Thermodynamic Madrid. A New Good Life

This course explores new methods, tools, scales, and materials to address the renovation of historic centers outside both the radical preservationism of the protectionist theories as destructive practices and social expulsion of sventramento. The studio aims to test parametric techniques applied simultaneously to urban space and building space (essentially analyzing radiation torque / ventilation) to identify quality improvement strategies both applied to the public and the private realms without modifying either the existing density nor the configuration of the public spaces.

The option studio will identify critical ‘stripes’ in downtown areas both public / private and will evaluate thermodynamic imbalances in indoor and outdoor spaces applying strategies based on changes in size in the residential fabric (both subtractions and additions) as well as material and constructive strategies (both referred to natural and artificial systems). The goal is to make a positive impact simultaneously on the thermodynamic balance of both domains without affecting the amount of final built mass.

This is about using the most advanced analytical tools to identify new design strategies beyond disciplinary boundaries and traditional scales (architecture, landscape architecture and urban design) with the following objectives: prevent traumatic actions, maintain the population and density, activate public open spaces, and new types of historic urban centers, assess and update traditional passive yet effective techniques (single layer walls, adiabatic cooling, double roofs), proposing new complementary techniques, improve facilities, increase biodiversity, reduce the heat island effect and improve the conditions of life and the attractiveness of the historic centers for visitors and residents.

The study will take place in central Madrid. The study explores an alternative to the usual techniques of intervention in historical centers containing a real proposal and holistic review of methodological assumptions, construction and energy management today. This work will be based on a time frame and a conceptual frame that will complete the set of initial hypotheses.

TEMPORAL FRAME
The temporal frame the work enters into is Madrid in 30 years.
This contextual frame of 30 years, lets us to think on Madrid’s city core as a whole, defined by the large heritage of an extremely active metropolis of the European Mediterranean area, which questions the common practices in the public space that were kept for centuries in the city centre.

Among the most foreseeable technological advancements, the more than likely ban of fossil-fueled vehicle from the city centre stands out, together with the likely ban of the heavy traffic from the whole central area. This context idea entails a drastic reduction on both the environmental and acoustic pollution of the air, though the climate change will have left its mark and high temperatures and lack of water will be issues of growing significance.

CONCEPTUAL FRAME
Into this oversimplified but foreseeable temporal frame is inserted the conceptual frame in which the work plan deals with its strategies. Both the public interests and sensitivity and the politic instruments will experience a remarkable increase of awareness about the environmental values and the biodiversity. The elements pointed out above, the climate change, the public mobility, the public health system, the use of public space or the aging and cultural and ethnical diversification of the population will have a great impact on a new sensitivity.