Introduction

The purpose of this project was to build a data-driven structure that was computationally designed to take wind as a key parameter for it’s optimization.

Location

The site selected for this assignment is located in Bergen, Norway. Bergen is characterized by elevated sky cover throughout the year thus resulting in low direct solar radiation. The average temperature is around 16 degrees whilst during the period from October to May Bergen suffers temperatures close to zero, elevated snowfall and high wind speeds. A closer analysis of the wind directions show prevailing winds from South east and North west. These winds can be seen as problematic due to the high speeds they can reach as seen in the wind-rose diagram.

Form Finding

The wind-rose data is used to identify the direction of the two main winds, which is the starting point for the design approach. This data is combined with the shape’s geometry, which is made up of many circles arranged radially around a core open space. The prevailing winds increase the radius of the circles with which they cross, allowing the structure to function as a wind barrier. An opening is made in the direction of the least prevailing wind, and the final composition is reached through inflation.

Penalization

Final Render

Iglooo is a project of IAAC, the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, developed during the Master in Advanced Architecture (MAA01) 2021/22 by students: Alex Ferragu, Mira Housen, Mara Luisa Müller-de Ahna,  & Muhammad Taimur Mian; faculty: David Andrés Lèon; faculty assistant: Ashkan Foroughi; and student assistants: Uri Lewis Torres, Laukik Lad.