hippie flavor

“The HAKA Building is a pre-war factory that Doepel Strijkers is converting into a “clean tech living lab” for eco-friendly water and energy organizations. The project is an experiment of sorts in how socially and environmentally minded architecture can benefit the region. The ultimate goal: A wasteless building. So to cut back on energy and transportation costs, the architects sourced all their materials locally, either second-hand or from demolition sites. You’ve got seating made from the wood of abandoned post-war housing; a meeting room fashioned entirely out of recycled doors; and an acoustic wall created with a whopping 17,700-pound pile of old clothes. A team of (supervised) ex-cons threw it all together.” (via Ex-Cons Transform a Factory Into a Dazzling Recycled Office [Slideshow] | Co.Design)

Oregon’s Zero-Energy Office Tower | inhabitat.com

“The Portland-based Oregon Sustainability Center is being developed using the LBC’s doctrine of neither taking resources nor causing environmental harm — this means that the building will produce all of its own water sources and energy…

“Rainwater will be collected for irrigating the many trees and plants that will be incorporated to make the space feel more natural for its fortunate occupants and visitors.”

via urbangreens: age-of-ecology

Spiraling New York Skyscraper Features Bio-Filtration “Lungs” | Inhabitat

“SF-based IwamotoScott Architecture have designed an incredible spiraling mixed-use high rise as part of an economic study for Greenwich South, the 41-acre site directly south of the World Trade Center. Straddling Edgar Street, the twisting tower features a number of sustainable building strategies, including an environmentally modeled skin, fiber-optic daylighting, and bio-filtration terrarium floors within dual-branching atria, which work much like a set of lungs to provide fresh air to the building.”

urbangreens:

Julien de Smedt Architects design green seaside community for Rimini, Italy » TreeHugger

urbangreens:

Five-Star Hotel to be built in Songjiang, near Shanghai, China » grinding.be

“Atkins has won an international competition to design a five-star resort hotel set within a beautiful water-filled quarry in the Songjiang district close to Shanghai in China. Its stunning concept designs inspired by the natural water and landscape features of the quarry captured the imagination of judges to quash competition from two other international firms.”

Simon Stocken Earth Homes - Earthhomes Ltd.

“Earthhomes Ltd is the brainchild of John Talbot. He dedicated the latter years of his life to promoting curvilinear architecture – earth-sheltered houses which showcase the latest technologies, alongside environmental and sustainable features. Simon Stocken became a director in March 2005, just as Earthhomes started work with Peter Vetsch, a Swiss architect, who has built almost 40 curvilinear houses over 27 years.”

tlow:

Dezeen » Blog Archive » Olisur olive oil factory by GH + A Architects

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Santiago studio Guillermo Hevia Architects have completed a factory for olive oil manufacturers Olisur, located 200 km south of Santiago in Chile.

The building comprises the company offices and factory, and is made of concrete clad in wood and glass. The factory uses geothermic energy, natural lighting and natural ventilation. According to the architects, all materials used in production of the oil are biodegradable.

-More beautiful pictures, worth clicking.

i love this full-sized garage door:

“Geothermic instead of central heating and air conditioning for the production areas and the oil barrels area, ventilated façades system in the building, passive energies to allow air to come into and go out the different areas of the offices and services (cross ventilation in the ceiling).”

“Evaporation from the water mirror located in the front of the office building and cone studies of shade and sun direction to determine the eaves necessary for the different seasons.”

“Over 60 years of mining destroyed about 29 acres of land in Monterey, California. The barren sand dune is all set to be converted into the greenest resort in the world. Known as Monterey Bay Shores, the resort will carry 5 acres of living roofs and will provide 6.5 acres of natural habitat for endangered species.

The resort will also host a restaurant, residential block and a hotel for visitors. Solar, wind and geothermal energy will provide about 30% of the resort’s energy needs. It is being estimated that the resort will have 50% less carbon footprint than other traditional structures. Most of the materials used for construction will be recycled and onsite prefab construction will be followed to minimize the environmental impact of constructing such a huge complex. The resort will also incorporate active water conservation and harvesting systems that will recycled gray water for landscaping and other non-potable uses.” (via  Ecofriend)

in this amazing hillside home near Gudbrandsjuvet, Norway, “each room is a detached small independent house with one, or sometimes two of the walls constructed in glass.”

click through to see an amazing gallery of photos & floorplans.

Juvet Landscape Hotel / JSA | Arch Daily

Inhabitat’s TOP TEN GREEN ARCHITECTURE PROJECTS OF 2008!

smarterplanet:

Architecture for Humanity seeks architectural solutions to humanitarian crisis and brings design services to communities in need. We believe that where resources and expertise are scarce, innovative, sustainable and collaborative design can make a difference.

Architecture for Humanity is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization