Ecology (from Greek: ?????, oikos, "household"; and ?????, logos, "knowledge") is the scientific study of the distribution and abundance of living organisms and how the distribution and abundance are affected by interactions between the organisms and their environment. The environment of an organism includes both physical properties, which can be d... read more

Ecology (from Greek: ?????, oikos, "household"; and ?????, logos, "knowledge") is the scientific study of the distribution and abundance of living organisms and how the distribution and abundance are affected by interactions between the organisms and their environment. The environment of an organism includes both physical properties, which can be described as the sum of local abiotic factors such as insolation (sunlight), climate, and geology, and biotic factors, which are other organisms that share its habitat. The word "ecology" is often used more loosely in such terms as social ecology and deep ecology and in common parlance as a synonym for the natural environment or environmentalism. Likewise "ecologic" or "ecological" is often taken in the sense of environmentally friendly. [WIKIPEDIA]

SOUNDSCAPE -  The Client requested 10 pavilions in a new park to be located on a tunnel under Avenue Louise in Brussels.  The relationship between the pavilions and the park, the ?in-between space?,  is based on a music piece [ with fast and slow rhythms, high and low tones, specially composed for the site. It helped integrate the built structures [the Pavilions] with the green zones [the Park], in one fluid movement, where one easily moves in and out of the space.

SMART ECOLOGY - The pavilions in the park are developed as a 'green' zone, both in the sense of natural green and incorporated nature [greenhouses] and in the sense of  self-sustainability. Solar collectors provide energy, collected rainwater provides water for the park and green houses and also expresses itself in fountains providing cooling through 'misting'.

THE ART OF SHOPPING ? Shopping here as a 'Green' experience has incorporated greenhouses with orchids, bamboo, etc., separating the different shopping pavilions and creating filtered daylight through the plants. The pavilions are connected below ground and separated in the park; large suspended gardens provide sunshading and rain protection while strolling from one pavilion to the other.

SMART SKIN ? the structural skin of the building is a continuous  thin concrete membrane spanning the space, integrated skylights provide natural light and a soft glow. The skin incorporates all heating and cooling systems.
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