Aquifère, a cool place at the Villa Medici in Rome

Installed in the Orangerie courtyard, the Aquifère installation consists of a mineral base made from byproducts of travertine extraction, upon which ollas—terracotta pots filled with water—are arranged and connected to one another by a system of pipes. The ollas release moisture into the air and onto the pavement to create a sensation of coolness.

To evaluate the cooling potential of this experimental system, TRIBU visited the site to conduct thermal comfort measurements. The four main microclimatic parameters of thermal comfort were measured (air temperature, relative humidity, radiant heat, and air velocity), as well as the surface temperatures of the slab and the ollas. At the same time, temperature sensors were installed to measure the air temperature on the slab throughout the summer. We are also collecting feedback from visitors and residents via an online form.

The field measurements were taken on a very hot day with an air temperature of 31°C. The infrared images show that the water-filled ollas have surface temperatures 30°C lower than those of the sun-exposed mineral surfaces. The evaporation of water from the surface of the terracotta cools both the surface and the surrounding air, creating a sensory experience of coolness upon contact with the devices and in their vicinity, complementing the site’s green surroundings.
All results from the experiment will be available by the end of summer.

Tous les résultats de l’expérimentation seront disponibles bientôt !