HexaVenture – ITP Thesis Archive 2024

Abstract

HexaVenture is an innovative project that proposes to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by providing an alternative to traditional air conditioning systems in environments with moderate temperatures. This is achieved by combining sustainable design and principles of fluid mechanics. At its core, HexaVenture seeks to address a critical question: "How can sustainable design and principles of fluid mechanics be harnessed to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions?" This initiative unveils novel design strategies that leverage the properties of sustainable materials and aerodynamic concepts to bolster natural air circulation, curtailing the necessity for energy-intensive cooling approaches. Driven by a profound concern for the environment and the imperative to slash greenhouse gas emissions, HexaVenture aspires to decrease its energy footprint significantly in conditions not characterized by extreme temperatures. The project focuses on developing new design strategies that leverage the properties of sustainable materials and aerodynamic concepts to create highly effective passive cooling systems. HexaVenture is tailored to resonate with a broad spectrum of individuals, ranging from designers and architects focusing on sustainable materials to urban planners in metropolitan areas and inhabitants of developing countries confronting intense heat. By emphasizing the use of locally sourced, sustainable materials, HexaVenture introduces autonomous passive indoor ventilation systems that are both economically viable and widely accessible. This initiative offers a practical remedy to the challenges presented by urban heat islands and limited cooling technology access. It acts as a beacon of innovation for sustainable design and environmental art.

Technical Details

Sustainable Materials and Form:

The focus on sustainability led to the selection of environmentally friendly materials that contribute to the overall efficiency of design. These include biodegradable plastic (**PHAs**), wood, clay, and composites that provide both insulation and durability while significantly reducing the carbon footprint.

For HexaVenture's demonstration model, 3d printed clay was used as the outer structure. Clay naturally has the ability to store water and stay cool when wet. Maple hardwood was chosen for the tunnel because it is a sustainable material that is easy to manufacture and has low thermal conduction. Mycelium was stuffed between clay and wood because mycelium is a water/fire resistant material. Also, its rough surfaces provide some acoustic capacity. To further develop the efficiency of the design, the material used for the tunnel should have high thermal mass and low thermal conduction. Thermal mass absorbs heat during the day and releases it into the air at night, resulting in a constantly cooler indoor temperature.

HexaVenture's design uses form to enhance air circulation within a space by changing the speed of air. Generally the space through which air flows, becomes smaller thereby the velocity of the air will increase. This is due to the principle of continuity, which states that the volume of air passing through any given point in a system must remain constant. When the space becomes smaller, the same volume of air must pass through it in a shorter amount of time, resulting in an increase in velocity. In HexaVenture, this principle is leveraged to enhance ventilation without the need for energy-intensive mechanical systems.

After research, it was determined that the larger opening of the channel needs to be designed with a specific curvature so that it will face less resistance when air passes through. On the other hand, the small opening of the channel must meet a range in a ratio, which also prevents a 'whistling’ sound.

Research/Context

A deep concern for the environment and the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions motivated the design of the HexaVenture. According to the New York Times, buildings alone account "for about 70 percent of New York City's greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to disrupted weather patterns and rising sea levels, (Howard.)" Building design that utilizes sustainable materials and aerodynamic principles could be able to enhance natural air circulation, reducing the need for energy-intensive air conditioning.

Fluid mechanics principles have been used in India since the 16th century. "Jaali is used as a tool to cut down the solar heat gain and cool the natural breeze passing through it, optimizing the energy requirement of the building. So Jaali helps to achieve the goal of sustainable architecture in the construction industry." Both the Taj Mahal and the Hawa Mahal use this technique.

The Microsoft office in Noida, northern India, employs Jaali to "keep the building's carbon footprint low and is one of the reasons the office has a Leed (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) platinum rating (https://www.usgbc.org/leed), the US Green Building Council's highest sustainability certification, (Azmi.)" Ventilation and Shade: Permeable Walls in Colombian Architecture discuss natural ventilation through permeable walls. These techniques align with HexaVenture's goal of enhancing indoor air circulation with innovative wall design. Bio-jaali, "a study aimed to redesign 'Jaali'-perforated screens made of bricks and sandstones to cool the incoming air inspired by historical building use-with bio-based materials such as mycelium (Debnath.)," makes the connection even more apparent.

Valuable insight was also gained from "Sustainable Materials, Processes, and Production" by Rob Thompson. This book provides a comprehensive overview of sustainable materials and their applications, which aligns closely with HexaVenture's focus on innovatively utilizing sustainable materials.

Coolant (https://www.coolant.co/#hero-section), an art studio focused on the art of natural cooling, showcases innovative cooling technologies that align with the aim of reducing reliance on traditional air conditioning. It provides practical insights for implementing new cooling solutions in building design. Another art studio focused on the integration of ecology and architecture by combining sustainable materials with functional design, improving air circulation and environmental responsiveness is Ecologicstudio. (https://www.ecologicstudio.com/projects)

Azmi, Feza Tabassum. "How India's Lattice Buildings Cool Without Air Con." *BBC News*, BBC, 21 Sept. 2022, www.bbc.com/future/article/20220920-how-indias-lattice-buildings-cool-without-air-con.

Debnath, Kumar Biswajit, et al. "Bio-jaali: Passive building skin with mycelium for climate change adaptation to extreme heat." *Building Simulation Conference Proceedings*, 4 Sept. 2023, https://doi.org/10.26868/25222708.2023.1516.

Howard, Hilary. "New York's New Anti-Pollution Law Is Here. Even Supporters Don't Like It." *The New York Times*, The New York Times, 15 Sept. 2023, www.nytimes.com/2023/09/15/nyregion/law-97-building-pollution-nyc.html#:~:text=Buildings%20are%20responsible%20for%20about,patterns%20and%20rising%20sea%20levels.

Abstract

Technical Details

Research/Context

Further Reading