IS.1 G2 / Torre Baró - Energy District

G04- Hacking Torre Baro

By Hashem Joucka | Published: February 3, 2015

A study of the orography, the elevated terrain of Torre Baro. The Orographic precipitation, also known as relief precipitation, is generated by a forced upward movement of air upon encountering a physiographic upland. This is resulted by the anabatic or upward vertical propagation of warm moist air up an orographic slope caused by daytime heating of the mountain barrier surface. By adding isolation to the surface to create a controlled directional flow of moisture and heat, enabling the typography to act as a machineless greenhouse.

Using tensile structures in the Form finding process enables flexibility and free manipulation of spaces to hack the terrain. In this case, forming an entirely new typography of its own providing the necessary structure for movement of air, humidity and water. These elements are essential for the greenhouse to function in a harmonious manner without the aid of any mechanical elements.

The concept of «Propagation» is dominent in this project. Consequently, the use of propagation for plants, a method of «Horticultural Cloning» using precise cutting techniques. Further exploration of these methods have been proven highly productive for commercial agriculture of various types of produce. This project will demonstrate the integration of propagating plants, natural elements and form to hack nature.

Posted in Edouard Cabay, Hashem Joucka, Nada Shalaby, Yasmin Hamza | Tagged 2014, 2015, casting, design, digital, form finding, form work, formfinding, formwork, green house, IaaC, MAA01, structures, Tensile membrane | Comments closed

G04-Hacking Torre Baro

By Nada Shalaby | Published: December 24, 2014

A study of the orography, the elevated terrain of Torre Baro. The Orographic precipitation, also known as relief precipitation, is generated by a forced upward movement of air upon encountering a physiographic upland. This is resulted by the anabatic or upward vertical propagation of warm moist air up an orographic slope caused by daytime heating of the mountain barrier surface. By adding isolation to the surface to create a controlled directional flow of moisture and heat, enabling the typography to act as a machineless greenhouse.

The concept of «Propagation» is dominent in this project. Consequently, the use of propagation for plants, a method of «Horticultural Cloning» using precise cutting techniques. Further exploration of these methods have been proven highly productive for commercial agriculture of various types of produce. This project will demonstrate the integration of propagating plants, natural elements and form to hack nature.

Posted in Hashem Joucka, Salvador Martinez, Uncategorized, Yasmin Hamza | Comments closed

Growing Tensegrity

By Ceren Temel | Published: December 23, 2014

The modular Tensegrity structure will be hanging over the site and develops as the plants grow. The transforming factor is in the weight of the plants. The structure will be located in the Torre Baró Energy District in Barcelona.

Material System
The structure of the project is based on tensegrity, it contains isolated opposable structural beams which under tension expand into a three-dimensional structure. The module forms an icosahedron, which contains 6 struts and 24 tensile elements. The transformable element of the structure allows it to collapse for easy transportation, and expand to increase maximum spatial capacity for plant growth. The beams will support the structure while simultaneously support the plants and the aeroponics system.

Aeroponic Systems
Aeroponics replace the soil with a nutrient solution allowing plants to bloom to their full potential with minimal required space. Suspended by mesh holders, the roots grow downwards from their grow beds into an enclosed repository. Nutrient solution disperses onto the roots through mist nozzles at timed intervals of 35-45 seconds with intermissions of 4-5 minutes. The roots absorb most of the nutrition while the excess drips back into the reservoir. The nutrients can be organically altered for optimum performance, reducing the use of pesticides by 100%, increase yields by 60% and can increase biomass by 80%. However, aeroponics require electricity, during a power outage the system collapses. This can be prevented through daily maintenance.

Posted in Ceren Temel, Ekaterina Levkina, Igor Cegar, Joel Kahn, Pia Grobner | Comments closed

Torre Baró Food Jungle

By Luisa Roth | Published: December 23, 2014

Posted in James Mitchell, Luisa Roth, Maja Czesnik, Zachary Trattner | Comments closed

G3 – Controlled Rotation

By Giuseppe di Domenico | Published: December 22, 2014

Our project was developed on two basic aspects. One was the understanding of the site, the area of Torre Barò in the surrounding, through the analysis of the humidity, and the other was the form finding process. In this case, the aim was to speculate on the most functional shape.We used strings to understand how it was possible to go further in a controlled twist. Doing several different models we understood which was the best rotation to achieve our goal, and we figured out the optimal solution which was a 90°twist. Because of the form we found our focus on the site, we joined them in a system in which it was possible to collect dew. The aim of the project is to produce vegetables through the use of an aeroponic system. This is a way of cultivation in which the soil is not necessary for plants grow. A mist of water and nutrients are pumped through nozzles and sprayed on the pendant roots, contained in a closed and controlled environment; surplus water can be reused in the system. With the dew collection, part of the amount of water used for the plants is collected by the system itself. The ETFE was used as a fabric for this purpose. The peculiarity of the project is that due to the rotation, it is possibile to have different shapes during the day. In the morning the pipes are standing to provide greater exposure to the plants. During the night they create a shape, with an angle of 30° to the ground, to permit the ETFE to catch the dew.