Environmental News, Eco-Friendly Gadgets - FreshAirTimes.eu

Eco Factor: Eco-friendly structure designed to harvest rainwater and reduce energy consumption.

The Horizontal Scraper is the brainchild of designers Rae Won Noh, In Ki Kim, Jeong Tae Kim, Hyo Bin Jung and Jang Ook Lee and has been conceptualized to reduce the environmental impact of high rise buildings. Unlike conventional skyscrapers, the Horizontal Scraper rests above the ground level on roofs of existing buildings.The 15-story tall structure “floats” on the skyline without blocking natural light necessary for the buildings underneath. The mixed-use structure provides space for residences, offices and recreation areas. The rooftop is adorned with green garden with sports facilities. Moreover, the roof also includes rainwater harvesting systems, which help in reducing solar heat gain as well.

Eco Factor: Sustainable twin towers look into minimizing energy consumption.

Designed by Plasma Studio, the Datong Twin Towers is a mix-use complex that flaunts its extraordinary design and sustainability. Planned to be erected on a 70,000sqm area, the green structure was recently awarded first prize in an invited competition in Datong, Shanxi province. It will house a hotel in one tower and offices in the other.Depicting the architectural firms’ geometric obsession, the towers will include low-energy ventilation design in its interior along with parametric differentiated facade concept, which will help in minimizing energy consumption and maximizing ambient quality and expression.

The central light well between the towers is surrounded by shared public spaces. There is also room for pedestrians and greenery. The lowest level has a common public lobby, while the towers end on an accessible roofscape. The twin towers hold the potential to become a landmark for China.

Via: ArchDaily

Eco Factor: Mountain-like business district incorporates wastewater treatment and renewable energy generation system.

Those deprived of the pleasure of living in the serene and beautiful hills could get the same feeling in the “Magic Mountains.” This sustainable urban development proposed for Chongqing, China is one crazy plan by the CEBO/Chongqing University team. Resembling prismatic mountain peaks, the new green business district creates an exciting new skyline with inhabited peaks.

Magic Mountains are made from glass and steel. It is loaded with sustainable feature such as passive cooling and heating, wastewater treatment and renewable energy generation system. These water and energy efficient systems will rest on the open green valleys. In order to cut down carbon emissions substantially, bicycles and pedestrian paths could be used to get around the city.

Efficient public transportation system will lead to reduction in car usage. All these green features will bring down the overall consumption of resources and energy by 22%. The renewable energy produced in the Magic Mountains will replace 11% of conventional power.

Eco Factor: Sustainable residential development designed to reduce energy consumption.

Broadway Malyan Architects have come up with a sustainable proposal for a residential development in Dubai. Christened “The Diamond”, the 17-story tall structure takes full advantage of the spectacular views and proximity to the beachfront and adjacent neighborhood center.

 Every apartment in the building enjoys unobstructed views, without sacrificing on good levels of privacy. Designed to provide high levels of sustainability, the architecture responds directly to the movement of the sun to reduce solar heat gain and improve energy efficiency.

Designed to create a dramatic sea front pair of residential towers, the twin-tower architecture is set on top of a mixed use podium overlooking the surroundings. The terraced sun deck helps in enhancing the eco-credentials of the building while reducing solar heat gain.

Via: Broadway Malyan Architects 

Eco Factor: Experimental project designed to make the most of the sun, wind and land.

The growth in population and the dearth of energy has always tempted architects to design sustainable housing projects that make the most of what all is offered to them by nature. SeaO2 is one such project that makes the most of the elements of nature to ensure that anyone living inside should have minimum impact on the environment.

Designed by architect Yiftach Ben Meir, the project is scheduled to come up in the Tel Aviv North West coastal district, whose primary sources are sun, wind and land. The project has used cutting edge computer software, some of which is being used in the aerospace industry, to make the building is as sustainable as possible. The unique design of the project optimizes solar reception for lighting and electricity, natural ventilation, green open spaces, rainwater harvesting and more.

The Dark Side:

The concept design looks good on paper but a realistic form of the project would be far more complex and expensive. With the world already suffering a major economic meltdown, we don’t see many companies interested in building a solar-powered housing complex.

Via: Tuvie

Earlier we told you about the world’s first zero-carbon, zero-waste, and car-free city called the Masdar City. This $22 billion development in Abu Dhabi also requires some green building designs that are self dependent for energy needs. Since the city is the world’s greenest the buildings that will beautify the place should also be as green as the city itself. To keep up to this challenge a Chicago architecture firm Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill was chosen.

The firm has come up with a ‘positive energy’ building which will generate more energy than what it actually requires. The 1.4 million sf headquarters of the building (pictured above) will serve as the centerpiece of Masdar City.

Not only is the building green, but its also the world’s first mixed-use, net positive energy building in the world and costs a whooping $300 million. To make up the mega-task of generating own energy, this amazing building will make use of the world’s largest building-integrated photovoltaic arrays, the largest solar thermal driven cooling and dehumidification system, and will also be the first building in history to generate power for its own assembly, through development of its solar roof pier before the underlying complex. This mega structure will also consume about 70% less water than other mixed-use buildings of its size.

Via: Jets on Green

For starters, I do not sell real estate and I have absolutely no personal motives involved in this. But when a green home needs a taker, then I’m more than willing to give it a little rub. That is exactly why we are discussing this wonderful home just a drive away from Ontario. It is a home of 24 X 28 with loft - cathedral ceiling which has been professionally built by Post & Beam Construction. The home looks beautiful and is obviously placed in a location that is game for photography of wildlife. (I do not like to promote ‘hunting’ as a sport or a pass time) (more…)

He is an engineer by profession, still dreamt of a house that was eco-friendly. Finally, his dream came true. It’s about Steve James, who turned this dreamlike concept into reality, just in 10 months with the help of his friends. Made totally of natural and recycled materials, this house cost him of about £4,000, which he claims could have been more cheaper, had he cut the wood himself instead of going to the sawmill. Where straw bales serve erecting as walls, roof carries turf with flowers growing on it. Moreover, it boasts of rainwater collection system, a composting toilet and even a wood burning stove. So, what more you can expect in a house that promises tryst with nature?

Via: Neatorama

It is well-known that coal, the state rock of Utah, is the source of heat and electricity to millions of business houses as well as personal homes in that state. According to reports from Western Resource Advocates, a charitable environmental law and policy organization, power plants that use coal as fuel, supply almost 95 percent of the total electricity in Utah.

While admitting the usefulness of coal as an energy source and the practicality of using it extensively, Ken Schreiner, a resident of Salt Lake City (along with his wife,Abbie), also sounds out a warning. Schreiner says:

On the surface, it makes a lot of sense to use this resource for energy and stay on the utility grid. The problem is, when coal burns it creates a lot of air pollution.

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If there ever was a touch of irony to something, then this would be it. The economy of the Middle East is driven by the rich oil resources in the area. Yet, the ultramodern community of this desert land has opted to move in to the future using a lifestyle that is clean, green and powered by renewable sources of energy. The irony of it all is that the funding for this innovative and amazing eco-friendly project is probably derived by supplying oil barrels to the world. Well, at least one cannot complain about the way money made from oil wells is being put to use.

Groundbreaking is scheduled this Saturday for Masdar City, a nearly self-contained mini-municipality designed for up to 50,000 people rising from the desert next to Abu Dhabi’s international airport. The city is aimed as a pilot project in testing the design for green cities which are self-reliant and self sufficient. The 2.3-square-mile community, set behind walls surrounding this model green town to divert hot desert winds and airport noise, will be car free and emission free according to the design by Foster + Partners.
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