ARCHITECTURAL EXTRAPOLATION
In an experimental investigation like this one, the architectural project is conceived as a forum for discussion of those “other” aspects involved in the development of a variable façade, which transcend the mechanical and formal issues of a particular piece (prototype) in order to link to problems associated with collective and repetitive planning. For this, we designed an architectural project with variable façade, an intervention of an existing building with a glass enclosure, developing an architectural extrapolation of the findings of the research.
Shape: the rhombus that defines the overall geometry of the protection system resulted from two situations: the possibility of having two axes of rotation, which allows horizontal and vertical maneuvers while preventing obstruction of movement between the parts. In addition, an aesthetic decision was made to break the orthogonal condition of the grid resulting from the modulation of glass on the facade of the building. The definition of the above mentioned features gave shape to a façade intervention project through the development of a variable module, replicated in all selected areas of the façade, according to conditions of sunlight and obstructions. This improved the thermal and lighting performance by means of a system that actively mediates with the climate conditions of the building context.
Singularity vs. Standard: The glass façade of the studied office building presents a somewhat homogenous solution materialized in the application of a single material for all its exposures, glass. The intervention of the façade with fixed sun protection systems leads toward specific and unique solutions depending on the diversity of situations on the façades. However, in the same way construction seeks in technology a degree of standardization, the variable protection system proposed consists of a single module that
is repeated to meet this need, enabling through variation the accommodation to this diversity of uses and situations (solar radiation, obstructions, exposures). Scale: Defined in this case by the existing modulation of glass in the building and the distance between slab fixings, it determines the degree of interaction of the variable system with the interior building situations: the smaller the size, the greater the interaction with the user.
(*) PEDRO PABLO DE LA BARRA Arquitecto y magíster en Arquitectura PUC (2016). Ha sido ayudante en cursos relativos a técnicas en uso de madera y sistemas experimentales de fachadas, como también profesor instructor del seminario de investigación Fachada Variable. Actualmente trabaja en la Pontificia Universidad Católica como coordinador en el proyecto FONDEF ID15I10425 “Fachada Variable: Solución de fachada dinámica en base a patrones de movimiento coordinados para el control solar y lumínico aplicable en Santiago”.
Architect and Master of Architecture PUC (2016).
Assistant professor in courses related to timber construction techniques and experimental façade systems, as well as instructor professor in the Variable Façade research seminar. He currently works at the Catholic University as coordinator in the ID15I10425 FONDEF project “Variable Façade: Dynamic façade solutions based on coordinated movement patterns for solar and light control applicable in Santiago.”
Exterior norte. Outside north.
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