Place: South Kolomna, Saint Petersburg, Russia.
Problem: unpopularity of the district, insufficient lightning, high level of humidity.
The district located in the center of Saint Petersburg, however it's one of the less popular places in the city. Insufficient lightning of courtyards and high level of humidity cause the destruction of the facade materials, ecological danger from inimical bacteria and even risk of criminal for residents.
Project: Self-sufficient elevation panels with the ability to redirect the sun rays to the shade zones of the courtyards.
The research team started the project from solar analysis of the location. The shadow analysis from Autodesk Ecotect and add-on Geco to Rhinoceros+Grasshopper show the average weather data for winter, autumn, spring and summer. The results show us the places with insufficient lightning. We can see that at winter time many residents have mostly no sun in their apartments.
The spot with one of the least insolation was chosen for the further research. The team made solar radiation analysis on the north and south sides of the buildings, solar exposure analysis and the analysis of total sunlight radiation.
With illustrated solar data and the research team found the most efficient location for the future project.
Facade panels redirect solar rays from spots of courtyard with the highest amount of solar radiation into the spaces with the least one. For maximum efficiency, the team placed the sensors of luminosity on the ground. Therefore sensors were able to identify the dark zones, give a signal to the facade panels which transfer the sunlight into the zones with the lack of sun. These sensors interacted with panels by WiFi connection.
With form finding according to the environmental analysis team identified the arrangement of the facade panels on the elevation of the building. The part with the maximum concentration of sunlight became the location of the project.
The next step was the development of the form of each panel. In the analysis based on the solar data and fabrications of experimental prototypes the diamond shape of our panel shown the best results. Following characteristic were considered: the most suitable reciprocity between panels by rotation, the lack of contact with the window’s plane and convex shape for better light diffusion.
Solar ray reflection illustrated as the work of each facade panel.
Paneling is the next step of the project. The simultaneous work of facade panels illustrated in the following phases: the projection of the solar rays in over a determined area; translation of the sun with rays over the surface; variations of projections over the surface.
The illustration of tests and 3D renders.
Facade panels mechanism of work. The panel had two axis of rotation due to them it can change the orientation (axis X and Y). The work of the panels held by servomotors. Material of panel: PET plastic.
