Media-ICTAN ESSAY OF SUSTAINABILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL CARE IN

ARCHITECTURE, GIVING AS AN EXAMPLE ONE OF THE LASTEST PROJECTS MORE SUSTAINABLE IN EUROPE.

aida salán sierra

Architect:

Enric Ruiz Geli

DATA S H E E T

• Location: District 22 @, Barcelona

• 3572 m² of plot

• 23,104 sqm of floor area

• Budget 20,791,486 Euros

• Term of completion: 2009

• 2500 m² of ETFE facade

• 20% energy savings with a solar filter ETFE

• 42 points maximum of 57 points scored by the Decree of

Environmental Criteria for Energy Eco-efficiency of buildings.

• Availability of occupation: 2418 people

• 2 accessible facades

I N D E X

INTRODUCTION FUNCTION - FORM - SYSTEM MATERIALS ENERGY GGG - PARAMETRIC STRUCTURE SKIN INNOVATION ECONOMY

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M E D I A - I T C

It is a project that aims to put at the service of citizens and business an

equipment for intensive and transparent use of ICT, seeking their dis-

semination and integration in companies. It is conceived as equipped

with the latest technologies and innovations installation, and located

in a strategic location to serve as a nucleus and area of presentations,

demonstrations and all kinds of events. It will be a point of interaction

between different companies and these with citizens through ICT.

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F U N C T I O N

MediaTIC building, opened in September 2010.2 intended to be a citi-

zen forum, meeting, learning and implementation of ICT (information

and communications technology). It brings different companies and

users will gain knowledge in this area to implement in their respective

activities later will. And also it will host ICT companies and audiovisual

media. Spaces for conferences, meetings, facilities equipped with the

latest technology. They watered the seed of the culture of innovation

and entrepreneurship with a healthy dose of initiatives, infrastructure,

specific programs, strategic location, complete transportation network,

public-private cooperation, and trained human resources for the future,

sprout business projects explosive potential and focused on an interna-

tional projection.

F O R M

The building is a cube with four different facades to each other, that

serve specific functions depending on their orientation. The mosaic pat-

tern ETFE skin translates the forces exerted by the pillars and columns,

which reveals a study of how to detail. Plants are airy, open and modular

(being released by an external structure as a “shell”). These are crossed

by a vertical courtyard that gives continuity to the building and connects

to the environment. The U-shaped plants are finally opening to one of

the facades, leaving a huge frame to the outside.

S Y S T E M

The structure is one of the distinguishing points of this project. It is a

metal skeleton with vertical elements almost exclusively abroad, leaving

very broad and open spaces on each floor, and an interior courtyard that

runs vertically through the entire building. The structure, which is seen

also has another feature, and is absorbing the light captured during the

day and shows at night, making a luminescent element, the author com-

pares with a jellyfis.

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It consists of a main metallic structure, formed by 4 inflexible spaces

braced frames, spaced 14 meters. Each of these elements define spaces

of different structural density:

• Zero Density: Ground floor, no structure, public. Clearance of 36

m x 44 m. A public space.

• Low Density: Office floors. Crossed by structural lines (pillar-bra-

ces) of minimum dimension plants. Maximum flexibility. It accommoda-

tes different uses and different agents.

• High Density: Galleries. The cores support large-scale define

smaller and more rigid spaces that correspond to centers of communi-

cation, installation supports, bathrooms, terraces and patios.

M AT E R I A L S

In addition to the particular structure, which has already been explained,

we find a remarkable peculiarity in this building, related to the material

that formed, and the skin of ETFE. You looking for eco-efficiency of the

building is covered with the skin of 2500 sqm, you will achieve energy

savings of 20% and get 42 points maximum of 57 points scored by the

Decree of Environmental Criteria and Energy Eco-efficiency of buildings.

ETFE is a polymer (Ethylene Tetra Fluoro Ethylene) with very special cha-

racteristics: Sunscreen and a facade with a thickness of 200 .mu.m is

obtained. It is distributed in rolls, obtaining pieces of the desired size. •

85% ultra violet coefficient density 350 g / m² auto fuel materials elas-

ticity lightness meeting the geometric shape.

It is also non-stick, which prevents dirty and requiring cleaning main-

tenance. And not lose its characteristics of elasticity, transparency and

hardness over time.

seventh floor: galleries (high density part)

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E N E R G Y

Only air movement is achieved manage an entire façade, without indus-

trial mechanisms, and with very favorable results and economic energy.

Roc Boronat façade (north-east) According to the solar study this facade

receives 3 hours of sunshine a day in the morning and a system of exter-

nal solar protection is not necessary. Plus there’s an internal protection

screens curtains base type.

Sancho de Ávila Facade (south-east) This façade receives six hours of

sun daily and, therefore, an external solar system luminous efficacy have

and adjust the amount of light passing into need: ETFE is used here.

This side is the arrangement of cushions are inflated and deflated and

two faces coupled to vary the opacity.

CAC façade (south-west) This façade also receives six hours of daily sun-

shine on average. Therefore, due to a strong inflow of heat energy, the

proposed solution is called LENTICULAR based, in this case, two sheets

of ETFE, which inside is filled with a cloud of nitrogen. Air density is

used to create a sunscreen. This is a mechanism created following ex-

haustive research that has led to only 5% of the total cost.

ETFE skin of the face of the “cushions”, consists of inflatable which

have up to three air chambers. This not only improves the thermal in-

sulation, but also allows the creation of shadow through a pneumatic

system. Thus, an effect occurs as a cloud blocking the sun. An intelligent

cloud. The middle layer is the one that manages to create shade. The

first layer is transparent; the second (middle) and third, have a reverse

pattern design, to deflate and together, complement each other, creating

a single opaque layer.

Sancho de Ávila Façade (South-west)9

G G G

Experts call this type of model GGG - Global Green Growth.

This is a large building based on the idea of sharing, where all the green

spaces are shared. Before, one way or another, those spaces were not

available; now they can be shared. In the case of Media-ICT, the 15% of

the space of the building is dedicated to shared spaces.

This is a distinct possibility in this city, where the urban experimentation

have been conveyed consciously by Oriol Clos, the head architect.

PA R A M E T R I C

Media-ICT is a Parametric Design application

It was thought in terms of modules: the structure is a 5 m x 14.7 m mo-

dule; false roofs are 30 cm modules; raised floors are 50 cm modules;

everything is connected and related: the 150 cm glass façade module is

joined to the floor, to the module, with the 150 cm fluorescent module,

the 300 cm radius façade sensors and so on and so forth.

In this way it is optimised:

This is a building with a low ratio; we stand at 8%,which means that the-

re is 10% available and you have more meters to be used by the people

(almost 2,000m2), which is just like gaining a floor. The result is a very

COMPACT, very dense and very efficient unit. Media-ICT is NOT a CUBE but an information BYTE: 40x40x40m.

> 36 m evacuation distances

in case of fire.

> the maximum area of the pro-

gramme with natural lighting.

> the flexibility of floor distri-

bution, 7,26.

> the ratio of m2 distributed

with regard to constructed m2.

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S T R U C T U R E

The project has been presented to the Quality Committee of Barcelona

City Council and one of their questions was:

“Architecture is often connected to certain physical, vegetable and animal

states. If this is the case, what animal does this architectural structure repre-

sent?”

Naturally, the jellyfish came to mind of the architect, as it is an orga-

nism, a system, but within it there are several bodies, there are several

individuals.

It is a programme that creates a system and a structural typology.

The construction is built from the top and moves downwards, becoming

transparent, anti-gravitational, almost liquid at the bottom. Thus, its im-

pact on the street is minimal, about 8% mass with respect to the 1500

m2 floor surface area. It was decided to invest 40% of the construction

budget in the structure of the building (instead of the normal 25% or

30%). An inhabitable truss, which is similar to living surrounded by the

network, a network, a structure that supports the building but compri-

ses translucent spaces, flexible spaces, open spaces.

If it is taken into account that the structure is a suspended structure and

the pillars are 12x12 or 15x15. This voltage cable network is distributed

with large 14x5m dimensions. The ground floor does not have pillars; so

that public space invades the building with 36m x 40m of free space.

Ground Floor: open space without pilars (public space)

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A public architectural structure dedicated to public space in line with a

situationist perception. A distributed not centralised structure, distribu-

ted computing and distributed networks. There are 18 different sections

of tubes to optimise the kilos of steel. Therefore, it is not a calculation

of a “peak” stress point nor is it based on a standard solution, there is

no unique steel solution for the entire structure, but hundreds of distri-

buted calculations for all points, and bars. In other words, everything is

nonstandard (such as the Pompidou Centre exposition, curated by Fré-

déric Migayrou).

Is this a shock? The industry is ready for this digital revolution.

Cloud 9, together with Boma, have designed this structure to be built

using CADCAM digital processes. The economics must be sustainable.

The building has been constructed from the bottom up. The system was

the deserved winner of the 2009 EUROPEAN AWARD FOR STEEL STRUCTU-

RES, of the ECCS (European Convention for Construction Steel work).

Diagram of the structure: resource Cloud 9

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This process is called CAD-CAM. A light element that unifies the whole

structure. If construction is the main cause of climate change, shall

construction be the solution to the problema, instead of a problem. With

this objective buildings will be converted into energy factories, that are

not in the network and that are fully self-sufficient. In the Media-ICT, at

a conceptual level, it has been taken a look at certain elements, such as

bioluminescent painting. What it is done is to treat the entire tensile di-

gital structure with this bioluminescent paint. This makes the framework

visible, but it does not consume, it is self-sufficient. The collaborative

work of Cloud 9 with EUROQUIMICA has led to this innovation, this pa-

tent that is compatible with achieving class RF-120 resistance.

Under construction: RNE Façade

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S K I N

This work process to create these skins has been developed by the study

of the program and the structure. So this skin is an expression of energy.

It is a construction system that projects a landscape towards the city.

It is the building that must have a dialogue with the city. The architect

took a scientific look at urban landscape and he wanted to make it a per-

formance, make it performative, with energy as its script. Media-ICT is

meeting energy criteria through beautiful, performative, communicative,

urban landscape, which is educational, opening people’s eyes, so that

they are aware of key problems such as energy.

If we consider Jeremy Rifkin’s theory, buildings represent 35-40% of the

climate change problem. In the European Union there is talk of a 20%

reduction in CO2 emissions by 2020. Some 20% of the building’s energy

will be clean energy with regard to what we consume.

Media-ICT targets an achieves:

1-20% Co2 reduction due to the use of District Cooling, clean energy.

2-10% Co2 reduction due to the photovoltaic roof.

3-55% Co2 reduction due to the dynamic ETFE sun filter.

4-10% Co2 reduction due to energy efficiency related to smart sensors.

Total 95% Co2 reduction, the Media-ICT is a NET building almost a net

zero building.

As an example, if the building code demands a factor of 0.45, thanks

to the new systems and patents in this building, it could be achieved a

target of 0.10.

Another example is the photovoltaic roof that produces about 29,000

kWh/year, which represents some 18.8 tonnes of savings in atmospheric

CO2 emissions.

What is the E T F E ?

It is Teflon, a crystallised polymer, a Teflon-based polymer. ETFE is very

light; there are no frames; it is highly resistant (1,500 Kg / m); it is per-

fect for fire because it doesn’t meelt; therefor is an interesting material

for public spaces. Dragados managed to accurately assemble ETFE and

the structure, thanks to the use of 3D topography through 3 mm resolu-

tion scanners for a 40m façade.

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This has been possible thanks to a study of shade and ratio of urbanity,

calculation of solar energy according to the orientation of the façades:

(On the north façades there are 2.000 watts per hour, on the south

façades there are 6.500 watts per hour); the ETFE skin enables to build

these design values: (SA Solar factor open 0.35, SA Solar factor closed

0.10, CAC Solar factor without fog 0.45, CAC Solar factor with fog 0.10)

The building creates and coordinates a vertical cloud to filter the sun

and repeats it over and over again. Thus, the distributed intelligence,

there are more than 500 sensors in the Media-ICT. The ground floor

proximity sensor regulates consumption according to how people move

along the lobby.

The façade sensors connected to the Iguzzini lighting save energy by

preventing consumption in the first three metres of the façade (TBC).

Finally the 104 sensors, within the black box and the Arduino soft, con-

nected to the ETFE cushions makes each cushion, each construction

element of the façade intelligent. Distributed smart tech: Each inflatable

having an IP address, using Arduino soft – this enables the building not

only to close or open all the curtains, which not only activates the pat-

ches of clouds and reacts to which neighbour produces what shade, but

the building also modulates and responds like a reactive skin, with 104

IP addresses attached to such reaction. If the entire building is based

on the idea of distribution, the computing should be distributed. If it is

created a model in which there is a hierarchy with a central computer, if

this computer crashes, the entire building crashes.

Efte Façade, from outside19

I N N O V AT I O N

This is the formula: Energy efficiency as a catalyst of innovation.

There are 4 major buildings in the world with ETFE: Eden in London:(the

transparent ETFE cladding creates a microclimate), Arena in Munich:

(the EFTE covering complete with lighting creates an icon), Beijing

Water Cube:(the EFTE cladding with its double illumination creates an

icon)And now the Media-ICT:(ETFE with three layers, with intelligence,

without lighting, not as an iconic style of architecture, but certainly

energy performative architecture).

This is the first ETFE building in Spain. In the industrial age, solar solu-

tions were physical, mechanical, hydraulic. As the Arab World Institute

by Jean Nouvel in Paris as an example.

But the digital world moves with particles, with simple elements, with

steam, air with atmospheric and gaseous worlds. As Terry Riley says of

architecture in the catalogue of the MOMA exhibition: “. . . we carry out

Performative Architecture”

It could be prevented facts as sunbeam, ray of light, heat from entering

the office, while creating certain particles so that the sunbeam is broken

down and the solar factor is lowered.

Buildings should be performative. Architecture is no longer on/off, a/b,

it is a dynamic architecture. Architecture should be make as similar as

possible to these natural plant processes pursuing and performing, what

activates its photosynthesis, its physics, its chemistry, its inner material.

Efte Façade, from inside: seventh floor

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E C O N O M Y

According to Jeremy Rifkin, we are heading towards a New Humanism,

with architecture that empathyses with the Environment and towards a

new economy.

There is talk about the green shoots of the economy, this building is

one. It is in total alignment with the objectives that the Consorci ZF have

talked about: technical and economic rigour, competitiveness, sustaina-

bility. This building has cost 24,5 million euros and has a ratio of 1,234

euros per m2 above ground level. In this way money will not be excuse

not to fulfill the green new deal.

Details of both ETFE Façades: by Cloud 9

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SÜRDÜLÜREBILIR YAPI TEKNOLOJILERI

mimar sinan u n i v e r s i t y

aida salán sierra