All Seasons Tent Tower

OFIS Architecture proposes a solar-powered earthquake-proof tower as a part of the Mercedes-Benz hotel tower competition for the city of Yerevan in Armenia. The ‘All Seasons Tent Tower’ embraces renewable energy and energy conservation using photovoltaic cells, a high performance skin and an embedded pipe system to provide cooling.

The project features two terraced cylindrical towers connected at ground level with a green tent-shape layer. The higher tower will be used as a hotel, business centre, pool, spa, fitness centre and bar, while the lower tower contains apartments. Public program like shopping, exhibition spaces and restaurants, the hotel lobby and a business entrance will connect the two towers. Since the region is prone to earthquakes, the deciding factor was a building that can be safe during the next strike. The structure has been designed in a fashion that resists gravity load and the forces resulting from earthquakes. The towers are positioned in a way that creates a dominant view from the city.

Photovoltaic cells are integrated into the atrium roof to generate power for the tower. The façade skin covers the terraces of the towers. During summer the metal mesh of the towers is covered by greenery, while during winter it is white and partially covered with snow. The designers have focused on energy conservation by optimizing the environmental conditions. The external facades are incorporated with a high performance skin that reduces solar gain during summer. A concrete slab embedded pipe system has also been included to provide cooling without draft problems and provide heating during the cold winter months.

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