SUSTAINABILITY
Great atmosphere
‘KlimaKover’ is the name of the pavilion that will provide cooling in cities during the hot summer months in future: Henning Larsen, in collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania and AIL Research, has developed a process that uses radiative cooling technology to reduce heat stress. Energy consumption is expected to be ten times lower than that of conventional air conditioning systems. The system consists of modular panels that can be adapted to the respective urban environment. These provide radiative cooling and heating, are powered by solar energy and do not require an external water supply.
In detail, the system circulates cooled water through microtubes into the radiant panels and also provides shading made of fabric. Condensation is prevented thanks to the infrared-permeable membrane. ‘Research by our partners at the University of Pennsylvania shows that the panels begin to cool the body within five to seven minutes, at which point the effect becomes noticeable, and after 20 minutes, the cooling sensation is clearly felt,’ says Kritika Kharbanda, Head of Sustainability at Henning Larsen.
Carbon Smart Wood, which has a negative carbon footprint, was used for the structure of the prototype. It is made from wood that would otherwise have to be disposed of. Thermally modified using kiln-drying technology, it develops a silver patina when used outdoors. The structure can be designed as a permanent or temporary solution and is expandable. Series production currently costs around 75 US dollars per square foot. ‘We can imagine KlimaKover providing shade for schoolyards, bus stops, street vendors or construction sites, demonstrating how energy-efficient cooling can be scaled up in cities,’ says Jakob Stramann-Andersen, Director of Innovation and Sustainability at Henning Larsen.
The first 'KlimaKover' installation is currently located on Governors Island in New York and is freely accessible to the public. After evaluating the data, it will be set up in various locations throughout the city next year for citizens to test its performance. (am)
