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 

Located at the junction of Nanyang Ave and Nanyang
Drive,
the new iconic School of Art,
Design and Media is situated in a wooded valley right in the heart of the campus.
The highlight of the building is the verdant turfed roof which blends
with the ground contour. Apart from its visual impact, the turfed
roofscape is a functional space which is easily accessible via sidesteps along
the roof edge, thereby allowing the rooftop to be a scenic outdoor communal
space. Environmentally, it helps to lower the roof temperature and
surrounding areas. The facade design is a glass curtain wall in
neutral grey colour. The remaining parts of the building comprised off-form
concrete walls which eschew painting or external rendering works. The
external finish is reserved in its primary condition to maintain its design
integrity and naturalness. When night beckons, the building lights up like a
beacon that announces its warm presence. The interior lighting streams through
the glass curtain walls to render the building a dynamic stage against the
backdrop of the external landscape.

Via: DesignFlute

I do remember reading about the hanging gardens of Babylon as one of the splendors of the ancient world. Maybe I should say that they were one of the wonders of the ancient world. The point here is that, they were considered as an architectural wonders several centuries back. So here is someone whose design and innovation in no way match the splendor or the green magic of the hanging gardens and yet they are considered a modern day creative brilliance! I’m sorry to say this but if this idea got an award, then maybe I should have nominated my mom long back for ‘The best green architect of the year’ long back.

A young and budding designer from Tokyo has decided that there were too many empty beams that were too clean and not useful, in the city of Tokyo. So he decided to go and grow some moss on them (A very clean idea indeed). Then this young ‘architect’ named Taketo Shimohigoshi went o to win 2007 AR Award for Emerging Architecture for what is called ‘innovative genius of his design’. Now I’m not someone who is an architect and neither am I trying to show down a very young creative mind. The idea is good, but to hail it as something awesome would be truly an insult to our intelligence.

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