Integration of sustainability issues into the design process of temporary event infrastructures

Within the frame of temporary events, having recourse to the model of the tent corresponds to usual experiences. When the model offers advantages of fast assembly and certain flexibility, it has some significant disadvantages at the same time, especially regarding comfort (thermal and acoustic) and sustainability. Additionally, the transports induced and the materials used aren’t subject to special verifications, especially regarding the necessary energy and the influences on the environment. In this context, the present article explains in detail the objectives of this project “ON STAGE”, which consists of developing an alternative to the current practice, by showing the same advantages of the tent, but by offering an increase in term of sustainability. Not only verified on architectural, constructive and technical basis, but also regarding regulations and efficiency, the feasibility of the model this research is about will allow the arrangement of reliable bases for the next realization of the infrastructure, which will have the importance of an applicable prototype. From the point of view of an increased sustainability, the project aims particularly at obtaining the following matters: quality of architectural expression, flexibility of the infrastructure, response to acoustic requirements, optimization of the thermal comfort by bioclimatic principles, ideal utilization of renewable resources and efficient utilization of the infrastructure.

Integration of sustainability issues into the design process of a temporary event infrastructure

Loïc Vivien Fumeaux

Within the frame of temporary events, having recourse to the model of the tent corresponds to usual experiences. When the model offers advantages of fast assembly and certain flexibility, it has some significant disadvantages at the same time, especially regarding comfort (thermal and acoustic) and sustainability. Additionally, the transports induced and the materials used aren’t subject to special verifications, especially regarding the necessary energy and the influences on the environment. In this context, the present article explains in detail the objectives of this project “ON STAGE”, which consists of developing an alternative to the current practice, by showing the same advantages of the tent, but by offering an increase in term of sustainability. Not only verified on architectural, constructive and technical basis, but also regarding regulations and efficiency, the feasibility of the model this research is about will allow the arrangement of reliable bases for the next realisation of the infrastructure, which will have the importance of an applicable prototype. From the point of view of an increased sustainability, the project aims particularly at obtaining the following matters: quality of architectural expression, flexibility of the infrastructure, response to acoustic requirements, optimisation of the thermal comfort by bioclimatic principles, ideal utilisation of renewable resources and efficient utilisation of the infrastructure.

2012

On STAGE Research Project. Integration of sustainability issues into the design process of a temporary event infrastructure

Loïc Vivien Fumeaux

Subsequently to the verification of certain limits in the general practice of temporary structures for events, the research project "On STAGE" (sustainable temporary arenas for gigs and events) entails developing an integrated alternative regarding improved characteristics of sustainability. The project aims particularly at obtaining the following matters: architectural expression, flexibility of use, response to acoustic requirements, optimization of the thermal comfort by bioclimatic principles, ideal utilization of renewable resources and efficient utilization of the infrastructure. One of the originalities of the project is to deal with the challenges of permanent architecture in the area of a temporary and transportable construction. From that results a confrontation between the objectives of sustainability and a short time of amortization leading to experimentation with constructive innovative solutions, potentially applicable to permanent constructions.

2013

Towards the reduction of environmental impacts of temporary event infrastructures

Loïc Vivien Fumeaux

In the context of temporary events, the use of structural systems suitable for short-term use, is a key strategy in terms of organization. However, this type of infrastructure currently requires the implementation of significant resources, for which the characteristics of flexibility and economic efficiency most often prevail over considerations related to sustainability. This lack of sustainability exists due to several attributes of a temporary building. Firstly, the distance between the place of storage and the one of use requires transportation, which can sometimes represent a significant share of consumption and environmental impacts. Furthermore, heat energy required to achieve an acceptable level of indoor comfort in a building with little or no thermal isolation is disproportionate to the short time of use. Finally, the materials used, in most cases, have a significant life cycle in terms of embodied energy required for their manufacture and respectively their disposal. However, many parameters are not as yet subject to specific studies. Contributing to remedy this lack, the present paper aims to evaluate the environmental impacts of current temporary event infrastructures and to compare them with the expected performances of an alternative proposition, the On STAGE Project, the design of which refers to architectural quality and high level of comfort with an optimal use of resources and a minimization of environmental impacts.

2014