CRIMSON WING/ ALWATHBA VISITOR CENTER
Competition - Shortlisted
ALWATHBA WETLAND, ABU DHABI
2020
In the design process of the visitor center unifying with nature was our priority. Our main challenge was to camouflage in nature and restrict visual pollution to be more unified. An important aspect when trying to integrate with the nature of the site, is to have a building that does not stand out in terms of materials, shapes and so on. The availability of the bamboos on site, and its passive performance in reducing heat, absorbing humidity inspired us to reintegrate the historic methods of building into the project. We created a forest of bamboos that surrounds the building. Walking through an entry of bamboo pipes, there is an up-close tangible experience between the visitor and the wetland.
The building is living in many ways: flexible inside, dynamic outside. Roof solar panels can change simultaneously by sun directions. Inside the building provides visitors having the opportunity of continuous sightseeing in fluid dynamic plan. In this way the circulation is flexible and by using double-glazed glass for Inner facade, the view of Al Wathba wetland is accessible at any corner of the center. Consequently, the porous bamboo skin allows cross natural ventilation and filters the harsh sunlight creating a sensuous play of light and shadow. The alteration in Flamingos feather due to their nutrition was a concept for our design in changing solar panels colours. The mentioned concept also reflected on roof decorative panels some of them are made of polycarbonate to pass the light through spaces. The installation is considered to be flexible in future expansion in anticipation of the ever-changing needs of the owner or community. Green energy, passive strategies and local materials leads to a highly self-sufficient and cost efficient architecture.
A ‘smart’ shell of centre equipped with movable PV panels could substantially improve the energy efficiency. Solar panels are being installed on a growing number of vertical pipes and bamboos. The installations can adjust to changing weather and light conditions. The system includes robotically driven solar panels on a bamboo shell. An algorithm computes the panel orientation that will provide an optimal balance of electricity generation, shading and daylight penetration. As the amount of solar radiation changes during the day, the color of the solar panels also change in a spectrum of pink, inspired by flamingo feathers.
Solar performance
The potential of solar radiation in Abu Dhabi is significant, with an average annual solar hour of 4388 h (i.e., 9.7 h/day), which corresponds to an average annual solar radiation of approximately 2295 kWh/m2.
If we consider the panel as static, they would receive 1’393’100 kWh but the calculation for dynamic showed us it would be multiple by 3.5 so the result would be 4’855’777.5 kWh.
To understand the performance of the kinetic shading system further, the configuration of shading units was evaluated on four important days, namely, December 21, June 21, September 21, and March 21.
2379 PV cells which dimension is 0.6 * 0.6 and totally they receive 4855.7775 MWh in a year, with the efficiency of module is 15% will produce 262.2 MWh in a year.
Our type of PV cells and modules that are used in the building is Multi-Crystalline,which you can recognize the crystals and the silver electricity conductors on the top of the cells. They have good performances, around 17% for a relative low price
Natural fabric bamboos are surrounded area with structure in terms of colour and material.
The structural design is eminently efficient. the bamboos have 3 different functions. Structural, Duct and Decorative. Pipe column units composed of two kind of bamboo and polycarbonat pipe together induce the vertical expression of the structure like bamboo forest. The roof structure using solar panles that on top of pipes move simultaneously by sun directions. We have aimed to provide an observation option without being noticed by the wildlife. the bamboo structure provides a Hidden place that makes near-perfect camouflage spot for naked eye observation
As a highly self sufficient complex some features are included in our center:
PV collector
This device absorb solar radiation and primarily used to produce electricity and active solar heating. The electricity could be stored so the usage could be different.
Shading
Natural ventilation
Combination of wind and moisture in hot-dry climate helps to achieve thermal comfort easily this would decrease the use of fossil fuel too.
Rain harvesting
Collecting rain water where the pipes run from rain gutters into tank for different uses
Water waste management
Separation of black and gray water, usage in toilet flush tank and irrigation could be some of its advantages
Waste management
Including Compost bins, segregated bins for Café
Aeroponic garden
