- Planaltina – A low carbon campus for the University of Brasilia    click here to open paper content1305 kb
by    Holanda, Frederico & Gomes, Viridiana & Ribeiro, Romulo | fredholanda44@gmail.com   click here to send an email to the auther(s) of this paper
Short Outline
The paper will discuss a low-carbon university campus in Brasilia. New principles of public space design are explored.
Abstract
The University of Brasilia is extending its activities to the satellite nuclei of the Federal District, Brazil. A new campus has been designed in the city of Planaltina. Design principles have been explored so that impacts on soil, air and water are minimized: 1) buildings are in the form of atrium-like urban blocks, with generous green areas in the interior and in the surroundings of each block; 2) atrium-like buildings imply a compact form that minimizes the use of land for the same amount of built area; 3) compactness of the atrium form minimizes exposure of built surfaces to the sun; 4) green roofs are used to augment overall green surfaces and minimize impacts on air temperature; 5) underground garages avoid the bad effects of the use of ground surface for parking facilities; 6) topography is manipulated to maximize the absorption of rainfall on site; 7) dense vegetation with big trees maximize shade in remaining hard surfaces. The design was finished in October 2008 and implementation begins this year. The project was subjected to simulations concerning its impact on ground and air temperature. For this, we have calibrated data obtained from satellite images concerning temperatures and carbon generation, by measuring ground and air temperatures on site today. Simulation results are very promising: both air and soil temperatures went down (not up) with the building of the project, due to the typical savannah vegetation found today in the natural site and to the generous vegetation the project comprises. This suggests that the project performs well not only in itself, but it also compensates for the impact or the dense urbanized areas of the campus’ surroundings.
Keywords
low-carbon design, university campus, Brasilia
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