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THE HOUSE TRANSLUCENT in Barcelona, \u200b\u200bAlfons Soldevila

what means can an architect to investigate freely with ideas that redefine the home environment? Is the client willing to conduct such experiments?

Alfons Soldevila, professor of Projects School of Architecture of Barcelona, \u200b\u200bhas examined the issue of housing , proposing a series of discussions in class with their students, which ended materializing in building a house at 1:1 in the middle of campus. The Translucent House drew and was, from 1996 until 2002, when he had to give up her space is au na new library, a meeting place for students and teachers. was experimenting with a new type of housing made from a new building material. Made with polycarbonate, light would filter through their floors, walls and ceilings, translucent quality to determine the design and construction.

University as a laboratory
college is certainly an ideal place for cultural exploration and the way men relate to each other and their environment. It is a place where research is praised committed to contemporary and where doubt is part of building history. With this vocation, Alfons Soldevila raised the project to redefine housing, analyzing, questioning and checking do in the classroom and in the workshop, before beginning construction.
The first phase consisted of a mock-up is Creek 1:10, to check its structure and to study a sequence of assembly which would not require a crane. The framework would amount similar to t structure known as American raditionally balloom-frame, which can be lifted by one person assisted by a hoist. Running
structure was constructed of stainless steel tubes with a 80x80mm and 30mm section shirt. To the holders of the foundation, also wanted to run with a translucent material, specimens were made of concrete and recycled glass instead of sand. re sult showed that his mechanical ability was less than to traditional concrete but enough for a building of ten tons. On these supports, separate each do s feet, stood the gates, which were interconnections for other profiles of 80x80x3mm and acting bands as Edge. The structure of the floors are made with 80x80x2mm profiles that, as a separate beams s 40 cm, were supported by the straps. His fixation was performed with structural silicone, so it could be easily removed with a knife.
Finally, the metal structure was closed with polycarbonate extruded sheets, used either on the roof, walls, ceilings, floors, ramps and steps. Empl also eo silicone in all its unions to avoid opaque elements facilitate removal and replacement.

Polycarbonate building material
investigating the composition of polycarbonate, the students valued the great advantages of this organic product in construction. A chemical inertness that made him immune to acids, bases and weather, add to its high resistance to breakage and damage, has good elasticity and can take several treatments including tinting colors. Within thermoplastic products, has good fire behavior as it is self-extinguishing. In addition, polycarbonate is a material that could co MPET with glass because it offers a unique optical clarity translucency. This factor played decisive role in choosing vo material as both the curved shape of tile do as the facades of the house allowed for maximum use of sunlight, heat and ventilation. On the other hand, the polycarbonate sheets have the drawback of being sensitive to UV rays, so yellow sun exposure. The solution to this reaction consisted of placing a film adhered to the surface for protection from the sun. This film modify the surface finish with different patterns and colors depending on its inhabitants.

Experiencing
interior natural light to flowed unimpeded distribution of the house would be resolved and nothing is placed against the translucent walls. The only dull rooms, kitchen and bathrooms, were arranged like pieces of furniture. Nor was installed electric lights in the house, to free housing facilities and switches. Instead, after dark, turn on the lights by remote control outside the house.
For maximum benefit of natural light and minimize shadows, furniture ideals are those that do not touch the walls or floors. Would have to be floating. Consequently the students experienced with the design of polycarbonate furniture - chairs and hammocks swinging, hanging tables, cabinets and drawers that are translucent high ground. Even the carpet and the soles of the shoes had to be rethought, this time from below. Other students experienced with games including washdown cleaning the house with a hose down, something possible when polycarbonate cabinets zipper.

Translucent House Although there is still value today, not just the students who participated in the experiment, but also in the curriculum of the university. The technology, materials and possibilities are constantly changing but slowly integrate into society. Research needs to first play an essential role in education is to learn from its achievements, mistakes and benefit of the doubt.

Captions:
A. Alfons Soldevila, architect.
B. "If we can not contact the walls, if we can not contact the roof if we can not contact the ground, we are working on a very special place, disconnected from the walls, floor and ceiling. "A.
C. Soldevila The mounting method is dry, so it is recyclable and made with unskilled labor. It is designed for a person can build, construction spending in the same energy as that required for a sport.
D. For maximum benefit of natural light and minimize shadows, furniture ideals are those that do not touch the walls or floors.
E. A longitudinal staircase connects all three floors.
F. "The house, as an abstract entity, not directly respond to their environment, but will sense the occupants." A. Soldevila

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