Chromatic Energy Landscape

Our project seeks to bring to the forefront the incredible potential for natural resources to produce energy and fuel through processes that minimize their impact on the environment. Our intervention aims to generate a spatially and chromatically variegated landscape that endeavors to engage, protect, and even restore the natural biodiversity of native plants and animals. The proposal is organized as layered fields of photoresponsive energy generation systems that are also iridescent, phosphorescent surfaces intersected by a system of viewing platforms.

Our strategy employs local, renewable materials and resources--native algae and vegetation, recycled glass and low-tech methods of construction--to reshape the existing site into a colorful textured landscape. Modular solar collectors with parabolic trough mirrors and lightweight composite structures are made of a high quantity of recycled content. The components are then layered with iridescent coatings that reflect different fragments of the visible light spectrum. The high levels of insolation in this region and the sites proximity to major urban areas make this a prime location for solar energy harvesting with a potential capacity factor of 21% with minimal impact on the site, producing virtually no emissions, and consuming no fuel other than sunlight.

Location:

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Image Credit:

BAAO

Awards:

Land Art GEnerator Initiative Finalist
Architizer A+ Award Honorable Mention

Publications:

Change: Architecture and Engineering in the Middle East ,
2000-present (Centre for Architecture)
eVolo

A system of open saltwater ponds supports the growth of algae for biofuel production and highlights the chromatically diverse nature of the species. Oils are extracted from the algae and converted to biofuel via photosynthesis, with a per-acre optimal yield of up to 10,000 gallons of oil per acre. The open algae pond system is also intended as a means to attract bird species to support the goal of attracting and engaging the adjacent wildlife sanctuary.

Our proposed collection system is configured as parabolic sections that are paired and broken at one-third their length into two sections. The two sections vary height and angle to respond to requirements for views and shading, but primarily maintain the optimal 20 degree angle for solar collection. The reflector surface is coated with thermochromic microcapsules derived from Hypercolor technology that broadcasts intensities of energy collection when viewed from above, while phosphorescent paint will allow the surface to emit a glow at night. The reflector structure is coated with Chromaflair, a substance that acts prismatically to light, changing color as one moves along it.

Algae is naturally occurring in the climate of Dubai and is typically seen as harmful to fish and plants, although it is a staple of the flamingo diet. The algae ponds will be controlled and separated from the Dubai Creek by a series of concrete retaining walls and recycled-glass-filled-sandbag berms that will encourage the growth of native vegetation.

The reflector structure is to be constructed as a carbon fiber composite or alternatively steel or aluminum. The components generate a bird hide and blind system for wildlife observation that obscures observers from detection.

The viewing structures are clad with angled parabolic mirrored panels with a convex orientation that reflect the surrounding landscape down to visitors on the ground. The existing site is adjacent to a bird sanctuary and the algae ponds also act as an attractor for the local bird populations, which include flamingos, egrets, gulls, ospreys and other water fowl.

This constructed groundscape should provide an appealing source of food that encourages the local waterfowl to mate and nest. Our proposal also includes sites for a Power Station, Algae Processing Center and Visitors Center that are embedded in berms at the perimeter of the site.

Chromatic Energy Landscape

The reflector structure is to be constructed as a carbon fiber composite or alternatively steel or aluminum. The components generate a bird hide and blind system for wildlife observation that obscures observers from detection.

This constructed groundscape should provide an appealing source of food that encourages the local waterfowl to mate and nest. Our proposal also includes sites for a Power Station, Algae Processing Center and Visitors Center that are embedded in berms at the perimeter of the site.

Piezo Pavilion