Summary
The progressive loss of trees and natural vegetation during urban development necessitates a shift towards more sustainable architecture and urban planning as key solutions for fostering greener and more resilient cities. In fact, the prevalence of built structures in urban areas has led to the emergence of heat islands, intensifying the impact of climate change. The introduction of vegetation in urban areas plays a pivotal role in regulating micro-climates. Additionally, vegetation’s natural filtration of particulate matter improves air quality, while, at the same time, its presence has proven to positively influence the physical and mental well-being of the population. The necessity for greener urban areas becomes more evident if we consider the 2023 projection of the World Green Building Council report, revealing that an estimated 75% of infrastructure required by 2050 is yet to be constructed. In our proposal, we aim to (i) develop an integral computational design methodology for lightweight structures made of deployable gridshell modules that integrate green habitats into complex urban landscape, (ii) monitor and simulate the cooling benefits of a working prototype in the city of Fribourg to optimize the design methodology for thermal comfort purposes and structural performance, and (iii) promote replicability and open-source access of the design methodology to facilitate broader adoption and utilization of the proposed structures.
The unique network topology formed by the systematic interconnection of gridshell modules provides an ideal environment for climbing plants to grow, promoting the generation of green structures. This feature allows the proposed structures not only to help restore the benefits of trees lost during urban development but also to overcome the difficulties associated with traditional urban greening strategies. The intentionally conceived modular nature of these structures unlocks vast design possibilities, offering flexibility to adapt to diverse urban landscapes and climate conditions. Our proposed research and development, which includes advanced modeling and simulation technologies tailored for this purpose, ensure that these structures can be remarkably versatile, capable of meeting diverse urban landscape needs. These envisioned green canopies can serve an array of purposes, including improving thermal comfort, improving air quality, and fostering biodiversity in areas predominantly covered by concrete.
General information
Project Lead: Mark Pauly, Gabriele Manoli
Project Team: Aldo Brandi, Seiichi Suzuki
Fribourg Partners:
- Etat de Fribourg, Direction du développement territorial, des infrastructures, de la mobilité et de l’environnement (DIME)
- HEIA-FR, Prof. Marc Vonlanthen