REFLECTIONS
HEDONISTIC
GENERATION
Energy production - mostly large and centralised - has always lead to iconic typologies. New energy sources and sorts of - decentralised - production facilities demand for a reflection on the past and some lessons for the future. Energy generation should be designed to be embedded in our environments, desirable to experience and interesting to engage with.
The typological tradition of power buildings: iconic design
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The generation of electricity mostly lead to powerful buildings. Their facades and majestic volumes needed to reflect the process inside. From shapes following pure technical functions to expressive Art Deco decorations. Energy has lead to a rich tradition of architectural language and aesthetics.
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Sant Adria Thermal Power Station Barcelona, Spain.
Photography: Nicolas Janberg
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Tyssedal powerstation, Norway. Photography: Sven Prinzler
The cooling tower for instance has been an almost iconic symbol for nuclear fission reactors. But also architects have occupied themselves with the design of nuclear plants. In the 70's the French national energy company EDF commissioned modernist architect Claude Parent for the design of 12 nuclear power plants. The 2 most famous realisations are Cattenom (Moselle, 1978) and Chooz (Ardennes, 1982).
Design for a nuclear power plant by Claude Parent, more info
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Claude Parent, Les Hottes, 1974,
source: archives de l’IFA
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Claude Parent, La proue 900, 1974,
source: archives de l’IFA
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Claude Parent, Les orgues 1300, 1974, source: archives de l’IFA
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Claude Parent, Les Strates 900, 1974,
source: archives de l’IFA
But the search for a new face for energy production is not limited to nuclear power houses alone. For instance the Spanish architect Joaquín Vaquero Palacios who designed the very sculptural Proaza Hydroelectric Power Plant. Or the colourful design of the waste incineration plant of Vienna by Friedensreich Hundertwasser in 1987 after the previous facade was destroyed by a fire.
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In all these ambitious projects the search of the designers was to better integrate the buildings within the surrounding landscapes, to create a new face and powerful image reflecting the technical innovation, to explore the integration of art and decorations and to make energy more relatable and attractive. In the 1960's to 1970's concrete played an important role in the realisation of these decorative and dynamic lines.
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Proaza Hydroelectric Power Plant, Joaquín Vaquero Palacios,
Madrid, 2018. Photography: Luis Asín
Also in recent years new energy plants have been shaped by architects and designers. Hydro electrics power plants are shaped as monolithic shapes withstanding the pounding flows of water, or smooth lines cutting through the water. Or in the District Heating & Cooling plant of Zaragoza the architects created an iconic volume supplemented with digital facades and distinctive coloured spaces.
DESIRABLE
SPACES & EXPERIENCES
Exploration & education: climbing, hiking, dining, ...
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A new trend noticed around the world is the local embedding of power plants: in the landscape, urban context or culture. And to make them more accessible, able to experience and explore. One side note: mostly for traditional, centralised, big scale production units like gas (Combined Heat & Power) or waste-to-energy plants. The reason can be found probably that they are mostly positioned near the off-takers and thus taking up space where there is little, or near public spaces. From hermetic envelopes to open public spaces.
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One infamous example is the Copenhill project by BIG architects together with SLA for a waste-to-energy plant in Copenhagen. This mastodont has put his size in to use by make its slope accessible for hiking and running, but more spectacular also for a run down the slopes for dare devil skiers. In addition the top floor offers a great view where one can take a drink or make use of the other sporting facilities.
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Also in Asia, Waste-to-Energy plants are being made accessible. These installations are mostly tucked away, and not top of our mind, although they're essential elements in our daily consumption. In Shenzhen the last W-2-E plant in the world is being built, taking care of 1/3th of the waste produced in this mega-city, forming an alternative to dumping it on landfills. But not only size, but its public functions are remarkable. Being designed also by Danes, SHL architects with Gottlieb Paludan, this is no surprise. The one mile contour is a pathway offering an insight to visitors in the process of waste incineration. Offering the possibility to educate and raise awareness.
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Copenhill by BIG architects & SLA, photo by Rasmus Hjortshoj,
More info
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Copenhill by BIG architects & SLA, photo by Dragoer,
More info
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Shenzhen waste-to-energy plant by SHL architects with Gottlied Paludan, More info
One other remarkable example on multiple use of energy infrastructure was a design entry again by BIG architects. This biomass cogeneration plant called Uppsala would only be used seasonally as peak plant. Thus leading to a massive structure only to be used in winter time, occupying space in summer months. The designers therefore came up with a colourful transparant envelope offering different uses in every season. From energy generation in winter to public space for social and cultural activities in summer when the plant shuts down. An exemplary way of approaching multiple use of space and structures!
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Uppsala Power Plant, by BIG architects,More info
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Uppsala Power Plant, by BIG architects,More info
Landscapes of energy
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In our transition towards a carbon-neutral society of course solar and wind have to become our main primary energy sources. The lower energy density makes that harvesting these energy streams take much more space, filling our landscapes and our roofs. Integrating windturbines and solar farms in our landscapes is key in making the renewable energy fields more accepted, and perhaps even desirable. Research on energy landscapes is getting more and more momentum, calculating the maximum potential and integrating production in the local context. For instance the study by Sweco and BUUR for Denderland in Belgium. The Dutch designfirm FABRICactions has done extensive research into the design of energy landscapes where multiple functions are combined. Advocating adding spatial value instead of visual disturbance, making energy production more of a cultural act. And the Chinese use their imagination and almost paint with solar panels new shapes into the landscape.
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Spatial vision Breda, by FABRICations,
More info
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Solar dunes, Hart van Holland energy vision, by FABRICations,
More info
Also traditional more centralised production units are being developed in close relation to the surrounding landscape. In Hsinta Taiwan a design competition was launched by Taiwan Power Company on an Energy, Climate & Environmental park, where ecological, energetic, recreational and educational values came together. Design firm Morphosis won the competition with a frivolous volume being planted in an extensive wetland landscape. Other entries like the one from Leers Weinzapfel also incorporated the same values of aesthetics and experience.
In Hillerød, Denmark, a comparable concept was conceived by CF Moller architects. The Energy, Climate and Environmental Park wants to demonstrate energy and climate measures. The around 50-hectare wetland area includes a purification plant, commercial and household recycling station, geothermal and biomass heat production, test fields for solar, wind and biomass energy, and a head office and learning centre for Hillerød Utility Company.
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Hsinta Ecological Power Plant of Taipower, by Morphosis, More info
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Hsinta Ecological Power Plant of Taipower, by Morphosis, More info
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Tokamak heart of the nuclear fission plant
New (utopic) energy futures? From fission to tokamak.
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Nuclear energy has always lead to iconic structures, mysterious control panels and obviously a heated public debate. The Financial Times article 'Atomic architecture’s mission invisible' offers an interesting overview and take on this matter. One of the most mythical energy production methods probably is energy fusion, since decades predicted as the source of our energy supply. Replicating the sun on earth. Pilots plants have been launched like ITER in France and designers have been commissioned by ao. General Fusion to help create an appropriate shape for this new energy future. For which the intriguing shape of the Tokamak shape is already there to start from. Being much safer than the strictly secured nuclear plants, only using hydrogen and creating helium as waste product, they offer a possible new type of plant according to the designers.
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Nuclear fission plant of General Fusion, by AL-A architects, More info
A CLEAN ENERGY FUTURE NEEDS A HEDONISTIC GENERATION CULTURE
Let's make the new energy generation more:
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Desirable & engaging
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Publicly accessible, educational & filled with experiences
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Embedded in the surrounding landscape
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Integrated with other functions
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Iconic & reflecting a new energy future