Philippe Rahm - Architecture responding to climate change

 

Between the infinitely small of the physiological and the infinitely vast of the meteorological, architecture must build sensual exchanges between body and space and invent there new aesthetical philosophies approaches capable of making long-term changes to the form and the way we will inhabit buildings tomorrow.” -Philippe Rahm

The idea of architecture responding to climate change and the meteorological effects around the site of the building is really interesting to me. I’m not completely sold on Philippe Rahm’s forms of architecture however I am completely sold on the ideals that created the forms.  He speaks often of learning from the environment. For instance in his cooling climate devices, the design stems from the natural evaporation and condensation of water vapor and the large shading of trees to create a natural cooling environment. This idea bases itself upon the underground cooling process of water and the phase change from water vapor to droplets and back again pushed forward by a series of fans that help create the phase change and provide cooling in an otherwise unshaded or warm environment. This is an interesting ideal and is something I could totally see being used parks of the south where people want to be outside but want some relief from the sticky heat of the south.

cheers,

H