The challenge of bioclimatic architecture is to make the best possible use of climatic conditions to improve our comfort. Éric Bussolino, the architect involved in the construction of the arrivals terminal at Reunion island airport explains why the work is "a militant act".
Local climate, geography and geology are essential for bioclimatic architects and engineers. To build the arrivals terminal at Reunion airport, the building has been built perpendicularly to the departures terminal, to take advantage of the strength and intensity of the trade winds from the east. Éric Bussolino, architect and director of engineering and environment at AIA Life Designers, explains the militant nature and technical solutions of this project which, since its inauguration a couple of years ago, has been making waves in the airport sector.
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A canopy in the shape of aeroplane wings with smart windows
The island, located in the Tropic of Capricorn in the middle of the Indian Ocean, has a tropical climate with cyclonic periods. "In a tropical climate, we avoid heat and implement solutions such as natural ventilation. In addition, depending on the intensity of the wind, the louvred windows have three positions: half-closed, half-open and fully open, which makes it possible to generate a more or less significant air flow. The system is connected to a weather station that measures both wind intensity and the possible occurrence of rain, which may involve closing the windows. In addition, we have worked on the aerodynamic shape of the canopy, like the wing of an aeroplane, which allows us to accelerate the wind speed in order to obtain optimal speed at the top,” says Bussolino.
In colder climates, bioclimatic architecture would instead try to take advantage of the sun. In Reunion airport terminal, however, the glass windows, for example, have been treated and "all the shadows cast on the building have been studied to prevent the glass from being too exposed” to the sun. Basically, the challenge of bioclimatic architecture is to observe climatic conditions and make the best use of them to meet the user's comfort requirements. And there are different architectural solutions that can be adapted and applied in all countries of the world and to all types of projects", Bussolino adds.