Planning

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For the headquarters of the National Petrol Corporation (PDVSA), the requirements were, amongst others, to respect the natural environment, and design for a passive microclimate.

Also, the call was for an intelligent building to adapt to changing conditions through a combination of misting, controlled plant growth, dynamic airflow control and responsive lighting.

Cross ventilation is an essential part of passive microclimate control; starting with getting the air moving on the underside of the building.

Natural vegetation cleans, cools and moistens the air which is then circulated through the building both vertically and horizontally.

Self shading of the facades and the interior atrium is also an important contributing factor towards keeping the interior spaces cool.

The parking building will be covered with cascading vegetation; and this will also contirbute to keeping the air cooler and cleaner all around.

The main building, shaded by the surrounding trees, is to have trees of its own inside the atrium space, and also hanging vegetation all over the facade.

Plantings in front of the windows filter the incoming sunlight and cool the air, as does the vaporising system designed to water the plants.

From above, the amount of reflected sunlight, or albedo, is greatly reduced through the systematic covering of facades and rooftops with living vegetation.

The terraces are to be landscaped so as to provide spaces to get away from the tensions of the office and enjoy quiet moments in midst of natural surroundings.

The green spaces on the roofs are to have shaded areas for breaks and informal gatherings. There should also be paths for physical excercise.

The building doesn't quite dissappear under the mass of vegetation, but its visual impact can be greatly reduced; and its effect on the surrounding microclimate made more positive.

Design Concept for the Seat of PDVSA.