The project consists of designing a sustainable research centre situated on a site to the west of the NMMU plot, to the left of the Architecture/Library building. The whole centre would comprise of 2 lecture venues of different sizes, research centres specific to wind, solar and water energy.
Carefull placement of the centre of the building is critical, issues such as axes, paths leading from the university, existing parking areas and courtyard spaces. Weather and climate factors all need to be addressed when deciding on the placement of the centre.
My strategy was to place my lecturing and academic facilities to the east of the site bordering the folliage of trees to the existing courtyard for passive cooling purposes. I wanted to venture into container buildings as my precedent study for my project as they have proven to be very sustainable and cheap. Some very inovative configurations exist out there, i wanted something not standard, like just brick walls or concrete, but a mix-play of masonry, steel and metals. With container buildings they can be considered much lighter than sheer mass concrete and is more cost effective and can be delivered to the site as a pod ready made, hence construction time is also limited.
I wanted to place all my research centres off the ground, on the first floor level for maximum exposure to the elements of the surrounding climate, being situated in a coastal region, making full use of the strong prevailing South Westerly and South Easterly winds. In addition the solar research centre will not be sheltered from any sun striking the site, therefore maximum sun exposure and absorption leading to 'free' energy.
Below are some of my concepts that i wish to implement in my building that i have investigated:
Then ended up with more or less a concept design which i'm in the process of refinement:
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