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0 E 24 H Energy
Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
For the Degree of Master of Architecture
At
Savannah College of Art and Design
May, 2012, Lily Marie Riefkohl
_________________________________________________________________/__/___
Professor Amy Wynne Date
Committee Chair
_________________________________________________________________/__/___
Professor Daniel Brown Date
Committee Member
_________________________________________________________________/__/___
Nancy Sharifi Date
Committee Member
0 E 24 H Social
A Thesis Submitted to the Department of Architecture
In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the
Degree of Master of Architecture
Savannah College of Art and Design
By
Lily M. Riefkohl
Savannah, Georgia
May, 2012
DedicationThis work is dedicated in the loving memory to my grandmother Maria M. Puig
Acknowledgements:
It is a great pleasure to thank the many people who made this thesis possible.
I would like to thank my committee chair, Amy Wayne for creating a positive and inspir-
ing learning environment. Throughout my graduate experience, she constantly encour-
aged further exploration both architecturally and graphically.
I wish to express my immense gratitude to my faculty advisor, Daniel Brown for his time
and for helping me focus the scope of my project. His support over all the process has
truly been invaluable.
I am grateful for the aid of Prof. Jain Kwon for constantly expanding my perspective of
the interior spaces.
I am deeply greatful with my topic consultant Nancy Sharifi for her constant advise and
support in the environmental aspect of my project.
I am indebted to my many friends and colleagues for providing a stimulating environ-
ment and for always pushing me into inspiration. Specially Daniela Rey for all her inter-
est, admiration and support during the process.
I wish to thank my aunt, my mom and my sister Claudie, among other members of my
family, for their guidance, support, faith, encouragement and enthusiasm.
Finally I need to thank to my spiritual guidance and spiritual forces who didn’t let me fall
and push me to keep working on this thesis when I was about to give up.
Table of Contents
Abstract 1
Arguable Position 3
1. Background, Goals and Justification 5
1.1 Introduction 7
1.2 Background Information and Theoretical Context 11
1.3 Cultural Technical and Environmental Objects 15
1.4 Cultural Historic Background 17
1.5 Architectural Historic Background 23
1.5.1 Vernacular Architecture 25
1.5.2 Colonial Architecture 27
1.5.3 Current Architecture 31
1.6 Environmental and Sustainability Issues 37
1.7 Economical Issues 39
1.7.1 Cost of Petroleum VS cost of electricity 43
2. Context 45
2.1 Demographics 47
2.2 Industry 49
2.3 Educational and Professional Context 51
2.4 Description of the Region 53
2.5 Climate 57
3. Site Analysis 59
3.1 History and Description of the Region 61
3.2 Site Surroundings 65
3.3 Uses 71
3.4 Height 72
3.5 Closing Time 73
3.6 Site Existing Conditions 74
3.7 Climatic Conditions 75
3.8 Transportation and Transit 76
4. Program Analysis 73
4.1 Program Planning Goals 81
4.2 Sustainability 83
4.2.1 Sustainable Technologies for Energy Generation 89
4.2.1.1 Solar Power 90
4.2.1.2 Wave Power 95
4.2.1.3 Wind Power 98
4.2.2 Sustainable Materials 101
4.2.3 Other Sustainable Aspects 111
4.3 Adjacencies 113
4.4 Uses and Spatial Qualities of Interior and Exterior Spaces 115
4.5 Transitional Spaces 125
4.6 Building Clock 127
4.7 Case Studies 129
5. Quantitative Program 133
5.1 Occupants per area 140
5.2 Zoning Requirements 141
6. Schematic Design 143
6.1 Concept 145
6.2 Form Evolution 147
6.3 Process Perspectives 149
6.4 Program 153
6.5 Schematic Plans 155
6.6 Perspective View 161
7 Design Development 162
7.1 Building Plans 163
7.2 Building Section 169
7.3 Wall Section 170
7.4 Applied Technologies 173
7.5 Building Exterior 175
7.6 Building Energy Consumption 178
7.7 Restaurant Plans 179
7.8 Restaurant Views 181
7.9 Conclusion 183
Bibliography 187
Table of figures 191
Appendix 199
1
Abstract
2
0 E 24 H Social
Rises in energy rates, global economic crisis, global warming, apprehension for the
planet and our future generations are vast concerns for general population. Puerto Rico
suffers from all of the previous issues mentioned, but also lacks the sustainability and the
spread of this knowledge in the population; which could minimize some of the impacts
of the crisis the world and specifically the island is going through. A lot of spaces desig-
nated for the interaction of people have been closed or removed, affecting the cultural
aspect of socialization. Working with these issues while implementing architecture, de-
sign and sustainability into a cultural and social building that becomes a teaching tool by
the interaction of environment and user is what is intended to be achieved in this project.
A solution to a sustainable concern in the island of Puerto Rico is introduced through
architecture in a multi-functional building that responds to site and public interests,
it also serves as a device for learning about technological possibilities by implement-
ing not only solar, tidal and wind power but also interactive sustainable features that
are functional and serve to enhance education though social interaction. Achieving a
zero energy building is difficult but not impossible. The amount of sources required
to produce the energy the building would consume are really high, especially because
the building will be working throughout 24 hours. The energy needed to achieve
functionality of the building is high enough as to be impossible to apply technologies
only in the infrastructure of the building. Additional energy generating technologies
were implemented in the site and surroundings in order to meet energy requirements.
3
4
Through a 24 hours social space, architecture can become an educational
tool, teaching people sustainability while keeping them busy and enter-
tained.
A rguable Position
5
6
Chapter 1Background, Goals and Justifications
7
Sustainability is a word often repeated but not habitually practiced when it
comes to Puerto Rican way of living.1 Many people use the word because they have
heard it many times before, not knowing exactly what it implies. Sustainability can be
reflected in many aspects such as social, economic, environmental, and architectural; all
of these relating with each other and affecting way of living.2 Architecture is not only a
way of expressing art and creating spaces while being functional, but can also be a tool
for communication and teaching. Since Puerto Rican architecture lack sustainability;
1 Jorge San Inocencio, Monografias, Es Puerto Rico un pais Sustentable?, Monografias.com/trabajos64/PuertoRico-pais-sustentable.shtml, accessed April 18, 20122 Peter Docherty, Abraham B Shani, Creating Sustainable Work Systems: Developing Social Sustainability, Second Edition, (Oxon, OX, 2009) Pg 7
Introduction
8
the term understood only by a few 3 end up looking as a utopia.
It’s been said that architects design according to the client’s needs and budget.4
Letting people interact with architecture and environment, is making them part of the
design.5 Is not the same having a design for the people, for the revival of culture, design
with a social conscience; that just designing for a client and a specific use. The user will
be the client, and as a social effect, the building will become the key for letting people
interact with nature, environment and sustainability while making them part of a ho-
listic design.6 People like to feel good about things they do, and this project will be an
opportunity to not only integrate community, but make them an active part of contribu-
tion to the environment and economic situation the country is passing thru. Making the
people interact with architecture and be part of the sustainable aspect of the building
is making them the protagonist of the scene, which could make the building even more
successful.
Since Puerto Rican clients don’t know about the actual benefit of having an en-
vironmentally designed and sustainable building, and they just saw it as a huge initial
expense, architects haven’t had the opportunity to express it as much as desirable in the 3 Odette Rodriguez Garcia, Puerto Rico: una isla de sustentabilidad, Universia Puerto Rico No-ticias, 09/7/2008, http://noticias.universia.pr/ciencia-nn-tt/noticia/2008/09/17/132387/puerto-rico-isla-sustentabilidad.html4 Alan Jefferis, David A. Madsen, Architectural Drafting and Design fifth edition, (Clifton Park, NY, 2005) 55 Sensing architecture, New Ideas for architecture of tomorrow by Maria Lorena Lehman Why Architecture Can Make a Positive Difference in an Occupant’s Life, http://sensingarchitecture.com/8099/why-architecture-can-make-a-positive-difference-in-an-occupant%e2%80%99s-life/6 http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-holistic-design.htm, what is holistic design, article written by S.E. Smith, edited by O. Wallace, Last modified 05, April 2012, copyright protected 2003-2012 conjecture corporation
9
country. 7 If nature, user, and sustainable techniques are applied interacting with them-
selves 24 hours a day, during 7 days per week, people will eventually understand the con-
cept and give it the value and importance that it requires to improve quality of life.
Puerto Rican population tends to be very social,8 this public building can only
achieve the purpose if the program gather the community in social activities while enter-
taining them in different ways. Using the entertainment as an excuse, the learning expe-
rience will be enhanced and promote by curiosity, questioning and wondering looking
for answers an amaze in the user. Most of the population is very visual9 what will make
possible to address the information throughout different types of users (different ages and
different social classes). This will gather people as a solution and stimulation of the social
aspect of the Puerto Rican culture, as well as the economical aspect, letting the possibility
of becoming a touristic attraction.
This project will include rentable spaces such as restaurants and activities rooms,
as well as places for free cost. The purpose is to generate a capital from those rent, while
having other areas for the enjoyment of general public.
The building could be semi- open, open or enclosed or transformable, depending
of the use or necessity. The importance of all the design and transformation is the way the
place could become educational tool in an unconventional way. The way the building is
experienced becomes the learning tool avoiding the need of literature or teachers to be
7 Jorge San Inocencio, Monografias, Es Puerto Rico un pais Sustentable?, Monografias.com/trabajos64/PuertoRico-pais-sustentable.shtml, accessed April 18, 2012 8 Raffaello Beetti, Survival of Weak Countries in the Face of Globalization: Perto Rico and the Caribbean, (San Juan, PR, 2003) 949 Charles Smith, Sensory Learning Styles Visual, Auditory and Kinesthetic Learning Styles in Grappling, white-belt.org, accessed 04/21/2012
10
understood. Building’s environment and experience linked to design will make the build-
ing self-explanatory. Sustainable technologies, materials and principles in conjunction to
environmental design will be applied throughout the building in order to achieve a holistic
design.
Technologies such as tidal power, sun power and wind power would be applied
to the design and exposed with their explanations. Other aspects of sustainability will be
incorporated as well in order to achieve a more sustainable and environmental friendly
building as possible.
“The amount of information we are processing at one time determines our stimulation
level at the moment, if a place give us a lot to think about because there’s a lot of variety in
the objects within it, that space is more stimulating to us. A place is particularly stimulat-
ing if we cannot predict what we will experience next.”10
Architecture is where people experiment spaces and had the opportunity to iden-
tify with them.11 This project intend to do the same for the country and its population,
while improving a situation that is becoming a crisis.
10 Sally Agustin PhD, Place Advantage: Applied Psychology for Interior Architecture, (New Jersey, 2009) page 13711 Sally Agustin PhD, Place Advantage: Applied Psychology for Interior Architecture, (New Jersey, 2009) page 118
11
Puerto Rico is mainly known by the tourism, nightlife, hospitality, food and cul-
ture. It is known for being a relaxing destination, a place to go and have fun. Tourism
has been an important source of income for the island and especially has been an es-
sential factor in our cities’ development.1 Today touristic areas are still active, but un-
fortunately because of the increase of the life style cost, some of these areas have been
affected, causing the closure of many local businesses. 2
Since ever, the culture has been known for having people that interacts with
each other in every aspect of their life.3 People in Puerto Rico don’ tend to be very in-
1Julio Morales, Puerto Rican Poverty and Migration, We just had to try elsewhere, (West Port, CT, 1986) 332 Marian Diaz, “Hay Negocio despues de la quiebra”, El Nuevo Dia, 9/26/2010, Negocios3 Raffaello Beetti, Survival of Weakn Countries in the Face of Globalization: Perto Rico and the Caribbean, (San Juan, PR, 2003) 94
Background Information and Theoretical Context
12
dependent, but collective, which make public spaces really important.4 Due to global
economical crisis, this cultural aspect has been seriously affected. Changing a societies’
way of living could affect their way of feeling with themselves, with the economical situ-
ation and with life. Effects such as depression, among other problems, affect their well-
ness overall and end up affecting the culture in general.5 The lack of employment has
injected desperation in the population, becoming more aggressive and violent.6 This is
completely linked to their mental capacity, and the criminality that is constantly increas-
ing in the island, as a result of the economic situation.7
Puerto Rico climate is known to be very hot consistently throughout almost ev-
ery season. Lately, this has been getting worst due to global warming. Puerto Ricans
have not taken advantage of natural ventilation to address the issue of high tempera-
tures inside living and work spaces; developments and constructions in general have
not been designed environmentally oriented.8 The lack of vegetation and the constant
creation of massive concrete buildings, where civilians gather the most, make it impos-
sible to cool places naturally.
During the last few years the economy has passed through such bad situation 4 Progrma de Desarrollo Profesional, UPR/PUPR/ATI, Mejora de la calidad de espacio public peatonal a lo
largo de la Avenida Roosevelt, 4, 30 informe final 5 Erica Sanchez, Camila Espina, “Crisis Economica y Criminalidad:un explosive binomio”, Dialogo Digital, 6/21/2011, www.dialogodigital.com/index.php/Crisis-economica-y-criminalidad-un-explosivo-binomio.html, accessed 4/19/2012 6 Erica Sanchez, Camila Espina, “Crisis Economica y Criminalidad: un explosivo binomio”, Dialogo Digital, 6/21/2011, www.dialogodigital.com/index.php/Crisis-economica-y-criminalidad-un-explosivo-binomio.html, accessed 4/19/2012 7 Puerto Rico Expresa, “La falta de empleos es la verdadera crisis”, 10/18/2011, http://www.puertoricoex-presa.com/2011/10/la-falta-de-empleos-es-la-verdadera-crisis/, accessed 4/19/2012 8 We care green team UPRM, “Reducir energia”, http://www.uprm.edu/wecare.redenergy.html, accessed 4/19/2012.
13
that the costs for utilities have been duplicated, or even triplicated, depending of the
area.9 Currently Puerto Rican government is working on a project to reduce energy cost
with the use of natural gas, but the expenses to make this possible have been so high
that the hope to reduce energy cost relies on eliminating the dependence of petroleum.
The incomes of people haven’t increased, but more people are losing their jobs
as a result of the economical crisis that has affected many countries.10 This makes it dif-
ficult to afford the lifestyle that people use to have before this crisis begun. Architects
are not helping to improve the environment and the financial situation, what makes
shorter the list of environmental friendly buildings in Puerto Rico. 11
Knowing about the importance of the culture and the socialization among
Puerto Rican people, and been aware of the adverse effect of the economical crisis,
we can say that a harmful effect have occurred with traditions among this population,
which has been vanished or significantly reduced.
9 Senator Fas Alzamora, Senado de Purto Rico, Resolution R.del S. 2247.
10 Peter Gevorkian, Alternative Energy systems in Building design, (2009), 11 Erica Sanchez, Camila Espina, “Crisis Economica y Criminalidad:un explosive binomio”, Dialogo Digital, 6/21/2011, www.dialogodigital.com/index.php/Crisis-economica-y-criminalidad-un-explosivo-binomio.html, accessed 4/19/2012
14
15
Could architecture be the solution for health, criminality and economy? This
could create conflict of values but looking from the sustainable perspective this could
become a reality in a near future. Sustainability can improve and even change non ar-
chitectural issues, such as economical problems, over a long term period.1 At this time,
is imperative to think in a sustainable way to understand that this could put an end to
the economical crisis, and at the same time this could recover cultural traditions.
There are many options for the solution to problems regarding electrical ex-
penses that people have not even considered in the country, such as tidal power, wind
power, solar energy and people’s energy. The implementation of these, as well as the 1 David Edwards, “Energy trading & investing trading, risk management and structuring deals in the en-
ergy markets”, (2009)
Cultural, Technical and Environmental Objects
16
utilization of the concept of the conservation of energy can definitely be of substantial
importance for the improvement of the economy and the development of new sustain-
able-energy options. Using the right technology, electrical as well as water costs can be
reduced significantly, making it possible to keep a business running without major ex-
penses. More people will have to learn about this technology, experts in the area will be
hired; more employments and more opportunities will be created. The requirements of
people to install and give maintenance to these will help reduce the rate of unemployed
population in the country as well. This change in electrical expenses could improve
economy. All this together could also be translated into a decrease in unemployment
rates, and the possibility of increasing salaries.
The creation of a sustainable space in which people and nature will provide the
energy for the building operates is the ideal option to reduce expenses. Reduction in
utility cost could end up reducing prices of items sold and result in savings for custom-
er’s pocket; allowing people to maintain the socialization aspect of culture.
The project will be located in the coast of Puerto Rico, where breezes, water, sun and
moon could be transformed to provide a great contribution to the energy the build-
ing needs. Another element to take into consideration for the contribution of sustain-
able energy sources will be the customers themselves and the energy obtained by their
movements. Since energy is not destructed but transformed, every step taken can be
translated into energy if advantage is taken of existent technology. This energy could be
transformed, adding this as a source of power the project will use to run with.
17
What is a country without culture? What is a culture without people? People
define the culture as culture can define a country, always referring to background and
history to explain present. According to Merrian-Webster dictionary culture is defined
as the integrated pattern of human knowledge, belief, and behavior that depends upon
the capacity for learning and transmitting knowledge to succeeding generations. Pop-
ular culture is defined as the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a
racial, religious, or social group; and the characteristic features of everyday existence
shared by people in a place or time . 1
Puerto Rican culture is the resultant mix of Taínos, Spanish and Africans, later
1Merrian Webster dictionary,2012, http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/culture%5B1%5D?show=0&t=1326336686
Cultural Historic Background
18
on diverted by the influence of Americans.2 These cultures bring to Puerto Rico back-
grounds of dissimilar life styles, behaviors and characteristics that people from different
countries used to have in the past, and which have evolved as one unique through his-
tory once they have mixed together.
The first inhabitants of Puerto Rico were native Taíno, a descendant Venezuela
Arawak Indians tribe. The Taíno Indians lived in theocratic kingdoms and had a hierar-
chically arranged chiefs or caciques.3 The Taínos were divided in three social classes,
and depending on their social level were the task they used to perform: the naborias
(work class), the nitaínos or sub-chiefs and noblemen (priests and medicine men) and
the caciques (chiefs). Every yucayeque or village used to have one cacique.4 The nabo-
rias were free workers subject to service obligations who carried out the more onerous
and repetitive tasks.5 Under the Spanish the labors performed by the naborias for the
caciques were transferred to the holders of the Encomienda. (The Encomienda was the
legal system employed by the Spanish crown during the colonization of the Americas to
regulate Native American labor.) The pre-Conquest organization of the naborias labor
made it easier to introduce the eventual distribution of the workers.6
Taínos, use to settle closer to sea or rivers, since they were sea going and live in
the great extent on seafood. They use to entertain themselves with football (batú), mu-
sic, dance and rituals. They use to be very collective and had many activities in which
2 Sebastian Robiou, Aportacion indigena a la cultura Puertorriquena, 1992, Premio Concurso de Articulos V Centenario 3 Robert L Muckley, Adela Martinez Santiago, Stories From Puerto Rico, 1344 Http://www.topuertorico.org/reference/taino.shtml 5 Robert L. Muckley, Adela Martinez Santiago, Stories of Puerto Rico 135 6 Fernando Pico, History of Puerto Rico a Panorama of its People, (Princeton, NJ) 15
19
socializing played an important role. The areitos was known as the maximum indig-
enous artistic expression, in which Taínos used to assemble to perform sacred dances,
smoke tobacco and herbs while invoking their gods by the use of music and dance.7
At each stage in history the various inhabitants of the country have used re-
sources of Puerto Rican islands to satisfy their needs for food, housing and collective
needs. Nevertheless, their use of these resources has sometimes failed to preserve the
necessary balance for their renewal. The early Taínos barely modify the insular ecology.
Their settlements near the mangrove swamps made little impact on the surrounding
land, flora and fauna. Later on Taínos of the agro-ceramic cultures began cultivation
by using the technique known as slash-and-burn. They set fire to a piece of land to
clear the undergrowth and then to take advantage of the initial fertility provided by the
ashes. This practice, although it damaged the soil which was then exposed to erosion
by wind and rain, did not affect the fertility of the land when the number of people who
lived on it was relatively low, between 25 and 100. Nine to ten years was enough for the
abandoned terrain to recover its residual topsoil and develop new tree canopies.8
Christopher Columbus, arrived to the Island on November 19, 1493, on his sec-
ond travel to the New World. In 1508 Juan Ponce de Leon settles on the island with 42
men, and became the first governor of San Juan Bautista, Spanish name for Boriquen
(Puerto Rico).9 Upon arrival, the Spanish colonists began a chain of events that redi-
rected the music, religious and lifestyle course of Puerto Rico. The Church and the army
change: Catholicism imported instruments and teachers, while the militia instituted
7 Http://www.topuertorico.org/reference/taino.shtml 8 Fernando Pico, History of Puerto Rico a Panorama of its People, (Princeton, NJ) 13 9 Lisa Pierce Flores, History of Puerto Rico, 8
20
small bands. Since the beginning of the 16th century, the music area of the island heav-
ily influenced by the Spanish presence included a variety of instruments of European
extraction such as drums, harp, bells and the harpsichord, among others. Music and
religion were not the only aspects of Taino habits and culture that changed, but also the
architecture, social classes, government, economy and lifestyle in general.
The conquerors founded gold deposits in the island, which lead Taínos to work
for them to provide gold to the Spanish crown. News of the island wealth encourage
other Spaniards to join in the colonization. The contacts with the Spaniards and the new
work regime eventually exposed the Tainos to diseases they have never experienced
before and for which they lack immunity. 10
In 1511, King Ferdinand authorized massive trade of African slaves on the is-
land. The groups of African affecting the ethnic and cultural formation of the island in-
clude Ashanti and Fante in Ghana, the southern shore of River Niger Carabalíes, Congos
of Equatorial Africa and, from late eighteen century until the middle of the nineteen
century, the Yoruba and Mende of West Africa. Slaves were characterized by a strong
foundation to their traditions and ancestral beliefs, intimately linked to their dances and
music.11
As slaves, segregated from the rest of the community, they had their own activi-
ties, music, rituals, and religion which become directly from their African roots. Bringing
with them their music, religion and traditions; and adapting it with the Caribbean envi-
ronment and the materials they find to make musical instruments they begin the cre-
10 R. A. Van Middeldyk, The History of Puerto Rico, (2008) 9 11 Fernando Pico, History of Puerto Rico: A Panorama of its People, (Princeton, NJ, 2009) 143
21
ation of different music styles, dances, drinks and activities overall. Some of the music
created by them still alive today forming an important part of the Puerto Rican culture.
With these styles festivals, dances and parties celebrated under trees or any other place
in contact with nature.12
Fortress have been constructed to protect the island from attacks, and the is-
land became important due to geographical position and wealthy. In the first half of
the sixteenth century, many Spanish ships took advantages of the favorable northeast-
erly trade winds in navigation, what made of Puerto Rico’s western coast their first stop
in the New World. There they took on water and provisions for their journey to Santo
Domingo, Veracruz, the Panama coast, or some other Spanish Port. These stops at the
watering places on the western coast stimulated the early development of that part of
the island. 13
Once the exportation of gold declined in the 1520, the island became less pro-
ductive, establishments of sugar mills in Puerto Rico started. Every mill had a hacienda,
(modest area of land, generally situated on the banks of a river, and a destined for sug-
arcane cultivation and the necessary food supplies for its workers. It generally included
meadows for oxen and other domestic and industrial use. )14 The few slaves left on the
island by the end of the 16th century were concentrated in the haciendas. The estan-
cia’s workface was its household. Depending on the resources of the hato’s owners, it
could accommodate kinsmen, slaves, servants, or any others who, in one way or an-
other, found in it a means of subsistence.12 Ivonne Figueroa, AfroBorinquen Culture, El Boricua, http://www.elboricua.com/AfroBorinquen_Culture.html, accessed 4/24/2012 13 Fernando Pico, History of Puerto Rico: A Panorama of its People., 71 14 Fernando Pico, History of Puerto Rico: A Panorama of Its People, (Princeton, NJ, )65
22
In 1898 American troops led by General Nelson Miles, invade Puerto Rico and
assigned an American governor to the Island. Further on after many rebellions and
disputes, Puerto Rico in 1949 achieved to have their own elected governor. In 1952
the US Congress and the Puerto Rican people ratify constitution, making Puerto Rico a
Commonwealth or freely associated state (Estado Libre Asociado).15
The presence of United States in the island brought with it many changes relat-
ed to economy, industry and politics.16 Upon the arrival of Americans, existent Puerto
Rican culture based on agrarian capitalism of coffee and sugar plantations with peas-
ant economy and patriarchal and semi-feudal relations, adverse those from the United
Sates with its industrial capitalism, and financial and trade. 17
15 Lisa Pierce Flores, The History of Puerto Rico, 24 16 Carlos Di Nubila, Carmen N. Rodriguez Cortes, “Puerto Rico:Sociedad, cultura y educacion:ANtologia de Lecturas, 108 17 Carlos Di Nubila, Carmen N. Rodriguez Cortes, “Puerto Rico:Sociedad, cultura y educacion:Antologia de Lecturas, 109
23
“A wide range of environmental factors has influenced architecture in the Caribbean Is-
lands, and these factors differ from island to island, as well on individual island. Each en-
vironmental aspect affected building material availability and each presented unique
demands for shelter and comfort requirements.”
- Edward E. Crain, Historic Architecture in the Caribbean Islands
Architectural Historic Background
24
If we go back to the primitive hut, we will understand how everything was re-
lated to basic needs only and people helping them in favor of nature.1 With the pass
of the years this concept have changed drastically, same as architectural expressions.
Constructions used to be done in order to fulfill basics needs only, but history have
gave it other characteristics when changing government, religion or ideas. It have be-
come a direct representation of the historic time we live therefore a depiction of culture
and country.
As architecture represent space and space define the way the user will experi-
ence the building and how it will feel in it, with architectural and aesthetic changes
during the history quality of spaces have varied as well; changing for better or worse
the quality of spaces people are daily using and experiencing.
1 Historic architecture in the Caribbean Island
25
The Taíno settlements were single family units in town of 50 or more houses ar-
ranged around circular counts. Taino villages were called yucayeques. The houses were
of two types: the huts and the caney.1 Huts, also called “bohios”, were circular, with diam-
eter made from bamboo an exterior fixed with wild cane or palms which were secured
with small branches of vine. (Figure 1.1) A cone shaped roof was framed to the center
posts and attached with grass and palm fronds. The second tye of housing existent was
the “Caney”, where the chieftains used to live. (Figure 1.2) It was rectangular in shape
and a more spacious than the “Bohio”, with roof gable and a front marquee of receipt
being located opposite the batey or place where the member of the tribe were gathered
to celebrate many of their social and ceremonial activities.
1 Bobby Kalman, The Lands, People and Culture Series, New York, NY, 2003, 6
Vernacular Architecture
26
Both type of housing were made of wood poles or bamboo buried in soil and
reeds lapel made of Rattans with roofs of palm leaves, straw, leaving in the top a vent for
the easily extraction of air and smoke from the members who always kept the homes. A
single bohío could accommodate several families, was common among the taínos mar-
ried daughters lived in the homes of parents.
Generally, villages were arranged surrounding a square or a platform in which
the batey was performed, as well as the major festivities, such as the areítos and the cer-
emony of cohoba. Hammocks were hung on the tree to be protected from sun and rain
effect.
Figure 1.1 Figure 1.2
27
Colonial architecture was created in Puerto Rico during the 16th and 17th cen-
tury with the arrival of Spaniards to the Island. This buildings were painted in pastel
colors, had tiled roof and balconies with ornaments (Figure 1.3). All these buildings ac-
cessed to an inner courtyard style of Andalucia in Southern Spain. 1
Fortress were constructed during these period as well, since the island was first
port of call for galleons entering the West Indies and the last safe harbor for ships, laden
with treasures , making the return to Cadiz or Sevilla. The most notable of these struc-
tures include El Morro, the San Juan Cathedral and the Dominican Convent Casa Blanca.
Constructions were made out of materials available in the area such as stone and wood.
1 Eduardo Tejeira Davis, Roots of Latin American Architecture, 1987, 420
Colonial Architecture
28
Soon they started to join tiles and bricks as decorative materials. 2
Mélange of buildings that range from Popular style during the conquest to Neo-
classic in the 19th century. The Dominican Convent is another 16th century structure, in
which tall arcades galleries and large interior patios predominates.
Churches were constructed near or in connection with the plaza of the munici-
pality. This was important becoming the focus of a large open space. 3 All churches
were constructed with the same characteristics, predominantly Gothic influence. 4
Colonial architecture has interior courtyards (Figure 1.4), balconies and canti-
lever roof to protect spaces from sun and to bring breezes into spaces. The need to
form a connection with outdoors environment is fundamental. 5 More appreciation
for the outdoor allowed the garden to become an important part of the living environ-
ment, which led the connection of architectural elements between the outdoors and
the building enclosure.6 Architectural elements such as galleries, verandas, porches,
balconies, larger windows, louvers, among others, are used as aesthetic as well as cli-
mate features. These take advantage of the climate and at the same time offer a degree
of privacy while filtering sunlight, allowing air to flow into the building and maintaining
a visual connection with the outside. Interior courtyards allow the flow of the breezes
from one side of the building to the other while letting indirect light come into the 2 Eduardo Tejeira Davis, Roots of Latin American Architecture, 1987, 23 3Thomas S Marvel, Maria Luisa Moreno, La Arquietctura de Templos Parroquiales de Puerto Rico, (San Juan, PR 1994)32. 4Thomas S Marvel, Maria Luisa Moreno, La Arquietctura de Templos Parroquiales de Puerto Rico, (San Juan, PR 1994)34. 5 Edward E. Crain, Historic Architecture in the Caribbean Islands, University Press of Florida, Gainsville, FL, 85 6 Edward E. Crain, Historic Architecture in the Caribbean Islands, University Press of Florida, Gainsville, FL, 86
29
Figure 1.4
Figure 1.3
Figure 1.5
30
spaces. Courtyards allow the plantation of vegetation, and at the same time create a
space for gathering people as well as for creating activities in contact with nature.
Porches allow crossed ventilation improving the quality of air inside of the build-
ings. The roof of the porch is the shadow device that avoids the direct entrance of light,
and allows the pass of natural diffuse light into spaces. (Figure 1.5) This decreases the
need of artificial light during the day, as well as the need of artificial ventilation because
air can get into spaces through the windows and because the presence of diffused light
does not transmit as much heat as the direct light do.
31
The industrial revolution introduced to the world man made materials which
require a lot of energy to be produced and which could be affecting nonrenewable
resources, which end up affecting nature and the environment we live in. With the pres-
ence of the Americans in the island, many changes occurred in architecture. Americans
brought to the island that sense of modernism the island didn’t had and the view of
progress that later on changed quality of spaces and modified lifestyle and relationship
with environment.
Nature and spaces for gathering people and socializing, used to be an impor-
tant part of the architecture, as well as part of the cultural aspect. It was very common
the use of wood doors to access interior courtyards and the existence of multiple win-
Current Architecture
32
dows to allow crossed ventilation. The relationship between human and nature use to
be sacred, a really important part of life in every person. During this period the relation-
ship with nature still important but addressed in a different manner. Since materials
have changed, the application of new materials with non-seen before qualities became
important and even popular. A good example of this is the glass, material that allow the
entrance of natural light, and creating windows with that material also allow the cross
ventilation. Concrete is really important for Puerto Rican architecture, since its qualities
allow it to persist during hurricanes and other natural disasters. Wood was substituted,
mainly by these new materials that were inexistent before. The qualities, strengths, du-
rability among other characteristics that these new materials had put them in the list of
preferences when constructing; at the same time began the way to harm the environ-
ment.1
In colonial architecture the architecture, construction, decorations, among oth-
ers, were made from natural materials, most taken from renewable sources. It doesn’t
imply that these types of construction doesn’t harm environment at all, but at least, the
way of manipulating the materials didn’t polished the environment in the same way
these new materials were acting. Not only that, but also the inclination about the pro-
grams of the building were a problem to the environmental ambit as well. Construct-
ing industries was seen as a symbol of progress and economic growth but at the same
time it was a subsidy for the environment and health of people. The implementation
of machinery left in a secondary position the architectural design, giving more impor-
1 Marian Keeler, Bill Burke, Fundamentals of integrated design for sustainable buildings, Hoboken, NJ, 87
33
Figure 1.7
Figure 1.6
34
tance to those engineering technologies.2 The implementation of air conditioning was
the solution for hot weather and the substitution of crossed ventilation. Mentality of
people began to change believing that comfort was created by equipment rather than
architectural design.3
The new materials required as well new people to build trained in these materi-
als. Architects from different parts of the world came to the island to implement the
modern architecture. Henry Klumb was an important architect in the transformation of
the island, and responsible for many important buildings, now considered historic. He
implemented the environmental design in conjunction with the industrial techniques,
creating spaces that improve the quality of life. His architecture implemented the use
of natural light. (Figure 1.6) cross ventilation, environmental orientation of the building,
relationship user with nature (Figure 1.7), referencing to all those strategies used in co-
lonial architecture, but with the use of new materials. Many other architects tried to do
similar things and many of them accomplished it. The problem became with the pass of
the years, when the concrete became massive in the island and the dearth of vegetation
improved even more. (Figure 1.8) Standardization in construction, brought ceilings to
its minimum making them 8 ft. height, what concentrate the heat absorbed by the con-
crete during all day and liberating that heat during night making spaces warm all day
long. What used to be cantilevers to use as shade have been reduced to the point that
natural light have become uncomfortable for the interior spaces, creating the necessity
of curtains and therefore the use of artificial light in the interior space.4 (Figure 1.9)2Marian Keeler, Bill Burke, Fundamentals of integrated design for sustainable buildings, Hoboken, NJ, 88 3 Marian Keeler, Bill Burke, Fundamentals of integrated design for sustainable buildings, Hoboken, NJ, 874 Enrique Vivoni, Periferia: Publications: Hacia una modernidad tropical: la obra de Henry Klumb, http://www.periferia.org/publications/obraklumb.html, accessed 4/20/2012
35 Figure 1.9
Figure 1.8
36
All those things that were used in the past for a better quality of life have been
forgotten with the pass of the years making the new generations unaware of the im-
portance of nature, of the environment and ignorant of the meaning of sustainability.
Currently most spaces created are not environmentally oriented and do not related to
nature. Many of the plazas created don’t have trees to provide shadow and better qual-
ity of air and breeze. Almost all of the new buildings constructed, try to be too modern
forgetting about all the environmental aspects that apply on the island. This is a big
mistake made by architects where the incorrect use of glass in buildings have let the
pass massive amount of light without being filtered making a space uncomfortable and
hotter.
New developments are not taking in consideration geographical position, light,
wind, among other natural consideration, while taking design decisions. Many trees
have been taken off the site without been replanted.
Prior to the advent of air-conditioning, hot conditions were ameliorated by
shading and air movement. To permit ventilation windows were operable and distrib-
uted across different high elevations. 5 The lack of vegetation and the constant creation
of massive concrete buildings, where civilians gather the most, make it impossible to
cool places naturally.6
5 Marian Keeler, Bill Burke, Fundamentals of integrated design for sustainable buildings, Hoboken, NJ, 806 Marian Keeler, Bill Burke, Fundamentals of integrated design for sustainable buildings, Hoboken, NJ, 98
37
All those things that were used in the past for a better quality of life have been
forgotten with the pass of the years making the new generations unaware of the impor-
tance of nature, of the environment and ignorant of the meaning of sustainability.1
There is a lack of sustainable technologies, as well as a lack of practice of envi-
ronmental design in the buildings that have been created in Puerto Rico, during the last
couple of decades. Many years ago the sustainable technologies were inexistent but
the design of buildings played an important role in the inner spaces.2 The orientation
of the buildings and the design, use to allow natural ventilation as well as natural light
into spaces, making unnecessary the use of artificial ventilation, and reducing the use of 1 Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico, Gobierno Municipal Autonomo de Carolina, Declaración de Im-pacto Ambiental Preliminar de la Revision Integral del Plan Territorial, June 2005 2 Student Service Building, http://innbrooklyn.wordpress.com/2010/05/04/tropical-modern-architecture-with-a-green-twist/, accessed 5/7/2012
E nvironmental and Sustainability Issues
38
artificial light, during the day. This practice has been lost. New constructions have not
been environmentally oriented, what have made necessary the use of air conditioning
in every building.3
Puerto Rico climate is known to be very hot consistently throughout almost ev-
ery season. Lately, this has been getting worst due to global warming.4 Puerto Ricans
have not taken advantage of natural ventilation to address the issue of high tempera-
tures inside living and work spaces; developments and constructions in general have
not been designed environmentally oriented. .
The opening in windows is really important for the indoor air quality.5 To con-
trol the air that is coming in the building as well as the quality of the air, is important to
consider certain factors, such as building sitting orientation, building height, building
openings, establishment of interior light and noise criteria, selection of ventilation and
HVAC systems. All this considerations have to be appropriate for the climate, location
and building type and occupancy.
The quantity and quality of green spaces in the island is reducing considerably,
which make the situation even worst.6 The number of spaces without air conditioning
in the island are becoming inexistent because is impossible to be without it due to the
lack of ventilation. Even when windows are open there’s no flow of air because of the
bad orientation or the quantity of wind barriers (other buildings). The island is becom-
ing a mass of concrete with no ventilation and no interaction with nature.
3 Marian Keeler, Bill Burke, Fundamentals of integrated design for sustainable buildings, Hoboken, NJ, 874 Marian Keeler, Bill Burke, Fundamentals of integrated design for sustainable buildings, Hoboken, NJ, 90 5 Marian Keeler, Bill Burke, Fundamentals of integrated design for sustainable buildings, Hoboken, NJ, 846 Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico, Gobierno Municipal Autonomo de Carolina, Declaración de Im-pacto Ambiental Preliminar de la Revision Integral del Plan Territorial, June 2005
39
Utilities cost are increasing every day making unable the stability of business.1
Puerto Rican culture, as well as wellness of the people has been affected due to this. The
mix of lack of sustainability and the increase in utilities prices have become a problem in
the country. Since sustainable technologies haven’t been implemented in the country
and the design have not been environmentally oriented, people don’t know of ways to
reduce cost and get a better life style.
With all the environmental issues that have been created globally is really im-
portant to begin using technologies to help improve the situation, and to create re-
sources for future generations. This is something many people try to apply to their life, 1CB Staff of Caribbean Business, Industry unhappy about imminent 100% rise in water rates, Puerto Rico Herald, June 23, 2005 http://www.puertorico-herald.org/issues2/2005/vol09n25/CBIndustry.html, ac-cessed 5/7/2012
Economical Issues
40
especially now when been green is the latest trend, have become very fashionable and
popular. The issue in Puerto Rico is that people don’t know how to be green, they think
recycling and reusing is the only way, but people haven’t started thinking about plant-
ing vegetation, using sun or wind for creating energy instead of the conventional energy
source produced by petroleum, among many other options available. These are issues
that could improve even better the situation. This won’t change the environment com-
pletely, but at least would help the economy; reducing costs of utilities.
The economic crisis has affected salaries, employments and business all over the
world. These have been affecting even worst the culture, because the lack of money and
the amount of closing business have been restricting certain social habits. Figure 1.10
shows the unemployment rate in the island.
Because of the importance of the culture and the socialization among Puerto
Rican people, and the negative effect of the economic crisis, traditions among this popu-
lation has been lost or significantly reduced. The variety of places for people to socialize
has been significantly reduced, which affects directly the social aspect of Puerto Rican
population.
The economic crisis has affected the possibilities of people affording the lifestyle
that people use to have before this crisis begun. 2
We are living in a period in which resources are limited even when we might
think they aren’t. Starting by the water which compose 74% of the earth3 and 60 % of
2 The wall Street Journal, Puerto Rico’s Economic Slump Weighs Hard on Consumers Cost of Living Surges As Inflation Helps Tip Island Into Recession, August 14, 2007, The wall Street Journal, Economy, http://on-line.wsj.com/article/SB118705864479596908.html, accessed 5/7/20123 Christen Petersen, Renewing Earth’s Water, Tarrytown, NY, 2011, 8
41
human body, 4 97 % of the water the of the world is polluted, 2 % is frozen into polar ice
sheets and glaciers and only 1% is remaining for consumption. This is what makes a re-
sources basic as water important thou expensive.5 With combustible we are experienc-
ing similar circumstances. Energy for cooling places, for light, refrigeration, and even for
gas to run a car depend on this. Combustible comes from fossil fuels (non-renewable re-
source) many miles away from distance. This way of acquiring energy could have been
changed many years ago by many other existent alternatives, but still economy and
government still supporting the entrance of this to the island. This source is hard to get
and expensive since there’s not much left. The rises in these prices compromise every
day more customer’s pockets.
All this could be seen as an environmental issue, but many people don’t see it as
an issue till their budgets is affected, seeing it from another perspective; economical.
Puerto Rico has become one more in the list of countries affected by this issue. This has
resumed in the increase of utilities prices.
In 1978 the cost of petroleum starts increasing, but in 1985 it began decreasing
again. The problem with this increases in petroleum price is that is immediately reflect-
ed in the cost of electricity, but once the price of petroleum decrease is hard to see the
difference in reductions of energy prices. Even when the petroleum reduces its costs
the life style of people is changing, reason for the company to increase cost of energy.
The really notable change in price of petroleum begins in 1998, since that the
cost of electricity has changed yearly, affecting population economies. During the year
2010, the changes in price of electricity have increased monthly. These increases are 4 Denis M. Medeiros,Robert E. C. Wildman, Advanced Human Nutrition, MA, 2000,169 Second Edition 5 Markita K. Hill, Understanding Environmental Pollution, Cambridge University Press, 2010, 267
42
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Unemployment Rate
Unemployment Rate
changes of 1% or 2%, but in people’s budget are significant. The salaries of the popula-
tion are not increasing at all but the life style is what makes imperative a solution for
things such as energy cost.
Solving energy cost in the country would not solve the economical problem but
it will contribute to the economy.
Using the right technology, electrical as well as water costs can be reduced sig-
nificantly, making it possible to keep a business running without major expenses. More
people will have to learn about this technology, experts in the area will be hired; more
employments and more opportunities will be created. The requirements of people to
install and give maintenance to these will help reduce the rate of unemployed popula-
tion in the country as well. This change in electrical expenses could improve economy.
All this together could also be translated into a decrease in unemployment rates, and
the possibility of increasing salaries.
Figure 1.10
43
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1934
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
Price of liter - Petroleum
Price of Kwh - Electricity
13.36 14.43 13.79 22.04 30.7 29.66 28.35 29.11 28.76 20.99 15.24 16.56 14.8 18.35 18.36 14.98 17.05 15.81 17.57 19.09 20.68 18.79 14.96 23.94 29.73 23.25 30.52 30.98 39.96 56.78 58.68 84.63
5.32 5.69 5.62 7.47 9.83 10.98 10.64 10.64 10.59 8.86 7.8 8.05 7.69 9.41 9.65 8.97 9.49 9.11 9.48 9.76 10.15 9.7 8.99 10.94 12.44 11.3 12.61 12.83 14.81 17.99 17.76 22.19
Diagrams show how the cost of electricity, as well as the cost of the petroleum have
been increasing from 1976 to 2007 . Prices reflected are: cents per kwh for electricity
and cent per liter in petroleum.
Cost of Petroleum VS Cost of Electricity
44
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32Series2 13.36 14.43 13.79 22.04 30.7 29.66 28.35 29.11 28.76 20.99 15.24 16.56 14.8 18.35 18.36 14.98 17.05 15.81 17.57 19.09 20.68 18.79 14.96 23.94 29.73 23.25 30.52 30.98 39.96 56.78 58.68 84.63Series1 5.32 5.69 6.62 7.47 9.83 10.98 10.64 10.64 10.59 8.86 7.8 8.05 7.69 9.41 9.65 8.97 9.49 9.11 9.84 9.76 10.15 9.7 8.99 10.94 12.44 11.3 12.61 12.83 14.81 17.99 17.76 22.19
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Axis
Title
Chart Title19
76
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1934
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
¢
Figure 1.11
13.36 14.43 13.79 22.04 30.7 29.66 28.35 29.11 28.76 20.99 15.24 16.56 14.8 18.35 18.36 14.98 17.05 15.81 17.57 19.09 20.68 18.79 14.96 23.94 29.73 23.25 30.52 30.98 39.96 56.78 58.68 84.63
5.32 5.69 5.62 7.47 9.83 10.98 10.64 10.64 10.59 8.86 7.8 8.05 7.69 9.41 9.65 8.97 9.49 9.11 9.48 9.76 10.15 9.7 8.99 10.94 12.44 11.3 12.61 12.83 14.81 17.99 17.76 22.19
45
46
Chapter 2Context
47
0
1
1
2
2
3
3
4
4
5
1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2004 2005 2010
Population, 4.027 millions
Mill
ions
Population (1960-2010) Population (1960-2010)
Figure 2.1
Demographics
48
52%
48%
Population
Female
Male
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
0-15 15-44 45-64 65 +
Perc
enta
ge
Ages of PopulationAges of Population Gender of Population
Figure 2.2 Figure 2.3
52%
48%
Population
Female
Male
49
Agriculture plays a small role in the economy. Goods-producing industries, such
as construction and manufacturing, are significant when compared to the norm in the
United States (Table 2). The government also plays an important role: many of the utili-
ties (electricity and water), education, and a lesser extent, health services are provided
by government entities, In manufacturing, the number of jobs in the production of
pharmaceuticals is exceptionally high. Nearly 4 % of all employees in the private sector
of the Island work in this industry, more than ten times the average on the continent.
Educational services are a substantial share of private sector jobs on the Island. In con-
trast, the number of jobs in industries professional and technical services is relatively
low and until the share of services in the field Financial is somewhat lower than average.
Industry
50 Figure 2.4
Industry Comparison Between Puerto Rico and USA
Other Private Services
Hospitality and Food Services
Arts, Entertainment and Recreation
Health and Welfare
Educational Service
Administrative Services and Waste Management
Companies and Enterprises Management
Technical amd Profesional Services
Finances, Insurance and Real State
Information
Public Services
Transportation and Storage
Retail Trade
Wholesale
Pharmaceutical Products
Manufacturing
Construction
Mining
Agriculture, Forestry fishing and hunting
Puerto Rico
USA
51
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
No high school Diploma High School Diploma Some College Associate Degree, Bachelor Degree, Master
Degree or PhD
Education (Population between 25 and 44 years old)
Figure 2.5
Educational and Professional Context
52
Today, education is a matter of high priority for Puerto Rico; it is evident in the
island’s overall literacy rate of 90 percent and its budget for education, approximately
40%. Education is obligatory between 6 to 17 years old. Primary school consists of six
grades; the secondary levels are divided into 2 cycles of 3 years each. The school term in
public schools starts in August through mid-December and January through late May.
The school system is administered by the Department of Education and has several lev-
els of learning. The language used in the schools is Spanish, however, English is taught
from kindergarten to high school as part of the school curriculum. Some private schools
provide English programs where all classes are conducted in English except for the
Spanish class.
Puerto Rico has more than 50 institutions of higher education. Puerto Rico has
achieved one of the highest college education rates in the world (6th) with 56% of its
college-age students attending institutions of higher learning, according to World Bank
data.
At the present time only a 17.9 percent of population between 25 and 44 years
old haven’t finished high school, while 25.5 of the population have as higher education
achieved a high school diploma. The majority of population in the country between
those ages is educated, having a 16.4 of population with some college education and
40.1 with associate degree, bachelor degree, or any graduate or professional degrees
achieved.1
1 U.S. Census Bureau, 2005 American Community Survey.
53
Puerto Rico is part of the Antilles arc of islands that constitute as an introduction
to Central America and helps form the inland seas American, Caribbean Sea and Gulf
of Mexico. The Antilles is a chain of islands that stretch more than 1500 miles starting
from Florida (USA) to Venezuela (South America). They enclose the Caribbean sea. To the
north and east is the Atlantic Ocean.
These are divided into 3 main groups, the Bahamas, Greater Antilles and the
Lesser Antilles. 1
Puerto Rico is actually an archipelago of islands within the archipelago of the
Antilles. The smaller nearby islands are also part of Puerto Rico. Two of them, Vieques
and Culebra, are municipalities and most of the other small islands are used for wild life
1 Jose Manuel Garcia Leduc, Apuntes para una historia breve de arquitectura,San Juan , PR, 2003, 67
Description of the Region
54
reserves and recreational areas.
Puerto Rico is located at latitude 17 ° 50 ‘and 18 ° 30’ north and longitude 65 °
13 ‘and 67 ° 58’ at the north of the Ecuador and south of the tropic of Cancer. This area of
land which means that receives direct sunlight throughout the year. The location in the
tropics provides basic weather conditions along with other factors like the sea, making
defined as tropical maritime climate. The tropical condition establishes a hot weather
condition throughout the year.
The winds are another factor that affects the climate of Puerto Rico. The main
pattern of winds from the east-northeast and are called trade winds and the shaft, cen-
tral mountain. Its geographical position places the country in an area of cyclones or
hurricanes.
Known as La Isla Grande, the main island of Puerto Rico is almost rectangular in shape
and has an area of 100 miles long by 35 miles wide. The territory is very mountainous
(cover 60%), except in the regional coasts, but Puerto Rico offers astonishing variety:
rain forest, deserts, beaches, caves, oceans and rivers. It is divided into three geographi-
cal areas; the Central Interior Mountain Ranges, Northern Karst, Coastal Plains. The cen-
tral interior Mountain Ranges cover the most of the island, including interior mountains,
mountain sides, low areas within the mountains and hills. These mountain ranges are La
Cordillera Central, La Sierra de Cayey, La Sierra de Luquillo, and La Sierra Bermeja.
The Northern Karst is located in the northern interior mountainous part of the island
of Puerto Rico. This particular area consists of formations of limestone rock dissolved
by water throughout the geological ages. This area consists of formations of rugged
volcanic rock dissolved by water throughout the geological ages. This limestone region
55
is an extremely attractive zone of haystack hills, sinkholes, caves, limestone cliffs, and
other karst features.
The Coastal Plains are smaller in square miles than the Central Interior Mountain Rang-
es and the Northern Karst. (Figure 2.6) This area, which is relatively flat, was originally
formed by the erosion of the interior mountains. The largest cities on the island are
located here, San Juan to the north, Ponce to the south and Mayaguez to the west.
Beaches and sand dunes are abundant on Puerto Rico’s 1,126 kilometers of coast. 2
2Patricia Levy, Nazry Bahrawi, Cultures of the World Puerto Rico, Tarrytown, 2005, Second EditionNew York, 7-12
Costal Plains
Areas of Karst Topography
Mountainous Area
Approximate axis of mountain chain
56
N
Figure 2.6
Atlantic Ocean
Caribbean Sea
57
The climate is Tropical Marine with regular temperature of 86°F. Puerto Rico en-
joys warm and sunny days most of the year. The winds, which blow from the East, moder-
ate temperatures. In the interior, the temperature fluctuates between 73°F and 82°F.
Rain tends to be evenly distributed throughout the year, but doubles during the
months from May to October, which, unfortunately, coincides with hurricane season, as
falls from November to April, with a driest period from January to April. The north coast
gets twice as much rain as the south coast.
Puerto Rico is expose to the cyclones of Caribbean. Hurricanes frequently occur
between August and October. Dozens of hurricanes have been recorded in the island’s
history, but probably the most destructive was San Ciriaco, which struck on August 8,
1899.
The relative humidity is high, about 80% throughout the year.
Climate
58
0
20
40
60
80
100
120Te
mpe
ratu
re
Month
Maximum and Minimum Temperature in San Juan
Max.
Min.
Maximum and Minimum Temperature in San Juan
Figure 2.7
59
Chapter 3Site Analysis
60 Figure 3.1 Location of the Island in the World Map.
Puerto Rico
N
61
San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico is divided in many districts, being Condado
one of them. (See Figure 3.2 for location map) Condado is a wealthy tourist-oriented
neighborhood, located near Old San Juan, and surrounded by Atlantic Sea and the Con-
dado Lagoon. Currently all the area is being revitalized, erecting new buildings, restor-
ing the roads and other residential buildings in the zone. According to the 2000 United
States Census, it has a population of 6,170 residents.
The beaches in the area are located along all the Atlantic coast, these are popu-
lar by surfers and kite surfers. At the north as well, along the coastline, many hotels are
located, as well as many commercial buildings such as nightclubs, casinos, shops and
restaurants. (See Figure 3.3) This makes Condado one of the island’s primary tourist des-
tinations, as well as a successful zone. It is also one of the few pedestrian oriented areas
of Puerto Rico.
History and Description of the Area
62
San Juan
Condado
Site
N
Figure 3.2
63
Figure 3.3
N
Atlantic Ocean
Condado Lagoon
Touristic Map
64
The site can be accessed from El Puente Dos Hermanos, a bridge that connects
the Historic San Juan with the Ave. Ashford, Condado. In the 1970 this bridge was the
place where people use to go from Thursday to Saturday at night. The frequency of
people there, as well as having vendors who converted trucks into food stands, con-
taminating Condado lagoon with food residue and trash. Puerto Rico government con-
structs a sanitary sewer system to service the structures that were discharging their raw
sewage into the water body. This eff ort in addition with the enlargement of the Dos
Hermanos Bridge to increase water fl ow into the lagoon, improved signifi cantly the wa-
ter quality of the area. Now over 300 species, including birds, reptiles, amphibians and
tropical fi shes, are associated with the Lagoon and its mangrove habitat, including 124
species of fi sh. The Lagoon includes coral reefs that are home to sponges, starfi sh and
sea urchins and other fi sh and marine invertebrates. Turtles and manatees now make
the Condado Lagoon their habitat.
El Condado began its process of urbanization in 1908 by the Behn brothers, two
brothers who worked in the industry in America. Their growth and development was
mostly in the form of transport-infl uenced by sub urbanization and developed a Plan
grid. El Condado becomes a typical suburb to the traditional urban center of old San
Juan. This area experienced a change in the early decades of the 20th century, when
some of the richest families built their homes in the area, giving some prestige to the
zone.
The area looks very diff erent compared to what it was in the 20th the century.
Some of the luxurious homes located between the skyscrapers of condominiums have
become mall inns, shops, museums and restaurants.
65
Walking Time:Time in walking distance is measured from the center of the site
First radius - 2.5 minutes walking distance, which equal 1/4 of a mile.
Second radius - 5 minutes walk equals 1/2 mile and
Third radius - 10 minutes walking distance, which equals 1 mile of distance from the
center of the site.
Site Surroundings
66
10
5
2.5
N
Atlantic Ocean
Condado Lagoon
Conr
ad S
an Ju
an C
onda
do P
laza
Puen
te D
os H
erm
anos
Ram
ada
Site
Figure 3.4
Figure 3.5
Figure 3.6
Figure 3.7
67
Figure 3.8
Figure 3.11
Figure 3.9
Figure 3.10
Figure 3.12 Figure 3.13
68
N
Atlantic Ocean
Condado Lagoon
1/2 mile
1 mile
View of the site surroundings taken
from the street in the direction the ar-
row is pointing
Figure 3.14
69
1 mile
1/2 m
ile
N
Atlantic Ocean
Condado Lagoon
Solid Void:
Offi
ce B
uild
ing
Re
stau
rant
Resi
denc
e
Figure 3.15
Figure 3.16
Figure 3.17
Figure 3.18
70
The site is currently occupying two parking lots facing the beach front of Con-
dado and having at one side the Ramada Hotel (Figure 3.15), at the other side an offi ce
building (Figure 3.16) and a restaurant (Figure 3.17). In front of the site are residential
buildings. (Figure 3.18) The Ramada Hotel is currently abandoned, but there’s a plan for
its revitalization in a near future. Right next to this hotel is located the Conrad San Juan
Condado Plaza Hotel and Casino. (Figure 3.5) It is currently the closest functional hotel
to the site, and a place often frequented by tourist and Puerto Rican population.
The Conrad San Juan Condado Plaza Hotel and Casino is a luxury hotel in
located at the entrance of Condado. This hotel overlooks the Atlantic Ocean and Con-
dado Lagoon. The building has an energized and chic decoration. This resort has to
off er, museums, upscale shopping, restaurants (Figure 3.19), a lounge (Figure 3.20), bar
(Figure 3.21) and casino.
Figure 3.19 Figure 3.20 Figure 3.21
71
1/2 mile
1 mile
N
Atlantic Ocean
Condado Lagoon
Hotel
Residential
Parking
Commercial
Site
Green Areas / Plaza
Figure 3.22
Uses
72
1 mile
1/2 m
ile
N
Atlantic Ocean
Condado Lagoon
Figure 3.23
11-15 Story Building
1-5 Story Building
6-10 Story Building
+ 15 Story Building
Parking Lot
Site
Green Areas / Plaza
Height
73
1/2 mile
1 mile
N
Atlantic Ocean
Condado Lagoon
Public Building - Open 24 hours
Private Building - Open 24 hours
Public Building - Open from 9 am to 8 PM
Public Building - Open from 11 am to 12 am
Public Building- Open from 6 PM to 2 am
Site
24 hours Open Space
Figure 3.24
Closing Time
74
N
Atlantic Ocean
247’
195’
132’ 148’
Project Area = 71,925 sq. ft..
Figure 3.25
Figure 3.26
Site Existing Conditions
75
The site is in a position where receive direct sun in almost every part during
every season of the year. It is also positioned in a place where wind affects directly, mak-
ing possible the utilization of sustainable technologies for the generation of energy.
Receives a constant wind from the north east at an average speed of 12 m/h at a height
of 33 ft. The east side of the site receive strong waves with an altitude of 6 to 8 ft., what
also allows to implements the wave power as an energy generator technology.
Climatic Conditions
76
N
Atlantic Ocean
Condado Lagoon
Summer Solstice
Equinox
Winter Solstice
Figure 3.27
77
The approach to the site could be pedestrian as well as vehicular. (Figure 3.29)
The main road is located in front of the site. One bus stop is located in front of the site,
(Figure 3.28) there are several near the area. There are also several parking lots and
parking garages available for the use of the public inside of the 5 minute walk radius.
(See Figure 3.30 for parking garages, parking lots, bus stops and road direction)
Transportation and Transit
78
1 mile
1/2 m
ile
N
Atlantic Ocean
Condado LagoonSite
Green Areas / Square/ Park
Parking Garage
Parking Lot
Figure 3.30
Figure 3.28
Figure 3.29
79
80
Chapter 4Program Analysis
81
The site is located in a residential and touristic area, where many hotels and restaurants
are located. The different typologies, and the importance of the zone for the economic
development of the country, is what makes this project important to improve the zone,
activating and transforming it into a hub. Having a project with 24 hours program will
promote activity in the zone and contribute to a sustainable project.
Because of the ambience and qualities the area possess people from all over the Metro-
politan Area of Puerto Rico, (including San Juan, Caguas, Bayamon, Guaynabo, Trujillo
Alto, Carolina and Cataño) comes frequently to work, diligences or for leisure purposes.
This project tries to gather people of different taste and ages. The lack of places open 24
hours and the lack of options for different user groups create the need for this unique
program. The only buildings open 24 hours in the area are residential, apart from that
Program Planning Goals
are the hotels, which are more directed for tourist rather than for the community. Since
the project and the program are unique, it is necessary to have a different aesthetic in
the building, in comparison with the rest of the buildings surrounding the area. Even
when the aesthetic of the project will be different from other buildings, there’s always a
need of respecting the context and surrounding.
The interior spaces will be different from each other in lighting, sizes of spaces, material-
ity, technologies, systems integrated, ways of interacting with nature, and the sensorial
aspect of each space.
Because of the lack of sustainable design in the country and the lack of knowledge from
population, sustainable technologies as well as sustainable materials, practices and de-
sign decisions will be applied to the project and to the program.
Sustainability covers a lot of different aspects, including among them the reduction of
land used for construction and the use of minimal space as possible. The project will
aim to only 50% of the site for the buildings, using the rest as landscape.
With tourist from other countries as well as people from different parts of Puerto Rico
visiting this area, it is suitable to promote the learning of sustainability through a build-
ing that people from all ages can enjoy. The location of the site provides the conditions
needed to potentially apply several technologies such as solar, wind and tidal power.
83
In sustainable design the health, safety and well being of people in the built
environment are addressed by implementing six principles. 1
1. Respect of Wisdom of Natural Systems – Biomimicry Principle
The respect of wisdom of natural systems is the most important principles, basically
the one that incorporate the other five principles. This principle not only state the ap-
proach to site design, in which includes attitude toward climate and place, but also the
1. Jason F. McLennan, The Philosophy of Sustainable Design: The Future of Architecture, Kanss City, Missouri, 2004, 38
Sustainability
84
use of energy, materials and the comfort of well being. The Biomimicry principle implies
the change through every step of design and the humble process of unlearning and
relearning. In some cases the implementation of Biomimicry can imply the application
of certain technologies such as photovoltaic cells, playing a large role in energy gener-
ating without pollution, just with the use of sun light.2 This concept can also become
broader when not utilizing any technologies but implementing the environmental de-
sign in the project. Both the sustainable design by the implementation of technologies
and the environmental design will be applied in the design of the building shape taking
nature in consideration and reflecting it in building responses. The reflection of these
in the building will be shown not only in shape of buildings and openings but also with
the use of design principles such as natural ventilation, daylight and passive solar heat-
ing. Figure 4.1 shows the climate in the site and possible shape of a building taking
those elements in consideration. As part of the program the building shape will take an
important role deeply exploring the way of taking advantages of those climatic condi-
tions.
2. Respect for People – Human Vitality Principle
Sustainable design endeavor to create healthy habitats for all people without diminish-
ing the ability of nature to provide nourishing places for all creation as well as for our
own species in the future. 3 The creation of open spaces for people to gather while being
2. Jason F. McLennan, The Philosophy of Sustainable Design: The Future of Architecture, Kanss City, Missouri, 2004, 35-443. Jason F. McLennan, The Philosophy of Sustainable Design: The Future of Architecture, Kanss City, Missouri, 2004, 46-50
85
in contact with nature will contribute to this principle. Views to exterior, to ocean to
green spaces, to the lagoon, will enhance the relationship user- nature. (See fi gure 4.2
for open spaces diagram)
3. Respect for Place – Ecosystem Principle.
A respect for place demands that built environment diff er from region to region and
N
Figure 4.1
86
community to community. In sustainable design picks up not only on place but also on
culture and individual diff erences.4 This project is not only directed to environment but
also an important part of the project is the user and the culture. The project intent to
revive an important part of culture which is social aspect of it and the program as well
as the building design will enhance socialization. The ecosystems would be improved
by the addition of vegetation of the site. The existing rocks will stay in their original
place and the design will interact with the existent.
4. Respect for Cycle of Life –
This is the Seven Generation Principle, in which we understand that choices make today
have consequences for animals and people yet to be born. Issues of today are no longer
about choosing the best of two evils, but to do choosing right solutions without harm-
ing any part. 5
“The human race is challenged more than ever before to demonstrate our mastery –
not over nature – but of ourselves.” - Rachel Carson
5. Principle of energy -
“Energy is a critically valuable resource and that the use of energy always comes with a
great responsibility. We have a responsibility to use as little energy as technologically
possible within any design, while striving to maximize the quality of the built environ-
4. Jason F. McLennan, The Philosophy of Sustainable Design: The Future of Architecture, Kanss City, Missouri, 2004, 53-60 5. Jason F. McLennan, The Philosophy of Sustainable Design: The Future of Architecture, Kanss City, Missouri, 2004, 63-71
87
ment. We need to head to a future where combustion as a primary mode of deriving
energy has been replaced with only renewable source of fuel. We need to head to a
future where all our energy should come directly from the sun, wind and tides” .6 Some
energy generating technologies will be discussed further in this chapter.
6. Respect for the Process – Holistic Thinking Principle
Life cycle analysis consider a material’s impact through all stages of its life from resourc-
es extraction thought construction, use and disposal. Suggestions of sustainable mate-
rials will be discussed further on this chapter.
6. Jason F. McLennan, The Philosophy of Sustainable Design: The Future of Architecture, Kanss City, Missouri, 2004, 73-76
88
Use of Open Space on Site
N
Plaza, connection space between buildings and
street.
Beach, create a public space that connect the
beach with the plaza and the rest of the project.
Public space smaller than the beach and the
plaza but which let the user have view to the
ocean and to the plaza and street as well.
The project will have diff erent type of users and
it is suitable for families, couples or groups.
Plaza
Beach
Smaller Public Space
Family
Couples
Groups
Figure 4.2
89
Sustainable Technologies for Energy Generation
There are various methods of sustainability that could be applied such as solar
power, wave power, wind power and kinetic power. Since Puerto Rico is an island sur-
rounded by the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea it has a lot of wind and sun dur-
ing all seasons; and having the site located at the coast provide the perfect conditions
to take advantages of wave power as well.
“It is not enough to recognize the evils; one should know their roots and causes, [and]
according to the circumstances, provide the remedies.” - Colonel George C. Flinter
90
The conversion of solar energy into power could help significantly to reduce
the amount of electrical power needed in any infrastructure. This is really important
because electrical power use nonrenewable natural resources, which is detrimental for
the environment. 1
What makes possible the conversion into power is the geographical position of
the island, which is located in the humid tropical zone at the north of the Equator line in
the Caribbean where every season the sun is present.2
The sun has produced energy for billions of years. Solar energy is the sun’s rays (solar 1 Supt. of Docs., U.S. Government Printing Office, The environmental impact of electrical power generation: Nuclear and fossil: a minicourse for secondary schools and adult education, 1975, 892. Herman Schneider, Nina Schneider, Heath science series, DC Heath, 1973, 265
Solar Power
91
radiation) that reach the Earth. This energy can be converted into other forms of energy,
such as heat and electricity. Radiant energy from the sun has powered life on Earth for
many millions of years. Solar powered electrical generation relies on heat engines and
photovoltaic.3 To harvest the solar energy, the most common way is to use solar panels.
Solar technologies are broadly characterized as either passive solar or active
solar depending on the way they capture, convert and distribute solar energy. Active
solar techniques include the use of photovoltaic panels and solar thermal collectors to
harness the energy. 4
3. Andrej Stefan,V. Alexander Stefan, The Solar Cell Power in Your Home and Your Workplace: All You Need to Know, La Jolla California, 2009, 20 4. Leonard L. Northrup Jr, Solar Energy:Solar Power, Concentrating Solar Power, 2010, 32
Figure 4.3 Figure 4.4
92
Solar Ivy (Figure 4.3)
The Solar Ivy is one of the several sustainable technologies that work with the
sun to generate energy. Density of Solar Ivy leaves can be increased or reduced de-
pending on goals for energy gain, visibility requirements, or architectural needs. Its
light-sourcing leaves are not static, allowing them to move around and catch the sun
from many directions. The organic shape of each panel, permit them to act like real
leaves, providing a more authentic climbing ivy aesthetic.
The stainless steel mesh that roots Solar Ivy to a building or sub-structure is
flexible enough to stretch, bend, and curve to hug the contours of almost any surface,
including building facades. It is also light weight what makes easy mounting it into a
wall. The Solar Ivy system is modular in nature and made up of ‘bricks’ of 5 leaves which
may be scaled to any size necessary. Every leave is capable of generate 4 Watts, a 4 by
7 foot strip of Solar Ivy is capable of generating 85 Watts of solar power. 5
Dye Solar Cell Technology (Figure 4.4)
Dye Solar Cell technology can be described as artificial photosynthesis. It uses
electrolyte, a layer of titania (pigment) and ruthenium dye sandwiched between glass.
Light striking the dye excites electrons which are then absorbed by the titania to be-
come an electric current many times stronger than that found in natural photosynthesis
in plants.
When operating in a solar cell the sensitizer S gets excited by the visible light.
5. SMIT,inhabitat, 2012, http://inhabitat.com/solar-ivy-photovoltaic-leaves-climb-to-new-heights/smitsolarivy-2/, accessed 5/20/2012
93
Then it gets oxidized due to charge injection, and recycled by iodide reduction. The rate
constants for charge injection and iodide reduction are at least 109 times higher than
the rate constants for excited and oxidized state degradation. The sensitizer should be
able to undergo around one billion cycles without significant degradation. 6Side reac-
tions such as sensitization of oxygen are efficiently suppressed due to ultrafast electron
injection into TiO2. Compared to conventional silicon based photovoltaic technology,
produces electricity more efficiently even in low light conditions and can be directly
incorporated into buildings by replacing conventional glass panels rather than taking
up roof or extra land area.7
Dye solar cells from Solaronix perform remarkable photochemical stability
under intense and continuous light irradiation. After 6000 hours at full sunlight, corre-
sponding to about seven years of outside light exposure no loss of tri-iodide or chemi-
cal transformation of the sensitizer was observed. Heating of a test solar cell at 70°C
for 1000 hours under irradiation did not affect the conversion efficiency, indicating an
excellent chemical stability.
The overall quantum efficiency for green light is about 90%, with the “lost” 10%
being largely accounted for by the optical losses in top electrode.
Photovoltaic Cells (Figure 4.5)
Photovoltaic (PV devices) or “solar cells” change sunlight directly into electric-
6. Dyesol, DSC Applications, Australia, 2005, http://www.dyesol.com/index.php?page=DSC+Applications, accessed 5/20/20127. Dyesol, Dyesol - Global Leaders in Dye Solar Cell Technology, Australia, 2005, http://www.dyesol.com/, accessed 5/12/2012
94
ity. Individual PV cells are grouped into panels and arrays of panels that can be used in
a wide range of applications ranging from single small cells that charge calculator and
watch batteries, to systems that power single homes, to large power plants covering
many acres. 8
A photovoltaic is made up of several photovoltaic solar cells. An individual PV
cell is usually small, typically producing about 1 or 2 watts of power. To boost the power
output of PV cells, they are connected together to form larger units called modules.
Modules, in turn, can be connected to form even larger units called arrays, which can be
interconnected to produce more power, and so on. In this way, PV systems can be built
to meet almost any electric power need, small or large.
Illustration of solar cells combined to make a module and modules combined to make
an array.9
By themselves, modules or arrays do not represent an entire PV system. Systems
also include structures that point them toward the sun and components that take the
direct-current electricity produced by modules and “condition” that electricity, usually
by converting it to alternate-current electricity. 10
8. Antonio Luque,Steven Hegedus, Handbook of Photovoltaic Science and Engineering United Kingdom, 2011, Second Edition, 539. Elena Papadopoulou, Photovoltaic Industrial Systems: An Environmental Approach, Berlin Heidelberg, 2011, 3410. James Will, Photovoltaic Cells, a great way to utilize clean energy from the sun, world press, myhomesolarpower.com, April 9, 2011, accessed 5/20/2012
Figure 4.5
95
Wave energy is a concentrated form of solar energy, when the sun causes differ-
ences in temperature across the globe causing winds that blow over the ocean surfaces
causing ripples which grows into swells. These waves can travel thousand of miles with-
out loosing energy. The power density generated by the waves is much higher than the
power generated by the sun or wind. 11
BioSTREAM (Figure 4.6)
The BioSTREAM is being developed for utility-scale power production from tidal
11. João Cruz, Ocean Wave Energy: Current Status and Future Perspectives, Berlin Heidelberg, 2008, 1
Wave Power
96
currents. Its nature-inspired design (Biomimicry) combines high conversion efficiency
with the ability to continuously align with the current direction.
The system employs an oscillating hydrofoil system to extract energy from mov-
ing water. For the system to work properly it needs at least 2.5 m/s of peak current
speed. 12 The site currently have a minimum current of 2.5 m/s ad the maximum of 16
m/s 13which makes it suitable for the application of this technology.
An onboard computer continually adjusts the angle of the hydrofoil (fin) relative
to the oncoming flow such that the tail and fin system develops a swimming motion.
The energy transferred by this side-to-side motion is converted to electricity by O-Drive
modules installed on the BioSTREAM. Each system can generate 250KW14
Pelamis Technology (Figure 4.7)
The Pelamis is an offshore wave energy converter that uses the motion of waves
to generate electricity. This machine is typically installed 2 to 10 km away from the coast
and operates in water depths greater than 50 m. The machine is rated at 250KW with
a target capacity factor of 25-40 per cent, depending on the conditions at the chosen
project site.
The machine floats semi-submerged on the surface of the water and inherently
faces into the direction of the waves. Is made up of five tube sections linked by universal
12. Bio Power System, BioSTREAM, http://www.biopowersystems.com/biostream.html, 2011, accessed 5/21/201213. Caribbean Coastal Ocean Observing System, http://www.caricoos.org/drupal/san_juan, ac-cessed 5/21/201214. Bio Power System, BioSTREAM, http://www.biopowersystems.com/biostream.html, 2011, accessed 5/21/2012
97
joints which allow flexing in two directions. As waves pass down the length of the ma-
chine and the sections bend in the water, the movement is converted into electricity via
hydraulic power take-off systems housed inside each joint of the machine tubes, and
power is transmitted to shore using standard subsea cables and equipment.15
15. Pelamis Wave Power, Leith, Edinburgh, http://www.pelamiswave.com/wave-power, ac-cessed 5/20/2012
Figure 4.6
Figure 4.7
98
Wind flow patterns are modified by the earth’s terrain, bodies of water, and veg-
etation. Humans use this wind flow, or motion energy, for many purposes. The terms
wind energy or wind power describes the process by which the wind is used to generate
mechanical power or electricity. Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy in the wind
into mechanical power. This mechanical power can be used for specific tasks or a gen-
erator can convert this mechanical power into electricity.
When the wind strikes the blades of a wind turbine, it imparts a thrust or force
that turns the rotor. A finite amount of energy in the spinning rotor. When a force does
work on an object, energy is transferred from one to another. 16 Wind turbines range in
16. Paul Gipe, Wind Power: Renewable Energy for Home, Farm, and Business, White River Junc-
Wind Power
99
size from minuscule .05 meter in diameter to giant machines with rotors of 100 meters
in diameter. The .05 meter diameter wind turbine can generate 20 watts while the 100
meter diameter wind turbine can generate as much as 3 MW17
Modern wind turbines fall into two basic groups: the horizontal-axis variety (Fig-
ure 4.9) and the vertical-axis design (Figure 4.8). Horizontal-axis wind turbines typically
either have two or three blades. These three-bladed wind turbines are operated “up-
wind,” with the blades facing into the wind.
tion, VT, 2004, 317. Paul Gipe, Wind Power: Renewable Energy for Home, Farm, and Business, White River Junc-tion, VT, 2004, 9
Figure 4.8 Figure 4.9
100
Whale Power (Figure 4.10)
This technology use Tubercle Technology blades which require lower wind
speeds, increasing the amount of time and the number of locations where they can
actively generate electricity.18
18. Whale Energy, Our Technology, manufacturer’s website, http://www.whalepower.com/drupal/?q=node/3, accessed 5/20/2012
Figure 4.10
101
“The sustainability of this industrial sector is dependent on a fundamental shift in the way
in which resources are used, from nonrenewable to renewable, from high levels of waste
to high levels of reuse and recycling, and from products based on lowest first cost to those
based on life cycle costs and full cost accounting, especially as applied to waste and emis-
sions from the industrial processes that support construction activity.” 1
1. Charles J. Kibert and others, Construction Ecology Nature as a basis for green buildings, New York, NY, 2002, 7
Sustainable Materials
102
Materials and interior spaces play a very important role in every user experi-
ence. A material can change mood, orient people and transmit information. This can be
achieved not only by shape, application and color but also with smell, texture, interac-
tion, among other qualities. A material can also define the safety of a place. The fire rat-
ing in materials is very important, and probably the most popular when thinking about
safety in a building. There are also many other things to keep in mind while choosing
materials for a place. Many materials for public use have high emission of toxins. Due
to the application of chemical substance to make a material safer during fire, some ma-
terials end up harming users in other ways. Fortunately there are new materials in the
market that are suitable for health and safety.
In very frequented building is very important to select materials that can avoid
dirt or self-cleaning materials, because this will help to keep the place clean avoiding
bacteria and the propagation of any disease in the building. Since the building will be
frequented during every time of the day, the materials will have to collaborate with the
cleaning process of the building.
When planning interior the first thing that comes up to mind is the color, which
will set the mood of the place we design. Paint in walls is the most common thing we
can think of when giving color to surface, but thinking about environmental paint is not
that common. Reben is a paint made 100 from natural ingredients with no harmful or-
ganic volatile compounds. This paint controls humidity and prevent molds and bacteria
as well as flame spread. When this paint is illuminated it gets to deodorize the space
and absorb pollution.
Beside paint there are other different materials with similar qualities. An exam-
103
Figure 4.11
Figure 4.12
Figure 4.13
104
ple of a recycled material that have a very low emission of toxins is the Acrovyn 3000,
this material is a wall panel available in different colors. 1
FR Eco Intelligent Polyester is perpetually recyclable material with a nontoxic
footprint. 2 This material have pattern and texture unlike the Acrovnym 300 (Figure 4.11)
that comes in a solid color. The FR Eco Intelligent Polyester’s(Figure 4.12) pattern and
texture which can help to create a different environment.
Textile is another material that can give color and texture to a space. Textiles
are not only used for furniture and curtains but also for the exterior design. Remede3
(Figure 4.13) is a breathable textile which finishes protect from spills and stains. Stains
is not the only thing a material need to be proof of, because bacteria and microbes
can still be in some materials without been seen. Fosshield-Powder Pellet is a coating
material that protect against 99.99% of odor-causing bacteria, mold, mildew and other
microbes. This can be incorporated into nearly any fabric, polymer or rubber. Can be
applied to a endless list of products where odor –causing bacteria and deteriorating
microbial growth is not desired. Among these products we can include carpets, wall
covering, bedding, furniture, HVAC air filters among others.
Another product that reduces the dirt and water from being tracked into build-
ings is the Power Point’s Berber Pattern.4 (Figure 4.14) Having wet surface can promote 1. Construction Specialist Inc, Acrovyn products 2010, Mc Graw Hill Construction, http://www.c-sgroup.com/acrovyn/, accessed 5/19/2012 2. Victor, Group Inc, FR Eco Intelligent polyester, 2008, http://www.victor-innovatex.com/en/ecoProducts.php, accessed 5/19/20123. HDR Inc, Fabric Furniture and Function, http://www.hdrinc.com/sites/all/files/content/ar-ticles/article-files/3690-fabric-furniture-and-function.pdf, accessed 5/19/20124 Construction Specialist Inc, CS Entrance Flooring, 2010, http://www.c-sgroup.com/entrance-flooring/design-step/power_point_pwpt, accessed 5/12/2012
105
Figure 4.14
Figure 4.15
Figure 4.16
Figure 4.17
106
the growing of bacteria into surfaces and can cause users to fall, especially in those
areas where kids will be conglomerated.
Among flooring materials we can find a wide variety, from materials that pro-
mote good indoor quality, such as the Acoustiflor5 (Figure 4.15)to materials that are
stain resistant such as the MG Paradiso tile (Figure 4.16) or the Microban Ceramic tiles6
(Figure 4.17), recycled material that reduce the 99% of bacteria and have low reflective
properties.
There are also other technologies available for flooring options, which achieve
something different to everything mentioned before. Smart materials are very helpful
for transmitting signals and information. Is important to keep in mind the teaching
goal in addition to the sustainability and letting people interact with the material hav-
ing visual reactions in response is a great way. Metal Series7 (Figure 4.18) is a material
that can trace the footsteps of the user.
Going back to textiles and surfaces we have to mention Naturtex A-14628, (Fig-
ure 4.19) is made from linen and cork, what makes it unique and textured. The material
has warm colors. Beside Naturtex there are also other materials that have texture and
are suitable for touch sense. Super Cilia Skin9 (Figure 4.20) is a tactile, visual and smart
5. Johnsonite a Tarkett Company, Acczent Heterogeneous Sheet, http://www.johnsonite.com/Default.aspx?tabid=911, accessed 5/17/20126. Microban International, Building Materials, 2012, http://www.microban.com/partners/amer-icas/building-materials/english, accessed 5/12/20127. Blaine Brownell, Transmaterial 3: A Catalog of Materials That Redefine Our Physical Environ-ment, New York, NY, 2010, Volumen 3, 1138. XNaturtex fabrics, rugs and more, product A-1462, Spain, http://www.naturtex.es/en/prod-ucts/fabrics/nature-sense/a-1462, accessed 5/19/20129. MIT: Tangible Interfaces, Super Cilia Skin, http://web.media.mit.edu/~hayes/mas834/scs1.
107
Figure 4.18
Figure 4.19
Figure 4.20
Figure 4.21
108
material that contains computer-controlled actuators that are anchored to an elastic
membrane. It is able to reply dynamic gestures which makes it valuable tool for educa-
tion and hepatic communication.
Part of a childhood is writing on walls, but that’s not something that looks good
at all aesthetically speaking. There’s a water based finish called Wink10 that turns any
surface into a dry-erase surface, making the surface to act as a whiteboard. This is a
material that could be potentially used in any of the kids area, letting them space for
perform a new art every day.
The use of light is very important to define each space, depending on this
the mood we want to create in the space the lighting should change; always keeping
in mind the important factor of saving as much energy as possible. The Fuzzy Light
Switch11 (Figure 4.21)is an embroided light sensor for dimming lights or controlling elec-
tronic devices. It is an interactive material that can cover a wall or even become part of
furniture, what makes it incredibly versatile. Because of the implementation of the en-
vironmental factors we can also consider to have window treatments to control the en-
trance of light in the space. There are many different of treatments that can be applied
but every treatment have a different reaction in space, as well as a different aesthetic.
The Sun Control Selector 12is a solar shade made from aluminum extrusion, what makes
html, accessed 5/20/201210. Wolf-Gordon, Wink, Wolf-Gordon 2011, http://www.wallsloveink.com/about_wink.html, accessed 5/20/201211. Blaine Brownell, Fuzzy Light Switch, Transmaterial, textile, June 27, 2011, http://transmate-rial.net/index.php/2011/06/27/fuzzy-light-switch/, accessed 5/0/201212. Construction Specialist Inc, The Sun Control Selector, Mc Graw Hill Construction, 2010, http://products.construction.com/manufacturer/c-s-sun-controls-nst151576/products/sun-controls-color-selector-nst33975-p, accessed 5/20/2012
109
it durable and resistant to weather conditions. It provides to the building effective sun
control admitting soft dappled light but at the same time offering views to the exte-
rior. On the other hand we have Solarmotion Dynamic Facades13 (Figure 4.22), which is
an intelligent sun shading system. This system is formed from louvers attached to an
electronic mechanism that respond to external environment and adapts to provide the
most optical building conditions. It is an effective way to reduce heat and glare, lower
energy consumption and maximize dimmed light that come into the building. Louvers
are good options for dimming light, Kool Shade is screen with miniature louvers which
blocks the directs rays of solar light coming into the space, but at the same time allow-
ing view to the exterior. This screen blocks 86% of the heat, what eventually results in a
reduction of energy use.
Window treatments materials are not the only materials that deal with light,
Light Sensitive Concrete14 (Figure 4.23) is a technology that allows concrete to be sensi-
tive to ambient light level. It distributes the light in the surface of the material and send
data to a computer which can control sound light projected visuals among others.
Sound is something that is really important to maintain the environment de-
sired and to avoid loud noises provided from the users of the building, reason why
acoustic panels are very important. Heradesign Fine15 (Figure 4.24) is a decorative wood
13. Construction Specialist Inc, The Sun Control Selector, Mc Graw Hill Construction, 2010, http://products.construction.com/manufacturer/c-s-sun-controls-nst151576/products/sun-controls-color-selector-nst33975-p, accessed 5/20/2014. Blaine Brownell, Transmaterial 3 A Catalog of Materials That Redefine Our Physical Environ-ment, New York, NY, 2010, 2115. Knauf Insulation GmbH, Heradesign, Austria, http://www.heradesign.com/heradesign-spanisch/loesungen/heradesign-fine.php, accessed 5/1/2012
110
wool panel with very good sound absorption. Is very important that this acoustic panel
don’t have any harmful effect on humans since don’t produce toxic emissions and also
contribute with the environment since save resources during production.
These materials mentioned are only few examples of the hundreds of options
available in the market. Fortunately the environment is becoming an important issue,
and materials designers are taking it in count when designing.
Figure 4.22 Figure 4.23 Figure 4.24
111
Other Sustainable Aspects
Beside all the energy technologies and the sustainable materials, there are many other
factors to consider in the program in order to make a project sustainable and environ-
mental friendly.
Water for instance, is a natural resource that cannot be wasted, and which can
be reused. The recollection of water from the rain, water conservation measures; en-
hanced waste-water treatment; and recycling protocols could be an alternative for the
reduction of water demand.
The creation of green roof in the building and green spaces are important for
the reduction of heat in the building, as well as for the implementation of nature into it.
The plants to be used should be native plants to minimize water needs.
112
Expansive windows and ceilings that emit natural light throughout the units as
well as motion-sensors contribute to the reduction of energy use in the building.
To reduce the waste produced is important to have recycling and composting
containers in the building.
The transportation could be addressed by the implementation of bicycle stor-
age or public transportation.
As part of variety and interaction with natural environment and part of a visual con-
nection between different types of users, different zones of open plazas, green roofs,
balconies and interior courtyard will be created. The site is located in beach front, and
near the Condado Lagoon, these views could be implemented as part of the program of
the project to enhance the user experience.
The zoning allows the different programming opportunities and the desire to
make it available to most user groups as possible bring a wide range of activities to it.
There’s a possibility to create different zones in the public space where the pub-
lic can interact with buildings created and with nature. Different zones in open space
could function as transitional areas. Beach area will be one open zone that should be
divided from the plaza created in the middle of the site, which is the welcoming area for
the project. Some other smaller public area can also be provided, this open the possibil-
ity to having outdoor dining or space for more quiet activities.
113
Adjacencies See Figure 4.25
114
Figure 4.25
115
All the places designated to serve food need to be located having access a plaza
to make easier the access to it specially during breakfast and lunch hours. These space
will have that in common but will be totally different in spatial qualities. (See figure 4.26)
1. Café – Will be a very open and with minimal design, wide spaces, high light
level and no variety in seating and tables.
Here the connection with the plaza will create the opportunity of having interior and
exterior seating.
2. Boutique restaurant – High design space with different types of light depend-
ing of the area, as well as different types of seating and table areas. This space could be
transformed into a sophisticated nightclub – lounge during night.
Uses and Spatial Qualities of Interior and Exterior Spaces
116
The possible opening of the space to the exterior not only expands the space
but also transforms it and allow interaction between man-made and nature. This res-
taurant can open to center of the buildings, where the plaza ends. This gave the oppor-
tunity to use the exterior in a different way
3. Beach Club – Needs to be oriented to the beach. This space is supposed to emu-
late fantasy and excitement, in different layers of water from natural to artificial; the
ocean being the natural, turning into hot tub with natural rocks in the intermediate lev-
el and an elevated and floating crystal pool. The pool will bring the feeling as if people
walks under the water and that the space is compressed in that area. There will be two
Figure 4.26
117
levels, giving the opportunity to enjoy the view of the different systems from different
heights.
There’s an opportunity to represent the wave power in the beach club using the
pool as a vivid representation of how nature acts. People in the beach club will have
direct connection with nature, in a tropical environment, receiving natural breezes, hav-
ing contact with sky, ocean and the rest of the city and having view to technologies
such as wind power generator and solar power generator. The building accessed from
the beach and from the plaza, (Figure 4.27) located in the middle of the other buildings
will be alluding the ancestral culture, when the taínos used to live near the sea in con-
nection with nature and with the batey in front (their plaza). In this building having
access from the beach will open the opportunity to attract not only people that is enjoy-
ing the beach but also people that comes from the street because of the dual access.
During the day it will be place for aquatic rentals as well. The building will be open dur-
ing day and night, to serve food and drinks and also to make activities.
4. Child Care – This part of the program requires a separate building because of
the importance of high hygiene, of less noise and security issues. During the day this
Figure 4.27
118
building is a kids learning center while during the night it becomes a baby-sitting. This
building need access to the plaza (Figure 4.28) and to be located in a position there’s
direct visibility between the lobby of the main building and this building for those par-
ents that leave their kids while enjoying other programmatic space of the project. The
intent is to make kids to appreciate nature and have fun with it while learning about
environment. The space need light enough to make them feel comfortable and secure.
The playgrounds will be a series of natural hardscapes bringing nature to these kids in
a playful way. This space should have a feeling of been relax and be stimulant to learn
while having fun.
Beside the Child Care, all other programmatic spaces designated for the use of kids or
teenagers will be located in the same floor to concentrate ages per area as a security
measure. This is the reason why the kid’s gym, game room and teen’s club should be ad-
jacent one to the other. (See Figure 4.29) Even when it is not directly connected to other
levels, every space in this level will include outside balconies or green space to enhance
the communication between other programmatic areas, as well as the connection with
the exterior, context and nature.
5. Kid’s Gym – This will be a gym designed specially for kids, to teach them to take
care of health. There will be some rooms for dance classes and a climbing wall will be
made from the rocks of the site. Some connection with outside spaces will be an impor-
Figure 4.28
119
tant part in the design. This place becomes a teen’s club during night.
6. Game room – Is a child’s place and therefore contains those qualities in the de-
sign. The colors are juvenile and the design is one dynamic and playful. Materials should
be non-slippery and antibacterial, since kids are touching everything all the time. The
games should be related to nature, environment and sustainability. This place open the
possibility of implementing interactive materials, where by using difference senses the
kids can have different experiences.
7. Teen’s Club - This space is created to the enjoyment of teenagers what cannot
go into night clubs but are interested in them. This is a trendy place to dance and make
parties but also to be in contact with nature and with the technologies. Technologies
will be implemented visually as well as physically by the implementation of systems as
the sustainable dance floor.
Same technique used with children and teenagers is used with adults trying to concen-
trate them in an area. (Figure 4.30)Figure 4.29
120
8. Adult’s gym – The gym is not a typical gym. This gym is more oriented in hav-
ing an open floor plan, but different rooms for classes at the sides. The rooms for differ-
ent classes bring the opportunity of having different activities and gathering different
users at the same time. It also allows performing a sequential transformation of space in
order to have the building working 24 hours. This space is transformed into a nightclub
during night.
9. Nightclub – Located in upper levels. It is mostly open and uncovered. The rela-
tion with nature is very important in this space, as well as the visual connection with all
the sustainable technologies. Is from this space where wind turbines and the tor are
visibly seen from everywhere, as well as other technologies such as the tidal pool, the
energy wall, the solar ivy, etc. The roof gardens change the feeling of what being in a
typical nightclub is.
10. Hookah – Bed lounge – wine bar - This space is the connector between two
buildings, main building and beach club. This space appearance is modern, and sophis-
ticated. Contains beds to relax as a Zen space and connection to the outside with view
to the plaza, to the pool, to the sea and to the beach.Figure 4.30
121
Calming
Dramatic
Dynamic
Eccentric
Energetic
Increase Thoughts
Mystic
Peace
Provoke Creativity
Purity
Refreshing
Spiritual Realization
Warm
Youthful
Child Care
Beach Club
Boutique Resta
urant
Lounge
CafeAdult’s
Gym
Kid’s Gym
Game Room
Hookah and Wine Bar
Night Club
Lobby
Observatio
n Tower
Teen’s C
lub
Psychological Effect of Spaces in the User:
Figure 4.31
122
Child Care
Beach Club
Boutique Resta
urant
Lounge
CafeAdult’s
Gym
Kid’s Gym
Game Room
Hookah and Wine Bar
Night Club
Lobby
Observatio
n Tower
Views:
Views to exterior (sea)
View to the plaza
View to the street
View to other space
Direct Access to:Exterior spaces
Other part of the program(Lobby not included)
Versatility:Transformable Space
Movable Walls to integrate:Exterior with interior
Different programmatic spac-
es
Figure 4.32
123
Child Care
Beach Club
Boutique Resta
urant
Lounge
CafeAdult’s
Gym
Kid’s Gym
Game Room
Hookah and Wine Bar
Night Club
Lobby
Observatio
n Tower
Materials:
Durable
Interactive
Recyclable
Opacities
Transparencies
Translucencies
Lighting:
Different type of lighting
High light level
Low light level
Figure 4.33
124
Green Roof
Systems integration:
Solar Technology:
(Physical integration)
(Visual integration)
Wave Technology:
(Physical integration)
(Visually integration)
Wind Technology:
(Physical integration)
(Visual integration)
Child Care
Beach Club
Boutique Resta
urant
Lounge
CafeAdult’s
Gym
Kid’s Gym
Game Room
Hookah and Wine Bar
Night Club
Lobby
Observatio
n Tower
Figure 4.34
125
Diagram show how spaces transform during the day. (Figure 4.35) What
from 6 AM to 9 PM is used as a gym designated for adults, becomes a Nightclub
from 10 PM till 5 AM. The place need to provide a solution to machines and equip-
ment in order to work properly as nightclub and as gym. Something similar hap-
pens with the kid’s gym and the teen’s club, which relationship between spaces is
not other but transformation of a same space. The kid’s gym works from 4 AM till 6
PM, transforming to a Club for teenagers at 8 PM and closing at 3 AM. On the other
hand, the restaurant, which is used as lounge as well don’t have a transformation
of space but a transition in environment. The intent is to create a restaurant, which
later in night become a lounge, party but relaxing scene for young adults and pro-
fessionals. The restaurant will be working from Noon till Midnight and overlapping
this hours the lounge environment will begin at 10 PM and will be open till 5 AM.
Transitional Spaces
126
Figure 4.35
127
Adult’s Gym
Night Club
Hookah Bar
Kid’s Gym
Teen’s Club
Game Room
Beach Club
Aquatic Rental
Restaurant
Lounge
Cafe
Child Care
Lobby
Building Clock
128
12
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
AM Clock PM Clock
Figure 4.36
129
Case Studies
130
L/B’ S. Lounge, Cape Town South Africa, designed by Sabina Lang and Daniel Baumann
Is a “dream like bar” made for cultural events, discussions, parties and video
screening. The design play with curves, changing levels and colors. (Figure 4.37)
Application in 0E 24H Social:
The colors and the organic forms of this design could be similar to the ambience
is intended to be achieved in areas oriented to kids.
Greenhouse, New York , designed by Bluarch Architecture + interiors, Antonio Di Oronzo
New York’s first environmentally friendly and LEED-approved nightclub. Veg-
etation is inserted in the interior space achieving to convey the dynamism of nature.
The place intent to bring outdoors to the interior. (Figure 4.38)
Application in 0E 24H Social:
The building will intent to bring the exterior in to the interior and to integrate
nature in different ways. The vegetation is inserted in the interior the same way the
rocks of the site could be inserted in the gym as a climbing wall.
Bed Supperclub, Bangkok Thailand, designed by Kim Inglis
Is a ‘dining in bed’ experience. Combination of upscale restaurant, club, art gal-
lery, theatre and stage merged into one. Housed in a custom-built building with a mod-
ern, all white futuristic setting, BED crosses the divide between dining and cutting edge
entertainment.1 (Figure 3.39)
Application in 0E 24H Social:
1 Kim Inglis,Masano Kawana, Asian Bar and Restaurant Design, 2007, 92
Figure 4.37
Figure 4.38
Figure 4.38
131
The variant program of the Bed Supperclub is what is intended to be done in this proj-
ect. The concept used in the Bed Supperclub, where beds are used to dine will be simi-
lar to the Hookah Bed and Wine Bar, where hookah and wine will be served in bed.
The Clubhouse, located at Bali, designed by Shinta Siregar. (Figure 4.39)
This is a chic multifunctional club, which serves as a hotel reception concierge,
internet access room, bar, restaurant and pool lounging area. Is a very open area where
interior and exterior are connected and all the diff erent uses purposes mix in a same
space. 2Application in 0E 24H Social:
The openness of this project is what is intended to be done in the beach club.
Having various functions such as pool, restaurant, bar and equipment rental in the same
building.
Austin Convention Center, Austin Texas, designed by James Carpenter (Figure 4.40)
Is a LEED Gold certifi ed building located in the heart of the capital of Texas. Con-
structed of native Texas materials, from rustic limestone to polished granite, the facility’s
diff erent facades refl ect the architectural diversity of an historic and vibrant city.3 The
new facade is an installation of photovoltaic panels.
Application in 0 E 24 H Social:
The application of the PV in the facade can be used as a precedent for the instal-
2. Kim Inglis,Masano Kawana, Asian Bar and Restaurant Design, 2007, 483. Austin Convention center Department, http://www.austinconventioncenter.com/, accessed 5/21/2012
Figure 4.40
Figure 4.39
132
lation of different systems in the facades of the building.
LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art)(sculptural installation), Los Angeles, by Chris Bur-
den (Figure 4.41)
The sculpture incorporates more than two hundred restore cast-iron lamp posts
from Los Angeles County4
Application in 0 E 24 H Social:
The way the lamp post are integrated as a sculpture can be used as a precedent
for the installation of wind technology in the site. The installation of wind turbines can
become a sculptural an artistic element in the design of site and building instead of an
object in the space.
4. David, Art & Perception a multi-disciplinary dialog, Urban Light / Chris Burden @BCAM @LACMA, 2008, http://artandperception.com/2008/02/urban-light-chris-burden-bcam-lacma.html, accessed 05/21/2012
Figure 4.41
133
134
Chapter 5Quantitative Program
135
Programmatic Space Service Space Amount Sq. ft.. per space Total Sq.Ft.
Lobby 1 2900 2900
Restrooms 1 280 280
Security Office- 1 150 150
Information
Observatory 1 2000 2000
Service Circulation n/a 440 440
Egress n/a 1780 1780
Circulation n/a 2000 2000
Café
Kitchen 1 550 550
Bar 1 325 325
Storage 1 150 150
Seating Area 1 5835 5835
Exterior Space 1 700 700
7560
136
Programmatic Space Service Space Amount Sq. ft.. per space Total Sq.Ft.
Boutique Restaurant -
Kitchen 1 523 523
Restrooms 1 280 280
Storage 1 120 120
Dj Booth 1 60 60
Bar 1 512 512
Outside Area 2 400 860 1260
Seating Area 1 4465 4465
Lounge Area 3 390 380 505 1275
8495
Beach Club
Kitchen 1 175 175
Aquatic Rental 1 200 200
Bar 2 170 645 815
Dj Booth 2 60 80 140
Restrooms 1 200 200
Pool 1 1755 1755
Hot Tub 1 480 480
Seating Area 1 1375 1375
Deck to Ocean 1 3500 3500
8640
137
Programmatic Space Service Space Amount Sq. Ft. per space Total Sq.Ft.
Child Care
Office 2 150 each 300
Restrooms 1 300 300
Classroom 5 400 each 2000
Art Room 1 350 350
Kitchen 1 200 200
Playground 1 1000 1000
4150
Kid's Gym
Climbing Wall 1 300 300
Storage 1 300 300
Bar 1 370 370
Dj Booth 1 80 80
Restrooms 1 5000 5000
Office 1 80 80
Dance Room 1 350 350
6480
Game Room
Restrooms 1 350 350
138
Programmatic Space Service Space Amount Sq. Ft. per space Total Sq.Ft.
Game Room
Kitchen- 1 215 215
Storage
Bar 1 325 325
Exterior Space 1 2675 2675
Machines 1 3635 3635
7200
Adult's Gym
Interior Space 1 11800 11800
Storage 4 530 600 250 260 1640
Showers 1 775 775
Restrooms 1 650 650
Office 1 200 200
Bar 2 275 205 480
Dj Booth 2 80 130 210
Rooms 2 80 each 160
2 205 each 410
Exterior Space 1 2200 2200
18525
139
Programmatic Space Service Space Amount Sq. Ft. per space Total Sq.Ft.
Hookah-Bed Lounge - Wine Bar Bar 1 315 315 Dj Booth 1 1000 1000 Storage 1 125 125
Restrooms 1 250 250
Exterior Space 1 4195 4196
Interior Space 1 1750 1750
7635
Total Project area 70,675
Total Site Area - 71,925
Area of Site permitted to be used by code 75%
Build Area of the Site 23,240 Sq.Ft.
Area of the site impacted with enclosed construction 32%
Open Space-Landscape- Recreation Area 48,685
140
Function of Space Floor Area in Sq.Ft. Sq. Ft. per function Occupants
Per Occupant
Accessory Storage AreaMechanical Equipment Room 300 gross 5000 Sq.Ft. 16
AssemblyGaming Floor 11 gross 7200 Sq.Ft. 654
Assembly without foodseats - standing space 5 net 3905 Sq.Ft. 781
Assembly with food - tables and chairs 15 net 3910 Sq.Ft. 200
Day Care 35 net 1050 Sq.Ft. 30
Institutional Sleeping Area 120 gross 4200 Sq.Ft. 35
Kitchen, Commercial 200 gross 9120 Sq.Ft. 45
Reading Room 50 net 500 Sq.Ft. 10
Stack Area 100 gross 1350 Sq. Ft. 13
Locker Room 50 gross 1755 Sq.Ft. 35
Deck 15 gross 3500 Sq.Ft. 233
Stages and Platform 15 net 1035 Sq.Ft. 69
Exercise Room 50 gross 20490 Sq.Ft. 409
141
N
Figure 5.1
247’
195’
132’
148’
Site Area: 71,925 sq. ft..
Atlantic Ocean
Zoning Requirements
142
The site is located in a Touristic-Residential zone. Zoning code only permits the
use of 75% of the site, and require to have a design in the building where facade is dif-
ferent from the building surroundings. From the 75 % of area permitted to be used only
a 32 % of the site is programmatically used for buildings while the rest is used for open
space. Parking in this zone and for this type of building is not required only if a parking
lot or parking garage is available near the 1 mile radius. Figure 5. 1 shows the site with
its measurements, the purple color shows the 75 % of the site, which is maximum area
permitted to be built.
143
Chapter 6Schematic Design
144
Figure 6.1
145
The design intent to attract and engage the majority of the public, which in-
voluntarily and unconsciously will get involved with nature, sustainable practices and
project in general, while having social activities. The concept used in this project is the
Trance. Trance is a word with several meanings which need to be defined in order to
understand the application of the concept to the project.:
1) Psychological state induced by magical incantation1
The project try to achieve a change in people in the way they feel in the project and the
way they interact, as if magical incantation take control of the environment.
2) Capture, attract2
3) Denotes a variety of processes, techniques, modalities and states. Trance
1 Dictionary.com, Trance, http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/trance, accessed 5/22/20122 Enciclopedia Britanica Company, Merrian Webster Dictionary, http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trance, accessed 5/12/2012
Concept
146
states may occur involuntarily and unbidden. 3
The project will be dynamic and changing due to technologies applied in the build-
ing, materials and the effect of time and climatic conditions in the building. The uses
change as well in some programmatic areas but other areas stay the same throughout
the day. The building won’t move, it won’t change, but the materials applied will make
it look dynamic even though is constant. Building will be controlled by the nature, the
way it changes with time, what makes supernatural force to be acting over it all the time,
since climatic conditions are uncontrolled.
4) Genre of electronic dance music4
Music will be present in many of the programmatic areas of the project.
5) Unconscious condition; a state of concentration, awareness and/or focus
that filters information and experience. 5
The building will be a different and innovative experience for the country and Puerto
Rican society. The information every technology and material reflects integrated with
the shape of the building and interaction with nature will be filtered by the user and
captured with the pass of time.
Using the Trance as a concept an inspirational image was created in order to get in-
spired for the design of the building. (Figure 6.1)
3 Dictionary.com, Trance, http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/trance, accessed 5/22/20124 Farflex, The Free Dictionary, http://www.thefreedictionary.com/trance, accessed 5/22/20125 Enciclopedia Britanica Company, Merrian Webster Dictionary, http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trance, accessed 5/12/2012
147
Form Evolution (Diagrams)Figure 6.2 Figure 6.3
N
Atlantic Ocean Atlantic Ocean
N
148
Figure 6.4 Figure 6.6
Figure 6.5
Atlantic Ocean Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
N N
N
149 Figure 6.7 Figure 6.8
Process Perspectives
150
151
Figure 6.9 Figure 6.10
152
Figure 6.11 Figure 6.12
153
Adult’s Gym/ Night Club
Kid’s Gym/ Teen’ Club
Cafe
Lobby and vertical circulation
Game RoomRestaurant / Lounge
Beach Club
Child Care
Night Club
Observation Tower / Wind Turbines
Hookah/Bed Lounge/Wine Bar
Program
Figure 6.13 Program adjacencies inserted in shape of building
154
Program Diagram Open space VS Enclosed Space
Figure 6.14 Figure 6.15
155
Schematic Plans
N
TOP VIEWFigure 6.16
156
N
GROUND LEVEL
Figure 6.17
157
N
SECOND LEVEL
Figure 6.18
158
N
THIRD LEVEL
Figure 6.19
159
FOURTH LEVEL
N
Figure 6.20
160
ELEVATION
Wind Turbines
Zero Energy Media Wall
Solar Ivy
Whale Power
Figure 6.21
161
Perspective View
Figure 6.22
162
Chapter 7Design Development
163
Lobby
Child Care
Aquatic Rental
Beach Club
Restaurant
Lounge
Cafe
Wind
Sun
Building Plans
Figure 7.1Figure 7.1
164
165
166 166
167 167
168
169
Building Section
Figure 7.13 SECTION A-A
170 170
Wall Section
Figure 7.14
This section shows the green
roof and the istallation of the
zero energy media wall. Sec-
tio taken where marked in
Figure 7.15
Figure 7.15
171 171
172
Figure 7.16CONSTRUCTION DETAIL
This section shows
the construction
details from ground
level to the top of
the tower where the
observation point is
located, cutting the
building and also
the wind turbines to
show their parts
173
Applied Technologies
BioSTREAM
Figure 7.17 CLIMATIC CONDITIONS APPLIED IN DESIGN, SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGIES INTEGRATED, VIEW OF WAVE POWER
174
Figure 7.18 SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGIES APPLIED IN DESIGN, PERSPECTIVE VIEW
175 175
Building Exterior
Figure 7.19 VIEW OF BUILDING EXTERIOR TERRACES
176 176
Figure 7.20 VIEW OF THE PLAZA
177
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
Figure 7.21 PERSPECTIVE VIEW OF THE PROJECT
178
Typical Restaurant use 50KWH per Sq.Ft.
Interior building area 52,000Sq.Ft.
52,000 X 50 KWH = 2,600,000
Energy Consumption
Technology Size / Amount KW Area or amount KW generated Total in the building Solar PV 2’ X4’ Panels 300 Watts 21,852 sq.ft.. 8,195 KWH Ivy Solar 24 leaves per Sq.Ft. 4 Watts per leave 45,000 sq.ft.. 19,440 KWH Zero Energy Media Wall 1 sq.ft.. 35 KWH 25,650 sq.ft. 16,450 KWH Wind 30 ft.. rotor diameter 1 35 KWH 4 140 KWH 22 ft.. rotor diameter 1 10 KWH 4 40 KWH 14 ft.. rotor diameter 1 4 KWH 7 28 KWH 44,293 KWH
Technology Size / Amount KW Area or amount KW generated Total in the buildingWind 30 m. rotor diameter 1 2,500 KWH 870 2,000,208
Wave BioSTREAM 1 1,000 KWH 600 600,000 KWH 2,600,208 KWH
Total energy generated by technologies applied to the building
Total energy generated by technologies located at the site and water
179
RestaurantPlans
179
Figure 7.22RESTAURANT FLOOR PLAN
1
2
180
Figure 7.23RESTAURANT CEILING PLAN
181
RestaurantViews
181
RRestaurantestaurantViews
SUSTAINABLE DANCE FLOOR
RECYCLED CD CASE CHANDELIER
Figure 7.24
Figure 7.25
RESTAURANT ELEVATION
RESTAURANT VIEW 1
182 182
Figure 7.26 RESTAURANT VIEW 2
183
Conclusion
During investigation and design process results of sustainability and energy re-
compiling wasn’t as expected. The original intention was to have a building that could
run by itself without needing any external energy and by using sustainable techniques
to generate energy and to teach people. Achieving this sounded easy as a theory but
proving and implementing it was became a challenge. During the process of design the
building emerge into the site being one environmentally and sustainable designed, but
that didn’t imply that at the end it will became a zero energy. Even when the building
doesn’t harm the environment with its impact, the accomplish of having a zero energy
building takes much more than just implementing technologies that would teach and
184
that will be visible as part of the aesthetic of the building. Having people interacting
with it, such as in the dance floor, can make a significant impact in people and their
understanding of the project but not as significant in the energy generation. This, as
well as the low amount of energy generated by the implemented devices, forced the
designer to add a significant quantity of devices compared to what was originally stipu-
lated in order to accomplish the goal of zero energy building. All these devices (wind
turbines and tidal power generators) were added at the end final phase of the design
and located throughout the plaza and sea perimeter, what end up giving the look of a
visual sustainable gallery.
Since the beginning there were many things to keep in mind in order to keep
this building functional, what makes it much more complicated than what it could be
think of. Changing uses of spaces from day to night, and depending of the day of the
week; requires a high standard design and meticulous thinking about users, uses and
equipment. Making people understand and learn from materials and technologies is
hard to do without a reading or hearing explanation, but making people notice chang-
es in their surrounding isn’t. Maybe people doesn’t learn directly about how does the
technologies implemented in the building work, how much energy does it generates or
what is it for, but they notice changes drastically enough at least to make them wonder.
Without a manual or instructions is hard to understand how a sustainable dance floor
works, but people will anyway know that their steps are changing the lighting of the
space, what will make them feel they are making a contribution in some way.
Making the building available to be frequented the 24 hours a day makes it
more accessible. Places that achieve to have different uses also are more visited. The
185
more types of users than can be gathered in one place the more suitable for the imple-
mentation of cultural activities. The creation of a social place in which people from dif-
ferent ages and social status can share culture and join to do different activities was
completely accomplished since there were many places designed for different taste and
activities.
Changes in nature will always occur, and materials in this building highlight
those changes. The nature is all over the site, and this is in direct contact with the build-
ing interior since the building opens in majority to the exterior taking advantage to
views, natural light and ventilation. This is something people will totally understand
while experimenting the building, since the building doesn’t only demonstrate nature,
sustainability and architecture; but also the change of space through time making every
second a different memory and different story.
186
187
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190
Table of Figures1
192
Figures Chapter 1:
1.1 - Bohio
1.2 - Caney
1.3 - Colonial Architecture in Old San Juan
1.4 - Interior Courtyards from colonial architecture
1.5 - Balconies and large windows from colonial architecture
1.6 - Henry Klumb Church, the picture shows the entrance of natural light and the open-
ings for the entrance of natural ventilation
1.7 - Henry Klumb House brings the exterior to the interior by having a house that is
completely open leaving the air to flow freely and the light to come into the space.
1.8 - Construction where houses are near each other not allowing flow of air nor natural
light.
1.9 - New building from the University of Puerto Rico, where the south facade use large
amounts of glass. This space allow the natural light to come into the space but doesn’t
filter it in any way and the windows are fixed not letting the air flow what makes the
space inside uncomfortable for the user.
1.10 - Table of unemployment rates in the island.
1.11 - Cost of Petroleum versus the cost of Electricity in the Island.
Figures from Chapter 2:
2.1 - Population of Puerto Rico from 1963 till 2010
2.2 - Percentage of population by ages.
2.3 -Percentage of population by gender.
193
2.4 - Industry, comparison between the industry in Puerto Rico and the industry in the
United States of America
2.5 - Education of Population in the Island.
2.6 - Geographical Map.
2.7 - Maximum and Minimum temperature per month in San Juan area.
Figures Chapter 3:
3.1 - Location of Puerto Rico in the world map.
3.2 - Location of San Juan in the map of Puerto Rico, location of Condado in the map of
San Juan and location of the site in Condado.
3.3 - Touristic map of the site surroundings.
3.4 - Walking time radius.
3.5 - Picture of the Conrad San Juan Condado Plaza Hotel and Casino and the Puente do
Hemanos.
3.6 - Picture of the Ramada Hotel.
3.7 - Picture of the site/
3.8 - Picture looking from the site to the Conrad San Juan Condado Plaza Hotel and
Casino.
3.9 - Residential Building in front of the site, (picture taken from site)
3.10 - View of the Street in front of the site and buildings around it.
3.11 - View of the Street in front of the site and buildings around it.
3.12 - View of the Street in front of the site and buildings around it.
3.13 - View of the Street in front of the site and buildings around it.
194
3.14 - Diagram showing where pictures 3.8 - 3.13 were taken.
3.15 - Solid Void
3.16 - Office building next to the site
3.17 - Restaurant next to the office building.
3.18 - Residential buildings in front of the site.
3.19 - Restaurant located in the Conrad San Juan Condado Plaza Hotel and Casino
3.20 - Lounge located in the Conrad San Juan Condado Plaza Hotel and Casino
3.21 - Bar located in the Conrad San Juan Condado Plaza Hotel and Casino
3.22 - Diagram of the uses of surrounding buildings.
3.23 - Diagram of the height of surrounding buildings.
3.24 - Diagram of closing time of the buildings around the site.
3.25 - Picture of the site.
3.26 - Site natural conditions, palms, trees, rock area and beach area.
3.27 - Diagram of climatic conditions for the site
3.28 - Picture of the bus stop located in front of the site.
3.29 - Picture of peatonal, vehicular and public transportation in the site area.
3.30 - Diagram of transportation and transit in the area.
Figures Chapter 4:
4.1 - Diagram of shape of building based on climatic conditions of the site
4.2 - Use of open spaces on site
4.3 - Solar Ivy
4.4 - Dye solar Technology
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4.5 - Photovoltaic Cells
4.6 - BioSTREAM
4.7 - Pelamis Technology
4.8 - Vertical Axis Turbine
4.9 - Wind Turbine, horizontal Axis
4.10 - Whale Power
4.11 - Acrovyn 3000
4.12 - FR Eco Intelligent Polyester
4.13 - Remede
4.14 - Power Point’s Berber Pattern
4.15 - Acoustiflor
4.16 - MG Paradiso
4.17 - Microbium Ceramic tile
4.18 - Metal Series
4.19 - Naturex A 1462
4.20 - Super Celia Skin
4.21 - The Fuzzy Light Switch
4.22 - Solar Motion Dynamic Facades
4.23 - Light Sensitive Concrete
4.24 - Era Design Fine
4.25 - Diagram of adjacencies
4.26 - Diagram of food level adjacencies (cafe, restaurant, lounge)
4.27 - Ground level access to beach club
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4.28 - Child care diagram of relationship with the plaza
4.29 - Diagram of children and teenager level adjacencies
4.30 - Diagram of adult level adjacencies
4.31 - Psychological effect of space in the user
4.32 - Diagram of access, versatility and views
4.33 - Diagram of Spatial qualities
4.34 - Diagram of System integration
4.35 - Diagram of transitional spaces
4.36 - Building clock
4.37 - L/B Lounge, Cape Town
4.38 - Greenhouse, New York
4.39 - Bed Supperclub, Bangkok
4.40 - The clubhouse, Bali
4.41 - Austin Convention Center
4.42 - LACMA
Figures Chapter 5
5.1 - Zoning Requirements
Figures Chapter 6
6.1 - Inspiration Image
6.2 - Diagram showing public spaces to be created
6.3 - Diagram of possible shape of building taking advantages of climatic conditions
197
6.4 - Shape evolution, sketched plan
6.5 - Shape evolution, sketched plan
6.6 - Shape evolution, sketched plan
6.7 - Shape evolution, sketched perspective
6.8 - Shape evolution, sketched perspective
6.9 - Shape evolution, sketched perspective
6.10- Shape evolution, sketched elevation
6.11- Shape evolution, computer model
6.12- Shape evolution, computer model
6.13- Program adjacencies inserted in building shape, 3 dimensional diagram
6.14- Program adjacencies shown in plan
6.15- Diagram of open areas VS enclosed space
6.16- Schematic design top view
6.17- Schematic design ground and site plan
6.18- Schematic design second level
6.19- Schematic design third level
6.20- Schematic design fourth level
6.21- Schematic design elevation
6.22- Schematic design perspective view
Figures Chapter 7
7.1 - Ground level clock
7.2 - Ground level plan inserted in site
7.3 - Second level plan
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7.4 - Second level clock
7.5 - Section of beach club connection between plaza and ocean
7.6 - Third level plan
7.7 - Third level clock
7.8 - Fourth level clock
7.9 - Fourth level plan
7.10- Gym to club transitional space, storage of machines
7.11- Fifth level plan
7.12- Fifth level clock
7.13- Building section A-A
7.14- Wall Section
7.15- Diagram showing where wall section was taken
7.16- Construction detail
7.17- Climatic conditions applied in design, sustainable integration of wave power tech-
nology
7.18- Sustainable technologies applied in design, perspective view
7.19- Building exterior showing terraces
7.20- View to the plaza
7.21- Perspective view of the project
7.22- Restaurant floor plan
7.23- Restaurant Ceiling plan
7.24- Restaurant elevation
7.25- Restaurant view 1
7.26- Restaurant view 2
199
Appendix
200
First Review Board 1-3
201
First Review Board 2-3
202
First Review Board 3-3
203
Inspiration Board
204
Schematic Design Board 2-2
205
Schematic Design Board 1-2
206
Third Review Board 1
207
Final Defense Board 1-2
208
Final Defense Board 2-2
209
Exhibition Board
210
