....... The Netherlands ........ Menno Lam

Menno Lam, Bennekom, near Arnhem, The Netherlands : Glenn Murcutt Master Class 2006

[ zoological building : timber : natural ventilation : solar access : animal welfare ]

Savannah Giraffe House, Rotterdam Zoo, The Netherlands

This building is designed to serve and house the giraffes with their welfare in mind. For an extraordinary experience by the visiting public, people are 3 metres above the ground level and can look the giraffes in the eyes.

The design owes its specific characteristics to an holistic design approach, it uses natural principles and no fossil fuels. It is comfortable for the animals, and user-friendly for visitors, energy effective, with very low impact on the environment during building, during its life and if has to be disassembled.

For a good indoor climate, the natural elements – sun, wind, rain – play an important role. Natural ventilation contributes to the pleasant atmosphere for the giraffes due to orienting the ventilation openings away from the prevailing winds, negative air pressure pulls the wind through the building.

Natural light and solar heat are integrated in a passive way due to appropriate orientation to the sun. The height of the transparent roof and of the walls, are determined to give the best solar potential, bot inside and outside. On a sunny winter or autumn day, the giraffes are able to stand at the north side outside the building and still receive sunlight. On cold and cloudy days, it usually sufficient to only the animals, instead of the whole 4600cu.m of the building. This is done with ‘low temperature cuddle walls’, elements where the giraffes can find the necessary warmth that are heated by burning woodchips. The annual rainfall collected from the roof of 330cu.m is stored underground and used for the plants in the adjoining crocodile enclosure.

The hybrid structure of the building is principally created with curved laminated timber ribs. For animal welfare the plan is oval, with no corners, so that weaker animals cannot be ‘cornered’ by stronger animals. The ‘bulging’ walls, give the animals more freedom. The giraffes have less awareness of the physical limits of the building, which provides a relaxed atmosphere for the small herd.

Photos : Franken Architectural Photography : Rob Doolaard

Menno Lam Architects -

http://www.lam-architects.com

www.ozetecture.org

Lindsay Johnston30 June 2016

Juan Carlos Eugene Soler : Glenn Murcutt Master Class 2001

54th Central Glass International Design Competition, Tokyo, Japan

‘Architecture That Generates New Sakariba’ - 2019

The Japanese ‘Central Glass International Design Competitions’ have been run each year since 1966. The 2019 competition attracted 188 international entries. Seven were shortlisted and Eugene’s entry was placed second.

[ theoretical proposition, metaphor, solar energy, technology, sustainability, community ]

‘MOON LANDING’

It is in our deepest primal instinct as social beings that people gather in a communal place that gives us a sense of culture and belonging. We gather around the warmth and wonder of campfire under the stars and share memories and stories. Or by day, under the cool shade of a tree- a natural place to meet a lover or exchange knowledge. Such place that delivers these conditions perhaps is the genesis of ‘Sakariba’.

The proposal is a massive balloon structure that can create and harness energy from the Sun whilst defining space underneath its volume, where people of all ages can gather to meet, play or ‘hangout’. The ‘Moon Landing’ hopes to create a central place for gathering where business and commerce are encouraged and generate ‘Sakariba’.

On a hot summer or rainy day, people can gather under its shade. On a cloudy day, the balloon structure can rise above the clouds where it can efficiently harness energy from the Sun. At night, it becomes a light source and a signal to attract people and when it descends it creates a space where people can gather around its warm glow. The ‘Moon Landing’ has all these features at the same time providing sustainable energy to its local community.

This idea is not science fiction but actually a very feasible means of efficiently combining what is currently being developed in balloon technology, sustainability, science and art. What is new is the realignment of technology to create a more poetic and meaningful purpose to reinvigoration local culture, religion, myths and stories, which is appropriate when it needs to be integrated in local communities. Especially to the 25% of the world’s population which has no or lack access to electricity. Such space offers a wonderful chance for the community to be activated, bring people together and encourage businesses and various activities.

By combining a strong metaphor with technology and sustainability- the proposal hopes to address not only the community’s basic needs but also hopes to give a deep importance and meaning in local culture and tradition to bring people together and organically for business growth and generate a ‘New Sakariba’

Moreover, in a world where we have Internet connection but seem to be ‘disconnected’- the ‘Moon Landing’ can be a benefit to existing ‘Sakariba’ not only to reduce the abundant energy we are drowning in, but also to remind us to look up and realize our place in the Universe and encourage real connection with each other.

Architect : Eugene Soler

Awards : 54th Central Glass International Design Competition _ Second Place

Web site : http://www.ateliersoler.com

OZ.E.TECTURE

architects thinking locally acting globally

www.ozetecture.org