Project Name: PLANTAE TOWER - Biofuel Producing Architecture
Location: Dubai Design District
Function: Residential + Research Tower
Plot: 4000 sqm
PROJECT THEME
Our planet is in dire need of saving. Humanity’s eradication of nature has had a devastating impact on every aspect of our lives including our health, population and wildlife. Nature is targeted for its non-renewable fuels, which has continued to contribute to the heating of the planet and has caused severe climate change. This should concern every human since it affects animal ecosystems, food production and essential biodiversity. To save our planet, we need to focus on alternative energy resources. There have been a lot of surges in technology and advancements that have helped find solutions other than using non-renewable fuels as sources of energy. The main goal of my project is to raise awareness of these emerging integrated innovative technology and help visualize a sustainable building community. I propose to design a tower that advertises a Biofuel-Producing Architecture. It will become a beacon of hope for a sustainable future and will raise awareness about the crisis of climate change. The purpose of the tower is to educate people about the necessity of protecting the environment.
ECONOMY, ECOLOGY & EQUITY
Economy: Due to the economic crises currently hitting all gulf countries, due to Covid-19 pandemic and the drop in oil prices, development halted significantly in the United Arab Emirates. This hits hard in the UAE because its economical structure depends on trading oil and tourism. The tower will reignite interest in the investment of sustainable technology and innovation, and bring income to the country through tourism and research.
Ecological: Due to the oil boom around 1970 and the construction of unsustainable megaprojects, the UAE has the world’s highest per capita environmental footprint. The tower can provide a solution by introducing the bio adaptive façade that can convert algal biomass by combusting it for power and heat generation, and stored with virtually no energy loss. The result is a zero net carbon emission with no carbon emissions entering the atmosphere.
Equity: The impact of the tower could be incredibly useful to the health and welfare of the people surrounding the area of construction. By creating a structure that promotes creativity, sustainability, and wonderment, the people visiting will receive a chance in educating themselves about the devastating consequence of climate change. Since the tower is multifunctional, it contains research labs and educational institutes that could provide jobs for the local people.
WHY WE SHOULD ACT NOW
SITE ANALYSIS
It is important to note that the selection of the site depended on the availability of a spot near an algae source. By being located right next to the Ras Al Khor Wildlife, which produces algae, we can save on transportation cost and emission. The distance from the wetland to the building was well considered as to make sure the wetland does not get affected by the construction of the building.
CONCEPT
The algae pipes are an integral part of the tower. Their main aim is to absorb carbon dioxide emissions and produce oxygen by the help of photosynthesis. In doing so energy is produced, which allows algae to make carbohydrates, oils and proteins. These in turn can be processed to become a third generation biofuel. The algae oils can be converted to biodiesel and the remaining material can be used to create bioethanol. There is a growing market for techniques in algae biofuel production, since it is a low life-cycle carbon emitting fuel.
SUSTAINABLE APPROACH
Low Energy Consumption is one of the main targets of the tower. Since it is a stand-alone system, it is crucial to save energy whenever possible, while keeping in mind human comfort. Dubai's heat is famous for it's high temperature so maintaining the cool temperature of the tower plays a big part in reducing energy consumption. By providing simple passive cooling systems such as overhangs and low-e glass, we can manage to improve the indoor thermal comfort.
DESIGN PROCESS
PLANS
ELEVATIONS
SECTION
DETAILED SECTION
BIOMASS REFINERY SYSTEM
Using biomass through the process of biomass refinery system to produce alternatives for fuels and other chemicals currently derived from non-renewable resources (coal, oil & natural gas) is one of the most sustainable methods to combat the depletion of fossil fuels and our fight against climate change. In a biorefinery, the algae collected is converted through a thermochemical process into a mixture of compounds that are further processed to create high-value fuels or chemicals that useful in different sectors.
INTEGRATION OF PIPES
The algae pipes are not simply for sustainable purpose but also for design and educational purpose. The aim is to arouse curiosity for both the residents and visitors. By observing the mechanics and innovative technology of these pipes, they are able to educate themselves as to why they are necessary and understand the importance of adapting to new techniques in order to gain energy in the most sustainable and renewable methods possible. As for the design aspect, they can be used as partitions thus saving on building material cost and transportation.
STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS
PUBLIC (Private) VS PUBLIC (Shared) SPACES
RESIDENTIAL PUBLIC AREA
The structure of the building integrates the algae pipe as to completely blend with its surroundings.
ALGAE PLACEMENT AS SHADING DEVICE
The number of Algae pipes increase at points where the sun is at its highest point in the sky and the heat is at its most during the day. The algae will act as a shading device and absorb the sun's heat, this will help keep cool temperature and reduce energy consumption. The innovative aspect is in it's own sustenance, as it does not simply block the sunlight but makes use of it by converting the light energy into chemical energy through photosynthesis. This system is most sustainable as it does not require energy from an outsource to perform the conversion of energy.
RESEARCH PUBLIC AREA
CIRCULATION
OPPOSITE THE CREEK
SHARED PUBLIC AREA
Thesis Book Link : https://issuu.com/basantabdelrhaman/docs/green_uncovered
Construction Drawings Link : https://issuu.com/basantabdelrhaman/docs/basanta._502_2021_cd
Don't forget, we only have one planet, taking care of it should always be our priority number 1 !
Thank you!
Don't forget, we only have one planet, taking care of it should always be our priority number 1 !
Thank you!
