betillon / dorval bory: anabatic office

‘anabatic office’ by betillon / dorval-bory, puerto viejo, costa ricaall 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