This is what it's all about
DEMO-MI2 is a research and development project that aims to build and experiment a modular pavilion with a surface area of ~36 m2 capable of offering more comfortable climatic conditions in public spaces subject to the urban heat island effect in summer.
As illustrated in the sketch, the means applied to achieve this goal will be essentially passive:
- shading by the roof and the veil that extends it;
- water evaporation causing a natural cooling of the air by several means: misting, water droplets falling, diffusion through porous surfaces and vegetalisation;
- recovery of rainwater received on the roof to cover a fraction of the water required;
- thermal stabilisation by means of phase change material.
After its construction, the pavilion will be set up and tested successively on 4 sites located in the public space of the city of Fribourg.
(DEMO-MI2 is the abbreviation for «démonstrateur mobile de mesures de mitigation microclimatique estivale à l’échelle de la rue» which means «mobile demonstrator of summer microclimatic mitigation measures at street level»)
Who we are and how the project will unfold
This project, which began in the spring of 2020, is carried out in partnership between the School of Engineering and Architecture of Fribourg (HEIA-FR) and the «Energy and sustainable development sector» of the City of Fribourg. Our multidisciplinary team is made up of:
- Marc Vonlanthen, physicist and associate prof.
- Jean-Michaël Taillebois, architect and scientific collaborator
- André Rotzetta, ing. electrician and associate prof.
- Raphaël Compagnon, ing. physicist and associate prof.
- Matias Cesari, architect and scientific collaborator
- Aline Hayoz-Andrey, environmental engineer and sustainable development manager
- Noemie Dick, nature and environment project manager and project coordinator
Currently most of our work is focused on the design of the pavilion and its passive cooling systems, the search for sponsors as well as the selection of suitable locations for the installation of the pavilion in summer 2021.
The construction phase will begin in February 2021 in the Smart Living Lab workshop installed on the blueFACTORY site.
In June, the pavilion will be set up for the first time at the end of Boulevard de Pérolles on the asphalt square between the long building of the University of Fribourg and that of the HEIA-FR. This location is interesting because the summer climatic conditions can become very uncomfortable there since the site is strongly exposed to solar radiation, has little vegetation and is protected from draughts. The pavilion will remain on this site for a few weeks during which the public will be able to freely come and experience the cooling effect it will provide.
Between the end of June and the month of September 2021, the pavilion will be dismantled, moved and then reassembled successively on 3 other sites in the city of Fribourg where it will be accessible to the public for a few weeks.
On each location, measurements (mainly temperature) characterizing the micro-climate inside and in the immediate vicinity of the pavilion will be recorded to contribute to the scientific component of the project. We will also periodically conduct surveys of visitors to assess their level of satisfaction.
After the end of the project, the pavilion may be borrowed by communities or associations in order to be temporarily reassembled on other sites even beyond the canton of Fribourg. The terms and conditions for borrowing the pavilion will be defined by then.
What your support will be used for
The funding for the work we are doing for the DEMO-MI2 project is covered by a research fund from HEIA-FR within the framework of its collaboration with the Smart Living Lab. Via its «Energy and Sustainable Development Sector», the City of Fribourg also contributes to the organization of the project and will ensure, in collaboration with the «Road Department», the transport of the pavilion between the different sites where it will be installed.
We are currently seeking funds to cover the purchase of materials needed for the construction of the pavilion. We are launching this call for crowdfunding from the public in order to supplement the promises of subsidies that we have already obtained from some sponsors (companies and institutions).
Will we also be able to count on your support in order to raise the amount of money that will make this experience possible? We sincerely hope so and thank you in advance!