Automated: A Climate Responsive Learning Hub for Architectural Education

Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology, Department of Architecture, Faculty of Architecture and Planning, Dhaka

Project idea

Buildings can be viewed as a composition of "skeleton" (structural framework) and "skin" (façade or envelope).
Using alternative materials and advancements in computational technology has transformed the approach to structure and façade, enabling innovative forms and spatial configurations that respond to the local climate.

This project aims to rethink the academic building for the Department of Architecture at a prestigious South Asian university located in a tropical savanna climate zone.

The goal of this project was to address the existing problems of the university campus and redesign the whole building by exploring innovative forms and spatial configurations to address the regional climatic conditions of the location. So, a climate-responsive, well-functioning building was designed with high-performance building envelope technology, addressing both structural integrity and aesthetic appeal.

Project description

The building is designed to have both automated and manually controlled metal modules that interact with the climate and rotate according to the spaces' needs. So, a climate-responsive building facade offers the users of the building different experiences on different sides of the building. The design tries to present a better learning environment by solving the existing building issues, such as natural ventilation, noise, and privacy issues. It also enhances the daylight experience in the building.

Based on daylight analysis, automated (programmed) corten steel sandwich panel louvers have been integrated on the east, west, southeast, and southwest sides. These louvers rotate to modulate direct sunlight according to the daylight requirements of each space, providing diverse experiences around the building. Photovoltaic panels combined with ETFE panels are installed on the south façade corridors of the building. These panels are seasonally adjustable to optimize sunlight absorption for maximum energy conversion, reduce glare, and partially block rainwater from entering the corridors during the rainy season.

The ground floor tries to follow an open plan layout in most parts to visually connect the formal entry at the north with the general pedestrians and students' entry at the south. The club room is located on the ground floor with bi-folding doors to open up the room and connect it with the lobby space for club-activity-related small gatherings.
First, Second, and Third Floor: The design incorporates two studio classrooms, professor's rooms, and a theory classroom on each floor, except the ground and fourth floors. On the second floor, the space between the studio classrooms extends northward to create a double-height exhibition area, which can also serve as a jury space for student projects. This area benefits from diffused northern light.
Entrance and Interaction Spaces: The slab of the exhibition space serves as a shaded drop-off area, leading to a grand entrance with double-height ceilings on the north side, which is the formal entry to the building. The south side considered the heart of the building, is designed for student interaction and activities, with views of a picturesque field and a semi-outdoor staircase.
Studio Classrooms: The slabs of the studio classrooms extend slightly towards the north for the placement of planter boxes, shielding studios from road noise and dust.
Fourth Floor: An interactive fourth-floor terrace adjacent to the sculpture studio allows outdoor model-making and photography utilizing natural light.

Technical information

The Corten steel panels serve as climate-responsive facade panels on the building's east and west sides, as well as the southeast and south-west sides, and the northern exhibition space. The panels on the east and south-east sides automatically stay at an angle of 30° from the normal of the sun's rays from dawn to 12:00 pm to allow reflect-ed light to enter the interior. Then it stays open for the rest of the day. The western and south-western panels stay open the whole day, but they rotate along a z-axis perpendicular to the sun's rays during the afternoon to resist direct heat from the west.
Photovoltaic panels paired with ETFE panels have been designed to be installed in front of the corridors on the south side of the building. The photo-voltaic panels are operated seasonally. They adjust themselves at an average angle during the whole season to absorb maximum sunlight and convert it to energy, while the ETFE panels allow controlled sunlight to enter inside. The vertical green pivoting panels provide adaptive shading in the northern exhibition space. This dynamic louver system allows the envelope to responsively control daylighting inside the building based on orientation and time of day.