LEAD Design has won the international competition to create a new prototype of Air Traffic Control Tower, for creating the architectural concept and planning, in a joint project together with Studio Santi (MEP&energy) and Roberto Sbarra (structure), creating the reference model for new ATC Towers to be built by ENAV spa, the Italian aviation authority, over the coming years.
The winning design is a modular, expandable and flexible architecture: predesigned sections expand towards the 3 axes, making this design fit ENAV’s specific needs at every Italian airport. The building follows the N.Z.E.B. principles: energy efficiency is provided through a combination of geothermal and photovoltaic energy design.
90% of the needed energy is self-generated by the building’s photovoltaic roof efficiency through its orientation, as well as its solar greenhouse effect with its adaptive solar shading system.
Geothermal renewable energy powers the heating and cooling systems in addition to heat being recovered from the data center towards the building, and cooling provided by the chimney effect per the specific shape of the tower shaft. The efficiency of the towers doesn’t compromise on its functionality: the asymmetric structure guarantees maximized outward visibility. Source and images courtesy of LEAD Design.