Location: Helsinki, Finland
Program: Helsinki Central Library International Competition / 2012
Area: 100,000 m²
Reflexive AtmospheresÂ
The project actively engages the climate and environment to generate new program possibilities and opportunities for the library and the city. We propose an architecture that creates reflexive atmospheres by zoning programs based on thermal zones.
Layering as Strategy
Rather than assuming a constant level of thermal comfort zones throughout the building, the project expands the single compressed envelope system into three layers of envelopes that corresponds to different thermal comfort zones for different levels of activities. as a body is layered with different types of clothing for different thermal, weather and climate conditions, and as a body layers or delayers based on thermal fluctuations, we propose an architecture that can transform to the changing seasons and climates of the indoor and outdoor environments through decompression of the singular monolithic layer.
Reclamation and Generation of Lost Heat
Rather than considering the heat and exhaust generated by the humans and equipment as something that is undesirable that has to be vented out and replaced by fresh supply of artificially produced heat and air, the project proposes to actively utilize heat generated by organic and non-organic bodies to maximize the passive energy system. We propose that not only do we harvest typically lost heat, but also integrate programs that would generate more heat.
Living Machine of Atmospheric Events
Rather than proposing an energy strategy that is based on invisible high end technology systems, Coat. sweater. shirt. envisions the new library building as a living machine that incorporates the activities of the users as part of its living mechanism and actively engages the users as part of the life cycle of the building.a body layers or delayers based on thermal fluctuations, we propose an architecture that can transform to the changing seasons and climates of the indoor and outdoor environments through decompression of the singular monolithic layer.
Project Team
Project Architect: Yehre Suh
Team Member: Darius Wu, Benjamin Widger
Environmental Systems Consultant: Thornton Tomasetti
Civil and Structural Consultant: Magnusson Klemencic Associates