2024 - Lightwave Cultural Centre

Idea

In our project, we address the challenge of providing adequate daylight illumination in public buildings while considering the issues posed by global warming and extreme weather conditions. Our goal was to create a space that integrates people, connects them with culture, and delivers rich aesthetic experiences through reflected and incoming light, while ensuring a constant sense of safety and comfort for users.

Our proposal features a kinetic facade for a cultural center building, consisting of movable blinds that can be adjusted based on room temperature or the amount of light needed at any given moment. Additionally, we installed a skylight on the roof with similar technology, allowing light to penetrate the building’s interior regardless of whether the facade is open or closed. The building has the capability to almost completely seal itself, providing shelter during intense heat or extreme weather conditions. Furthermore, the structure responds to the time of day: the facades open during the day and close in the evening. This design minimizes heat loss at night and efficiently captures solar energy to warm the interiors during the day.

Our project is a response to contemporary architectural challenges, combining modern technologies with aesthetics and functionality to create friendly and safe spaces for users.

Skylight and Façade

The skylight, like the facade, is equipped with a system of light sensors and both automatic and manual opening and closing mechanisms. This allows us to adjust the amount of light and the temperature in the building according to current weather conditions and the needs of the specific room. In the morning and afternoon, when the sun is low in the sky, the skylight opens, allowing warm, natural light to enter. In the evening, as sunlight diminishes, the skylight closes, retaining heat inside the building and improving energy efficiency. On hot days, opening the skylight enables natural ventilation, enhancing user comfort and reducing the need for mechanical ventilation systems.

Material

• Durability and Corrosion Resistance: Copper is highly durable and develops a patina that protects it from corrosion, ensuring the longevity of the facade.
• Aesthetic Change: Copper changes color over time, from shiny gold to green patina, giving buildings a unique and dynamic appearance.
• Thermal Conductivity: Copper efficiently conducts heat, which can be utilized for passive cooling or heating of the building.
• Acoustics: Copper can be used to control the acoustics inside the building, reducing external noise.