Sustainable Convention Center Mimics Surrounding Woods With Tree Inspired Mesh Facade
Project Name: Tripoli International Convention Center
Location: Tripoli
Architect: Murat and Meklan Tabanlioglu
GKD Metal Fabrics: Mediamesh, Kiwi
The Tripoli Congress Center by Tabanlioglu Architects is located between the area’s Zoo and vast wilderness. In an attempt to utilize the land, while also preserving the surrounding trees, the architects built the center in a portion of woods where no trees existed at the time.
Completely engulfed in wilderness, the two-story building’s exterior mimics it’s surroundings, utilizing a mixture of semi-transparent GKD Kiwi mesh with glass walls enveloping the interior. The pattern, created from the combination of the metal mesh material and the glass openings, was inspired by tree branches and allows the building to become a harmonious addition to its wooden surroundings. Interestingly, at night the illuminated interior beams through the glass openings creating a beacon of light in the usually dark wilderness.
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) provides a certification program for new development that “…ensures that products come from well managed forests that provide environmental, social and economic benefits.” The project was awarded this certification for its timberwork used on the interior. The architects were adamant about the use of natural materials such as stone, wood and glass, all renewable resources with low carbon emissions.
Equally important was the waste management of the project to ensure that the construction didn’t alter the surrounding woods in a negative way. Pushing the designers to utilize regional, reusable, and renewable materials during construction. The bronze “tree-like” mesh provides a shield to control daylight and reduce heat intake, creating a more energy efficient structure.
The healthy-building design mentality is seen through every portion of the building’s construction from the materials used on both the interior and exterior to the buildings energy performance HVAC systems, water efficient landscaping, innovation wastewater technology, water use reduction planning, and grey water recycling. All of the building’s sustainable attributes allow the structure to leave a minimum carbon footprint.
The building’s purpose is not lost; its communicative nature is captured in the use of 350sqm Mediamesh®, computer controlled LED system, installed at the building’s entrance. This transparent media façade features high-resolution capabilities to ensure perfect video quality. In addition to individually developed media content, this particular Mediamesh façade can transmit live feeds of events, conferences and films. Content can be seen both by day and by night when turned on and the display’s transparency provides an unobstructed view for building inhabitants and allows daylight to enter.
The architects state, “An understanding of contemporary architecture is proposed for the building which is supported by all means of technological infrastructure. Align with its function as a meeting place for the presidents of the world, the building is strong yet symbolizes to be humble; it is simple but functional and finds its expression in clarity and sincerity. It is in harmony with the environment and makes optimum use of natural resources such as daylight, the greenery and water elements.”