VAPOR BIOME

RUDN University

Project idea

Water is the basis of life. People use it in all areas of life for survival, energy and entertainment. When we use water in liquid and solid states, we forget about its property of evaporation. Why don't we expand the possibilities of vapor in architecture?
Steam can become a visual spectacle, attracting people from all over the globe. It can become the center of an architectural composition and set the logic of the structure. Besides, vapor has healing properties, forming a recreational space. Therefore, the main idea of the project is to create a Vapor Festival.
Vapor Biome is an environment of interaction between man and nature, where steam becomes the center of architectural solution. It sets the logic of interaction of all parts of the Biome and unites its functional blocks by a single communication artery. The main architectural element of the project is the "architectural cave", which performs the function of steam production and preservation. Grottos and gorges appear inside it, stalactites and stalagmites grow. In the space enveloped in vapor a person cannot clearly distinguish the objects around him, so "crystals" create a vector of movement for a person. The user can move behind the guiding rays of light that turn into horizontal dominants in the dark space of the cave.
A river flows through a complex of caves and gorges. Once inside, it undergoes a process of artificial vaporization through heating, resulting in a transparent and volatile vapor. If it is necessary to create a dense vapor, the resulting substance must also be cooled. Thus begins the movement of vapor throughout the space of the Biome. Finally, the vapor settles in "stalactites", condenses and returns to the river. This is how the water cycle inside the architectural complex is created.

Project description

Project description:


The functions within the Vapor Biome are placed inside the different typologies of architectural caves. The Biome combines all the functions required by man and society in the city.

Vapor Festival:
− A unique event attracting people from all over the world
− Unites all the spaces of the Vapor Biome and becomes the main communication line of the complex
− The spa complex is filled with steam created from the river water inside the Vapor Biome


Grotto:
− The workshops are a complex of mobile fences, allowing the space to adapt to the needs of different users
− The new "cluster of garages" is based on the principle of "private in public": the garage becomes a private module in a public space
− The Animal Research Center creates an environment where animals are "hosts" and people are "guests" in their environment

The Cave:
− The spectacle space is a multi-level permeable structure formed around a central amphitheater. This space is designed to gather all visitors to the Vapor Biome and utilizes the acoustic effect of the caves
− Individual nutritional capsules are built into the topography of the cave structure
− Speleological Exhibition and Museum Center is dedicated to the study of caves and the dissemination of cave knowledge
− New "Rock Art". Every user of the Vapor Biome can leave a mark on history by using the surface of the caves.
− The Center for the Study of Plants in Different Aggregate States of Water helps study the effects of the environment on plant life

Stalactites:
− Stalactites in the Biome's cave structure allow for the organization of condensation accumulation and drainage. This is used in the creation of relaxation spaces. The user can meditate to the sounds of flowing water.


Stalagmites:
− Stalagmites play a role in communication within the Biome, setting the vector of movement for users
− Stalagmites become an external point of attraction

Gorges:
− Sports areas are placed inside narrow caves - gorges
− Sports in the Vapor Biome are movement through gorges and mountain ranges and overcoming obstacles within them

Crystal:

− The Crystal Learning Center allows everyone to take part in learning and creating crystals. The user can grow a crystal on the surface of the center, which is the scientific base of crystal researchers

Technical information

Vapor Biome mimics the natural cave environment while giving the opportunity to create a vapor environment. Different types of architectural caves and rock formations become structural elements of the Vapor Biome and become function bearers:
− Caves create a network of communications within the Vapor Biome;
− Stalactites facilitate condensate collection and create spaces for relaxation and meditation;
− Stalagmites become an artificial barrier to wind and an external vantage point. Being on the outside of the Vapor Biome, they are able to help users inside navigate the vapor environment;
− A narrow gorge, can be filled with various functions and is able to separate the flow of people;
− A grotto serves as a vapor retention and preservation point. It also becomes a point of community unification;
− Small vertical caves create opportunities for solitude, silence and relaxation.

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