The Ark. Way back at the dawn of time, Noah may have been absolutely right to build an Ark.
It's what we should all be doing right now, says Alexander Remizov of Russian architects Remistudio. Given that sea levels are set to rise as global climate change continues, it might be wise to have a back-up plan. The Ark biosphere was conceived by its designers as a green self-sustaining, disaster-proof hotel that could withstand extreme weather conditions like tsunamis and severe flooding. Its Slinky-like shape is also supposed to withstand earthquakes. Nice. Its solar panels and a rainwater collection system allow residents to live independently, should the power grid shut down. Energy Star Certified Buildings' Top Cities Ranked By EPA. This week, the EPA released its annual list of the 25 American cities with the highest number of Energy Star certified buildings.
According to the EPA, 16,000 Energy Star certified buildings in the U.S. helped save "nearly $2.3 billion in annual utility bills and prevent greenhouse gas emissions equal to emissions from the annual energy use of more than 1.5 million homes" by the end of 2011. EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson said in a press release, "More and more organizations are discovering the value of Energy Star as they work to cut costs and reduce their energy use. This year marked the twentieth anniversary of the Energy Star program, and today Energy Star certified buildings in cities across America are helping to strengthen local economies and protect the planet for decades to come.
" Project Green: an Innovative Mixed-Use Infrastructure Concept. With all the recent discussion about crumbling infrastructure and stimulus spending, it seems appropriate to talk about a design proposal that is actively addressing many issues that are showing progress across the country. Project Green, slated for downtown Austin, Texas, represents a comprehensive approach to sustainability in the context of an urban, mixed-use development.
In addition to incorporating the usual features like solar panels and wind turbines, this proposal takes a serious approach to handling the most precious resource on earth. Water. Some water savvy techniques utilized in this design include above and below grade treatment cisterns, green roofs, and most notably, on street treatment swales. These swales are loaded with plant material that cleans storm water as it is filtered through, creating a silent display of environmental stewardship with each rainfall. While this is still a highly conceptual proposal, these ideas are not beyond the realms of modern engineering. Tours Abu Dhabi's Energy-Plus Masdar City: EXCLUSIVE NEW PHOTOS. Taken while on a Masdar-sponsored trip that included a tour to the Shams 1 Concentrated Solar Power Plant and interviews with several key Masdar officials, these images are a testament to Masdar’s perseverance despite overwhelming criticism in its early phases.
A subsidiary of the government owned Mubadala, Masdar has several branches, which includes Masdar City just outside of the capital, Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, which is fast becoming a state of the art learning institute with ties to MIT in the United States, Masdar Capital, and Masdar Clean Energy. While Masdar has yet to achieve zero waste or zero energy, consider these fast facts: the rooftop panels satisfy 30% of the program’s energy requirement, while the gap is filled up by an on-site 10MW photovoltaic plant. Given that the overall load currently stands at just 2-3MW, Masdar is generating far more energy than it requires. . + Masdar. Sonnenschiff: Solar City Produces 4X the Energy it Consumes. The project started out as a vision for an entire community — the medium-density project balances size, accessibility, green space, and solar exposure. In all, 52 homes make up a neighborhood anchored to Sonnenschiff, a mixed-use residential and commercial building that emphasizes livability with a minimal footprint.
Advanced technologies like phase-change materials and vacuum insulation significantly boost the thermal performance of the building’s wall system. Sao Paulo’s Business Community Goes Green. Sao Paulo’s new Água Espraiada Operação Urbana urban planning program takes a big picture approach to sustainability.
A prime example of Água Espraiada Operação Urbana guidelines in action is the Rochaverá Corporate Towers, a high profile mixed residential, office, and shopping complex built at a former industrial area along Sao Paulo’s Pinheiros River Basin. In keeping with Água Espraiada Operação Urbana agenda, this enormous 1.2-million-square-foot development was built to be highly energy efficient, control water usage, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and ease traffic congestion. How can a development accomplish all of those objectives? Futuristic city complex. Where No City Has Gone Before: San Francisco Will Be World's First Zero-Waste Town by 2020. A sculpture made of garbage salvaged from San Francisco's dumpPhoto Credit: Sven Eberlein April 18, 2012 | Like this article?
Join our email list: Stay up to date with the latest headlines via email. Last month, the millionth ton of food scraps, coffee grounds and soiled paper from San Francisco’s mandatory composting program returned to residents’ dinner tables in the form of fresh, organic foods grown by local farmers using the city’s nutrient-rich compost as fertilizer.