Why blogging about freshness?
The vast majority of contemporary architecture built today in Puerto Rico responds to a limited number of imported stereotypes that are duplicated indiscriminately, without considering climatic conditions or cultural needs of the people that inhabit these buildings. Since these technologies don’t easily adjust to hot-humid climates, buildings have to be complemented with active systems of ventilation such as air conditioning to achieve standards of thermal comfort. This condition results not only in an architecture that looks out of context, but more importantly, it is making tropical countries like Puerto Rico, ones in which most electric energy is consumed per person in the world
Using Puerto Rico as a case study, this blog aspires to explore the reasons behind the implementation of current building technologies that do or do not respond to their tropical context. This blog will document the motives behind the implementation of these types of technologies such as available technology – specific materials, air conditioning systems, window types – or even regulations that inform building form.
To have a little fun, each technology presented will be rated on the Freshometer for its "Ecofreshness" and of course, this rating is open to your comments and suggestions. With or without a margarita on hand, always remember to GET FRESH this summer!
I'd like to mention the hooch as an antidote to the cement world that Puerto Rico has become. Built with Puerto Rico grown guadua bamboo (native to Columbia), the hooch stands on a single point- a metaphorical and actual small footprint. With solar electricity, rain water catchment, kitchenette, shower, and queen size bed, it is an abode specifically made for the tropics. See more @:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.tropical-treehouse.com