Jetson Green

[Video] Green "Rotating Tower" Planned for NYC?

I've not blogged about this interesting and innovative Rotating Tower, which was designed by David Fisher of Dynamic Architecture, because critics have downplayed the concept saying it's not capable of being built.  But now comes news that the Rotating Tower is not only on the cusp of construction in Dubai, but it's in advanced design phase for Moscow and intended for New York.  Let me say that again: Fisher intends to design a Dynamic Tower for the Big Apple!  If you haven't heard about it yet, make sure to watch the above video.  Here's the general idea:

Foster + Partners' Newest Energy-Efficient Structure for Amsterdam [S2]

Construction just finished on this 24-story building designed by Foster + Partners for Vivaldi Park area in Amsterdam.  It's quite the efficient structure -- exceeding Dutch environmental regulations by 10%, and features flexible floor plates that are perfect for big name tenants such as Ernst & Young.  The design calls for an ecological pond, fully glazed windows on sun-exposed facades, and the retention of 65% of rainwater.  In addition to its energy efficient elements, probably one of the more interesting aspects of the structure, and one that has grown on me, is Foster + Partners' signature use of the aluminum-clad, steel diagrid structure.  Any thoughts relating to the diagrid pattern on the building exterior?

Nano Vent-Skin Demonstrated in Concept Tower

I was pretty impressed by Agustin Otegui's design for Nano Vent-Skin (NVS), rendered on the building above.  NVS is a building skin that uses organic photovoltaics to capture sun and micro-wind turbines to capture wind.  Otegui envisions nano-manufacturing with bioengineered organisms as the production method for NVS, and because it's organic, the wall provides the additional benefit of capturing CO2 from the air. 

Obviously, the concept building above would be a new design built to reap the benefits of NVS, but Otegui also thinks the skin would be perfect for making existing buildings greener. 

Kuwait's First LEED Tower To Be Crowned with Wind

KEO International Consultants has received word from the USGBC that its design for Sabah Al Ahmed International Finance Center (ICF) has been precertified at the Gold level under the LEED-CS green building rating system.  The 1.2 million sf, 40-story tower is the first building in Kuwait to be registered or precertified by the USGBC.  As you can partially tell from the renderings, the design includes four stacked courtyard atriums ranging from 8-13 floors each.  Three of the atriums serve the office portion of the building, while the fourth atrium serves the 200 key, 4-star business class hotel.  The tower generates part of its energy from a PV system, as well as from roof-mounted wind turbines.  You may be able to see the lattice-work of wind turbines at the crown of the building; I think they're the vertical axis, helical-type, but it's hard to tell with this one image.  We'll make sure to keep you posted ...

The use of wind turbines at the building's apex is similar to what's planned for Discovery Tower in Houston.  It'll be interesting to see these designs meet reality -- the media world will definitely have fun running video and stories of building integrated wind turbines.

Luma Takes LEED Gold for Contemporary Condos [S2]

The South Group recently announced that Luma, their newly completed residential project, received LEED Gold certification.  The 19-story high-rise joins its sister building, Elleven, and becomes only the second condo in the state to receive the Gold level designation.  Located in the South Park neighborhood of LA and with a total of 236 residences, LUMA saves 30% more energy over Title 24 2001 standards and consumes roughly 751,000 gallons less water annually than a comparable tower.  The posh, green tower was built with low-VOC everything, and as you would expect, recycled and locally-sourced materials. 

If you're in the market for something like this, you might need to jump on it -- Luma is almost entirely sold out. 

8 Chifley Square Adds Color to Green Tower Design [S2]

Soon there could be a new, sustainable tower rising in the Sydney skyline at 8 Chifley Square.  Subject to council approval, the colorful building would seek both a six-star Green Star and five-star ABGR rating, the highest level of certification available under both systems.  With design like that, it won't surprise many that 8 Chifley is expected to use 50% less energy than a comparable Sydney CBD building.

WORKac Vertical Farm Concept for NYC [S2]

New York asked four architects to generate ideas for an oddly shaped parcel of land at Canal and Varick Street in New York.  New York only requested that the ideas include a residential component and generally comply with zoning.  Of the four designs submitted, one of them caught my eye because it's of something that's being talked about more and more.  Vertical farms.  The design by WORKac entitled "Locavore Fantasia" features crops on each floor and four large water tanks for rainwater irrigation.  The idea here is just a concept, but it gets me thinking, which city will be the first to take the plunge on a vertical farm ...
 

Bahrain WTC Wind Turbines Actually Work! [S2]

Believed to be the world's first integrated, wind-powered mega structure, Bahrain WTC looks to be working.  The above video doesn't really say anything, but it doesn't need to: those twirling blades say everything that needs to be said.  Read more about Bahrain WTC here ...

Escraper, Imbuing Green in Vertical Design [S2]

Imagine you are tasked with creating an innovative skyscraper that takes into consideration historical and social context, the existing urban fabric, human scale, and the environment.  Your skyscraper design can take any height or shape on any site in the world, but it must be technologically feasible and environmentally responsible.  Any ideas?  Evolo Architecture held a skyscraper competition with the above constraints and announced three winners and six mentions.  Of those nine, Daekwon Park has received some attention in the last week.  It's a pretty interesting concept.  I also like the escraper by Sohta Mori and Yuichiro Minato. 

Escraper connects three twisted buildings in a modern, but natural way.  It has six major green spaces or parks, as well as a mini garden on each level. 

Popular Architecture's Mile High Eco Tower [S2]

This is a concept tower by Popular Architecture envisioned for Tower Hamlets in East London.  The design is a reaction, at least in part, to sprawl issues.  London is expected to need housing for 100,000 new people per year until 2016, and currently, most of housing that's being built is low-density projects in commuter towns.  Popular Architecture's Super Tower could house up to about 100,000 people with a seriously low site requirement (considering the number of people within the structure). 

The 1,500 meter tall tower would have about 500 floors.  You'd find floors or sections for needs such as a university, farmer's market, pubs, a town hall, sky gardens, etc.  Anything and everything would be in the building.  There's even a fire station on the 419th floor!  Which raises the question: what do you do if there is a fire above or below the 419th floor?