Soft Architecture HS2020

Designing (with) microclimates.

Lecturers:  Roman Kirschner and Jyoti Kapur

Contents and Objectives

What are the effects of climatic conditions on spatial atmospheres that include smells, sounds and light? How can diverse microclimates exist in an enclosed built space? How can spaces be "activated" at the intersection of materials and climatic conditions (varying temperature, humidity and air flow)? How could tangible materials help harvest air, moisture and energy?

At the beginning of the seminar we go on an excursion close to Zurich. We explore a landscape with a specific microclimate using techniques that help us to determine atmospheric qualities of smell, sound and light. We investigate how spatial qualities get affected (amplified/reduced) in a microclimatic zone compared to the general climatic conditions of the region.

Based on our observations, we explore and derive methods to disrupt the mono-atmospheric and climatic conditions in a built environment. We deal with questions such as how can natural phenomena like condensation, evaporation, stack effect, etc. be used to create diversity in climatic conditions. We experiment with materials that can “activate“ built spaces and extend, shrink or expand qualities such as smell, sound and light in specific environments. We explore interactions at the intersection of materials and climatic conditions. Where are their respective boundaries and how can these boundaries be shifted? How can they be used to harvest moisture, air or energy?

Using materials, methods and climatic thinking to activate space, students create a spatial installation or an active exhibition space and learn from documenting their process.

Schedule

Week 2 : 

Week 3 :  

Gear List for excursion

Tent

Wet weather clothing

Lunch for two days. 

Solid shoes 

First aid kit

Sleeping Bag

Personal items

Tools for sketching and documentation!

Locations

Introduction: 15.09.2020

Seminarraum ZT 4.K16

Excursions: 16.09.2020 – 17.09.2020

Walensee, Walenstadt (Seecamping), Quinten, Paxmal

Exhibition Vernissage: 01.10.2020

Viaduktraum ZT 2.A05

Field research tasks:

1) Develop attention for atmosphere, presence, performances (of spaces, people, materials), fields (of actions, of influences), rhythms of the environment (lake, wind, season), different time frames, collaboration with the landscape, interactions between people, materials, and spaces.

2)  Observe: a) the interrelationship between your tent's outer surface (material + form)and outside climatic conditions - air flow/temperature/humidity.
                     b) Observe the relationship to the inner surface of the tent and the interior climatic conditions (closed/open sleeping bag and entry).
                     c) Observe the interrelationship of the climatic conditions between the sleeping bag and yourself (body)- before going to sleep + after waking up.

Design tasks:

1) Make a series of experiments with how to alter and fine-tune the microclimate of a small mobile space paying attention to temporality and diversity. Demonstrate the relationship between the materials used (tent surface or any other that was chosen) and the climatic conditions (air flow, temperature or humidity). Why is the used material essential and what and how does it add to the developed concept? How does the light, smellscape or soundscape vary in your concept?

2) document your failures and successes

3) realize and put one of these microclimates up for display in the final exhibition.

Subtask:

How to recreate or represent the experiences and spaces from the field trip and further test locations back in Toni?