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UDAD 2018 Landscape Design

Parasol by AMA Andreas Mede Architect

“Parasol” is an open sculptural pavilion which generates power with its colored semi-transparent photo-voltaic roof structure; inspired by the traditional Chinese parasol and the nearby Na’Tian flower farm.

Urban Design & Architecture Design Awards 2018
First Award | Category: Landscape Design
Architects: Andreas Mede
Studio: AMA Andreas Mede Architect

Country: United States
Website: www.am-a.net
Location: Siqian China

The invention of the parasol goes back at least 2,000 years in Chinese history. Traditionally they were made of silk or paper treated with wax or lacquer, and often in bright colors. The imperial family was allowed to use red and yellow, while the ordinary people used blue. Parasols and umbrellas were items of social status as well as providing practical protection from the sun and elements.

Idea

To create a beautiful and dynamic organic open structure in the park for resting and socializing, using the motif of the parasol. Constructed of repeating parasol like structures to provide protection from sun and rain. Integrated into the canopy of each module are colored photovoltaic elements to provide in a very visible manner clean energy production. The varying colored palette of the roof elements recalls traditional Chinese sun umbrellas and is in reference to the fields of wildflowers of the NaTian Flower Farm. The emotive power of the warm color palette is intended to enhance the user’s well-being and joyfulness.

Design Process

The design process uses as an organizational principle the rigorous use of structurally strong triangular units to create a roof canopy based on hexagon elements; columns are created using triangular shapes for dimensional stability, the result is then intuitively edited and manipulated to create an organic plan and three-dimensional structure.

Location

Proposed location within the Ecological Central Park at the western terminus of the silk towel route near Luoma Lake, within the area of the Leisure Park; intended to be the start/finish of the route thru the park.

Technology + Energy Production Clearly integrated are the environmental design elements of colored/photovoltaic panels. Similar to plant photosynthesis, sunlight is transformed into electrical energy via organic transparent colored solar cells; they are indifferent to the angle of incidence of light. The colored cells alternate with black cells for 45% transparency with sun shading creating a dynamic atmosphere.

Water Harvesting

The entire roof area is used to collect rainwater; gutters at the perimeter of each triangular element are drained via internal pipes into a subterranean storm water collection system.

Construction

The roof consists of stainless-steel triangular elements, which are grouped together to form hexagons as the primary organizational unit. The roof rests on a series of three-dimensional triangular columns of stainless-steel construction providing both load bearing support and lateral stability. All stainless-steel parts are polished to create reflective surfaces that enhance the effect created by sunlight passing through the transparent solar cells of the roof elements.

Flexibility

System can be assembled in nearly endless configurations. For various pavilion structures, electrical vehicle parking/charging stations, as the roofing component for buildings, cafes bus stops, etc.

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