SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE
05 Nov 2014
'The Gate Residence' has been designed to promote sustainable architecture and will include a ‘big garden in the sky’, mega living green walls and a solar roof.
‘The Gate Residence’ to be built in Cairo, is a multi-use complex inspired by the structure of coral reefs. The scheme creates an eco-friendly hyper-connected ecosystem, featuring a solar roof, green terraces, sky villas and a range of integrated green features in a bid to promote sustainable architecture.
The external transparent curtain facade is punctuated by green walls while inside the façades present organic shapes that reference a coral reef, with a progressive density from bottom to top. Each of these elevations is linked by footbridges that traverse the green terraces inside each of the courtyards.
The roof of the complex is transformed into a big community garden – a common area of orchards, infinity swimming pools and sports facilities.
The scheme boasts eight unique green features:
WindcatchersNine windcatchers, which reference traditional Egyptian architecture, stand as huge trees in the middle of each green patio. Each of these structures can function in three different ways: directing airflow downward using direct wind entry; directing airflow upwards using a wind-assisted temperature gradient; or directing airflow upwards using a solar-assisted temperature gradient.
Passive geothermal cooling and heatingIntegrated air shafts naturally ventilate each apartment, while geothermal heat pumps move heat energy back and forth between the building and the earth to provide an efficient and environmentally-friendly method for heating and cooling internal space.
Solar photovoltaics cellsThe solar roof will be covered by walkable solar panels that create shadows above the patios and the promenade, generating a big part of the electricity necessary for the building.
Solar water heating tubesSolar water heating systems have been incorporated within the design to deliver hot water to all the bathrooms and kitchens of the building throughout the year.
Vertical axis wind turbinesLocated along the inner street, helical wind turbines benefit from the site’s prevailing winds and generate a great deal of electricity.
Rooftop community gardensCommunity gardens are proposed to transform the roof into a place of innovation for all the residents of the project. The ‘big garden in the sky’ will integrate playgrounds for the children, sports areas, food gardens and orchards. A green roof will compensate the high density of the construction serving as a perfect insulation coat above the residential levels.
Green/living wallsReducing overall temperatures within the building, nine mega-trees will be covered by living green walls. Curtain walls will be punctuated with areas of plantation, designed to identify the main entrances of each individual housing block.
Smart homes with automationMulti-sensors are used to detect number of people in each room, motion, temperature, and light level, while natural HVAC automation enables inhabitants to choose their optimal climate.
The project was designed by Paris-based practice Vincent Callebaut Architectures.