ENGAGED MATERIAL/
PHENOMENAL URBANISM





Terraflow

Brynn Lucky, Vaughn Corson, Olivia Su

Cooling Transit Stops/Way-Points Via 3d-Printed Terracotta Modules Using Evaporative Cooling And Bernoulli Effect.



AbstractTerraflow is an adaptable model that can adjust to the needs and constraints of East Harlem bus stops throughout the neighborhood. In the future, Terraflow expands beyond the original bus stop model into the realm of modular street furniture and larger pavilion enclosures that can adjust to the needs of various different site conditions.

 Background The area of East Harlem scores in the highest percentage of the Heat Vulnerability Index, being one of the worst impacted by the Urban Heat Island Effect. The area’s extensive pavements and limited green space exacerbate this even more. Solar radiation is absorbed and reflected, compounding the area’s climate.

This is due to a neglectful NYC government that has historically red-lined the East Harlem neighborhood throughout history that is correlated to the excessive heat gain in the area.

 At-Risk Groups With an elevated elderly population and higher rates of asthma, the residents of the area are more vulnerable to heat related illnesses. Few areas of relief from these conditions, with higher rates of poverty preventing easy access to cooler spaces or personal a/c units. With the threat of climate change, the health and comfort of East Harlem residents is becoming worse.

Experiments Harnessing Jali Screen Mechanics

 We implement the Venturi Effect and Bernoulli’s principle to speed up and direct airflow through perforations in the directed walls of our cooling zones. Utilizing terracotta properties and the absorbed water. It also takes advantage of evaporative cooling.

DIY Wind Tunnel Experiment
To test the Venturi Effect and Bernoulli’s Principle.


Rate of Absorption   Question: At what rate does terracotta absorb water?

Previous experiments of variables: - exposed surface area- environmental humidity

Materials: pre-fired terracotta pot, tub of water, ruler, and a liquid measuring cup.

Procedure:
  1. Mark the pot with significant measurements
  2. Fill the tub with 4 cups of water
  3. Place the pot inside the tub marking where the original water line is on the pots
  4. Check periodically (every hour) how far the water has absorbed up the pot.  
  5. Once the water line reaches the top of the pot, remove the pot and measure the amount of water left in the tub


Rate of Absorption with Connection (Dry vs. Wet)

Question: How can connections be designed to allow capillary action to continue between two units?

Dry Stack vs. Wet Stack Materials: 4 identical terracotta pots, slurry of wet terracotta, tub of water, ruler, and a liquid measuring cup.

Procedure:
  1. Connect the sets of pots. For a dry stack we nested the two pots inside each other. For a wet stack we used a terracotta slurry to act as mortar between the joint
  2. Fill the tub with 4 cups of water
  3. Place the pots inside the tub marking where the original water line is on the pots
  4. Check periodically (every hour) how far the water has absorbed up the pot.  
Dry StackWet Stack
Evaporative Cooling and Thermal Mass

Question: To what extent does a soaked terracotta pot impact the surrounding micro climate?

Materials: 2 identical terracotta pots, thermal camera, thermometer, wind tunnel.

 Procedure:
  1. Soak one pot water until it is fully saturated, leaving the second one dry
  2. Place both pots in the same environment and using the thermometer and the thermal camera measure the air temperature around both pots.
  3. Place both pots in wind tunnel and see how each pot affects its surrounding enviroment
CFD Wind Simulation

Question: How does the size of the opening effect the wind velocity?

SimScale and Nuada

Facade with varied openings, and ratios ran with a pedestrian comfort simulation at multiple section cuts.

Compared physical results against digital results.
1:3 Opening

Control



Material System Design/Development

Traditional System:Indian Terracotta Jali Screen
Benefits of Terracotta
  • Evaporative cooling
  • Thermal mass effect
  • Low thermal  conductivity/ insulation
  • Natural air circulation/improving air quality
  • Hygroscopic-Renewable material
Initial Design Development Bus stop design for East Harlem residents
Main morphological needs:
  • Wind-facing
  • Shading
  • Visibility
  • Water accessibility
 Adjustable Openings

Final Prototype
General Program After the midterm, we expand our bricks to be usedthroughout East Harlem. Designing with the senior community in mind.
SIite Map & Analysis

EAST HARLEM, NEW YORK




INDIVIDUAL TERRAFLOW PROJECTS






































Darrick Borowski
Visiting Associate Professor

dborow64@pratt.edu
darrick@dba.nyc
718.399.4305

http://darrickborowski.com
http://are-a.net
http://materialphenomenal.com

IG:

Mycoshield:
Mycellium

 Sarah Cawley
Brianna Martinez-Burns
Saahir Lakhani

Algenosphere:
Algae

 Aarav Schroff
Nicolas Gotzev
Mehek Usman Terraflow:
Terracotta

 Brynn Lucky
Vaughn Carson
Olivia Su

Urban Osmosis:
Hydrogel

 Zophia Li
Tia Thomspon
Kyle Fish