Impluvium Redux
“Impluvium Redux” lends itself to operating as a prototypical flexible module that can be deployed onto any pre-existing urban rooftop or public area. The modular system is comprised of hollow ceramic pieces acting as structural columns and water collectors, a modular floor elevated on pedestals, and a lightweight kinetic membrane that captures and cleans rainwater through its folded surface. The water management system, as proposed, would work to shade and alleviate the effects of flooding and drought through storage as well as release and reduce runoff by harvesting water. The materiality of the modular ceramic columns provides energy-saving cooling benefits.
The resulting prototype integrates structural and material strategies to optimize construction aspects related to transportation, assembly, and disassembly of building components, and thermodynamic questions related to heat transfer and water cycles while helping to foster a sense of community and social interaction.
Video Summary
Conceptualization and Experimentation
Project Drawings
Opening Sequence
Details
Location
Barcelona, Spain
Time
2024
Principal Investigator
Juan José Castellón
Team
Olga Sobkiv
Tianle Chen
Tammy Feng
Collaborators
Rice School of Engineering
Carbon Hub
Suimco
Huguet
Fabrication
Ceramica Cumella
Engineering
Audiovisuals
Sponsors
Carbon Hub at Rice University
Rice University
Rice Architecture
Suimco Materiales
S.L.
Related Research
Segmental Ceramic Hollow Structures: Prefabricated posttensioned columns for ecological urban infrastructures.
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