Wind, Machine, Animal
Hsin-Yu Chen, Master of Architecture, CED, UC Berkeley
Thesis Advisor: Mark Anderson, Harrison Fraker
This project began with practical research into innovative architectural applications for building-integrated wind harvesting technology. To push the boundaries of current wind harvesting applications, this research has developed a hypothetical scenario dealing with an unusual architectural issue derived from current climatic changes, sited within the extreme wind energy environment of California wildfires.
Research of wind harvesting technology and building integration
The world suffers from increasing outbreaks of catastrophic forest fire due to global climate change. Drought and climate change-induced wind storms from dry inland regions are main factors causing California wildfires. Unprecedented frequency and magnitude of these fire events endangers property and human life as well as entire eco-systems of increasingly impacted and endangered animal species. In some cases, single extreme fire events may directly threaten the few remaining specimens of valued, endangered animals.
Santa Ana wind in southern California
Wildfire events in southern California
Fire fighters rescuing endangered animals threatened by extreme fire events.
Modular and inflatable device protecting the rescued animals
Iterations of inflatable structures that protect animals
This proposal explores the possibility of utilizing the otherwise catastrophic heat and wind energy of these fire events as a potential energy source for architecture and engineering solutions that may intervene in this extreme new type of global environment, to save endangered animals that would otherwise be quickly lost to wildfire. It is intended that lessons learned and ideas generated in this specific scenario will have application to a broad range of architectural issues related to wind energy harvest and climate change.
Iterations of inflatable structure that protect animals
Operation of animal ambulance
Animal ambulance mothership typology
Animal ambulance mothership in action
Thesis Presentation at CED, UC Berkeley & Solo Exhibition at Azriel School of Architecture in Canada.