The sphere is the undisputed star of the “Habitat” project, designed by EvaLab s.r.l. engineering company, architecture and engineering consultants, which aims to make a whole neighbourhood self-sufficient in energy requirements, almost a micro cosmos within the city, a district where citizens can find harmony in every aspect of their daily life near the former wholesale warehouses in Verona’s trade fair zone.
Every human need will be covered by the creation of living space mainly inside four spheres in a semi-circular layout, taking up 60% of the volume, workspace for another 40%, and recreation area. And ample room will be dedicated to nature, not just in the 18,000 square yards of park, gardens and urban allotments, but also in the form of sun, air, earth and water – the very elements that provide the principal sources of energy.
And nature is the source of inspiration for the sustainable energy production system, not only from the technological but also the ecological point of view: the very latest techniques are being applied to create a coherent system in which every part interacts with every other, adapting to the natural progression of the seasons to gain the best possible supply of energy.
The choice of the form is also consistent: the sphere, suggested perhaps by the former deep-freeze plant with its circular layout, a pure geometric figure which has already inspired leading architects like Renzo Piano with his “Bubble” biosphere built in Genoa in 2001. The sphere not only adds a strong, innovative visual impact to the surrounding cityscape, but is also the most efficient shape energy-wise through its very structure. Its modular circular sections, for example, can be exploited to assist the natural ventilation and the cooling of the solar panels which heat the housing and maintain a stable, comfortable temperature throughout the living environment.
Comfort is an aspect which has been by no means neglected by the EvaLab team, which placed great importance on the psycho-physical wellness and quality of life of residents in the project by building the walls in multiple layers of natural materials to provide thermal insulation, or by reducing to a minimum the wastage of drinking water by rainwater capture and phyto-filtering of waste water for non-sanitary recycling, without losing sight of harmony with the environment and energy saving. For another example, a lighting system was designed using LEDs with a high chromatic value to “paint” the spaces with light and control the temperature of the beams.
The project has also paid close attention to social and recreational activity in the outdoor and public areas. There are parks with paths designed for use by bicycles or rollerblades connecting all areas of the neighbourhood, play areas, and urban allotments in an area equipped with photovoltaic greenhouses and wind-powered generators where residents can follow a socially useful hobby and establish direct contact with nature. Three theatres are planned, as well as a 15,000 square yard sports area divided into five multifunctional sections, an outdoor gym with rock-climbing fittings, and fitness and wellness areas.
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