The buildings create a Stack Effect by having a glazed, open inner roof structure, which allows the air within the building to heat up, rising out through the chimney and pulling cooler air in from the lagoon.

Jean-Marie Tjibaou Cultural Center Renzo Piano

The Jean-Marie Tjibaou Cultural Center is located on a narrow strip of land in New Caledonia, a former French colony in the South Pacific. The small island enjoys a temperate climate, with temperatures ranging from 61°F in August and 86 °F in January/December (the mean temperature is a balmy 73 °F). Humidity ranges throughout the year, but stays around 70%. There are four distinct seasons in New Caledonia, two rainy seasons at the equinoxes and two drier transition seasons. The hot season lasts from December to March and is the time when the island receives torrential rain and winds, sometimes cyclones.

According to the psychrometric chart, the climate of New Caledonia is best suited for natural ventilation. A combi-nation of moderate-to-high tempera-tures and high humidity make air movement the most efficient way to keep a space cool and dry. Natural ventilation was a natural choice for Renzo Piano in his design, which sought to incorprorate elements of Kanak architecture, the native people of New Caledonia. The cultural center was meant to celebrate their culture, but also to be an act of reconciliation between the island nation and the French. Piano chose to use a passive cooling design in the same way as the traditional Kanak building.

Cool, low wind coming off the ocean is allowed through the permeable bamboo frame. This is the state of the wind 90% of the time

Before a cyclone, under high pressure, the waterproof parts of the building are closed and high pressure air is allowed to escape through the chimney.

When there are no breezes coming off the water, the unique shape of the shell creates a Venturi Effect which pulls hot, stale air up through the chimney and out of the building.

During a cyclone, under low pressure, the waterproof parts of the building are sealed and the chimney allows pressure to equalize.

Traditional Kanak buildings.

There are two main natural ventilation systems at work within the building: the Stack Effect and the Venturi Effect. The inner glass shell has many louvres, which allow it to be insulated or ventilated as needed. Most of the time, ventilation is the most important factor in maintaing comfort so they are left open.

The buildings create a Venturi Effect by forcing breezes to pass up and over the semi-permeable outer shell. This creates a pressure differential on the leeward side of the shell, pulling hot, stale air out of the inner building.

Plan of the Cultural Center complex. It is located on a penisula between a shallow lagoon and the ocean. There are constant breezes from the ocean to the lagoon, which creates a cooled microclimate.

Lagoon Side

Ocean Side The Cultural Center is a collection of 10 individual buildings, located along a linear breezeway on a peninsula. They are oriented north-wards, towards the sun, with their protective bamboo outer shells facing the ocean side. This is done to maximize natural cooling within the buildings.