House As Thesis - An Architecture Of Atmospheric Typologies

Design Concept Explained

The proposed design concept utilizes titanium oxide as a purification agent within the building envelope to address the particular environmental conditions of Shanghai.  The design becomes expressive of its surrounding atmosphere as the intake of clean air and exhaust of air saturated with CO2 becomes communicated to the buildings occupants by the inflation and deflation of the interior building membrane.  This lung like affect is representative of the buildings interaction with the exterior polluted air and the buildings habitable condition based on the clean air it produces.  Additionally as the titanium oxide reacts with VOC's in the building envelope the by-product of this chemical reaction, H₂O, also helps to shape the building spatial organization.  Within the double skinned building envelope the increased level of heat and moisture due to the aforementioned chemical reaction along with the already high level of humidity in Shanghai would create a microclimate of condensation to occur between the double layered envelope system.  This condensation most predominant on the south side of the building due to increased level of solar exposure and chemical reaction between the Titanium Oxide and VOC's helped to determine the spatial organization of private spaces such as the homes bedroom and washroom. 

Why This Form

For the chemical reaction between titanium oxide and VOC's to occur UV radiation must be introduced to produce an effective result.  This fact was a driving force for the homes bubble like form.  This shape provides the optimal solar exposure to all surfaces on the building without the form shading itself.  Although this shape satisfies the need for solar exposure it decreases the amount of surface area able to be covered with the purification agent titanium oxide.  To counter this dilemma the interior membrane has been designed with a raised protrusions or bumps to increase the overall surface area of the membrane.

The flow of lines emanating from the buildings form and tree are indications of the purified air and its atmospheric effect on the exterior of the building in creating zones of cleaner air for exterior occupants.