Ecobuilding with shutters in Africa

 Green buildings are emerging all over the world and all have a priority objective: to minimizing, and if possible reducing to zero the amount of consumed energy… most of the time by heating buildings in winter. The big challenge is therefore insulation to minimize heat loss during the cold season. Designers then hunt for air holes, try to incorporate heat-insensitive materials, optimize room lighting during the cold season, etc.

But what about green buildings in Africa, which consume less energy for heating than European buildings. Would not there be ecological issues in Africa? Que nenni! But the stakes are different: for most African countries, the energy spent on heat must be saved. Air conditioning is the energy abyss of many African, Asian and American buildings.

Paradoxically, there are few examples of buildings with true ecological characteristics. We must look for them, find them, we will say it ourselves. And yet, when we find them, we find real nuggets.

Among these nuggets, here is the project "9 degrees" Hassan Hachem designed the BAD architectural firm.

This is a tower project for Equatorial Guinea.

The project initially set strong constraints and objectives.

1. Minimizing the absorption of solar heat from outside
2. Reducing the demand for primary energy for cooling and ventilation by means of
passive systems
3. Optimally using sunlight during the day
4. Saving water
5. Improving landscape and biodiversity
6. Closing the life cycle and future adaptability
7. Reducing / Reuse / Recycle
8. LEED and environmental management
The result is surprisingly elegant and advanced from a technical point of view. Currently, the project is being finalized and three options have been explored.

1. Minimizing vertical solar heat absorption through fixed blades.

immeuble écologique en orient

In warm climates such as Equatorial Guinea, to minimize the absorption of solar heat through the outer skin, avoid direct sunlight on the exterior facade. While the shadow of the outer walls is paramount, it can have a negative impact on natural lighting levels indoors especially in offices.
Option A uses vertical blades of the same type at different distances to filter the direct sunlight before it crossed windows and walls, in all solar directions. Whereas deep blades are a traditional African solution (protecting during the dry season, but allowing the sun, in the rainy season, to heat the building in the mornings), sunscreens covering the entire facade allow a more uniform intensity and a more compact built volume.

 

2. Minimizing vertical solar heat absorption through fixed blades.

immeuble ecologique

In warm climates such as Equatorial Guinea, to minimizing the absorption of solar heat through the outer skin, direct sunlight should be avoided the outer walls. While the shadow of the outer walls is paramount, it can have a negative impact on natural lighting levels indoors especially in offices.
Option A uses vertical blades of the same type at different distances to filter the direct sunlight before it crosses windows and walls in all solar directions. Whereas deep blades are a traditional African solution (protecting in the summer, but allowing the winter sun to warm up the building in the mornings), sunscreens covering the entire facade allow a more uniform intensity and a mor compact built volume.

 

 


3. Minimize solar heat absorption through a cantilever slab.

immeuble ecolo

Again, in warm climates like Equatorial Guinea, to minimize absorption of solar heat through the outer skin, it is necessary to prevent the light from sun falls directly on the outer walls. While the shadow of the outer walls is essential, it may have a negative impact on the indoor levels of natural lighting, especially in offices.
According to Hassan Hachem, the project's promoter, the three design options aim to set a new benchmark for sustainable design in the Central African region. It's also about getting a high LEED level or some other instrument of sustainable design.
The future will tell if this project is keeping its promises, but in any case, the initiative deserves to be welcomed.

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