Frank O Gehry's stainless steel LUMA Arles open to the public
Source: Designboom
Transsolars info:
The tower forms the most recent building opened to the public at the Parc des Ateliers.
LUMA Arles houses an art and research center with exhibition spaces, workshops, artists’ studios and a library. The project repurposes the industrial ruins of a 16-acre rail depot and revolves around a public park designed by landscape architect Bas Smets and a new arts resource building designed by Frank O. Gehry. Two structures originally built as the repair shops for SNCF rail cars, the Mécaniques Générale and Les Forges, have already been renovated by Selldorf Architects.
Transsolar developed the climate, comfort and energy concepts for all buildings. The developed energy supply system is based on locally sourced bio-fuel cogeneration and photo-voltaic on the roof of the existing buildings. The total design is targeting on a net zero primary energy design with minimized use of energy from nuclear sources.
The climate concept for the fully glazed Drum is based on optimized architecture and passive strategies. The façade is designed to minimize solar gains in summer and maximize them in wintertime. The Drum volume is fully naturally ventilated and thermal comfort is provided by a radiant floor and elevated air speeds. The window boxes in the tower building enable full natural ventilation in all program areas and provide great views with solar gain and glare protection.