Faced with increasing heat waves as a result of climate change, several European cities are testing so-called “climate shelters“. The most vulnerable citizens can access them to protect themselves during these extreme heat episodes. In response to these new needs, Amusement Logic is designing climate shelters inspired by the tunnel-like planted pergolas typical of European gardens.
These are vaulted spaces covered with vegetation and, therefore, sheltered from the sun’s rays. In the case of our design proposal, a succession of parabolic arches serve as a supporting structure for the dense plant vault. At the same time, this structure is used for the piping of a misting system.
In this way, the design of our umbraculum uses a double cooling system: that produced naturally by the vegetation, and adiabatic cooling, by evaporation of the micro-droplets of water mist. In this way we manage to reduce the temperature of the environment. The vault is complemented with water games for adults and children to cool off and play, and with a bench to sit quietly and enjoy the coolness of the jungle.
By Manuel Ginés, senior architect in Amusement Logic’s Architecture Department.
