hvataci vetra

за слике у пуној величини - klikni

for full size pictures - click

аутор: каралић горан, д.и.а.

rezime: Prave mudrosti sadržane su u najjednostavnijim stvarima a odličan primer za to jeste primer življenja drevnih Iranaca. Oni su pomocu vrlo jednostavnih mehanizama stvarali sebi veoma prijatne uslove za život u, inače, vrlo surovim klimatskim uslovima.Njihova mudrost bila je razumevanje prirode i zakona koji su vladali u područjima u kojima priroda pokazuje svoje ekstreme.

Ovde će biti prikazan deo te drevne mudrosti kao i mogućnost primene velikih ideja na savremene građevine.

uvod

Od svog postanka čovek, u većoj ili manjoj meri, živi u skladu sa prirodom i veličina jedne epohe u istorijskom razvoju ljudskog društva se upravo meri prema tome u kom obimu je čovek razumeo prirodu. Arhitektura kao ogledalo drušva stalno nam to pokazuje.

Nažalost, podaci koji slede ukazuju na to da naša epoha u budućnosti neće biti smatrana kao velika...

Prema nekim podacima iznesenim od strane Susan Smith u časopisu architecture week na ukupnu godišnju emisiju ugljen dioksida, kao glavnog krivca tzv. globalnog zagrevanja planete, u Sjedinjenim američkim državama 48% co2 emituje arhitektura, 25% stvara industrija zatim 12% avionska industrija i saobraćaj koji se obavlja kamionima i na kraju 13% ukupne emisije co2 čini automobilski saobraćaj.Prema istom autoru 76% od ukupnog godišnjeg utroška električne energije odlazi na arhitekturu,23% na industriju i 1% na saobraćaj.takođe, u SAD stambeni i komercijalni objekti godišnje troše 38% od ukupno proizvedene energije...

Prema primerima iz prošlosti znamo na koji se način ljudsko društvo menjalo, šta je to uticalo na kolektivnu svest postojanja i savremeno društvo se u tom smislu mnogo ne razlikuje od tradicionalnog ili istorijskog. Prema nekim teorijama, čak, ljudsko društvo i celokupna civilizacija u intelektualnom smislu uopšte i ne napreduje već samo menja svoj oblik i način izražavanja. Tako da tu prestaje granica između savremenog i istorijskog, modernog i tradicionalnog...

Ovde bih izdvoio jednu karakteristiku savremenog društva po kojoj je ono možda jedinstveno a to je neverovatno brz protok informacija i dostupnost istih što drastično menja poimanje sveta u svesti pojedinca. Sa druge strane, kolektivna svest se menja u nešto što zovemo globalno.

Brzina ovih promena i dostupnost velikog broja informacija, paradoksalno, buni pojedinca i njegovu moć rasuđivanja i istovremeno lako prenošenje pojedinačne misli na veliki broj ljudi putem mas-medija dovodi do konfuzije i iskrivljene slike o stvarima kao sto je npr. udoban život. Tako će, na primer, savremen čovek često meriti udoban život količinom novca koji poseduje ili moći koju ima trudeći se da postigne nametnuti ideal...

Znači, arhitektura kao veoma moćno društveno oružje može na vrlo efikasan način i za relativno kratko vreme rešiti glavni problem savremenog društva a to je ekološka katastrofa ukoliko bi se mi, kao stručnjaci, okrenuli tzv. ekološkom projektovanju i bioklimatskoj arhitekturi (arhitekturi naših predaka) kao savremenom načinu razmišljanja i bez straha da se vraćamo u prošlost i time nazadujemo. Prema podacima navedenim na početku teksta, oblast arhitekture bi pravilnim projektovanjem rešila oko 50% problema globalnog zagadjenja. Sa druge strane, bioklimatsko projektovanje savremenom čoveku može pružiti pravo uživanje u životu i prirodi. Ideal jednostavnog lagodnog života bi se pretočio u stvarnost dostupnu svakom pojedincu a ne samo nekim likovima sa televizije...

sistemi za hlađenje u tradicionalnoj iranskoj arhitekturi

Objekti u regionima iranskih pustinja su građeni prema specifičnim klimatskim uslovima i razlikuju se od sličnih zgrada u drugim klimatima. Ove pustinjske zgrade su opremljene zamkama za vazduh, lučnim krovovima, vodenim rezervoarima i prostorijama za čuvanje leda. Operacije u modernim klima-uređajima su slične ovim starim iranskim zamkama za vazduh koje su građene na ulazima kuća, iznad podzemnih rezervoara za vodu ili preko bazena građenih unutar kuća.

Veoma visoki zidovi, uske i suve ulice, zamke za vetar-visoko smeštene, veliki rezervoari za vodu i komore sa lučnim krovovima su izvanredne atrakcije pustinjskih gradova u Iranu. Večno žareće pustinjsko sunce učinilo je život veoma teškim tamošnjim, inače otpornim, stanovnicima zagrejane krvi i primoralo ih je da pribegnu sredstvima koja će obuzdati nepodnošljivu vrućinu.

1-struktura grada

Kao celine, sve verle i suve gradove, u globalu, karakterišu sledeće pojedinosti:

-gusta mreža i međusobno usko povezane zgrade

-potpuno zatvoreno gradsko okruženje

-uske i nepravilne ulice

-stambeni kvartovi okrenuti prema izlasku sunca i pravcima duvanja vetra itd.

Razlog za građenje međusobno zbijenih zgrada je sprečavanje sunčevih zraka da prodru u ulice i, pošto je vlažnost vazduha mala, tanka vazdušna struja koja se na taj način stvara je dovoljna da ohladi vazduh. Zato, ove ulice, takođe, moraju imati visoke zidove. Dodatno, zbog sunčeve radijacije visina zidova je posledica unutrašnje konfiguracije zgrada gde je pod podruma ispod nivoa ulice dok prvi sprat počinje na elevaciji 3-4 metara od zemlje i taj prostor iznad služi kao glavni životni prostor. Ovakav sistem građenja ne samo da sprečava izloženost suncu već povećava visinu fasada uskih ulica do čak 6 metara.

Kao celina, gradska struktura veoma sliči na neku, potpuno zatvorenu, borbenu strategiju koja sa svih strana sprečava invaziju neprijatelja. Ustvari, svrha takve strukture grada i jeste odbrana i ona sprečava veoma brze vetrove i peščane oluje, kao glavne neprijatelje, da prodru u grad. Iz tog razloga unutrašnjost grada se u celosti razlikuje od spoljašnosti i vazduh unutra je više statičan od spoljašnjeg koji se kreće brže.

Glavne ulice u gradu se pružaju u pravcu duvanja glavnih vetrova. Naravno, ulice su uže od onih koje srećemo u drugim regionima. Da su ulice napravljene šire vazdušna masa bi jače proticala kroz grad i pokretljivi pustinjski pesak kao i divlji vetrovi bi lako prodrli u oblast grada. Suprotno tome, kompaktna priroda zgrada sprečava ove neželjene efekte kao i preterana zagrevanja sunčevom radijacijom.

Kuće za stanovanje su u potpunosti u saglasju sa klimatskim dizajnom. Drugim rečima, stambeni kvartovi su tako građeni da omogućuju maksimalno prikupljanje toplote sunčevih zraka tokom zimskih dana dok preko leta prijatan vetar duva i hladi zgrade. Naravno, još neki faktori su uključeni u pravilno funkcionisanje životnog prostora kao što su velike gradske konstrukcije građene preko ogromnih rezervoara za vodu, zamke za vetar itd.

2-sistemi za hlađenje

U davnim vremenima arhitekti su se oslanjali na prirodu i njene zakone i pomoću nje činili da stanje unutar nekog prostora bude ugodno za život ljudi. Leti je klima veoma suva i danju je veoma toplo dok su noći hladne.Tradicionalni iranski graditelji su koristili ovu ogromnu razliku u temperaturi za hlađenje kuća. Jedna od tih veština bilo je korišćenje zidova od veoma debele i nepečene cigle. Drugi sistemi su zamke za veter, vodovi, kanali i rezervoari za vodu. Zamka za vetar je bila specifična atrakcija u arhitekturi i prioritet toplih regiona. Jedino u slučajevima kada bi ceo region bio smešten u podnožju brda ili kada bi grad bio relativno osvežen ili često napadan olujama i vrelim vetrovima zamka za vetar nije korišćena. Ove zamke su bile smeštane u pogodne lokacije u kući i zavisno od veličine zgrade.

U gradovima gde pogodan vetar duva sa jedne strane ove zamke su bile otvarane sa te strane a zatvarane su sa ostale tri. U davnim vremenima u tradicionalnim zgradama zamka za vetar je funkcionisala kao savremen sistem za hlađenje vazduha koji se danas koristi. Zamka za vetar je nešto kao dimnjak čiji je donji kraj duboko u zemlji a gornji na određenoj visini iznad krova. Na gornjem ispusnom otvoru smešteno je mnogo malih kanalića. Na dnu se često gradio bazen koji se punio vodom iz, gore pomenutih, gradskih bazena pomoću akvadukta. Prostor oko ovih bazena je dizajniran za smeštanje i čuvanje lako kvarljive hrane.

Visina međuspratne konstrukcije, broj otvora na zgradi i položaj zamki za vetar varira od zgrade do zgrade. Princip rada zamke za vetar zasniva se na razlikama u temperaturi vazduha i njegovoj težini unutar i van zamke. Razlika u težini vazduha nagoni na proces usisavanja koji uzrokuje strujanje vazduha prema dnu ili vrhu. Cirkulacija vazduha na različitim tačkama u zgradi se reguliše otvaranjem i zatvaranjem različitih otvora na dnu zamke.

Sam rad zamke za vazduh zavisi od uslova koje stvaraju vetrovi i sunčeva radijacija u regionu.

I spoljašnji i unutrašnji zidovi zamke tokom dana apsorbuju veliku količinu toplote. Kao rezultat, stvara se bilans temperature noću tako što zidovi daju temperaturu hladnom noćnom vazduhu. Debljina zidova zamki za vazduh i dimenzije unutrašnjeg prostora su specijalno dizajnirani da bi obezbedili dovoljnu količinu toplote vazduha. Lagan vruć vazduh unutar zamke uzleće i biva usisan gornjim etažama. Kao rezultat ove akcije hladan vazduh ulazi kroz prozore i vrata u kuću i taj proces se nastavlja tokom cele noći.

Ukoliko vetar duva noću, vazduh će se u zamci kretati u suprotnom pravcu. Naravno, u ovom slučaju će vazduh koji se kreće kroz vodove zamke biti neosetno zagrejan toplotom koju zamka skuplja tokom dana. Ipak, vazdušna cirkulacija će i dalje osvežavati unutrašnju prostoriju. Tokom dana vazdušna zamka se ponaša suprotno dimnjaku. Drugim rečima, gornji delovi zamke bivaju ohlađeni tokom noći i topao vazduh se u dodiru sa zidovima zamke hladi i pada dole, eventualno malo cirkuliše kroz kuću i zatim izlazi kroz vrata i prozore. Strujanje vazduha tokom dana ubrzava proces ventilacije.

Zamka za vazduh se ponaša na dva načina. Neke zamke samo menjaju temperaturu vazduha dok druge prouzrokuju stanja koja ne samo da menjaju temperaturu vazduha već vrše i promenu njegove vlažnosti. Na primer, rezervoar vode postavljen na dno zamke je najhladnije mesto u zgradi i smešten je ispod zemlje. Ne samo da ovi baseni emituju hladnoću oko sebe već i vlaže unutrašnjost zidova zamke i na taj način usisan vazduh, prolazeći kroz ovaj prostor, biva rashlađen i ovlažen. Ovako pripremljen vazduh ulazi u prostor za stanovanje i čini ga veoma udobnim za život. Promena temperature unutar zamke čini da vlažnost bude pokretljiva.Naravno, delovi vetrova direktno duvaju u rezervoar sa vodom što vodu direktno hladi i sprečava stagnaciju vodene površine i na taj način se sprečava zagađenje vode.

Iz drugog ugla gledano, zamke za vetar možemo podeliti u dve, generalne, grupe:

-zamke koje faktički rade

-simboličke zamke za vetar

Ove prve su sastavni deo svake kuće. Simboličke zamke su privilegija samo nekolicine kuća u naselju i pored svoje osnovne funkcije one reprezentuju moć i ugled vlasnika kuće. U različitim pustinjskim regionima gde visina duvanja vetra varira, nalazimo zamke koje imaju dva ispusta na različitim visinama.

Ponekad, osim što koriste basene da bi ohladili kuće za stanovanje, ljudi imaju korist i od podzemnih tokova voda. Kada vazduh struji iz zamki u podzemlje, zbog tankih-uskih kanala frekvencija vetra je povećana a njegov pritisak smanjen. Kao rezultat, vazduh je usisan iz podzemnog otvora i kreće se prema gornjim etažama. Zahvaljujući hladnoći podzemnih voda ulazni vazduh je ohlađen i on uzrokuje prijatnu ventilaciju unutar zgrade.

Jedan od problema zamki za vazduh je taj što insekti, ptice i prašina stalno ulaze u kuću. Naravno, zaklanjanjem zamke nekom mrežom može se sprečiti upad ptica. Drugi metod zaštite je povećati visinu zamke čime se sprečava ulaz prašine ali su ovakve intervencije veoma skupe. Takođe, upad prašine i peska može se sprečiti tako što bi se donji delovi kanala gradili širi u odnosu na donje delove čime se usporava strujanje vazduha pa se prašina može taložiti na mestima unutar zamke specijalno konstruisanim za tu svrhu.

Vremenom, arhitekti su modifikovali konstrukciju i izgled zamki. Na primer, u kasnijim periodima dograđivane su kupolaste konstrukcije iznad zamki. Zahvaljujući svom obliku ove konstrukcije su generisale vazdušne struje i pojačavale duvanje vetra u okolini zamke.

( prema članku:The Cooling Systems In Traditional Iranian Architecture, by Pedram Izadpanah and Hussein Zareie; Circle of Ancient Iranian Studies at the School of Oriental & African Studies *SOAS* , University of London)

« THE FUTURE BELONGS TO THE NATION WHO APPRECIATE HER PAST »

danas

I u savremenoj arhitekturi postoji veliki broj građevina koje fasciniraju načinom kojim stvaraju ugodnu klimu i zajedno sa vizualnim efektima i adekvatnom primenom materijala ostvaruju potpun doživljaj i neverovarno zadovoljstvo korišćenja zgrade.

Ovde ću se zadržati na nekoliko primera koji jasno pokazuju praktičnost bioklimatskog pristupa u projektovanju naročito u primeni prirodnih vazdušnih strujanja, a subjektivnu ocenu vizualnih i drugih kvaliteta ostavljam čitaocu.

Takođe, neću ulaziti u detaljan opis svakog primera već će oni služiti kao referenca čitaocu za dublje istraživanje i prikupljanje informacija.

sir norman foster

Lycee Albert Camus

Direktno inspirisan tradicionalnom arhitekturom davnih istočnih civilizacija Sir N. Foster nam daje ovaj, svojevrsni, edukacioni centar gde je prožimanje prirode, unutrašnjeg i spoljašnjeg prostora i raznih, naizgled nespojivih, funkcija shvaćeno kao sasvim prirodan pristup dizajniranju, projektovanju i izvodjenju objekta. Balansiranjem temperature betonskim zidnim masama, prirodnom cirkulacijom vazduha i pažljivim dizajniranjem otvora na fasadi stvorena je veoma prijatna atmosfera unutar i oko zgrade a sam utisak pojačan je uvođenjem tzv. ulične trase u središte objekta čime se gubi neprijatan osećaj skučenosti prostora, inače vrlo prisutan u zgradama.

Popularno nazvan «solarni dimnjak» na krovu zgrade pojačava, ili bolje rečeno, balansira vazdušna strujanja i u kombinaciji sa sistemom solarnih brisoleja na fasadi stvara se potpuna klimatizacija objekta i to čisto prirodnim putem tj. izbegnuta je primena bilo kakvih mehanizovanih sistema za klimatizaciju koji su veliki potrošači energije i zagađivači okoline.

Ovakvo projektovanje, naravno, dozvoljava samo konkretna lokacija i bilo kakvo grubo kopiranje ovog sistema nije moguće...

marko den breems-jasmax

Te Manawa O Akoranga

Stephen hogg ( mechanical engineer )

Nigel Ashby ( electrical engineer )

Prijemna administrativna zgrada AUT-A (Auckland University Of Technology) na Novom Zelandu bio je vrlo rizičan eksperiment i veliki izazov, naročito inženjerima mašinstva koji su radili na projektu i čiji je zadatak bio da učestvovanje mehanizovanih sistema za hlađenje svedu na minimum i, van svih očekivanja, klima uređaji i drugi veštački sistemi su po završetku projekta potpuno isključeni iz upotrebe.

Karakteristika ovakvih, i sličnih, javnih zgrada je koncetracija velikog broja ljudi za kratko vreme na relativno malom prostoru što za posledicu ima brzo i jako kvarenje vazduha u zgradi. Kao jedini lek je brzo i efikasno provetravanje što, naravno, klima uređaji nisu u stanju da izvrše.

Sa druge strane, građenje ovakvih objekata je rizična investicija i za nju se retko opredeljuju privatna lica koja je vrlo teško ubediti u efikasnost zgrade na duži vremenski period kao i na njenu ogromnu isplativost. Činjenica koja pojačava nevericu je ta da pravilno funkcionisanje zgrade isključivo zavisi od stručnosti i pravilnih procena inženjera koji učestvuju u projektovanju.

Sve ovo je bio veliki motiv graditeljima. Naime, ovaj eksperiment je imao za cilj, pored svoje osnovne funkcije, dokazivanje funkcionalnosti klimatizovanja objekta prirodnim putem kao i procena isplativosti početnih investicija koje su malo veće od standardnih. Zgrada je svečano otvorena juna 2001. god. i do danas nije pokazala znake bilo kakve disfunkcijalnosti. Ušteda novca i energije je neprocenjiva...

procesi koji se neprestano odvijaju u zgradi su sledeći:

-unakrsna ventilacija kroz masu objekta

-efekat pojačanog strujanja na mestima gde je veća cirkulacija i koncentracija ljudi

-zasenčavanje nepokretnim i pokretnim brisolejima i sprečavanje prekomerne insolacije specijalnom krovnom konstrukcijom

-zagrevanje prostorije specijalnim podnim grejačima ugrađenim u betonsku konstrukciju poda

-visok stepen osvetljenosti unutrašnjeg prostora

-puni građevinski materijali ( beton i opeka ) koji apsorbuju toplotu

Skup ovih procesa stvara ugodnu i zdravu klimu a kontrolisan je od strane korisnika prostora specijalnim BMS sistemom ( building management system ).

glenn murcutt

-Informacioni Cenar Za posetioce, Bowall, Australija

-Kuća na južnim visoravnima, Novi južni Wales, Australija

-Centar za umetnost Arthur i Yvanne Bayd, Novi južni Wales, Australija

“WHAT DOES PLACE MEAN TO ME? EVERYTHING...”

Australijski arhitekt, odrastao u predgrađu Sidneja

u, kako sam kaže, australijskoj divljini i netaknutoj prirodi. Jedna od glavnih karakteristika australije uopšte, jeste ta što možete naći prirodu u kojoj ljudska noga još nije kročila na već od oko 100 km od velikih grdova. Tako je bilo i sa Glenn-ovim okruženjem u kom je proveo svoje detinjstvo. Ovakav prostor je prva stvar koja je definisala njegovu arhitekturu. Druga, presudna, stvar je mudrost kojom ga je naučio otac a koja se sadrži u samo jednoj rečenici: “većina ljudi će u životu raditi obične stvari ali najvažnije je te obične stvari činiti neobično dobro”.

Ovaj internacionalni arhitekt dobitnik je najvećih svedskih priznanja u oblasti arhitekture zahvaljujući svom istančanom osećaju za mesto u kom gradi, povezujući svoju arhitekturu sa prirodnim okruženjem u fizičkom i filosofskom smislu. Rezultat toga je prostor izuzetno udoban za korišćenje a istovremeno vrlo jeftin za održavanje.

G. MURCUTT: “Treba znati zašto jedna te ista biljka koja raste na vrhu brda izgleda potpuno drugačije od one koja raste u podnožju. Ova druga raste uspravno i visoko, na raspolaganju su joj najviše hranjljivih sastojaka i vode, dok ova prva sve to nema a i najviše je izložena vetru-sve je protiv nje. To je potpuno drugačije oblikuje. Mesto oblikuje okolinu, pa je logično upitati se zašto mesto ne bi oblikovalo i naš svet, baš kao i arhitekturu, zašto bismo građevinu u Darwinu oblikovali na isti način kao onu u Tasmaniji, zašto bismo na isti način gradili u Holandiji, na dalmatinskoj obali i na Severnom polu. Ova su mesta različita, a ipak se jednako gradi praktično svuda, i silna se energija troši na grejanje i hlađenje, što ne rešava ništa osim što se troše planetarni resursi. Lično sam mišljenja da treba nositi kaput i pletenu odeću kad je hladno, a lagano se odenuti kad je toplo. Tako razmišljam i o arhitekturi.

Želiš li graditi, pogledaj kako se neki narod oblači i možda ti to da ideju o tome kako ćeš odenuti zgradu koju radiš”.

zaključak

Dnevno, na površinu zemlje padne onoliko sunčeve energije koliko ukupno ljudsko društvo potroši za deset godina (veštački proizvedena energija). To je samo deo energije koja nam je dostupna svakog dana potpuno besplatno a šta je sa energijom koju stvara vetar ili toplotom zemljine površine ili zemljine utrobe. Tu su i velike vodene struje koje, pored nas svakodnevno, protiču...

Ipak, veliki i krvavi ratovi se još uvek vode zbog energije, zagađenje prirode poprima zastrašujuće razmere i sve to samo zbog jedne obične ljudske zaglupljenosti i neprirodnog shvatanja okruženja.

Tu su, naravno, i neki lični interesi ali nećemo o tome...

ponovno uspostavljanje bilansa i prirodne ravnoteže, globalno, treba biti cilj savremenog čoveka bez obzira kojom se društvenom ili prirodnom disciplinom bavi. Arhitekturi, i svima koji se u njoj nađu, postavio bih još jedan cilj: uspostavljanje duhovne ravnoteže i mira u samom čoveku putem umetničkog-uzvišenog, buđenje svih čula korisniku prostora multivalentnom, višedimenzionalnom arhitekturom...

Osmisliti prostor ( u fizičkom i duhovnom smislu ) koji će rasplamsati kreativnost svakodnevnog života i dražiti čula...

Savremeni filosovi i teoretičari ljudskog društva

smelo prognoziraju da će samo dve stvari u bližoj i

daljoj budućnosti biti od neprocenjivog značaja. To

su ideja i voda. Trenutno smo u mogućnosti da

promenimo budućnost i to jednostavno birajući koja

će od ove dve stvari biti besplatna...

Brief: Real wisdom lies in the simplest things and gives excellent example that we see in everyday life of ancient Iranians. They have created for themselves pleasant living conditions in harsh environment, with the help of simple mechanisms. Their wisdom of understanding the nature and ruling area laws goes to the extreme.

We will show here just a part of this ancient wisdom as well as the possibility of applying their ideas to modern buildings.

Introduction

From its beginning, MAN has more or less been living in harmony with the nature. The real magnitude of an historical era is measured according to which extend man has understood the nature. Architecture works as a society mirror and it constantly reflects this to us.

Unfortunately, the following data show how our era won’t be considered in the future as great...

According to some data stated by Ms. Susan Smith in the magazine „Architecture week“ relating to the subject of total annual emission of Co2 and underlining it as the polluter and main cause of the global warming. In the United States 48% of Co2 is emitted by the architecture, 25% by the industry than 12% by the airplane industry and truck traffic and at the end 13% of the total emission of the Co2 makes a car traffic. According to the same author, 76% of the total annual electricity consumption goes to architecture, 23% on industry and 1% on traffic. Also, in the USA living and commercial facilities annually spend 38% of the totally produced energy...

Referring to the examples from the past we know in which way humane society has evolved, what influenced common existence and contemporary society and it doesn’t differ much from the traditional or historical. Some theories state that human society and entire civilization in intellectual sense don’t advance at all but only alters its form and expression. That is where the brink of the contemporary and historical, modern and traditional ends...

I would like to emphasize one unique characteristic of the modern society, that is fast information exchange and availability of it which drastically changes image of the world in the individual mind.

On the other hand, collective conscience changes into a global term.

Speed of these changes and availability of great volume of information, as paradox, confuses the individual and its judgment power. In the same time, easy transfer of the single thought onto the crowd by the mass media leads to confusion and crooked image concerning things like comfortable life. So, for example, modern man will measure comfortable life with the amount of money he owns or the power he has, trying to reach for the ideal...

This basically means that architecture as a very powerful social weapon can efficiently and for a relatively short period of time solve main problem of the modern society, which is the ecological catastrophe unless we, the experts, don’t turn towards so called ecological designing- bioclimatic architecture (architecture of our forefathers) as the contemporary way of thinking and going back to the past without any fear and in that way going backward. As per data stated at the beginning of this text, architecture would be by proper designing solve around 50% of the problem of the global warming. On the other hand, bioclimatic designing allows modern man to enjoy life and nature. Ideal of the simple cozy life would become reality available to everyone and not just to TV characters...

Cooling systems in traditional Iranian architecture

Facilities in the region of Iranian deserts were built according to specific climate conditions and they differ from the similar buildings in other climates. These desert buildings are equipped with air traps, long-bow roofs, water tanks and rooms fro storing ice. Operations in modern air conditioners are similar to these old Iranian traps for air which were built on the house entrances, above underground water tanks or over pools built within the house.

Very tall walls, narrow and dry streets, traps for wind-set up high, big water tanks and chambers with long bow roofs are magnificent attractions of the desert towns in Iran. Eternally flashing desert sun made life very difficult for its, usually endurable inhabitants of warm blood and made them to try and get the devices for overcoming unbearable heat.

1-Town structure

As a whole, all hot and dry towns in global, are characterized with following details:

-thick net and mutually tightly connected buildings

-completely closed town surroundings

-lanes

-living quarters facing sunset and wind blowing direction, etc.

Reason for building mutually connected buildings is trying to block sun rays getting on the streets and since the air humidity is very low, thin air current which appears in this way is enough to cool the air. So, these streets, must also have high walls. Additionally, due to sun radiation wall height is a consequence of the inner building configuration where basement level is below the street while the first floor starts on the elevation of 3-4 meters of the ground and that space serves as the living space. This construction system not only stops sun exposure but increases facade of the narrow streets up to 6 meters.

As a whole, town structure is similar to closed military compound which is there to prevent from all sides, enemy intrusion. Actually, the point of this kind of town structure is defense and also to prevent fast winds and sand storms, as the main enemies, to come into town. Due to this reason, inner town is totally different from its physique and the air inside is more static than on the outside which moves faster.

Main streets are located in the wind direction. Of course, streets are narrower than the ones we meet in other regions. If the streets were made wider, air would flow strongly through the town and desert sand and wild winds would be able to enter the town. Contrary to that, compact nature of the buildings stops these unwanted effects and overheating by sun radiation.

Houses are completely in tune with climate design. In other words, living quarters are build to provide maximum gathering of the heat from the sun rays during winter days while during the summer pleasant wind blows and cools the buildings. Of course, some other factors are made into the proper functioning of the living space like big town constructions built over enormous water tanks, wind traps, etc.

2-Cooling systems

In the ancient times, architects leaned on nature, respecting its laws and with its help created shape of the living space bearable for human life. In the summer, climate is very dry and its very hot during the day while the nights are cold. Traditional Iranian builders used this huge temperature difference to cool the houses. One of these skills were building walls with thick and raw bricks. Other systems were wind traps, sewage, channels and water tanks. Wind trap was a special attraction in the architecture and priority of the warmer regions. Only in cases where the entire region is located in the valley or if the town was relatively refreshed or frequently hit with storms and hot winds, wind traps wasn’t used. These traps were located in the adjustable house locations and its size depended on the building size.

In towns were convenient wind blows from one side, traps were opened from that side and other three were closed. In the ancient times in the traditional buildings, wind trap functioned as a modern cooling system that is used nowadays. Wind trap is sort of a chimney whose end is dig deep into the ground and upper part is set on the exact height above the roof. On the upper ventilation void, a lot of small tubes are set. At the bottom, they often built a pool they filled with water, from the city pools with the help of aqueduct. Space around these pools is designed for storing and keeping easily spoiled food.

The height of mezzanine construction, number of openings on the building and the position of the wind traps changes from building to building. The principle of how the wind traps work is based on the differences in the air temperature and its weight within and outside of the trap. The difference in the air weight creates vacuuming process which further on makes air stream towards the bottom or top. Air circulation on various building points is regulated by opening and closing different openings at the bottom of the trap.

The process of trap functioning depends on the conditions created by the winds and sun radiation in the region. Outer and inner trap walls absorb during the day great amount of heat. Result is that the temperature balance is made during the night, as the walls give temperature to the cool night air. Wall thickness of the wind traps and dimensions of the inner space are specially designed to provide sufficient amount of hot air. Soft hot air within the trap goes up and sucked by the upper floors. As the result of this action, cool air enters through the windows and doors into the house and this process continues during the entire night.

If the wind blows during the night, air in the trap will move in the opposite direction. Of course, in this case, the air which moves through the trap will be slightly heated by the warmth accumulated in the trap during the day. Still, air circulation will still refresh inner room. During the day, air trap acts opposite to the chimney. In other words, upper trap parts get cooled during the night and warm air in touch with trap walls cools down and falls down, circulating through the house and entering through the doors and windows. Air circulation during the day speeds up ventilation process.

Air trap behaves in two ways. Some traps just change air temperature while others cause conditions which alter temperature and humidity. For example, water tank set on the bottom of the trap is the coolest place in the house and is set below the ground. Not only that these fountains reflect coolness around themselves but also moisture inner trap walls and in this way sucked air passing through the rooms is cooled and moisture. The air prepared in this way enters living space and makes it comfortable to live in. The change of temperature within the trap makes moisture movable. Of course, some winds blow directly into the water tank, which cools the water straight away and stops stagnation of water surface and contamination.

Looking at this from different angle, we can divide wind traps into two groups:

-working traps

-symbolic wind traps

The first one is part of every house. Symbolic traps are the privilege for only few houses in the settlement and besides it basic function they also represent power and reputation of the house owner. In different desert regions where the altitude of the wind changes, we find traps with two ventilation holes on diverse heights.

Sometimes, besides using fountains for cooling their houses, people also benefited from underground water flows. When the air flows from the traps to the underground, due to thin and narrow tubes, wind frequencies are increased and its pressure decreased. As the result, the air is sucked out from the underground hole and moves towards the upper floors. Thanks to the coldness of the underground waters, inner air is cooled and it creates pleasant ventilation within the building.

One of the trap flaws is that insects, birds and dust constantly enter the house. Of course, by protecting the trap with a net bird invasion can be avoided. Other method of the protection is increasing the height of the trap and in that way stops dust to enter, but this kind of intervention is very expensive. Also, entrance of the dust and sand can prevent by widening lower parts of the channels and in this way slowing down air flow, so that dust can be stored in places intended for that.

In time, architects have modified construction and look of the traps. For example, in later periods cupola constructions were build in above the traps. Due to its form these constructions have generated air currents and increased wind blowing around the trap.

( as per article: The Cooling Systems In Traditional Iranian Architecture, by Pedram Izadpanah and Hussein Zareie; Circle of Ancient Iranian Studies at the School of Oriental & African Studies *SOAS* , University of London)

« THE FUTURE BELONGS TO THE NATION WHO APPRECIATES ITS PAST »

Nowadays

In modern architecture there is a great number of buildings which are fascinating for its pleasant climate and visual effects as well as for adequate material implementation. Therefore these buildings create full experience and incredible pleasure being used.

I will emphasize on few examples which clearly show practical side of bioclimatic approach in design especially in implementing natural air currents, but subjective evaluation of visual and other qualities I leave to the reader to decide.

Also, I will not describe in detail every example, but they will be sort of a reference to the reader for deeper research and information gathering.

Sir Norman Foster

Lycee Albert Camus

Directly inspired by traditional architecture of ancient eastern civilizations, Sir N. Foster provides us with this educational center where nature interacts in inner and outer spaces and various almost uncommon functions. It reflects as natural approach towards designing, projecting and creating facilities. Balancing temperature with concrete wall masses, with natural air circulation and carefully designed holes on the facade, very pleasant atmosphere is created within and around the building and mere impression is increased with creating so called street route in the middle of the premises. With this, the unpleasant feeling of small space is lost, that is usually very present in buildings.

Popularly called «Solar Chimney» on the roof emphasizes, i.e. balances air currents combined with system of solar brisolei on the facade creates complete acclimatization of the premises and totally natural way i.e. it is avoided to apply any mechanical systems for air conditioning that are big energy consummates and polluters.

This kind of design can be made only if the location is right and any kind of rough copying is impossible...

Marko Den Breems-Jasmax

Te Manawa O Akoranga

Stephen Hogg ( mechanical engineer )

Nigel Ashby ( electrical engineer )

Reception administrative building AUT (Auckland University Of Technology) in New Zealand was a risky experiment and a great challenge, especially for engineers that were involved in this project and whose task was to decrease mechanic cooling systems to the minimum and outside of every expectations, air conditioners and other artificial systems were unused at the end.

Characteristic of this and other similar public buildings is that it has huge amount of people in a short period of time in a small space, which causes quickly spoiled air in the building. The only cure for this is quick and efficient aerating and air conditioning is not able to do this.

On the other hand, building this kind of premises is a risky investment and individuals rarely decide to do it and its very hard to convince them in the efficinecy of the building in a long run and its huge payoff profit. The fact which enhances disbelief is the rule that the proper functioning of the building entirely depends on expertise and skilled evaluation of the engineers involved in the project.

All of this is a great motive for the builders. This experiment had a goal, besides it basic function to prove cooling the premises in natural way as well as evaluating whether the start up investment is payable. The building has been officially opened in June 2001. and until today showed no sings of any kind of dysfunction. The amount of money and energy saved is inappreciable...

Processes which happen in the building at all time are:

-criss-cross ventilation through the premises

-effect of increased flow on places where there is bigger circulation and crowd

-shading irremovable and movable brisolei and stopping overheating insulation with special roof construction

-heating the premises with special floor heaters built into the concrete floor construction

- high level of light in inner space

-full building material ( concrete and brick ) which absorbs the heat

Group of all processes creates comfortable and healthy climate and controlled by the users of the area by special BMS system ( building management system ).

Glenn Murcutt

-Information Center For Visitors, Bowall, Australia

-House on southern upland, New South Walles, Australia

-Center for art Arthur and Yvanne Bayd, New south Walles, Australia

“WHAT DOES PLACE MEAN TO ME? EVERYTHING...”

Australian architect, grew up in suburb of Sydney, as he says, in Australian wild and untouched nature. One of main characteristics of Australia, in general, is finding nature where no mans foot ever took step in for almost 100 km distance from the big cities. That is what happened with Glenn’s surroundings where he spent his childhood. This kind of untouhed space is the first thing which defined his architecture. Other, most important one, is the wisdom his father thought him, which consists of just one sentence: “most people do ordinary things in life, but what’s more important is to turn these ordinary things, into something unusually good”.

This international architect has won most of the prestigious world awards in the architecture thanks to his real feeling for the place he builds, connecting his architecture with natural environment in physical and physiological sense. The result of that is entirely comfortable space and cheap in maintenance.

G. MURCUTT: “We should know that one plant which grows on top of the hill looks totally different than the one growing in the valley. This other grows straight and tall, having more nutritiants and water while the first one hasn’t got all this and faces strong wind. The place designs the environment and it is logical to wonder why the place shouldn’t form our world, like the architecture itself. Why should we design building in Darwin the same way as the one in Tasmania, or in Holland the same as in seaside or on the North Pole. These places are different, but yet everything is built identically almost everywhere and huge energy is spent on heating and cooling, without solving anything while spending planet resources. I personally think that we should wear coat if we are cold and light clothes if we are hot. That’s how I see architecture.

If you wish to build, look the way people dress and maybe you will get the idea what kind of building to make.

Conclusion

Daily, sunlight which falls on the surface of the Earth provides enough sun energy as human kind spends in ten years (artificially made energy). It’s just part of the energy which is available every day for free and not to mention energy created by the wind or heat from the ground or inner Earth. Here we have huge water currents which pass us by, daily...

Still, big and bloody wars are fought over energy, pollution is getting great and all of this is made by the stupidity of the people and their notion of environment.

There are also some personal interests, but this won’t be the subject...

New balance in nature, globally, should be the goal of the modern man, regardless of what kind of social or natural practice he does. I would set a goal for architecture and everyone around it: setting spiritual balance and peace within the man as sort of art awakening of all senses of the space with multivalent, more dimensional architecture...

Designing the space ( in physical and spiritual sense ) which would awake the creativity of the daily life and tease our senses...

Modern philosophers and theory scientists of the human society are baldly forecasting that only two things in near and far future would be immeasurably important. Idea and water. At the moment we are able to change the future by choosing which of these things would be free of charge...