betillon / dorval-bory: anabatic office

'anabatic office' by betillon / dorval-bory, puerto viejo, costa rica
all images courtesy betillon / dorval-bory


paris-based practice betillon / dorval-bory have created 'anabatic office', a competition proposal for the fundecor headquarters
set within the tropical landscape of the sarapiqui region in puerto viejo, costa rica. responding to the company's attention for
environmental preservation, the building explores passive climate integration within a form which goes beyond the commonly
accepted architectural features of sunshades and context design. with high energy usage of great concern within the hot
and humid atmosphere and human physiology dictating that individuals are best adapted to temperatures of 21 degrees celsius
with 50% humidity, the structure attempts to address both elements at once. the outward form and materials of this office building
combine to artificially generate ventilation.

recreating the phenomenon of anabatic wind production, heated air masses rise rapidly and suction then pulls a horizontal air exchange.
a large dark parking surface captures and stores thermal energy from the sun throughout the day. as it rises, the cooler air which replaces it
is then pushed through the interior by the strategic placement of exterior walls within the steep slope. similar to a wind tunnel,
the open interior of the air tube places program within individual and separated elements. the air circulates around and between
the contained and enclosed cells, allowing air conditioning to be limited within the units.



exterior at night



parking lot



frontal exterior view



interior view from terrace



interior cubicles



interior view of from stair



floor plan / level 0



floor plan / level -1



section


energy section



isometric



structural isoometric



programmatic diagram


project info:


architects: betillon / dorval-bory
status: competition entry – awarded with honorable mention
type: office building for a ngo
client: fundecor (environmental preservation ngo)
location: puerto viejo, sarapiqui, costa rica
surface: 800 m²
year: 2011