Ambient Interventions:

An Architecture of Atmospheres, Experiences, and Microclimates

Nathan Pundt
CCA M.Arch Thesis Presentation
10.18.2011
 “POWER-OPERATED” SOLUTION

“STRUCTURAL” SOLUTION The Parthenon,

Athens, 4th Century BCE

“ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT”

sources: Banham, Reyner. The Architecture of the Well-Tempered Environment. Chicago: University of Chicago, 1969. Print. image source: http://karenswhimsy.com/parthenon.shtm 10.17.11
Banham, Reyner “A Home is Not a House.” Art in America, April: 70-79,1965
 apple orange avocado banana

psychrometry of plants

sweat lodge : 140º-240º

sauna : 120º-212º

ath
l b
rma
the
tub
hot
bikram yoga

g
in
dance

rf
su
club
y
ba
the
in
g
min
im sunbathing
sw

ice skating

psychrometry of human comfort psychrometry of human experience

Carrier Psychrometric Chart, 1908,

from Mayer, H J, and Neeraj Bhatia. -arium: Weather + Architecture. Ostfildern: Hatje Cantz, 2010.
 100º

90º

80º

70º
75.4º 68.7º

70.5º 60º
80.6º 79.6º 78.1º

80.7º 50º

80.0º 80.3º

52º
53º

54º

05:00 PM :: MAR. 9, 2011 :: CCA ALPHA/BETA BUILDING CROSS-SECTION

100º

90º

80º

70º
56.4º 51.7º

75.6º 60º
69.9º 70.5º 74.5º

80.8º 50º

68.0º 69.3º

52º
53º
54º

07:00 AM :: MAR. 9, 2011 :: CCA ALPHA/BETA BUILDING CROSS-SECTION

A CONTINUUM OF CONDITIONS
 INSULATION
CIRCULATION FAT
TEMPORAL LIFE- EVAPORATION SNOUT
ANATOMICAL CYCLE
SWEAT
FEATHERS
SKIN FUR
DECIDUOUSNESS
PHYSIOLOGICAL PANTING MUSCULAR ACTIVITY DENS
HIBERNATION
NESTS

MIGRATION EXCERCISE SOCIAL SPACE

BEHAVIORAL TEMPORAL USE CLOTHING PRIVATE SPACE “PROGRAM”
OF SPACE
CULTURAL FASHION URBAN SPACE
CULTURAL TIME
CUSTOMS
CLIMATE LIFESTYLES
RESPONSE
WEATHER MODIFICATION
MICROCLIMATE

FOREST
FIELD
ENVIRONMENTAL FIRE VENTILATION CLEARING
FIRE IN SHELTER WIND-CATCHER FARM COLD FRAME TENT
ARCHITECTURAL FIRE IN HEARTH EVAPORATIVE COOL PARK GREENHOUSE TIPI
FIRE IN BOX AIR-CONDITIONING LAWN BIOSPHERE IGLOO
BOILER JUNKSPACE HUT
HEAT EXCHANGER CABIN
HOUSE
MANSION
MODIFICATION & RESPONSE
RENZO PIANO WORKSHOP/H.M. WHITE SITE ARCHITECTS : NY TIMES BUILDING : NY, NY
image source: http://www.archdaily.com/102398/the-new-york-times-building-lobby-garden-hm-white-site-architects-and-cornelia-oberlander-architects/
http://www.hmwhitesa.com/new-york-times-garden-court.html 10.17.11
PRECEDENT: MICROCLIMATE AS SOCIAL CONDENSER
ECOSISTEMA URBANO : AIR-TREE SOCIAL DYNAMIZER : ECO-BOULEVARD VALLECAS, MADRID, 2007
image source: http://ecosistemaurbano.org 10.17.11
 PHILIPPE RAHM ARCHITECTES : PUBLIC AIR : GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, 2009 (UNBUILT)

PRECEDENT: “ARCHITECTURE AS METEOROLOGY & ATMOSPHERE”

“SPACE AS THERMODYNAMIC TENSION,” PROGRAM AS CLIMATIC CONDITION PHILIPPE RAHM ARCHITECTES :
CONVECTIVE MUSEUM : WROCLAW,
POLAND, 2008 (UNBUILT)
image source: http://www.philipperahm.com/ 10.17.11