ATACAMA RESIDENCE HOTEL

SITEPLAN 1:500
ATACAMA RESIDENCE HOTEL
MAIN ARCHITECTURAL SOLUTION
KEY PRINCIPLES
The overall concept is based on terraced individual building units and the whole complex opening to the west towards the Salar de Atacama and Cordillera de Domeyko. The proposal will create a new main entrance to the whole area by the new central building that offers access to the new dormitories as well as the existing ones via two ground level stories.
The building units create sun shaded but breezy sheltered patio gardens in between themshelves and indoor spaces integrate flowingly with outdoor terraces. The main roof terrace
offers scenic views to all directions.
The overall concept is aiming to create such an environment that attracts scientists and visitors to the location. The unique scenery, unique architecture, latest technological solutions
and digital environment, and the extremely pleasant dormitory, dining and recreation interiors will appeal to the top scientists worldwide.
ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS
The architectural design emphasizes integration into the existing landscape by using local materials and the colors and tones of the surrounding landscape in the facades and landscaping structures. Materials such as local stone, weatherproof Cor-Ten Steel, purple patinated local copper and volcanic rock stone cages are implanting the building into the site.
The scale of the building has been attended to by diving the brief into separate dormitory modules that follow the natural slopes and allow scenic views through the building mass.
The natural landscape has been preserved as much as possible by minimizing need of excavation by means of terracing, reusing previous building sites and building in two stories,
that reduces land coverage but allows ground floor access by terracing.
Special attention has been paid on protection from the strong ultraviolet radiation. All the entrances and access ways have been covered by continuous canopies made of local light
shifting materials and natural stone. The patios and terraces are shaded by tensile see-through fabric covers that filter the sun but do not reflect the rays. Large glass surfaces are
made of film coated and gas filled hermetically sealed clear glass, and fitted with automatically operated transparent sunscreens that not only block excess heat but also minimize
glass reflections seen from the outside. Reflection will also be controlled by tilting glass panes.
The dust and sand are controlled by air conditioned double entrance spaces and doors, that also benefit the temperature control indoors. Windows and French doors can be opened;
the automatic HVAC control system will adjust to the changes rapidly and set the system accordingly at each room individually.
FUNCTIONAL ASPECTS
The main building:
The building complex comprises of a gentle curve opening to the west. The building units are terraced into the slope featuring sheltered patio gardens in between the stone or steel
clad masses. The dormitories branch out on both sides of the main building, where the common areas have been gathered.
The main entrance is located on the west side of the building on the lower floor reception areas. The space continues via a staircase to the upper floor, that also provides direct outdoor access. The axis leads further up to the upper ground level where the existing dormitories are now located and offers a secondary entrance to the main building and an outdoor
access to upper level dormitories.
The reception level of the main building also houses the cafeteria, recreation spaces and pool and spa areas. The spa opens up and defines a common outdoor terrace used for
barbeques and sunset viewing over the Salar. The reception level connects the lower lever dormitories to the main building by indoor access.
The upper level of the main building caters for dining rooms, lounges and multifunctional rooms and offers direct access to southern and northern outdoor terraces. This level also
connects the upper dormitories by an indoor corridor. The main vistas along the axis through the glass wall bring the Salar de Atacama and Cordillera de Domeyko as a magnificent
part of the architecture.
The roof of the main building is landscaped and sloped to allow access to the roof terrace that opens to all directions. An observation point with a telescope pad and a curved light
shelter can also be accessed via a glazed indoor garden and elevator. The landscaping not only creates an appealing access to the observation point but also benefits the thermal
insulation of the building and helps to balance indoor temperature. The planted areas are structurally defined and automatically irrigated by the grey water system.
The dormitories:
The main idea for the dormitories has been a modular design concept, that allows extensions and modification for differing user demands. All the dormitories have a ground floor accesses to both floor levels and also an indoor access to the main building. Half of the modules have also been designed to offer bedrooms and indoor accesses for disabled people.
The proposed module size of 10 bedrooms is derived from functional needs. The design enables individual modules to be reserved for 24-h workers. The modules are independent
and have no walk through spaces. However, the unofficial and coincidental discussions and creative exchange of ideas between the residents will be encouraged by providing pleasant lounges in the modules and also stimulating casual meeting points along the corridors and lobbies.
ILLUSTRATION TOWARDS THE MAIN BUILDING
All the rooms have direct access to the patio gardens or French balconies with garden views. Some rooms and all the common lounges and corridors have open vistas
to the west over the Salar.
SUSTAINABLE ASPECTS
The aim of the proposal is good usability and long term technical upgrading and modification possibilities of the building in addition to reasonable investment costs.
The building comprises of compact, energy efficient units that are designed to suit local environmental demands. The building is designed in a way that minimizes the
usage of electrical lighting by using natural light as much as reasonably possible. The optimum angle of solar thermal collectors with respect to the sun also plays a
key role in design of the building.
Stone-bodied building is an entity that efficiently reserves heat and cool energy in its mass. Thermal stability is further supported by thick insulation layers and triple
glazed glass walls. The roofs of the buildings are designed to either collect solar energy or to reflect heat and thus reducing cooling loads.
In situ cast concrete is suggested as the main structural system due to the lack of local prefabricated concrete industry. Also other building materials are provided by
local suppliers. Short logistical connections support the energy efficiency during time of construction.
There will be a maximum amount of optimally directed vacuum tube collectors placed on the roof of the main building. Solar provided energy is used to heat the utilization water and the radiant heating system. The energy is reserved into hot water storage cylinders. From the cylinders a needed amount of heat energy is lead to the
different systems around the facility. Residential buildings are built up with separate solar thermal collector systems and hot water storage cylinders.
Heating and cooling of the building is actualized with roof radiant panel system using water as the transport medium. The system functions by using low water temperatures. Radiant system works well in view of energy efficiency and creates pleasant conditions for occupants by warming up the surfaces without warming up the air unnecessarily. Using radiant heating in the times when heating is needed the pleasant conditions are achieved with milder room temperatures compared to common high
temperature radiator systems. The warm radiating surfaces, a stable room temperature also in high spaces, and thus lower room temperatures will create significant
energy savings. Comparably, during the times when cooling is needed, the room temperature can be higher compared to the traditional air circulating cooling systems.
Cooling is aspired to actualize mainly by using night time cooling. This will be carried out by efficient night time reserve of cool energy. Air handling units are also
equipped with efficient rotating heat recovery units. The need of cooling energy will be minimized by using outer radiance shielding. In the common lounges and lobbies thin waterfalls are used to create passive cooling by evaporation, in addition to providing sound absorption and visual interest. Plant walls are integrated to lobby
and corridor spaces to balance temperatures, humidity and sound space and to capture dust.
Sewerage of the building is divided in two separate systems. Grey water (washing and utilization water) is collected and filtered to be reused in toilet flushing and irrigation of planting. The volcanic rock stone cages used in the landscaping of the terraces will preserve humidity and offer ducting for the irrigation system. Toilet flushing
water is lead to a regional purifying plant. Water faucets and showers are thermostatic and flow controlled energy friendly models.
Heat and electrical consumption is measured extensively in order to accurately verify and follow the actual consumption. Electrical consumption will be controlled by
the usage of spaces minding the instructions given by the client. An example of such instruction is the lower temperature demands of corridor spaces. Lighting, temperature and ventilation are demand based and can be controlled by residents and staff at individual location.
Presence of passive loads in the networks is minimized. During the non working hours only the essential equipment would be running. Indirect micro-optical lighting
integrated into the windows that allows light deep into the room without glare, and adjustable target lighting of workspaces offer user friendly pleasant environments
with simultaneous energy savings.
By using the time controlling in running times of the devices, by using the natural light as source of lighting and with well controlled building automation systems minimum of 20% of energy is saved compared to the traditional switch controlled systems. All the electrical motors in the building services systems are chosen by paying
attention to the best possible operating efficiency and energy efficiency.
DIGITAL ENVIRONMENT
The building will be designed to cater for a flexible and modular digital information system. The electrical components used by the staff, the residents and the visitors
will be net based and offer user friendly interfaces. Net based units are easily upgraded and augmented, and they can be controlled by a single remote control. Blue
tooth technology and flexible electronic installation ducts will add to the easy and pleasant working and recreation environment.
Led screens and touch screens for information (climate, happenings, meetings, menus etc.) and entertainment will be located in the rooms, lobbies and lounges and
along the walkways. These will offer stopping points and promote casual encounters between the residents and the visitors.
ILLUSTRATION MAIN HALL, MAIN BUILDING
ATACAMA RESIDENCE HOTEL
STRUCTURAL SYSTEM
The structural frame system of the building will be made of in situ cast concrete that will best respond to the strict durability and bracing demands of earthquakes and sand storms. Concrete walls and slab-column frames take the horizontal loads of strong winds and
earthquakes.
The main structural types are
Non-load bearing exterior walls:
13mm gypsum board
275mm mineral wool insulation with wooden or recycled metal frame
30mm ventilation gap and wind board
2mm Cor-Ten Steel panelling
Load bearing exterior walls:
160mm in situ cast concrete
275mm mineral wool insulation with wooden or recycled metal frame
30mm ventilation gap and wind board
2mm Cor-Ten Steel panelling or 15mm local stone cladding on 30mm metal frame
Interior walls:
15+15mm gypsum board
100mm mineral wool insulation with wooden or recycled metal frame with acoustical sealing
15+15mm gypsum board
Bathroom walls:
10mm ceramic tiling with water insulation
130mm lightweight masonry with plastering
Floors: 20mm parquetry, natural stone cladding, or ceramic tiling with water insulation (bathrooms)
80mm concrete with radiating heat installations and recessed electrical cable ducts
200/400mm (dormitory/main building) reinforced concrete slab
or 150mm reinforced concrete on insulated gravel bed
Roofs main building:
400mm reinforced concrete
300mm thermal insulation with moisture control
80mm waterproof concrete
20mm local stone tiling (on roof terrace areas) or
Cor-Ten Steel structure (under the solar collectors)
Roofs dormitories:
400mm reinforced concrete
300mm thermal insulation with moisture control
100mm ventilation, timber frame, undercladding and bitumen felt
CONSTRUCTION STAGES
The first construction stage will be the main centre building for common spaces. At this stage there will be no interference with the existing buildings in the site. There is a possibility to build one of the dormitories (comprising of two 10 bedroom modules) at this stage.
At the second construction stage, after the common functions of the area have been moved into the new main building, the dormitories
will be built; most to the northern side and one to southern side (if not erected at the first stage). At this stage there will be twelve 10
bedroom modules. This will effect the western side of the area becoming more important. Therefore a new alternative entrance road to
the area has been proposed.
At the third stage two additional dormitories ie. four 10 bedroom modules can be built to the southern side along the main curved cor-
ridor. At this stage the fuel tanks will be relocated.
The gross floor area is with 12 dormitory units and the main building is appr. 5 900 m2 and the volume appr. 22 500m3
SITEPLAN 1:1000
ATACAMA RESIDENCE HOTEL
FLOOR PLAN, MAIN FLOOR 1:200
DORMITORIES FACADE 1:200
MAIN FLOOR 1:200
ATACAMA RESIDENCE HOTEL
DORMITORIES, FACADE , 1:200
FLOOR PLAN, GROUND FLOOR 1:200
SECTION, DORMITORIES 1:200
SECTION, DORMITORIES 1:200
ATACAMA RESIDENCE HOTEL
ILLUSTRATION
ROOF PLAN, MAIN BUILDING 1:200
ATACAMA RESIDENCE HOTEL
WEST FACADE , COMPETITION AREA 1:200
SECTION E, MAIN BUILDING1:200
SECTION D, MAIN BUILDING1:200
ATACAMA RESIDENCE HOTEL
SOUTH FACADE, MAIN BUILDING 1:200
NORTH FACADE, MAIN BUILDING 1:200
EAST FACADE, COMPETITION AREA 1:200
ATACAMA RESIDENCE HOTEL