Located in the neighbourhood of ‘Ravine Blanche’, in Saint-Pierre, Niama is a social housing operation that includes 19 units. The building is closed to a new urban park, both part of an urban renewal program that aims at restructuring the neighborhood and connecting it to the city center.
Ravine Blanche is the only neighborhood that awarded the french 'EcoQuartier' certification in the tropics among 32 other projects in 2013. This existing neighbourhood already received in 2010 a local distinction for its innovative approach.
The building includes passive features such as cross natural ventilation and solar shading devices so as to enhance thermal comfort while reducing energy consumption.
Building Details
Social housing
New building project
4
2 BHK
9
69 m²
1 BHK
6
59 m²
3 BHK
2
85 m²
4 BHK
2
109 m²
1695 m²
1695 m²
RTAA DOM (Thermal, Acoustic and Ventilation Regulation in the French overseas department)
EURO
3.219
EURO
1899
2014
Project Team
Co-Architectes
BTB
Integral Ingénierie
Co-Architectes
Climate Analysis
NIAMA is located in Saint Pierre, in Reunion Island. This volcanic island is located in the Indian Ocean and experiences tropical climate which is marked with hot and humid weather conditions. This area is also often struck by tropical cyclones, generating building difficulties.
The climatic conditions (monthly temperatures and solar radiation) of the city are shown in Figure A. The prevailing winds blow from the east and south-east - the west coast being known as the leeward coast.
Due to the remote and insular conditions of this region, conventional fossil fuels are the main source for its primary energy demands. As a result, the production of electricity is limited while the island aims to achieve self-sufficiency in electricity production by 2030. One solution to this challenge is to encourage the construction of ‘green’ buildings and the development of renewable energies.
Design Approach
Niama is located next to a new urban park, that was previously an unused urban space. The new park, which was part of the process of urban tissue restructuring of the neighborhood, is a green lung for the city of Saint-Pierre. Niama has been harmoniously integrated between the vegetalised area of the new park and the mineral area of the existing buildings.The East facade of the building is more mineral with light-coloured painted walls and metal cladding whereas on the urban park side, it is the wood materials that prevail. It is viewed as a "bridge" between the two areas.
NIAMA uses many passive design measures so as to reduce its energy consumption while maintaining satisfactory thermal comfort conditions inside the building. The building is naturally cross ventilated thanks to its optimal orientation and the use of glass louvers located on opposite facades. Main facades and windows are solar protected thanks to fixed vertical or horizontal solar protection depending on the orientation. The exterior facades of the lowest storey are made in light painted concrete. The two last storeys of the building, which are more solar exposed, are covered in wood or clear sheet metal siding facade. Solar absorbtivity is low and prevents overheating of exposed parts. Exterior verandas also aim at preventing the sun from entering the building. The building is surrounded by native plants and benefits from its proximity to the urban park.
Document
Special Feature
WWR > 20%
Overhang and vertical blades for shading
The passive solutions are described below:
1: Fixed vertical solar shading, louvered shutter on the East side so as to protect from the morning sunlight and the trade winds; Pergola on the West side.
2: Solar protection measures on the main facades include simple roof overhang, fixed horizontal solar shading and sun and rain protected exterior veranda.
3: Inside porosity is maximized by the use of louvers on opposite facades, allowing cross natural ventilation.
Building Material
First floor: 18cm of concrete+ 2cm of expanded polystyrene+ air gap of 0,5 cm+1,3 cm of plasterboard
Last floor: 2cm of wood+3cm of expanded polystyrene+ air gap of 10cm+1,3 cm of plasterboard
Other floors: Insulated sheet metal complex Mauka Brizz (ArcelorMittal)+18cm of concrete
Concrete
Insulated sheet metal complex Mauka Brizz (ArcelorMittal) + 13mm of plasterboard
Energy systems
Installed by the occupants
Car park: PALERMO T5 - 2*49W / Hallway and stairway: Downlight Jumbo Tridonic 2X42W
High-performance ceiling fans: Hunter Industry 2 BN - 1CF/10m2
None
Yes
Domestic hot water for all the units of the building is produced thanks to 40 m² of solar thermal collectors. Individual water tanks are installed in each apartment.
Type : solar thermal
EZINC - Model E23HP-V
Total area=40m2
Lessons Learned
No information available
A Post Occupancy Survey will be conducted this year so as to evaluate the interior thermal confort.