Myth of ecological architecture designs: Comparison between design concept and computational analysis results of natural-ventilation for Tjibaou Cultural Center in New Caledonia

• Published in: Energy and buildings Vol. 43; no. 10; pp. 2788 - 2797
• Main Authors: Wu, Yu-Chou, Yang, An-Shik, Tseng, Li-Yu, Liu, Chin-Lung
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier B.V 01.10.2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Aeration; Applied sciences; Architecture; Architecture typology; Bioclimatic building; Buildings; Buildings. Public works; Computational Fluid Dynamics; Computer simulation; Cultural facility; Design engineering; Ecological architecture; Exact sciences and technology; Fluid flow; Tjibaou Cultural Center; Turbulence; Turbulent flow; Types of buildings; Wind-driven ventilation design; New Caledonia; Melanesia; Oceania; ISEW, Pacific, New Caledonia; Tjibaou Cultural Center; Ecological architecture; Computational Fluid Dynamics; Wind-driven ventilation design; Project evaluation; Cultural center; Computational fluid dynamics; Architectural design; Natural ventilation; Bioclimatic building; Simulation model; Ecological approach; Computing method; Comparative study
• ISSN: 0378-7788
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2011.06.035

• CFD simulations were coupled with architects’ aesthetic sense for making new building forms. • Natural ventilation was enhanced by adding aeration area and reducing hurdles along the flow way. • The fluidic view should be closely linked to design approach of future ecological architectures. The Jean-Marie Tjibaou Cultural Center, designed by Renzo Piano, a world renown Italian architect and a recipient of the Pritzker Architecture Prize, was described as a piece of “Ecological Architecture” in New Caledonia. This building is recognized by its sustainable ventilation design concept that implements the unique ten shell-like structures for aeration enhancement. This paper presents an approach using the computational fluid dynamics (CFD)-based simulations to compare the numerical predictions with the original architectural insight for a verification of the architect's thinking in his realization of the design purpose. In the analysis, we consider the incompressible isothermal turbulent airflow to examine the interaction of the flow with the building for a better understanding of the wind-driven self-sustaining ventilation mechanism. We also propose a modified model via enlarging the aeration opening with the least blockages along the wind pathway. The simulated results indicate that the improved design substantially enhances the air-intake effectiveness and realizes a satisfactory pressure balance for the Tjibaou Cultural Center.