2024 - CRISTÁLIDA

The purpose of the paragraphs below is to focus on the use of colorful transparent materials in such a way that through these the butterflies are preserved, exposing their transformation and metamorphosis processes. The concept of transformation is adopted in the materialized envelope to convert natural light energy into electrical energy.

This project is based on a morphology composed of triangular planes connected, forming inclined surfaces. A circulation and living space is generated that also houses a butterfly garden. Its purpose is to allow citizens to observe the process of metamorphosis and changes of butterflies. When passing through its interior, these insects will emerge from their chrysalises, demonstrating renewal and transformation. The butterfly garden, in addition to educating about the life cycle of butterflies, also serves as an urban metaphor for personal growth and evolution.

It seeks to represent the development phase of a caterpillar, which builds a chrysalis or capsule that will surround it until its metamorphosis or transformation into a butterfly. The morphology is designed to surround natural light and transform it into energy.

For this metamorphosis of energy, double glazing is used in the envelope: translucent safety glass on the inside and amorphous silicon glass tinted in different colors on the outside. These two are separated by an air chamber. Part of the light captured by the exterior panel enters the “Cristálida” and the other part will bounce off the translucent glass panel and fall on a surface of photovoltaic cells that will transform that heat energy into electricity for the self-sufficiency of the project.

The search for these forms is to achieve being in the city in a protected way, generating inside an experience of renewal and enjoyment of the play of the different colors of the reflections produced by the crystals. It is an artistic initiative and representative of the importance of light, shape, and color in the lives of those of us who live in cities and of butterflies. Butterflies are attracted to colors such as red, orange, and violet. Some of these glasses are of these colors, and when reflected thanks to the sun’s rays, butterflies can feel attracted to their reflection, generating an interesting visual spectacle. There are several purposes of the chrysalis shape, and it focuses on the different reflections of colors, how these hues emerge through the use of the sun’s rays, and what impact butterflies can have on them.