Air-Shade

Responsive sustainable shading system

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    Project entry 2014 Europe – Air-Shade: Responsive sustainable shading system, Vienna, Austria

    Accordingly to the size of the structure, the shutter units could differ in size, and where possible even in form. Freeform structures could benefit from this as well. Unlike lamellas or shading screens, smaller units allow local response and higher shading quality. Responsive shading systems have been emerging over the past few decades. However, they share the common problem of using sensors, electronic, motors, and external energy sources which require frequent maintenance.

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    Project entry 2014 Europe – Air-Shade: Responsive sustainable shading system, Vienna, Austria

    Initial model of shading units: the air container in front features its particular shape for a greater surface to volume difference, in order to cool and heat up more quickly. The pneumatic actuation system uses reverse umbrella mechanics for opening the shutter units. Diffuse lighting penetrates the shading system in order to optimize daylight usage, and the reduction of artificial lightning. The shutters are displayed in one of the possible arrangements, and material execution.

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    Project entry 2014 Europe – Air-Shade: Responsive sustainable shading system, Vienna, Austria

    Shading as a response: by opening itself, the system enhances cooling of buildings.

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    Project entry 2014 Europe – Air-Shade: Responsive sustainable shading system, Vienna, Austria

    Solar gain over time: the opening of the shading system and heat elimination.

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    Project entry 2014 Europe – Air-Shade: Responsive sustainable shading system, Vienna, Austria

    Shading system responds to the immediate local environment: eg: clouds, vegetation, etc.

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    Project entry 2014 Europe – Air-Shade: Responsive sustainable shading system, Vienna, Austria

    Initial shading unit construction in open and closed position.

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    Project entry 2014 Europe – Air-Shade: Responsive sustainable shading system, Vienna, Austria

    The functioning prototype with 1m2 shading area and one of the possible shading textiles.

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    Project entry 2014 Europe – Air-Shade: Responsive sustainable shading system, Vienna, Austria

    Air container with a thermomanometer tracks the changes in temperature and pressure.

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    Project entry 2014 Europe – Air-Shade: Responsive sustainable shading system, Vienna, Austria

    Detail of the functioning prototype in an open position, without the shading textile.

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    Project entry 2014 Europe – Air-Shade: Responsive sustainable shading system, Vienna, Austria

    Prototype detail in closed position without the shading textile and air container in front.

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    Holcim Awards 2014 Europe ceremony, Moscow, Russia

    Presentation of the Holcim Awards “Next Generation” 6th prize 2014 Europe for “Air-Shade: Responsive sustainable shading system, Vienna, Austria” (l-r): Claude Fussler, Founding member of the Board of the Holcim Foundation, France; Nikola Znaor (from Croatia), Academy of Fine Arts, Vienna, Austria; and Horia Adrian, Holcim Area Manager Emerging Europe, Representative of Holcim in the Holcim Awards jury 2014 Europe.

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    Holcim Awards 2014 Europe ceremony, Moscow, Russia

    Winner of the “Next Generation” 6th prize for “Air-Shade. Responsive sustainable shading system, Vienna, Austria”, Nikola Znaor (right) chats with a member of the Holcim Awards Bronze winning team for “The Commons: Participatory urban neighborhood, Vienna, Austria”, Luis Palacios Labrador of Arenas Basabe Palacios arquitectos, Spain.

  • Next generation Next Generation 6th prize 2014–2015 Europe

Cooling as a process is one of the biggest energy consumers in the building sector globally. Air-shade addresses this problem by proposing a shading system that is sensitive to solar exposure and powered by air – with no need of any external energy source. It can vary in scale, size, material, and form: the proposed device is therefore applicable to a broad variety of buildings, constructions, façades, roofs, windows, etc.

 

Last updated: August 25, 2022

By Nikola Znaor - Academy of Fine Arts, Vienna, Austria

Ideas: Nature-Based Solutions (NbS)

Cooling as a process is one of the biggest energy consumers in the building sector globally. Air-shade addresses this problem by proposing a shading system that is sensitive to solar exposure and powered by air – with no need of any external energy source.

It can vary in scale, size, material, and form: the proposed device is therefore applicable to a broad variety of buildings, constructions, façades, roofs, windows, etc.

Air-Shade

Project authors

  • Project update – Air-Shade: Responsive sustainable shading system, Vienna, Austria
    Nikola Znaor

    Academy of Fine Arts

    Austria

Project updates