• Category Archives: Architecture

    Eco-friendly UNStudio pavilion promises to lure visitors

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    Setting up structures for short-term reasons can generate tons of carbon footprints. The whole building process along with the kind of raw materials used accounts for it. Also most of the times such structures are abandoned after the initial objective is accomplished. But here is a design that defies all such allegations without compromising on style too. UNStudio pavilion is one of the two temporary pavilions that will be installed in coming June in Millennium Park to symbolize the futuristic agenda of the 220 organizations commemorating this year’s 100th anniversary of the Plan of Chicago. Designed by Ben Van Berkel of UNStudio & Zaha Hadid of Zaha Hadid Architects, this specific pavilion caught my fancy for two green features.

    Posted in Architecture on April 17, 2009
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    Hydrogen powered, zero-energy homes for green living

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    Hydrogen powered homes are being considered these days as an alternative to improve the earth. Developer of the Ridge at Chukker Creek in Aiken, SC is planning to build several zero-energy homes that can be powered by hydrogen. The 2,200-square-foot Low Country-style home will be powered by roof-integrated solar panels and hydrogen. About a 10-kilowatt solar photovoltaic (PV) system on the south-facing roof will provide all of the home’s electrical needs during the day, when the solar panels can harvest the energy from the sun. At night, the solar array will power an electrolyzer that separates hydrogen from the oxygen in water, and the hydrogen in turn will power the house.

    Posted in Architecture on April 15, 2009
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    Mod.fab – A sustainable yet stylish abode designed by students

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    If you believe that only renowned architects and interior designers can shape out an exceptional eco-friendly structure then you need to reconsider your view. The beautifully green house that you see in the image above has been designed by a team of students at Taliesin West. Teaming up with Jennifer Siegal and Victor Sidy, they have put up this outstanding house for a school project. Mod.fab has been designed for a sustainable lifestyle in a desert but without compromising on style. Spread over 600-sq.-ft., this one-bedroom house features paneled construction that allows for off-site assembly. Such a system is easy on our pockets as well as our planet. It also packs innovative eco-friendly features like low-consumption fixtures, rainwater harvesting technologies, greywater recycling, natural ventilation, solar orientation, and photovoltaics to reduce energy and water use.

    Posted in Architecture on April 10, 2009
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    727 Fuselage Home recycled out of a Boeing for luxurious green holiday

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    This summers hit off for an out-of-this world holiday in a Boeing 727. I am not hinting that you need to hit the skies and fly to some corner of the world. Allow me to lead you to the Hotel Costa Verde proud newest lodgings – 727 Fuselage Home. Recycled out of a vintage 1965 Boeing 727 airframe, such a distinctive suite is bound to lure all eco-travelers. Fully outfitted, meticulously detailed, two bedroom, Boeing 727 fuselage suite sits on the edge of the National Park in Costa Verde II area and is perched on a 50-foot pedestal. Though the rest of the details are not that green, read on to know what this Boeing suite packs in. It features a terrace opening up to the edge of the Costa Verde National Park.

    Posted in Architecture on April 9, 2009
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    Eco-friendly Bamboo House in China is first of its kind

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    Last month, we told you about Nothing’s all card-board office and today we want to share about the first of its kind, an eco-friendly residential house made of bamboo only. Conceived and constructed by Yan Xiao and his team have made optimum use of modern day technology to give shape to this bamboo structure. Situated in Hunan University campus in Changsha, China, this kind of eco-friendly house certainly suggests that bamboo is a promising green alternative to concrete and timber. Also the structural design of the demonstration house adheres to the US design codes for timber structures. The wall panels were made with GluBam two-by-four studs, capable of resisting severe earthquakes. All the beams, columns and trusses were assembled by bolts and nails, similar to timber buildings. The model structure has two stories and offers over 260 sqm with 5 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, a living room with a fireplace, family dining room and formal dining area, in-house patio overlooking the living room, and a two-car attached garage.

    Posted in Architecture on April 9, 2009
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    Empire State Building seeks a green makeover for $100 million

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    New York City will soon see its tallest building don a green crown for being the most energy efficient too. Known as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, the Empire State Building is all set for a $500 million renovation, out of which a $100 million will be used to make it green. All this money will actually help to save about $4.4 million a year on energy. This green renovation will reduce energy consumption in the 102-story building by a significant 38 percent. The plan includes new air-conditioning and heating systems that adjust to demand and also generate cool water. The space between radiators and the outside of the building will also be insulated to trap heat and cold air. Also energy-efficient lighting will be installed to light hallways and common areas only when they are occupied. It intend to go tech-savvy by introducing an Internet-based system for tenants to monitor their energy use and show them how to conserve.
    Source

    Posted in Architecture on April 7, 2009
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    Japan’s largest eco-friendly commercial center Lake Town by Aeon Group

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    Japan has more reasons to be very ‘proud’ of. The Aeon Group has created the country’s largest commercial monument – the Aeon Lake Town Shopping Center. It will have two complexes, Mori or forest managed by Aeon Retail Co. Ltd. and Kaze or wind managed by Aeon Mall Co. Ltd and in between the two there will be an artificial lake which will be three times the size of Tokyo’s famous “Shinobazu no Ike” pond and will also designed for flood control.

    Posted in Alternative Energy, Architecture, Awareness and Hype on March 31, 2009
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    World’s second largest solar power plant in Florida

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    Every trend has a season and now it is the go-green season. As more companies are getting fully aware of the earth’s depleting ozone and the dangers of economical downfall, bigger companies are investing time and effort on developing the new found alternative source of energy. Ironically, the solar power. The Lauren Engineers and Constructors signed a contract with Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) as the engineering, procurement and construction contractor for a new 75 MW Concentrated Solar Power Plant located near Indiantown. When ready, it will be the second largest solar thermal power plant in the world and the largest solar thermal plant outside California and also the first hybrid solar facility in the world to connect to an existing combined-cycle power plant.

    Posted in Alternative Energy, Architecture, Awareness and Hype on March 30, 2009
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    EcoFabulous House plans unveiled at Vancouver Home & Garden Show

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    With the environment being a huge concern world over, for whatever corporate gains it may be, big time home companies, realtors, builders, architects, etc are beign helpful by looking towards getting their foot into the green zone. At the 2008 Vancouver Home & Garden Show held recently a particular eco-friendly prefabricated home was unveiled which left everyone in awe. The EcoFabulous House designed by Architecton and Shelter Industries is supposed to be a ‘lean, green design that still puts style and comfort in the forefront’. The design is also extremely appealing at 1,400 sq ft with features like reclaimed wood, recycled materials and sustainable products. Also, there are energy-efficient appliances and windows, water-saving technology and smart wiring.

    Posted in Architecture on March 28, 2009
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    Eco-friendly housing solutions Kohler LivingHome

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    Home is where the heart is and heart is where the green is these days. So when American developers LivingHomes partnered with the Kohler Company, many individuals can breathe an excitement sigh waiting for their ‘two-storey Kohler living featuring furnishings, materials, products and technology that has great designs and technology with low ecological footprint. This design may be an excuse to achieve the LEED-Platinum certification, but as long as it benefits some part of the eco system, its welcome. This project’s six main goals during construction and operation are – Zero Water, Zero Energy, Zero Waste, Zero Emissions, Zero Carbon, and Zero Ignorance.

    Posted in Architecture on March 24, 2009
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