The EXPO 2015 Pavilion: BREATHE AUSTRIA, Outdoor Comfort in the City

OUTDOOR COMFORT IN THE CITY
Evapotranspiration is one of the (probably underestimated) elements to mitigate urban heat island effect. Well watered green areas can reduce ambient air and radiant temperatures. For outdoor conditions, elevated air speeds can be combined with Dry Mist Technology to create human comfort. This is showcased at the Austrian Pavilion at the EXPO 2015 in Milan, Italy from May to October 2015. The pavilion by Team.Breathe.Austria is designed as simple wooden frame built on a slender concrete plinth creating an open enclosure for a miniature forest of 560 m². All electrical energy required for the operation of the pavilion is provided by a PV system on the roof. There are no mechanical cooling systems installed.
IDEA
The general idea for this pavilion was to create the cool and comfortable sensation of a rich Austrian forest within the hot and humid summer conditions in Milan. Large and dense trees provide excellent shade. The rich and well-watered vegetation keeps the Mean Radiant Temperatures significantly lower compared to hard surfaces exposed to solar gains. This comfortable radiant environment is combined with fans with Dry Mist Technology, a high pressure misting system that provides effective adiabatic cooling without spraying water droplets at people. The combined effect creates excellent outdoor comfort even in hot and humid environments. In 2014 the systems have also been successfully tested in the hot and humid conditions of Singapore.