26 de diciembre de 2009.
Chris Lee and Kapil Gupta of Serie Architects have completed the design of an banquet hall in Mumbai, India. They converted a disused building from Mumbai’s colonial past in to a new banquet hal with a restaurant and bar called ‘The Tote‘. The design was inspired by an avenue of trees on the site.
The conservation guidelines call for the preservation of the roof profile for three-quarters of the buildings and full conservation for the remaining one-quarter.
The interesting aspect of the site, however, lies not in the colonial buildings but in the open spaces covered by mature Rain Trees. These spaces are shaded throughout the year by the thinly wide spread leaves of the Rain Trees, allowing almost the entire proposed program to occur outdoors.
Our proposal attempts to continue this idea of a continuously differentiated space, with no clear boundary, into the envelope of the conservation building. A new structure is proposed within the old building envelope. The structural system adopted here is that of a tree-branch. The propagation of the branching system along the longitudinal section of the conserved building is differentiated in its growth along the transverse section. This differentiation reorganizes the old buildings with new dining programs.
Therefore each dining program (wine bar, restaurant, pre-function and banquet facilities) is captured within a different spatial volume, defined by the variable degree of the branching structure.
As the structure branches into finer structural members as it approaches the ceiling. When the branches touch the ceiling, the ceiling plane is punctured with a series of openings corresponding to the intersection of the branches with the purlins and rafters. These openings become light coves and slits.
http://archide.wordpress.com/2009/12/10/the-tote-by-serie-architects-mumbai-india-via-dezeen/
24 de diciembre de 2009.
Architects: Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg Architects
Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Project Team: Bruce Kuwabara, Luigi LaRocca, John Peterson, Kael Opie, Lucy Timbers, Glenn MacMullin, Ramon Janer, Javier Uribe, Taymoore Balbaa, Steven Casey, Clementine Chang, Chu Dongzhu, Virginia Dos Reis, Andrew Dyke, Omar Gandhi, Bettina Herz, Eric Ho, Tanya Keigan, Steven Kopp, John Lee, Norm Li, Eric Johnson, Andrea Macaroun, Rob Micacchi, Lauren Poon, Rachel Stecker, Matt Storus, Richard Unterthiner, Dustin Valen, Francesco Valente-Gorjup, Marnie Williams, William Wilmotte, Paulo Zasso
Architects of Record: Smith Carter Architects and Engineers
Client: Manitoba Hydro
Project Area: 64,590 sqm
Project Year: 2009
Photographs: Gerry Kopelow, Paul Hultberg, Eduard Hueber
Manitoba Hydro is the major energy utility in the Province of Manitoba, the fourth largest energy utility in Canada and offers some of the lowest electricity rates in the world. Owned by the provincial government, nearly all of its electricity comes from self-renewing water power. Its new headquarters tower, Manitoba Hydro Place, is the first of the next generation of sustainable buildings integrating time-tested environmental concepts in conjunction with advanced technologies to achieve a “living building” that dynamically responds to the local climate.
Located in downtown Winnipeg, the city is known for its extreme climate, with temperatures that fluctuate from -35ºC (-31 ºF) to +34ºC (95 ºF) over the year. The 64,500 m² (695,000 ft²) tower is targeting less than 100 kWh/m²/a compared to 400 kWh/m²/a for a typical large scale North American office tower located in a more temperate climate. The architectural solution clearly responds to the client’s vision, and relies on passive free energy without compromise to design quality and, most importantly, human comfort.
The street address, 360 Portage Avenue, encapsulates the three-hundred and sixty degree approach of the formal Integrated Design Process (IDP) mandated by the client to achieve the objectives of 60% energy savings, supportive workplace, urban revitalization, signature architecture and cost effectiveness. The site was strategically selected because over 95% of the bus routes pass this address, including routes to suburban Winnipeg where 80% of Manitoba Hydro employees live. The IDP process was greatly enhanced by extensive computer modeling using local wind, sun and temperature data to evaluate design options. The building is already projected to outperform its original energy goal by 64% or higher.
Dubbed an ‘Open Book’ by citizens of Winnipeg, the tower design forms a capital ‘A’ composed of two 18-storey twin office towers which rest on a stepped, three-storey, street-scaled podium. The towers converge at the north and splay open to the south for maximum exposure to the abundant sunlight and consistently robust southerly winds unique to Winnipeg’s climate. The podium includes a publicly accessible Galleria to offer citizens a sheltered pedestrian route through the full city block. Narrow floor plates and tall floor-to-ceiling glazing allow sunlight to penetrate into the core. A double façade curtain-wall system made of low-iron glass forms a one metre (three foot) wide buffer zone. It is comprised of a double-glazed outer wall and a single-glazed inner wall which insulates the building against heat and cold. Automated louvre shades control glare and heat gain while radiant slabs act as an internal heat exchange with the geothermal field.
A 115 metre (377 foot) tall solar chimney marks the north elevation and main entrance on Portage Avenue, and establishes an iconic presence for Manitoba Hydro on the skyline. The solar chimney is a key element in the passive ventilation system which relies on the natural stack effect. The chimney draws used air out of the building during the shoulder seasons and summer months. In winter, exhaust air is drawn to the bottom of the solar chimney by fans, and heat recovered from this exhaust air is used to warm the parkade and to preheat the incoming cold air in the south atria.
In contrast to conventional North American office buildings which use recirculated air, Manitoba Hydro Place is filled with 100% fresh air, 24 hours a day, year round, regardless of outside temperatures. Within the splay of the two towers, a series of three, six-storey south atria, or winter gardens, form the lungs of the building, drawing in outside air and pre-conditioning it before it enters the workspaces through adjustable vents in the raised floor. Depending on the season, a 24 metre tall waterfall feature in each of the atria humidifies or dehumidifies the incoming air. During colder temperatures, recovered heat from exhaust air, and passive solar radiant energy are used to warm the fresh air. The conditioned air is drawn through the raised floors into the office spaces through under floor fan units. Building occupants, computers and other sources of heat cause the air to rise, which is then drawn north and exhausted by the solar chimney. In the shoulder seasons, the building relies solely on outdoor fresh air through the use of automatic and manually operated windows.
Manitoba Hydro Place also has the largest closed loop geothermal system in the province. 280 boreholes, each 150 mm (6”) in diameter, penetrate the site 125 metres (400 ft.) underground, circulating glycol which is cooled in the summer and heated in the winter by the ground source heat exchanger. Water is circulated through the heat exchanger and distributed through thermal mass of the concrete structure which in turn heats or cools the space consistently.
Manually operated windows on the interior curtain wall, combined with the automated exterior wall vents controlled by the Building Management System, allow employees to control their individual environment. This elemental detail reflects Manitoba Hydro’s commitment to the well-being of its employees, as well as to its goals for improved productivity and reduced absenteeism. Workstations and glass enclosed meeting spaces are organized into neighborhoods around each atrium to support individual and team-centred work processes. In both the north and south atria, interconnecting stairs promote physical activity, reduce reliance on elevators and provide opportunities for interaction between divisions. The podium rooftops feature deep soil intensive green roofs and accessible terraces, creating a lush landscaped outdoor amenity for employees, while also reducing stormwater runoff and providing additional thermal insulation. A reflective coating on the tower rooftops reduces the summer season cooling load and the urban heat island effect.
Manitoba Hydro is as invested in creating a supportive workplace and revitalizing Winnipeg’s downtown as it is in achieving energy savings and signature architecture. The building connects to the city’s elevated sheltered pedestrian network. In the former head office, located in the suburbs of Winnipeg, 95% of the employees drove to work alone. In anticipation of the transition, Manitoba Hydro secured a number of parking stalls downtown. At the same time, it created various incentives, including corporate participation in the Transit EcoPass program to encourage employee use of public transit. Six months after moving into the new building, more than 50% of relocated employees are leaving their cars at home. As a result Manitoba Hydro has been able to reduce its parking spots and has observed a five-fold increase in employee use of public transit compared to the previous year. Qualitatively, employees are reporting that they are enjoying time gained to read and socialize with colleagues.
With a vested interest in the downtown, leasing opportunities in the base building are limited in an effort to stimulate the support of local businesses, and to encourage staff to experience their city. Restaurants and bars are already reporting a tremendous increase in revenue as a result of the influx of over 1600 Hydro employees to the area.
Ultimately, Manitoba Hydro Place sets a precedent for the seamless integration of architectural excellence and climate responsive, energy efficient and sustainable design while enhancing and improving the quality and comfort of the human experience and the civility of urban life.
http://www.archdaily.com/44596/manitoba-hydro-kpmb-architects/
23 de diciembre de 2009.
La compañía española Indra está modernizando la terminal y los sistemas de navegación del aeropuerto de la ciudad angoleña de Lubango. El objetivo es preparar este aeródromo para enero de 2010 en que se celebra la Copa Africana de Naciones de Fútbol. El importe del proyecto asciende a 7 millones de euros.
Los sistemas desplegados por Indra en la terminal del aeropuerto cubrirán el control de accesos, la facturación, el embarque y la gestión del equipaje, entre otros procesos. También presentarán, a través de pantallas situadas en la terminal, la información de llegadas, salidas, horarios y el identificador del vuelo. Asimismo, Indra implantará el sistema integrado de seguridad y todos los sistemas de telefonía y comunicaciones.
Lubango será una de las cuatro ciudades del país en las que se celebrarán los partidos. Para acoger el evento, Lubango contará con una terminal de aeropuerto totalmente modernizada, que dispondrá de todos los sistemas de información necesarios para la gestión de pasajeros, maletas y aeronaves. Con este proyecto, la capital de la región de Huila, situada en el sur del país, impulsa la renovación de sus infraestructuras aeroportuarias.
Respecto a los sistemas de navegación, Indra renovará los equipos de comunicaciones de la torre de control y los equipos de adquisición y presentación de datos meteorológicos. En el campo de vuelo, implantará las luces de balizamiento, así como los distintos sistemas de radioayuda (ILS y DVOR). Estos equipos aportarán datos de gran exactitud para que las aeronaves que se aproximan al aeródromo conozcan la dirección y la distancia a la que éste se encuentra y cuenten con apoyo en las maniobras de aterrizaje.
La tecnología de Indra supondrá un importante avance para el aeropuerto, dado que las aeronaves pasarán de operar visualmente a hacerlo en modo instrumental, en Categoría I. Esto supone que la aeronave contará con información proporcionada por distintos sistemas en su aproximación a las pistas.
La implantación de estas mejoras preparará el aeropuerto de Lubango para hacer frente al fuerte incremento de vuelos que registrará durante estos meses. Se mantendrán al mismo tiempo los niveles de seguridad exigidos, incluso en condiciones meteorológicas adversas. La modernización del aeródromo también aportará un mayor dinamismo a la economía local.
Con este proyecto, entregado llave en mano, Indra consigue una importante referencia en la gestión de pasajeros y aeropuertos en África. Además, la compañía prestará un servicio de mantenimiento estable desde la propia ciudad de Lubango. Con ello, avanza en su estrategia de ser una empresa global, con la capacidad, no sólo de desarrollar proyectos internacionales, sino también de prestar servicio a su cliente allí donde se encuentre.
http://www.actualidadaeroespacial.com/index.php?view=language&id=404&viewTemplate=1
21 de diciembre de 2009.
Aena ha adjudicado la asistencia técnica para la redacción del proyecto (ATRP) de remodelación del Edificio Terminal 2 del aeropuerto de Málaga a la UTE GOC S.A. / Conurma por un importe de 2.567.700 euros y un plazo de ejecución de 14 meses.
El proyecto de remodelación de la Terminal Pablo Ruiz Picasso (T2) supone la renovación de la mayoría de sus instalaciones y su adaptación para la accesibilidad de las personas con movilidad reducida. Para ello, se sustituirán suelos, falsos techos, mostradores y otros elementos, con el fin de que el edificio Pablo Ruiz Picasso quede integrado en la futura Terminal.
Además de estas actuaciones, necesarias para que la calidad del servicio que ofrece el Aeropuerto de Málaga sea similar en las tres terminales, se unificarán los sistemas de control de instalaciones y megafonía de la T2 y la futura Terminal, en consonancia con la concepción de Terminal única con la que se ha concebido el nuevo área Terminal del Aeropuerto de Málaga, una vez entre en funcionamiento la futura Terminal.
Además, Aena ha aprobado la adjudicación de tres servicios del mismo aeropuerto por un importe total de 2.825.523 euros. Así, el servicio integral de sistemas y redes de comunicaciones se ha adjudicado a Indra Sistemas S.A. / Hewlett-Packard España S.L. por 897.600 euros y un plazo de prestación del servicio de un año.
El servicio de gestión de modos de transporte ha sido adjudicado a Marketing D. E. / Grúas y Aparcamientos por 2 años y el importe es de 1.500.000 euros.
Grupisa Infraestructuras / Ferrovial Servicios S.A. ha sido la adjudicataria del servicio de mantenimiento integral del campo de vuelo y la urbanización del aeropuerto, que consistirá principalmente en realizar el mantenimiento preventivo y la conservación y reparación en el campo de vuelos. Este expediente se ha adjudicado con un importe de 427.923 euros y un plazo de ejecución de un año.
http://www.actualidadaeroespacial.com/index.php?view=language&id=404&viewTemplate=1
