Behnisch Architects and the Senscity Paradise Universe

The Oasis in the Dessert is a project that was designed to be a theme park in a sense and house such programs as an arcade, playground, theater, a public park, and playground that would be situated in climates that is concerned unsuitable. Visitors will be able to inhibit extreme temperatures through a series of innovated cooling techniques such as evaporative cooling, stack affect air passage, and heavy shading to create a micro-climate in conditions that are otherwise to extreme. It is interesting to see these techniques in use to make climates that are extreme, inhabitable thus expanding human developments through passive cooling techniques rather than just relying on Air conditioning units. Perhaps the most interesting factor is that these techniques which are more commonly used in buildings in conjunction with HVAC systems to create a microclimate outdoors that is dramatically different than the surrounding environment. Behnisch Architects collaborate with structural and mechanical engineers to develop a structure that consist of tall Leaf structures to create these cool climates. The leaves serve as energy collectors that are layers with photovoltaic cells that collect solar energy. The height of the leaves provide enough shading and protection from the intensity of the sun, while acting like chimneys with a stack effect pulling the hot warm up through the top of the flower. This project, similar to the Oberlin project is one that can bring people together in a way that can educate the public about these new ideas which are beginning to take root through a sense of community, while allowing people to actually experience these systems at work.