LIGHTSHELVES AND FINS - CARRYING ON WHERE THE TROPICALMODERNISM LEFT OFF

摘要

When modernist architecture in the tropics started inrnthe 30′of the 20th century, air-conditioning systemsrnand special glazing were not yet available. To realizernmodernist architecture in the tropics a tropicalrnapproach was necessary so as to adapt modernistrndesign with the climatic reality of the tropics: the finsrnwere introduced.rnDue to handling and maintenance problems, poorrndaylighting conditions and a new aesthetic in form ofrncurtain wall facades, the fins were widely abandonedrnby architects and engineers.rnBut due to the high solar radiation even new glazingrntechnologies couldn't resolve a mayor problem inrntropical office buildings: the extremely unevenrndaylighting distribution, causing glare problems closernto the fa?ade and creating spots without sufficientrndaylighting just a couple of meters away from thernfa?ade.rnRadiance therefore was used to improve and developrna three-dimensional fixed system, a combination ofrnlight shelves and fins, specifying new materials tornensure the demands of daylighting in modern officernbuildings. The results are quite promising.