Issues
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TRL Level
SRL Level
The LIS-platform, a BIM-based software platform, is being developed to monitor various aspects of buildings. This platform provides a comprehensive overview of structu...
The Athens Cooling Station 2.0 is an off-grid installation using solar power and rainwater for misting and cooling. It covers 50 square meters with shading, misting, and fans. Scalable design aims to expand cooling stations across Athens.
- Mitigating the urban heat island effect in densely populated areas
- Creating accessible heat relief areas for vulnerable populations (elderly, children)
- Providing sustainable cooling solutions during heatwaves
- Reducing dependence on municipal power and water sources
- Addressing environmental concerns with traditional cooling methods
- Overcoming limitations of previous cooling stations that required external power and water sources
- Demonstrating the feasibility of off-grid cooling installations in urban settings
- Creating scalable and replicable models for urban cooling solutions
- Minimizing environmental impact with renewable energy and water sources
Our innovation addresses heatwaves.
See more information about this level and the TRL and SRL levels.
Greening Solutions with Direct or Indirect Cooling Effects:
Athens Cooling Station 2.0 uses misting and air circulation, not green infrastructure, to create a cooler microclimate. It has a sustainable water management system and operates on solar power, reducing reliance on city resources and enhancing eco-friendliness.
Water Management Measures with Cooling Effects:
Athens Cooling Station 2.0 uses evaporative cooling and rainwater harvesting to lower temperatures. It features smart metering and filtration for efficient water use, and a solar-powered pump to draw water from Hadrian’s Aqueduct, reducing city water reliance.
Protecting Vulnerable Populations:
The station provides relief during heatwaves, benefiting vulnerable groups like seniors and children, enhancing the city’s capacity to protect them.
Facilitating Decision-Making:
While not a decision-making tool, the installation includes community engagement and participatory evaluation for future project assessments.
Mitigating Health and Economic Impact:
By cooling urban heat islands, the station mitigates health risks and supports economic activities affected by heatwaves, like outdoor markets and tourism.
The Athens Cooling Station is the culmination of a collaborative effort, drawing upon our extensive experience in developing innovative cooling solutions for urban spaces. This project is a natural progression from our past successful implementations, notably three key projects led by Interboro Partners:
– The Refreshing Waters (Bronx, NY – 2020): An outdoor cooling station at Tiffany Plaza, which utilized misting systems, fans, and shading structures to provide relief from heat. In partnership with New York City’s Department of Health.
– The Watergate (Point CDC Courtyard, NY – 2021): A cooling center that employed similar technologies to create a comfortable microclimate in an urban setting. In partnership with New York City’s Department of Health.
– The Wavelength (Harvard Science Center Plaza, Harvard, MA – 2018): A temporary canopy project that demonstrated the effectiveness of shade and cooling technologies in a public plaza.
Building on these experiences, our partnership took a significant step forward in Athens during the summer heatwave of July 2023. We prototyped a pop-up version of the Athens Cooling Station in Avdi Square in Athens. This initiative was part of an architectural summer school program, where we collaborated with 15 students specializing in architecture and urban design. Over two weeks, we installed and tested a temporary version of the Athens Cooling Station 2.0, gaining valuable insights and feedback. This hands-on, educational approach not only contributed to the development of our current project but also engaged the next generation of architects and urban designers in practical, real-world challenges of urban heat management. The success of this prototype in Athens has been instrumental in refining the design and functionality of the Athens Cooling Station, ensuring its suitability and effectiveness in the unique urban context of the city.
– Water Resource Availability: While the station utilizes a rainwater harvesting system, extended dry periods with little to no rainfall could impact the availability of harvested water for the misting system, reducing its cooling capacity.
– Physical Space Constraints: The station covers a specific area (around 50 square meters), which means its direct cooling effect is geographically limited. In densely populated or large open spaces, the station might not provide adequate cooling for all individuals present.
– Maintenance and Operational Issues: Regular maintenance is essential for optimal performance. Operational issues, such as mechanical failures in the solar panels, water pumps, or misting system, could temporarily hinder the station’s effectiveness. These limitations highlight the need for contingency plans, regular maintenance, and potential auxiliary power and water sources to ensure consistent performance under varying environmental conditions.
The Athens Cooling Station 2.0 is an off-grid installation using solar power and rainwater for misting and cooling. It covers 50 square meters with shading, misting, and fans. Scalable design aims to expand cooling stations across Athens.
- Mitigating the urban heat island effect in densely populated areas
- Creating accessible heat relief areas for vulnerable populations (elderly, children)
- Providing sustainable cooling solutions during heatwaves
- Reducing dependence on municipal power and water sources
- Addressing environmental concerns with traditional cooling methods
- Overcoming limitations of previous cooling stations that required external power and water sources
- Demonstrating the feasibility of off-grid cooling installations in urban settings
- Creating scalable and replicable models for urban cooling solutions
- Minimizing environmental impact with renewable energy and water sources
Our innovation addresses heatwaves.
The main components of the system have been tested separately, and an initial integration exercise has been conducted.
Greening Solutions with Direct or Indirect Cooling Effects:
Athens Cooling Station 2.0 uses misting and air circulation, not green infrastructure, to create a cooler microclimate. It has a sustainable water management system and operates on solar power, reducing reliance on city resources and enhancing eco-friendliness.
Water Management Measures with Cooling Effects:
Athens Cooling Station 2.0 uses evaporative cooling and rainwater harvesting to lower temperatures. It features smart metering and filtration for efficient water use, and a solar-powered pump to draw water from Hadrian’s Aqueduct, reducing city water reliance.
Protecting Vulnerable Populations:
The station provides relief during heatwaves, benefiting vulnerable groups like seniors and children, enhancing the city’s capacity to protect them.
Facilitating Decision-Making:
While not a decision-making tool, the installation includes community engagement and participatory evaluation for future project assessments.
Mitigating Health and Economic Impact:
By cooling urban heat islands, the station mitigates health risks and supports economic activities affected by heatwaves, like outdoor markets and tourism.
The Athens Cooling Station is the culmination of a collaborative effort, drawing upon our extensive experience in developing innovative cooling solutions for urban spaces. This project is a natural progression from our past successful implementations, notably three key projects led by Interboro Partners:
– The Refreshing Waters (Bronx, NY – 2020): An outdoor cooling station at Tiffany Plaza, which utilized misting systems, fans, and shading structures to provide relief from heat. In partnership with New York City’s Department of Health.
– The Watergate (Point CDC Courtyard, NY – 2021): A cooling center that employed similar technologies to create a comfortable microclimate in an urban setting. In partnership with New York City’s Department of Health.
– The Wavelength (Harvard Science Center Plaza, Harvard, MA – 2018): A temporary canopy project that demonstrated the effectiveness of shade and cooling technologies in a public plaza.
Building on these experiences, our partnership took a significant step forward in Athens during the summer heatwave of July 2023. We prototyped a pop-up version of the Athens Cooling Station in Avdi Square in Athens. This initiative was part of an architectural summer school program, where we collaborated with 15 students specializing in architecture and urban design. Over two weeks, we installed and tested a temporary version of the Athens Cooling Station 2.0, gaining valuable insights and feedback. This hands-on, educational approach not only contributed to the development of our current project but also engaged the next generation of architects and urban designers in practical, real-world challenges of urban heat management. The success of this prototype in Athens has been instrumental in refining the design and functionality of the Athens Cooling Station, ensuring its suitability and effectiveness in the unique urban context of the city.
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