Electric Ramps
The Electric Ramps at the Old Centre in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain, are covered by dramatic envelope that intended to create the improvement of the visual impact in the historic district. The ramps are created due to extreme winter conditions of the historical city. This hilly topography made it possible for the urban structure of the historical centre to remain intact. Nevertheless, it has also led to the creation of ghettos and to isolation from the rest of the city.
In addition to keeping snow and ice off the surface of the ramp, water entrance is reduced. On the exterior, the lines of glass which link the different positions of the porticoes make up a three-dimensional figure of apparent complexity and dynamism. It is, however, a single portico and thus has a simple and rational construction process.
Artificial lighting is incorporated under hand railings, with LED signs at all entrances and exits.The machinery includes an automatic motion detector using photocells on each side of the band, which detects human presence along the ramp and allows a remote control to stop and start the installation without having to verify human presence in situ. There is also an additional CCTV camera system along the entire ramp, connected to a control centre. Photos by: Roberto Ercilla Arquitectura
