Archive for the ‘Architecture’ Category
Monday, March 22nd, 2010
This renewable energy generating tower located on the coast of Rio is one of the first buildings we’ve seen designed for the 2016 Rio Olympics, and boy, is it crazy! (In case you didn’t notice, it’s also a waterfall.) The Solar City Tower is designed by Zurich-based RAFAA Architecture & Design, and features a large solar system to generate power during the day and a pumped water storage system to generate power at night. RAFAA’s goal is that a symbolic tower such as this can serve as a starting point for a global green movement and help make the 2016 Olympic Games more sustainable.
(more…)
Posted in Architecture, Engineering, Green Designs, Landscape Architecture, Landscape Art | 1 Comment »
Saturday, March 13th, 2010
daymoon desarolladores S.A. de C.V. have contracted JDS to design and develop new projects: one in guadalajara and another in puerto vallarta, mexico. in puerto vallarta, they will be designing a 52,000 m2 housing and retail complex with pools, a club house
and other amenities for residents, located just a stone’s throw away from the touristic beach front.
‘the project is aimed not only tourists to the area, but to also attract the local people of puerto vallarta. in order to keep the city alive and vibrant even in low touristic seasons, it is necessary to introduce these types of projects around the resort areas,’says francisco villeda, associate, JDS architects.
(more…)
Posted in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design | No Comments »
Saturday, March 13th, 2010
sparch architects are responsible for the master plan for shanghai’s new international cruise terminal. the 800-metre long riverfront site is located north of the historical ‘bund’ centre of shanghai and will become a new gateway into the metropolis, accommodating three 80,000-tonne cruise ships at any one time, with an expected passenger flow of over 1.5 million people per year. this project is a response to the numerous cruise companies competing to include shanghai on their south east asian routes. the shanghai authorities have had to address the urgent requirement to open up ‘breathing spaces’ and bravely set down a target to free up 30 percent of the municipality as open space for citizens to enjoy.
(more…)
Posted in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design | No Comments »
Saturday, March 13th, 2010
The Winter Olympics are over and amongst the medals and trouncing the US at hockey, Vancouver was praised for hosting the “greenest Olympics ever” with LEED certified buildings, the use of recaptured gas and the construction of a hydrogen highway. However, London looks set to raise the bar even higher with plans to blow Vancouver’s achievements out of the water in 2012. The London Olympic Authority have stated that they are aiming to make London 2012 the first sustainable Olympic Games, setting a precedent for future events.
(more…)
Posted in Architecture, Green Designs, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design | No Comments »
Friday, March 12th, 2010
Italian firm Studiodosi’s proposed building for the waterfront in Leeds, UK definitely packs a radical punch with its bright green facade, but its sustainable features are just as notable. Named “The Calls Henge,” the design was developed for the 36 Calls competition, which challenged architects to submit proposals for a site by the same address. Situated by the northern bank of the river Aire, the verdant building (which actually looks more like a hedge than a henge) is an eye-popping addition to the area.
(more…)
Posted in Architecture, Green Designs, Urban Design | No Comments »
Friday, March 12th, 2010
polish architectural students ryszard rychlicki and agnieszka nowak of H3AR received a special mention for their proposal in the 2010 skyscraper competition.
‘capture the rain’ skyscraper is a building whose roof and external shell, which consists systems of gutters, are aimed at capturing as much rainfall as possible to meet the daily needs of its inhabitants. average daily consumption of water per person is 150 liters, out of which 85 liters may be replaced by rain water. within the last thirty years water consumption has significantly increased. there are lots of factors that contribute to such an increase such as increasing number washing machines and dish washers, increasing popularity of garden showering devices and flushing toilets.
(more…)
Posted in Architecture, Green Designs, Landscape Architecture, Sustainable Energy, Urban Design | No Comments »
Monday, March 1st, 2010
We’re totally intrigued by this pop music center for Taipei and its striking resemblance to a rolling green hill. Conceived by Italian firm Mario Bellini Architects, the design is “a single body wrapped in a plastic ‘mantle plant’,” according to our friends at Designboom. While we aren’t sure how sustainable this plastic ‘mantle plant’ is, or even what it is for that matter, we were taken with the creative landscaping and creation of an exciting outdoor public area for the people of the Taipei.
(more…)
Posted in Architecture, Engineering, Green Designs, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design | No Comments »
Monday, March 1st, 2010
The Cleveland Design Competition recently announced the winners of the third annual competition – Project 2009: Lakefront Station – Ideas for a 21st Century Multi-Modal Transportation Facility.
Project 2009: Lakefront Station is an international, single-stage ideas competition for a new multi-modal transportation center in Downtown Cleveland between the historic Mall and Lake Erie. Designs for this new transportation center must provide the city with a state-of-the-art rail station ready to support high speed passenger rail service, a facility capable of integrating and balancing the needs of various transportation modes, and a significant pedestrian connection from the Mall to Cleveland’s lakefront.
(more…)
Posted in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design | No Comments »
Thursday, February 4th, 2010
A design for the new Los Angeles NFL stadium is in the works and it is set to be the first NFL stadium ever to become LEED certified. Designed by Aedas, a global architecture firm, the Los Angeles Stadium might be finished as early as the 2011 football season, although what NFL team will make its home there is still unknown. Aedas has designed the eco stadium to be a multi-purpose venue and has also included a significant commercial and entertainment sector. With smart design, reduced CO2 emissions and major recycling initiatives, the LA Stadium will be a great boon to the city.
(more…)
Posted in Architecture, Engineering, Green Designs, Sustainable Energy, Urban Design | No Comments »
Thursday, February 4th, 2010
Ask most people about Flushing, Queens and they’re likely to either stare blankly or venture “Where the Nanny is from?!” That all might change with the development of a 1.8 million sq. foot, $850 million megacomplex for the area. Dubbed Flushing Commons, the spacious, airy design (which is quite a change from the cramped, cluttered landscape that is the current neighborhood) will feature a landscaped plaza, shops, restaurants and residences and strive for LEED Silver certification. However the area is already a bit of a traffic nightmare (Flushing is home to the 3rd busiest intersection in New York City after Herald Square and Times Square), so the project faces some tough opposition from residents who are afraid of even more congestion.
(more…)
Posted in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design | No Comments »