Dot, Line, Surface
Site Plan
The hydrogen production is a linear process, composed by autonomous elements assembled in order to keep the productivity on one only place.This way, we use the fragmented aspect to reinterpret the facility complex in 3 distinct programmatic elements : Water pumping, control/Production building and Storage.
The 2 storage entities, are designed as isolated objects, with their own independence, and the architectural expression of their function.Thus, the central building is the production one while the two others are storages and technical parts.
The project features in the annual Lessons publication by Laboratoire Bâle (LABA)
Storage & Public Realm
The water tank becomes the start of the process and the harbour tank, the storage of the hydrogen waiting to be exported. By doing so, we obtain a separation of “gaz process” and “liquid process” across the buildings and the landscape. From the element in the mountain’s fjord to the infrastructure and activity of the port, these industrial components interact with the public realm. One through contemplation by the belvedere, the other as a public space.
Water tower | model
Scale 1:200
Water tower | drawings
Hydrogen storage | model
Scale 1:200
Production
In between, the production building links the two other components. From there, the pipe visually and physically lead to the belvedere platform at the top of the water tank.
Inside, the main element of the program is the machine of the electrolyser. Repeated 150 times across the building, this machine with very specific and constraining dimensions, becomes the trigger of the structure design.The extrusion of this functional space creates a “typical section” and flexible structure grid. At the center of the facility level, the circulation space allows the replacement of the machine and the distribution along the regular frame on which the vertical structure can be aligned with a minimal footprint.
Inside, the main element of the program is the machine of the electrolyser. Repeated 150 times across the building, this machine with very specific and constraining dimensions, becomes the trigger of the structure design.The extrusion of this functional space creates a “typical section” and flexible structure grid. At the center of the facility level, the circulation space allows the replacement of the machine and the distribution along the regular frame on which the vertical structure can be aligned with a minimal footprint.
In opposite, using the slope to differentiate the program, the access from the upper ground floor clear a public entrance space.This floor has a central core that brings to the two private wings with office spaces for the workers while the public last floor contains the restaurant and belvedere.
The cross section tripartition allows for a central circulation space on the floors that can integrate additional program and on which the electrolysers will always be visible.The public aspect of the building generates an entrance space that is developed as a single core giving a specific orientation towards the fjord.
The cross section tripartition allows for a central circulation space on the floors that can integrate additional program and on which the electrolysers will always be visible.The public aspect of the building generates an entrance space that is developed as a single core giving a specific orientation towards the fjord.
Water tower - Production building - Hydrogen storage | models
Scale 1:200
Space
The section therefore illustrates how the additional program such as office spaces, belvedere and restaurant can influence the typical industrial section of the lower ground floor.The double orientation generated by the core entrance allows for interactions between the two levels.The electrolyser space not necessarily having to be insulated, the limit between cold space/warm space becomes as defining as the public/private limit.
By doing so, the building has 2 different type of spaces, an industrial one, tempered by the machine, and a public area insulated in the functional air lock.Thus, this juxtaposition brings two envelopes along the structural grid.
The envelopes are designed along 3 different attitudes related to the interactions between the spaces: A functional one with metal sheet, an translucent one with polycarbonate and perforated metal sheet, and a contemplative one with glass.
The envelopes are designed along 3 different attitudes related to the interactions between the spaces: A functional one with metal sheet, an translucent one with polycarbonate and perforated metal sheet, and a contemplative one with glass.
Production building | vision
