Demonstrations
Wuhan Demonstrations
Agro-housing's structure is composed of steel columns and beams on a 10 meter by 9 meter grid. Five centimetres of concrete on top of deck flex sheets form the foundation. The light steel structure is prefabricated and delivered to the site ready-made for installation. The exterior panels are prefabricated in a modular façade grid. Glazed panels have sliding shades; other panels on the façade are covered with terracotta tiles. All materials are chosen
with consideration given to the thermal qualities and recyclability of each. Structural insulated wall panels are used to reduce energy loss. Bathroom units are prefabricated, including duct work and piping. Placement of the interior partitions, made of recyclable, light plaster panels, is up to the tenants, allowing ultimate flexibility to create their own place according to their personal needs over time.
Roof Top Terrace
The roof-top terrace garden provides additional garden area, as well as grassy areas for community activities. The roof-top sky club provides a location for community celebrations and social gatherings. The sky club's roof houses solar energy panels and a rainwater capture system while providing shade for the spaces beneath.
Natural Ventilation through a Thermal Chimney
Agro-housing's inner vertical space in the building functions as a thermal chimney, ventilating the apartments in summer months and circulating heat during the winter months. In summer, the roof-top windows are opened to allow the apartments to benefit from the natural cross ventilation, and the balconies and shades reduce heat absorption. The greenhouse floors with their vegetation act as vertical screens and shades for cooling the inner part of the building. South facing apartments have shaded balconies to block the summer sun. In winter, the roof-top windows are closed, trapping warm air inside the building. The low-angle winter sun penetrates the building and heats the high mass elements during the day, which in turn warms the apartments at night. A solar heating system delivers heat energy from the collectors on the roof to each apartment through a forced circulation system. The greenhouse's glazed walls further warm air that can circulate through the thermal chimney.