Tsuyoshi Setoguchi
Hokkaido University, Japan
Title: Architectural design with climate using snow and wind simulations to prevent from snowstorm in winter cities
Biography
Biography: Tsuyoshi Setoguchi
Abstract
Urban designs that should be symbiosis with regional environment and consider regional climatic conditions are one of the most important approaches for developing sustainable cities. Winter cities that suffer from heavy snow and cold winds in winter, an urban design approach different than that used for warm cities should be used. An urban design which reduces snow impacts is one of the most important approaches in heavy snow and cold climate cities. In this paper, the author evaluated the urban design for the new Wakkanai Station redevelopment project in Hokkaido, Japan. Wakkanai city is the northernmost city of Japan and located in a strong snowstorm area. A new design approach was required to be developed on the design process that should be combined architectural design and environmental engineering. From the architectural designing process, two types of alternative Wakkanai station design, the trapezoid type and the curved-surface type were addressed in the first stage. In next environmental engineering stage, both types were tested in snow simulations using a wind tunnel. Comparing those two types of design, the trapezoid type is better suited to alleviate the negative impact of snowdrifts on the pedestrian pathway. The formation of snowdrifts in the public areas is less likely to occur due to obstructions, and there is better access for passenger transfer and better approach for public bus and private vehicles. But some provision for the shelter of pedestrians from strong wind should be included in the redevelopment plan. The results of this environmental engineering stage were reflected to back the architectural design stage again in the Wakkanai station redevelopment project. Finally, the station design was decided and approved to the trapezoid type as the photo. Author developed the new urban design approaches with snow simulations. It might provide the most progressive design approach “design with engineering”.