URBAN MICROCLIMATE CANOPY
Dürnast October 2018
On October 13 2018, the UMCC prototype was set up and has since then been accessible on a fallow area in Dürnast near Freising. During a trial period spanning several years, the aim is to investigate how different climbing plants can establish themselves on the composite structure and how they cope with the structure itself. Several plant species were used on the structure, such as the grapevine Parthenocissus quinquefolia, which holds on with the help of adhesive tendrils, the hardy kiwi variety Actinidia chinensis 'Weiki', a perennial vine that wraps itself around the glass fibre strands, and a key spreading climber, namely the climbing rose variety 'Bobbie James' Pyramid.
URBAN MICROCIMATE CANOPY in Stuttgart 18th-23rd March 2018
The design of public spaces is a major challenge for urban planners. The Urban Microclimate Canopy is created through the interplay of robotically manufactured fibre constructions and naturally growing plant structures. It creates lounging zones with different shadow and light atmospheres both in daylight and in semi-darkness. The elements are easy to install and the amount of material used for the lightweight structure is comparatively low. The systematic integration of plants creates an innovative micro-architecture that can be adapted to different spatial situations and is intended to improve outdoor comfort, especially in urban heat islands. The design process integrates computer-aided design methods and robotics with the growth patterns of living plants, creating a new dimension in the design of public space.
___________________________________
Project management
Moritz Dörstelmann (fibr.tech), Prof. Dr. Ferdinand Ludwig, Lorenz Boigner, Prof. Thomas Auer, Daniele Santucci (TU München)
Design team
Teodor Andonov, Andrea Fölbach, Carlo Guernier, Luciano Majorano, Francesco Martini, Qiguan Shu, Björn Siegmund, Marco Zanchetta
Partners and sponsors
Urban Micro Climate Canopy is a project of the research lab at the TUM department of architecture.
