אדריכלות ישראלית - גיליון 125

Shade and Shading אדריכלות ישראלית Architecture of Israel # 125 May 2021 74 | | based on fixed shading, are usually ineffective because the required shading is not in accordance with the angle of the sun rays. The most common example of which are those bus stops where fixed roofs shade their surroundings, particularly during the afternoon. The increasing density in cities creates another problem, which is that inter- building shading is almost uncontrollable because best case scenario, the law refers to "sun rights" in relation to exposure to the sky, among other things in order to utilize solar energy (solar water heaters), which anyway, have not yet been resolved for tall buildings. Ironically, high-risers that require the chopping down of trees for foundations and paving roads, cause pedestrians to be pushed into the closed, air-conditioned malls at the expense of neglecting the advantages of public spaces. Many municipalities seemingly attempt to improve the situation by planting young trees here and there (especially in new neighborhoods, while ignoring available temporary solutions, such as tensile fabric or synthetic shades. But apart from paying "lip service" to Green institutions, they do not contribute to shading on streets. Unfortunately, the ignoring of shading in public spaces is also expressed in parks intended for outdoor leisure, even on promenades (such as the Tel Aviv Port), where one can only enjoy them in spring weather. According to the architects, the problem begins and ends (here again) with bureaucratic "meanness". In light of this, an immediate possibility of improving the situation, both in public and private spaces, is to reinstate awareness of the traditional pergola - a simple, cheap and effective solution to active shading, while enjoying its adaptability to the weather. Based on seasonal plants that swiftly cover them, it doesn’t require any "maturing" time, contrary to trees, and a good example of this is Gan Hapaamon in Jerusalem. And here again, one should emphasize the advantages of technological progress to facilitate computerized monitoring of shading in public space – streets, squares and markets like the HaTikvah Market in Tel Aviv. The shade provided by tensile canopies enable life without a break every day of the year, since they also provide a reasonable roof against rain. Such canopies already exist above play grounds in a number of public parks, but smart implementing is likely to be effective also above main streets, where they can automatically change their opacity (and color) in real time, according to the weather and hours of the day. Such technology can include membrane- integrated photovoltaic cells for solar energy, which will enable the system to work free of charge. Fine examples can already be seen in various cities throughout the world. *Special thanks to Dr. Martin Weyl for his help in promoting shade in open spaces. Above: Electronically operated shading device allows penetration of warm sunlight during winter. Below: Electronically operated pergola. Left page: Sderot Hanassi in Herzliya Pituach, one of the most pleasant streets to walk along.