Studio Càrdenas
Mauricio Càrdenas
london02.jpg

Projects/Micro Architecture/London 2008 Adaptable Architecture Gallery on Thames river

Galleria di Architettura, come un oggetto d’Architettura galleggiante, sul Tamigi, come opportunità unica di contribuire positivamente alla creazione di un ambiente migliore, per creare un forte legame tra l’uomo e la natura. La chiatta, non modificata, è trasformata in una macchina per purificare l’acqua, l’acqua del fiume viene all’interno purificata e pompata fuori, dal cono a fiore centrale, ispirato dalla forma organica, plastica e seducente della calla. Con la caduta, viene creato un involucro d’acqua che, agendo come una pellicola naturale permette un controllo micro-climatico, riducendo la temperatura interna nei mesi estivi; leggermente riscaldata, l’acqua delle cascate, crea un piacevole apporto termico nei mesi invernali. Gli spazi espositivi sono concepiti come volumi indipendenti, che avendo proporzioni differenti permettono grande flessibilità di utilizzo. Una vasca galleggiante, formata da una membrana semipermeabile raccoglie l’acqua purificata e alimenta un vivaio di ninfee, creando un ambiente unico e fortemente evocativo per la città di Londra.

London 2008 Adaptable Architecture Gallery on Thames river

Anno / Year: 2008

Committente / Client:
Arquitectum, Architectural Association School, London

Ubicazione / Location: London

Team di progetto / Project team: M. Cardenas con R. Banfi, T. Soheylian, A. Ryakhovskaya.

Consulenti / Consultants: Buro Happold Ltd (structures, sustainability):
W. Mangelsdorf, D. Appleby, G. Melis

An architecture gallery, an ARCHITECTURE object floating on the THAMES is a unique opportunity to contribute to the ENVIRONMENT, to create a strong link between MAN an NATURE.
The BARGE, left as original, is transformed inside into a WATER PURIFICATION machine. Thames water is brought inside, purified and then POURED through the central FLOWER like structure into a POND where water is RECYCLED to be poured back again. The WATER FALL creates a unique NATURAL ENVELOPE for the gallery relating with the CONTEXT, river and city, through TRANSPARENCY and REFLECTION. The WATER envelope acts as a MICRO CLIMATE control device offering FREE-COOLING during summer, SUN and NOISE control. During WINTER water is slightly heated creating a THERMAL BUFFER between outside and inside.
The GALLERY lies smoothly on top of a 27x12 metres barge, is an independent LIGHT supporting STRUCTURE in steel grillage and FLOWER like special elements in fibre-reinforced plastic. The WALKWAYS in teak wood floor fly over the barge CONNECTING the exhibition spaces and cafeteria. The EXHIBITION spaces are conceived as INDEPENDENT volumes with different proportions in order to allow maximum FLEXIBILITY in term of use. The BARGE is no part of the gallery’s area, is a TERRACE from where to admire the CITY.
The DOCK is located right by the Millennium Bridge,on St.Paul’s Cathedral side, considered an STRATEGICAL point where to CONNECT the gallery into the river pedestrian NETWORK.
The water lily POND, separated from the river by a membrane, and the WATER FALL envelope create a MOVING NATURAL ENVIRONMENT unique for the city of London.

Studio Conscious design Team NEW Consulting