Passive design strategies in pursuit of architectural identity: The new act student center

Abstract

This paper focuses on ArchSix’s design proposal for the 2017 competition for the New ACT Student Center, launched by the American College of Thessaloniki. The brief specified the creation of public areas, shops, student areas, office space, a fitness centre and a multifunctional space, while a phased construction program required allowances for the future addition of a 500-seat auditorium and residencies. The proposal embraces existing public areas and buildings, allowing for a dialogue with the natural environment, adopting the principles of sustainability and accessibility. One is led to the heart of the building via a central access ramp, approaching the solar chimney. More than a landmark of the main entrance, this feature is symbolic of the proposal’s identity, which capitalises on the efficiencies allowed by the site’s unique terrain, vegetation and microclimate, incorporating passive design strategies during the early design stages. The building design encloses outdoor spaces and shields them from the prevailing NE winds, maximises solar heat gains at the most “public” of areas (café/dining/shops/info/multifunctional space), exploits the terrain and its ability to house a subterranean 500-seat auditorium, while minimising indoor temperature fluctuation, adopts natural ventilation strategies – allowed by a shallow plan – and capitalises on the improved airflow control/passive cooling (warm season), increased night time ventilation rates and enhanced performance of thermal mass, offered by the prominent inclusion of a solar chimney.