ARCHITECTURE THAT IS ATTUNED TO CLIMATE CONTROL

Collection of photographs compiled by Pari Syal; courtesy of Foster & Partners The Foster & Partners-designed new city hall in Buenos Aires, which is a sustainable new city hall, gives the impression of being a very adaptable structure that revitalises the neighborhood in terms of both its social and environmental aspects. The structure, which encompasses a whole city block in the park patricios neighborhood, serves as a catalyst for the revitalization of the neighborhood. It combines an ecologically efficient design with an innovative and highly adaptable interior arrangement of terraced working levels. Access is gained via a towering atrium that is four stories tall. There is a visual link with the park that is next to the area, which is created by full-height glass walls that flood the room with natural light. A series of interior terraces is created by the four layers of workplaces that are arranged in a step-back fashion. The top-lit circulation channels link all of the levels, and there are two enormous patios that are planted in between each of the floors. Due to the fact that the activity areas are open, naturally light, and visible, they facilitate effective communication across departments and foster a feeling of community via their presence. An eight-meter grid serves as the foundation for the spacious floor plates, which enables a broad range of different layouts to be implemented. The building was initially commissioned to serve as the headquarters for banco ciudad; but, because to the inherent flexibility of its design, it has been able to make a smooth transition into government offices. There are other amenities available, such as a café and an auditorium with wood panels that has seating for 300 people and may be used for events by the local community. A flowing roof canopy that is supported by pillars and extends in a deep overhang to shade the entry plaza and facades of the building is one of the outward characteristics that distinguish the building from other structures. The interior has a concrete barrel vaulted roof that is both visible and textured. The use of industrial materials helps to maintain the artisanal quality of the parque patricios, while the thermal mass of the concrete soffits, in conjunction with chilled beams, contributes to the natural regulation of temperature and helps to keep the offices cool. The environmental award for sustainability of the LEED silver level will be awarded to this building, making it the first public structure in Argentina to receive this honor. The composition of each facade was developed in response to the local climate, including the composition of the scheme itself. The eastern and western elevations of the building are shaded by a screen of louvres that rise along the whole height of the structure. In the words of Lord Foster, “sustainability is very strongly related to local resources and climate,” and the Buenos Aires City Government House is an excellent example of how architecture can collaborate with nature through the use of passive environmental means to naturally reduce energy consumption. Providing shade, the roof stretches like a canopy, and the flowing concrete construction of the building is both symbolic of its status as a civic structure and practical in terms of its ability to regulate temperatures. These courtyards enable sunshine to enter the core of the structure, while shading louvres on the east and west sides of the building shelter the interior from direct glare. In this manner, the design of the building is very much a reaction to the location and climate of the particular location. The initiative has been very important in the process of revitalizing this area of the city that was once an industrial district. To see photographs of the community center that may be found on indiaartndesign.com, please click here.

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