Unique Endesa Pavilion by Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia

- Wednesday, October 10th 2012.

Endesa Pavilion by Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia is a self-sufficient solar prototype installed at the Marina Dock, within the framework of the International BCN Smart City Congress. Wood was chosen as the primary material for the project due its organic qualities as an exhaustible natural resource as well as its easy workability. The structure brings the distributed intelligence concept to the realm of architecture through a multicolor approach. A facade composed by modular components, like solar brick, that respond to photovoltaic gaining, solar protection, insulation, ventilation, and lighting. The solar bricks not only insulate and protect the space from solar radiation, but they are also serving as devices for storing information about the energy collected and used. The windows provide illumination all year ’round, but allow no direct sunlight during hot summer months, and plenty during winter months. Overhangs placed directly in the sun’s line of sight are bristling with solar panels. The facade opens reacting to the solar path, being active and becoming permeable towards south, while becoming closed and protective towards north.

Endesa Pavilion by Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia was ingeniously designed and sited for the exact position it occupies on Earth. A wooden skin based on digitally designed components, parametrically adapted to their different orientations in relation with the different sun path patterns. The striking structure is also the prototype of a multi-scale construction system. The abstractly designed architecture is equipped with photovoltaic panels on the angular, multi-level roofs that ultimately optimize the space’s energy efficiency. The wooden exterior captures solar energy using photovoltaic panels that also function as a protective visor from over exposure. The project aims to define an adaptive constructive system able to respond each solicitation at the lowest scale. The structure is purposely made of wood because of its natural properties that are beneficial for design adaptability, ease of use, and thermal insulation

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