German manufacturer Sulfurcell has cladding modules with integrated solar cells. These modules consist of a hardened, frameless glass followed by an Indium based semiconductor layer connected to a solar module. Sulfurcell claims that the use of Indium allows the semiconductor layer to be 100 times thinner than conventional silicone wafers.

Each module has 82 semiconductor layers, all connected with integrated wiring. The hard glass frame is resistant to snow, hail, rain, wind and longterm UV radiation, allowing the system to last longer. Each of the solar cassettes is rear ventilated and has suppressed drainage channels to prevent any harm from rain water.

The manufacturer claims that these solar modules can be designed on to new buildings, and they may also be retrofitted on existing buildings. Since the modules are hung on a building’s exterior as a conventional cladding system, and are installed on a substrate, it is possible to use them on uneven structures.

Source: CleanTechnica

The Hakka Houses, were created by the Hakka people in China, mainly during the 17th century. These houses are mostly circular, and sometimes square in shape and they functioned as self-sustaining micro-communities. Built as a way to defend their local resources, these houses in the modern Fujian province of China had food storage, space for livestock, living quarters, temples, armories; which almost makes each of these houses sound like the city of Zion in The Matrix.

Locally called Tulou each of the houses was like a miniature fortress. With just one entrance, no windows near the ground, internal water source, and a sewage system, these houses could very well hold out against a siege.

The Tulou were usually built out of stoned bricks or rammed earth, and could have walls up to six feet thick. Some of these houses could cover as much as 430,000 square feet, and house nearly 80 families. These houses were given a “World Heritage” status by the UNESCO in 2008.

Source: Inhabitat

South Park is best known for its dark, politically incorrect humor, but Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the creators of South Park seem to environmentally correct, at least for some part of it. The duo recently gave the world a peek at their Colorado Gateway retreat. The retreat is built in an environmentally friendly, sustainable way.

Built by a firm called Trilogy Partners, the home has a number of sustainable parts to show off. Exterior siding and interior flooring for the home is made of reclaimed wood, it has recycled carpeting, and the beams supporting the ceiling had their previous life at a railroad trestle.

Energy efficient systems are also at work in the home, with high-efficiency boiler systems, energy-efficient insulation, and radiating heating that can be shut off for unoccupied zones. The huge house of course has a lot of environment friendliness to show, though it may not actually be all that green considering it is used only for a few days in the year, and the big house would be an energy sucker when occupied. But then it is built sustainably, and that’s a good start.

Source: Ecorazzi

The Idea House is a modular design created by Broadway Malyan. The design of the house is intended for use by one of Malaysia’s largest property developers, Sime Darby Property. Idea House aims to be the first carbon zero building in South East Asia and is well suited for the tropical climate of the country.

It will be a prefabricated house, built in modules to reduce construction time and costs, and this will also make the house’s deconstruction at the end of its useful life easier. It has deep overhangs to provide shade from the tropical sun, while photovoltaic panels on the roof harness solar energy to power the house and a rain water harvesting system provides the required water for the green roof garden.

The house has low-flow water efficient fixtures, gray water recycling, flexible interior spaces, and planned optimal site orientation to provide an efficient way for ventilation and daylight. This house currently is a prototype that will serve as a model for Sime Darby Property in its outlook for cleaner and modern housing.

Via: Jetson Green

Designers and architects Iosa Ghini Associati have proposed a solar powered monorail system for the city of Bologna, Italy. Called Energy Belt, the 5084 meter long system will connect the airport to the city center. The monorail will operate at heights varying from 7 meters to 25 meters, will have an intermediate stop at Lazzaretto, and will be entirely powered by solar energy collected by photovoltaic panels placed at the track’s southwest side to maximize energy gain.

Stations along the route have been designed to serve as vertical gardens, thus providing natural insulation, protection from the elements and filtering the air. The entire system has been designed to have minimum impact on the landscape. The system is fast, convenient and will provide commuters with a very viable alternative for travel on the said route.

During its lower positions, when the monorail is just 7 meters above the ground, the structure broadens to include pedestrian walkways, while as it goes higher, it turns sleek, and takes on a lightweight appearance. Another interesting aspect is the inclusion of a pass over a major motorway, creating a landmark, a visual treat and sort of a “city gate” in one graceful arc.

Source: Inhabitat

The Gazprom Tower, or the Okhta Tower has been given a green light for construction, upon completion of which it will be the tallest building in Europe. To be built in St. Petersburg, Russia, the 77-storey tower isn’t just about height, the modern building will also be full of environmentally friendly features.

Architecture firm RMJM has many eco features in the design of the skyscraper. It will have plenty of natural lighting and ventilation, thermal insulation to protect against the cold and harsh weather of St. Petersburg, and specialized water, heating and ventilation systems to minimize energy needs. The 400-meter tower will serve as the headquarters of Gazprom’s oil unit OAO Gazprom Neft, and will also include a concert hall, museum, hotel and a business center.

However, all is not hunky-dory for the tower. Many residents of the city don’t like the idea of the building going a lot above the city’s landmark spire of St. Peter and Paul Cathedral. Also, St. Petersburg is currently a UNESCO world heritage site, a status it will lose as soon as the tower is built.

Source: Inhabitat

The proposed Technosphere for Dubai’s Technopark, will be a giant carbon neutral building meant to show the state of the earth in current and future times. It replicates the earth as a structural concept, and studies the issues of self-sustaining life on a smaller level.

Designed by James Law Cybertecture, the Technosphere would have enough room to accommodate office space, residential space, a hotel and public courtyards.

The structure will prove its self sustainable and carbon neutral credentials with a number of innovations to make this miniature earth what it intends to be. The exterior of the structure will house solar panels to provide requisite energy for its inhabitants. The interiors will be shielded from the sun by a sky garden, which will also function as an air purifier to keep a steady supply of fresh oxygen going.

The Technosphere is going to be economical with its water use as well, and water inside the structure will be recycled and used efficiently.

Source: Inhabitat

We’ve all heard of green rooftop gardens. But, did you know that a team of recent MIT graduates has developed what could prove to be an even better way to make a roof eco-friendly? These innovators are working to produce roof tiles that change color, depending on the temperature.

The tiles become white when it’s hot, and then turn black when it’s cold.

That means in the summer, these roof tiles would be white. They would reflect sunlight off the roof, keep your house cooler, and even help reduce air conditioning costs.

In the winter, the tiles would turn black. They would absorb energy from the sunlight and help keep your house warmer.

What causes the color change? The tiles consist of a common commercial polymer solution sandwiched between a black backing and a clear plastic cover. When the temperature is below a certain level, the polymer stays in solution, and the black backing shows through. When the temperature rises, the polymer condenses to form tiny droplets. These droplets scatter light , producing a white, reflective surface.

The MIT team, called “Thermeleon” (rhymes with chameleon), developed the tiles as part of MIT’s Making and Designing Materials Engineering Contest (MADMEC). Thermeleon took first place in the contest and won $5,000.

But, don’t look for these roof tiles at your local building supply store  just yet.

First, Thermeleon needs to conduct further research about durability, affordability, and production. This research, in turn, will lead to the commercial development of these color-changing roof tiles.

Source: MIT

Photo credit: Patrick Gillooly

Looking at the LEED Silver building, or the Koll Airport Professional Center it would be difficult to believe that this was once an industrial building. The old building wasn’t razed to the ground to build this one, in fact, LPA Inc., which was hired by the Koll Company, has transformed the old building giving it a new look.

Environmental credentials of the building are strong, they are so good that it exceeds California’s Title 24 energy code by more than 17%. To go green all this way, LPA used things like high performance plumbing to reduce potable water use by 40%, another 50% reduction in potable water use comes from a high efficiency irrigation system and 76% of the exterior walls have been carried over from the previous building.

Other noteworthy things include high efficiency lighting, rigid insulation and single ply white PVC cool roof, use of low-E coated glass for perimeter glazing, and deep set windows with louvered canopies and shades. To keep up with its green credentials, the building has a preferred parking space for fuel-efficient vehicles.

Source: Jetson Green

Source: Inhabitat