Craneloft - Yorgos Rimenidis + Michalis Softas

Yorgos Rimenidis and Michalis Softas, students of the University of Thessaly, in Volos, Greece shared their Craneloft proposal with us. The idea is a radical experiment to transform port cranes into lofts; and since the cranes can be found at basically any commercial port worldwide, the craneloft is a possible alternative with a global character. This revitalization stems from the students’ view that reusing objects, structures and engines left behind from the port will allow the free area to be incorporated in the urban tissue. This new form of habitation would be constantly changing and form a “condensed European city”.

More images and more about the craneloft idea after the break.

Two connected containers provide ample storage and living space. The containers hang from the crane and they will be attached to the rails of the existing edges.

The lofts are also a self-sufficient infrastructure with sustainble ideas: photovoltaics would provide the energy needed for warm water and heating, a wind catcher is placed, for summer ventilation and winter heating in the central axes of the building, in addition to a combined collection of rain and grey water system.

The control room of the automation of the CRANELOFT is placed to the preexistent crane control room. From that point the rotation system of the crane, the container’s movement, and the inclination of the photovoltaic panels can be programmed. In addition, this is the point from where the light and water consumption can be controlled. The whole structure can rotate 360 degrees due to a mechanism in the structure’s base. This controller orientates itself with the use of solar sensors so that, in collaboration with the electrical shadowing system on the glass surfaces, the sunning or shadowing depending on the needs, is granted.