The brief for this project was to adopt a basic existing design and transform it into a fully functioning building located at Cardiff Bay next to The Senedd. The design we were given had many challenges to overcome regarding building regulations and its proximity to the surrounding buildings.
I altered the design when needed to comply with the building regulations, I also made alterations to make the design feel my own, making it stand out from the rest as a strong piece of architecture.
The main way I achieved this was by applying a microalgae photobioreactor facade which was the basis of my dissertation, working similarly to a photovoltaic panel; it absorbs sunlight to cultivate algae producing biomass and electricity. Waste water from the building is circulated through the system feeding the algae, in return purifying the water ready to be reused again in the building. The excess algae produced would be processed and used as food supplements in the buildings dining areas.
All these features and benefits create an an almost carbon neutral ecosystem which massively lowers the building overall environmental impact, conscious of the environment. My hope is that its inclusion within my project will bring more eyes to the technology as it has so potential to benefit our built environment.
Y briff am y prosiect hwn oedd mabwysiadu dyluniad presennol sylfaenol a’i weddnewid yn adeilad cwbl weithredol wedi’i leoli ym Mae Caerdydd wrth ymyl y Senedd. Roedd y dyluniad a roddwyd i ni yn cynnwys llawer o heriau i’w goresgyn mewn perthynas â rheoliadau adeiladu a’i agosrwydd at yr adeiladau a’ii gwmpas.
Newidiais y dyluniad pan oedd angen i gydymffurfio â’r rheoliadau adeiladu, a gwnes i addasiadau i wneud i’r dyluniad deimlo fel fy ngwaith i, gan wneud iddo sefyll allan o’r gweddill fel darn cryf o bensaernïaeth.
Y brif ffordd y cyflawnais i hyn oedd trwy gymhwyso wyneb ffotobio-adweithydd microalgae a oedd sail fy nhraethawd, sy’n gweithio mewn modd tebyg i banel ffotofoltaig; mae’n amsugno heulwen i dyrchu algae sy’n cynhyrchu biomas a thrydan. Mae dŵr gwastraff o’r adeilad yn cael ei gylchredeg trwy’r system gan borthi’r algae, sydd yn gyfnewid yn puro’r dŵr yn barod i gael ei ddefnyddio eto yn yr adeilad. Byddai’r algae gormodol a gâi ei gynhyrchu yn cael ei brosesu a’i ddefnyddio’n atchwanegiadau bwyd ym mannau bwyta’r adeiladu.
Mae’r holl nodweddion a manteision hyn yn creu ecosystem bron niwtral o ran carbon sy’n lleihau effaith amgylcheddol gyffredinol yr adeilad yn aruthrol, yn ymwybodol o’r amgylchedd. Fy ngobaith yw y bydd eu cynnwys o fewn fy mhrosiect yn dod â mwy o sylw i’r dechnoleg gan fod iddi gymaint o botensial i fod o fudd i’n hamgylchedd adeiledig.
