on Victor Olgyay’s Vitruvius - 4
main BCS pillars - Biology/Architecture/Climatology and Technology!
Ken Yeang all his life talks about Eco-skyscrapers, green skyscrapers, bio diversity
and ecosystem, living in balance with nature and planet earth. He does not follow
legislations and regulations, he been developing on his own experiences and
observations. Many believe that parametric design holds future of construction
development with it, why could it not be the next parallel with bioclimatic
architecture? It comes from nature; as secret geometry, everything around as can be
drawn down in mathematical occasions, why should not we upgrade the theory of
BCS step forward? Well, maybe we will.
40
BCS: POSSIBLE NEXT STEP OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN POLLUTED MEGALOPOLISES ‐ BY AIJA BAUMANE November 26, 2012 Figure 30 Skyscraper spatial development
Possible bio climatic skyscraper spatial development: framework-endoskeleton-exoskeleton based on
parametric design principles
41
BCS: POSSIBLE NEXT STEP OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN POLLUTED MEGALOPOLISES ‐ BY AIJA BAUMANE November 26, 2012 As we discuss, potential BCS development would be spatial adaption of design (Fig
31). Round shaped skyscraper is more stable than squared one. It is basically and
adaption of local climate, just on upgraded spatial level, as nature take part in shaping
plants forms, local climate conditions and biosphere would shape the form of
skyscraper, and an absolute vision on environmentally shaped skyscraper would be
based on parametrical principles, just as DNA’s of plants.
Figure 31 Orientation & contest based morphology
42
BCS: POSSIBLE NEXT STEP OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN POLLUTED MEGALOPOLISES ‐ BY AIJA BAUMANE November 26, 2012 6. FutureperspectiveonBCSdevelopment
6.1.
FutureBCS:BCS+ME+IT
(Bio Climatic Skyscraper + Mechanical Engineering + Information Technology)
Humans have waste and polluted enough, living in balance with ecosystem is only
obvious logical solution if we want to survive on this planet longer, however the ways
how to do it-develop the next stage of urban environment, with best long life
integration into existing ecosystem, are yet discussable. And as I promote BCS, I do
not skip the cons; as being aware of them will be first step towards improvement.
‘‘The fundamental truth is simply that skyscraper can never be a truly green
building, certainly not in totality. If we accept this premise and its inevitable
ubiquity, then green designers instead of negating it, should seek to mitigate
its negative environmental impacts and to make it as humane and pleasurably
habitable for its inhabitants as possible’’
By Ken Yeang
I believe Bio Climatic Skyscraper, the way it is designed today, is a starting point for
a change in urban environment, a change from horizontal landscaping to vertical
landscaping.
I believe there is a level beyond average imagination, where the urban development
can go in future, and though there is a high neglection of rapid technological
intelligence taking over natural intelligence, younger generations knows IT
(Information Technology) is the future where ever you look! But it does not how to be
scary, humans need to be able to adapt to change, as we reached the stage of Homo
sapiens million years ago, there is the next level of evolution waiting for us.
I see BCS principles developing on a new level with integration of mechanical
technologies, eventually having structure that enchases dependence on passive mode
design and use of non-dependant energy resources.
My vision tells me that urban environment will go hand in hand with artificial
intelligence, as I see it, city no longer will be fixed, our home will become our
vehicles, just like our body, as it will adjust to climate and atmosphere, living within a
living organism, that is the perfect balance of earth’s existing ecosystem, that is the
natural genetic code of all living being.
43
BCS: POSSIBLE NEXT STEP OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN POLLUTED MEGALOPOLISES ‐ BY AIJA BAUMANE November 26, 2012 Even Ken Yeang here has come to revelation of drawing analogies between BC
architecture and prosthetics in surgery.
‘‘Ecodesign is essentially a design that integrates our artificial systems both
mechanically and organically, with its host system being the ecosystem. Similarly, a
medical prosthetic device has to integrate with its organic host being the human body.
Failure to integrate well will result in dislocation in both.
This is the final achievement: a total physical, systemic and temporal
integration of human-made, built environment with our organic host in a benign and
positive way’’
By Kean Yeang
6.2.
Casestudy:Dubaimiracles
Skyscraper’s ability in sustain itself matters just form the breeze of wind!
As it turns out, if the wind blows strong enough, it will produce more energy than it
actually need. This is rotating towers in Dubai, AE
This tower will be made up of 80 pre-fabricated apartments rotating around a central
column, with the help of 79 giant wind turbines placed between the floors. The 420
meters-long building will never look the same, not once in a lifetime.
What interest me in this project is not the aesthetics and appearance, but the fact that
tower is going to be energy self-sufficient, becoming an active house!
The wind turbines will produce more than enough energy for the whole building, the
extra energy will go back into the grid.
And if somebody does not realize it yet – this is remarkable, possibly the first self
sustainable skyscraper on such a scale (420m!) in the world!
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BCS: POSSIBLE NEXT STEP OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN POLLUTED MEGALOPOLISES ‐ BY AIJA BAUMANE November 26, 2012 Figure 32 Dynamic Tower – Dubai, UAE
If this project gets build, (currently status is pending. It was planned to be finished on
2010, but there was no updates published on status, that I could found, at the time,
when writing this report) we can talk then about some serious challenge toward future
urbanism in all megalopolises.
This is a mechanical adaption of Skyscraper mass in order to have best results
pending on benefits of local environment: in this case - wind!
Obvious environmental benefit, found being where ever on earth, under conditions of
building horizontally. Sun and wind resources would be adapted according to specific
location if planned skyscraper structure would be fixed and not movable.
When designing BCS, there’s just main principles to be kept in mind; adaption to
climate and the concept – concept is the thing that stays!
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BCS: POSSIBLE NEXT STEP OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN POLLUTED MEGALOPOLISES ‐ BY AIJA BAUMANE November 26, 2012 7. BCSCons
Obviously the benefits of BCS which I described in section 4.4 will be the pros of
having it. I think we all understand what good this amazing construction can bring to
us and our ecosystem, however, what are the cons of it – do you wonder?.
7.1.
BCSintegration
From one to many – is it possible?
Although the bioclimatic approach is an excellent way to rethink skyscrapers in terms
of greater environmental integrity and in terms of occupant health and well-being,
there is the question of whether it goes far enough.
Although far better than a normal skyscraper overall, there is little indication of how
the bioclimatic skyscraper will improve the environment of the surrounding urban
network. How will it be fitted into what already exists? Will it be actively integrated
or stuck on as an isolated example of how to do something "right"?
Then the next question what would be the best way to fit it into the urban environment
in a way that it is of greatest mutual benefit.
7.2. Weatherforecast
If there will come big climate change, it can affect the performance of BCS, due to its
bio climatic design. People do know, it is out of our power to make wind to stop blow and hurricane to go
away, etc. BC architecture might not be the perfect solutions therefore, however it is
better that the ones we have right now.
I came to a conclusion: would it be possible to build adaptable BCS?
If only we could adapt the design on such a biological level, combining bioclimatic
conditions with statical frame as bio structure, then the outcome product would
intersect with existing ecosystem and adapt to climate change, then we could talk
about perfect skyscraper engineering.
7.3.
LackoftechnologyinfutureBCSengineering
Just like animals and plants adapt to environment they are living in, we could create
an adaptable BCS.
This would then ask for an involvement of engineering technology on such a
mechanical level, what is yet on a stage of development.
We would need mechanical technology in order to manufacture and produce, for
example, parametric construction units, to assemble future skyscraper.
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BCS: POSSIBLE NEXT STEP OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN POLLUTED MEGALOPOLISES ‐ BY AIJA BAUMANE 7.4.
November 26, 2012 Society’snegation
Above all the cons of bioclimatic architecture there is still one basic con, what stops
the whole wheel going and it is Society negation.
And why is that so?
Answer is simple!
Greediness and egoism of human kind on having comfortable life in this monetary
system we live today.
Let me put you an example.
Clothes mean much more to us that the need for thermal protection (started simple
and sometimes lost to the concept of fashion), housing means more than the need for a
comfortable place to live, and may represent, for example, a status symbol.
As that symbol, it must adapt to the established standards of status, often ignoring the
environment. How many luxury houses we have? What about American dream which
grows exponentially together with consumption?
Energy saving and taking advantage of the sun may not fit into these standards, but
having an expensive conditioning system to overheat in winter and overcool in summer every single space in the house (even if it is seldom used) definitely will be
assumed as ‘‘a must’’. The cultural inertia of the ‘‘super size’’ and ‘‘super hunger’’ is
hard to stop, because right now it is working - and energy prices go up.
In despite of sporadic awareness campaigns, publicity takes pride every day to associate saving with discomfort and low status, and waste with easy living and prestige.
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BCS: POSSIBLE NEXT STEP OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN POLLUTED MEGALOPOLISES ‐ BY AIJA BAUMANE 7.5.
November 26, 2012 Economics
A lot of people associate saving energy to poverty.
Science is disregarded, global warming has no real world consequence, energy is
wasted, and people pay and pay without realizing it. Now our economical system
needs us to consume as much as possible, so as to keep the wheel going.
Big companies often refuse innovate, energy saving solutions.
How will they increase their benefits?
How will they sell energy if you are making your own, or do not need as much
because your new house works better.
Air conditioning manufacturers are not interested in alternative systems that bust their
technology, natural ventilation does not make money. Architects and builders don’t
worry as far as their business goes well, and the consumer, with no information on the
topic, cannot demand alternative products he does not know.
Ever wonder why there is no electric car on your streets or solar panels on your roof?
Why should there be access to powers that gives you energy for free, when they can
charge for it?
Why should there be bioclimatic construction, which will save energy, and reduce
overall energy consumption, making us independent from public suppliers, where
they can have us paying bills and being dependant?
Luckily, slowly, new programs, smart companies, eco citizens are becoming aware
problems in megalopolises today and are promoting research on the topic and generating new legislation and standards, however, as long us some humans will think about
their own individual comfort above our earths common comfort, there will be still
long way to go.
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BCS: POSSIBLE NEXT STEP OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN POLLUTED MEGALOPOLISES ‐ BY AIJA BAUMANE November 26, 2012 8. Conclusions
Name of my dissertation is “BCS: Possible next step of urban development in
polluted megalopolises” for a reason. Because I do not state in this report, that this is
the best –one and only- solution for problems in urban environment, however, I do
answer my problem statement.
In this report I offer solutions for polluted megalopolises and I concentrate on
examining possibility of building bio climatic skyscraper.
After my research I get to deliver the message of how we could have a better high rise
construction, thus from bio climatic approach.
I proved that bio climatic skyscraper can (should) coexist with environment it is built
in and it has an enormous potential on development in future.
In my case study I get to present possible solutions and vision of how to implement
them in outline proposal of Dalian project. I suggest my practical placement company
to use this report as informative and inspirational material. They have the tools and
power to make an impact in building industry, starting with redesigning one by one
high rise projects and offering them as possible real deal for local investors and
developers.
I think the results of my findings in this report are useful, because I get to educate
people to whom I going to address this report to. I am dealing with ongoing problem
here: researching and looking for solutions is what all of us should do, if we want to
see a change for good in today’s urban development.
I think, the most important thing is if I made certain people to realize that there is a
problem, and there are possible solutions, I give them tools to think about it, but there
is place for innovation and suggestions, as together we can shape a better future of
megalopolis and BCS can be a start for it!
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BCS: POSSIBLE NEXT STEP OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN POLLUTED MEGALOPOLISES ‐ BY AIJA BAUMANE November 26, 2012 Listofreferences
Books
Ken Yeang, Eco Skyscrapers, 2007/Ivor Richards (Editor)/ Images publishing ? Australia / ISBN 978 1 86470 268 2 Eco Architecture the work of KEN YEANG, 2011 / Sara Hart / Wiley Publication / United Kingdom / ISBN 978 0 470 72140 7 KEN YEANG Eco Master Planning, 2009 / Wiley Publication / United Kingdo / ISBN 978 0 470 69729 0 Electronic publications (Essay)
Understanding bioclimatic skyscrapers, 1999 / Elaine Davies / Supervisor
David Crowther/
Reports
Application of layout and topology optimization using pattern gradation for
the conceptual design of buildings, 2010 / Lauren L. Stromberg · Alessandro
Beghini ·William F. Baker · Glaucio H. Paulino / Springer-Verlag /
Internet Sites
http://www.topwaysh.com/ http://en.wikipedia.org/ https://www.google.com/ http://www.daaq.net/ http://bioclimaticx.com/ http://www.pearltrees.com http://www.trhamzahyeang.com http://www.consumerenergyreport.com http://www.greendiary.com http://www.christoph‐hermann.com/ http://weatherspark.com/ http://www.evolo.us/ 50
BCS: POSSIBLE NEXT STEP OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN POLLUTED MEGALOPOLISES ‐ BY AIJA BAUMANE November 26, 2012 Listoffigures
1. http://dornob.com/time-travel-photography-12-surreal-before-aftershots/?ref=search Accessed 18. Nov 2012 2. http://dornob.com/time-travel-photography-12-surreal-before-aftershots/?ref=search Accessed 18 Nov 2012 3. http://mensfame.com/2011/09/15/mexico‐beautiful‐aeral‐pics/ 4. http://www.nowpublic.com/shanghai_smog_0__ visited 05.11.2012 5. http://www.english-online.at/environment/air-pollution/air-pollution-andsmog.htm Accessed 5 Nov 2012 6. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Beijing_smog_comparison_August_2005.png Accessed 6 Nov 2012 7. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Beijing_smog_comparison_August_2005.png Accessed 6 Nov 2012 8. http://sweet-station.com/blog/2008/11/sustainable-towers-in-malaysia-bystudio-nicoletti-associati/ Accessed 6 Nov 2012 9. http://www.greendiary.com/futiristic-spiraling-pod-city-mimics-a-mangrovetree.html Accessed 6 Nov 2012 10. Jesper Saxgren: Monarch Conference: 14 Nov 2012 11. Jesper Saxgren: Monarch Conference: 14 Nov 2012 12. http://www.paulchefurka.ca/Population.html Accessed 14 Nov 2012 13. http://www.bluehaired.com/2009/12/cradle-to-cradle-hype-or-hope Accessed
16 Nov 2012
14. Author’s personal records 15. Understanding bioclimatic skyscrapers, 1999 16. http://www.trendir.com/ultra-modern/eco-friendly-skyscraper-singaporemodern-tower-trhamzah-and-yeang.html Accessed 17 Nov 2012
17. http://urbangreens.tumblr.com/post/64999886/zorlu-ecocity-in-turkey-fromarchitect-ken-yeang Accessed 9 Nov 2012 18. www.google.maps.com Accessed 9 Nov 2012 19. Author’s personal records 20. Author’s personal records 21. http://www.theislingtonestate.com/SOA-present.htm Accessed 10 Nov 2012 22. http://www.woohome.com/architecture/shanghai-tower-is-worlds-highestskyscraper Accessed 12 Nov 2012 23. Author’s personal records 24. ‘‘Eco Architecture’’ - the work of Ken Yeang 25. http://www.archivenue.com/unstudio-unveils-hive-inspired-facade-forsingapore-skyscraper/#more-6113 Accessed 10 Nov 2012 26. Author’s personal records 27. Author’s personal records 51
BCS: POSSIBLE NEXT STEP OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN POLLUTED MEGALOPOLISES ‐ BY AIJA BAUMANE November 26, 2012 28. Application of layout and topology optimization using pattern gradation for
the conceptual design of buildings, 2010 29. http://khan.princeton.edu/khanHancock.html Accessed 20 Nov 2012 30. http://www.christoph-hermann.com Accessed 20 Nov 2012 31. http://www.christoph-hermann.com Accessed 20 Nov 2012 32. http://aedesign.wordpress.com/2009/08/31/dynamic-tower-dubai-united-arabemirates/ Accessed 18 Nov 2012
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BCS: POSSIBLE NEXT STEP OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN POLLUTED MEGALOPOLISES ‐ BY AIJA BAUMANE November 26, 2012 Enclosure1:Vocabulary
Ecopolis
1. A sustainable eco-city designed with consideration of environmental impact,
inhabited by people dedicated to minimization of required inputs of energy,
water and food, and waste output of heat, air pollution - CO2, methane, and
water pollution.
2. Future megacity with visionary, sustainable technology-driven (involved)
solutions for food production, water access, energy, waste management
transportation. (by Dr. Daniel Kammen)
Bio Climatic Skyscraper
1. A tall building whose built form is configured by design, using passive low
energy techniques to relate to the site’s climate and meteorological data,
resulting in a tall building that is environmentally interactive, low energy in
embodiment and operations and high quality in performance. (by Dr. Ken
Yeang)
Ecosystem
1. An ecosystem is a biological environment consisting of all the organisms
living in a particular area, as well as all the nonliving, physical components of
the environment with which the organisms interact, such as air, soil, water,
and sunlight
2. A system formed by an ecological community and its environment that
functions as a unit; The interconnectedness of organisms (plants, animals,
microbes) with each other and their environment; A set of interconnected
products and services
Pollution
1. The presence in or introduction into the environment of a substance or thing
that has harmful or poisonous effects
2. Undesirable state of the natural environment being contaminated with harmful
substances as a consequence of human activities. (by Wikipedia)
3. Pollution is the introduction of contaminants into a natural environment that
causes instability, disorder, harm or discomfort to the ecosystem i.e. physical
systems or living organisms. Pollution can take the form of chemical
substances or energy, such as noise, heat, or light
Smog
1. Smog is a combination of smoke and fog. It occurs when gases from burnt fuel
get together with fog on the ground. When heat and sunlight get together with
these gases, they form fine, dangerous particles in the air. Smog occurs in big
cities with a lot of traffic. Especially in the summertime, when it is very hot,
smog stays near the ground. It is dangerous to our breathing and in smog areas
we cannot see very well
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BCS: POSSIBLE NEXT STEP OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT IN POLLUTED MEGALOPOLISES ‐ BY AIJA BAUMANE November 26, 2012 Megalopolis
1. A large conurbation, where two or more large cities have sprawled outward to
meet, forming something larger than a metropolis; a megacity
2. A very large, heavily populated city or urban complex
Photosynthesis
1. The process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to
synthesize foods from carbon dioxide and water. Photosynthesis in plants
generally involves the green pigment chlorophyll and generates oxygen as a
byproduct
Ecomimesis
1. Imitation, in particular
2. Representation or imitation of the real world in art and literature
Biomimicry
1. Biomimicry or biomimetics is the examination of nature, its models, systems,
processes, and elements to emulate or take inspiration from in order to solve
human problems. The term biomimicry and biomimetics come from the Greek
words bios, meaning life, and mimesis, meaning to imitate
Ecomimicry
1. Study of large-scale natural systems for application in human engineering
(Analogous to the biomimicry of plants and animals)
Restorative design
1. Of or relating to restoration
2. Tending or having the power to restore
Regenerative design
1. Regenerative Design (sometimes referred to as Cradle to Cradle) is a processoriented systems theory based approach to design
Biophilia
1. The biophilia hypothesis suggests that there is an instinctive bond between
human beings and other living systems
2. The love of nature and all living things
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