Solar Arch
After reading about the Vertical Farm Project, I became interested in trying to design a building with some type of environmental benefit for my final ARTD490 project. I came up with a scalable tunnel/road-covering for rural roads, powered by solar cells, and intended to provide several benefits:
- Off-grid highway lighting for remote/rural areas, increasing wildlife visibility
- Supplemental electricity for connected areas
- Insulation, reducing icing in winter and cooling roadway during summer
The arch design is essentially in compliance with AASHTO Standards for US interstate bridges and passageways, with a clearance over 18 feet and an inside width of 40 feet. Each section is 10 feet long.
Variations on the design include a longer version with lined troughs on each side so topsoil can be packed into the outer supports, increasing its insulation properties and reducing its visibility in naturally pristine areas. Another variation envisions each section connected to another by mag-lev rails, allowing solar energy to be expended deploying a flexible, weatherproof “curtain” between arches in the case of severe storms or emergencies.
With the exception of the solar cells, construction materials are low cost but durable enough for prolonged service. More concept renders below:
Front/Side Perspective View
Additional “Night” View
Draft of Daylight Composite
