Simple Passive Solar House by Mimosa Architekti Respects its Site in the Czech Republic

This charming single family residence in the Czech Republic was carefully designed to respect its site and make the most of available solar exposure. Oriented to the east and the west, the home soaks up daylight while utilizing shade devices and recessed windows to prevent overheating in the summer. Designed by Prague-based Mimosa Architekti, the House in Bohumileč uses natural materials and a simple framework to help it fit into its rural setting.

Located in the small village of Bohumileč in the Pardubice region, this two story home was built for a family of four. Inspiration for the home came from a rustic house with a saddle roof, and the building’s volume and materials fit within the context of its natural setting. Seeking to be unobtrusive, the home takes on the motto of rural simplicity. The exterior is clad in simple wooden slats, while the interior features lots of glass, pale wood floors, white walls, and wooden accents.

An east-west orientation lines the home up to take advantage of an open southern aspect. A large flat awning to the south shades the deck and the living room from overheating in the summer, while the remaining windows are either recessed or built out in order to block direct sunlight and glare. Deciduous trees on the east, south, and west protect the home even more during the summer by providing shade, but in the winter they are leaf-less and let the sun shine through.

Inside, the living spaces are located on the southern side to take advantage of more daylight, while the kitchen, staircase, and service areas sit on the north side where daylight is not needed. Decks off each side of the house expand the living space to the outdoors to take in the sights of the neighborhood and the adjacent pond.

Seven stunning green buildings that already exist

Green buildingsGreen structures built across the globe

Environment preservation has to be taken up on a large scale and applied in our everyday lives. Water and energy conservation along with reusing materials and encouraging recycling is the need of the hour. Surely, all this can be done a lot more easily if we build sustainable structures. Going green becomes really easy if we have an infrastructure supporting it. After the success of a few green buildings, more eco friendly structures are in construction around the world. Let’s look at a few green structures built that have given a head start to this movement.

1. Bank of America Tower, New York, US

Bank of America Tower In house power plant conserves energy

An LEED platinum certified construction built in Manhattan. The hallmark of this skyscraper is the in house power plant that generates about 70% of the energy used. The 4.6-megawatt plant provides both heat and electric voltage for hot water supply and running the heating as well as cooling system. In addition to generating its own power, the plant also garners energy by burning natural gas and sourcing waste heat. A floor to ceiling cover of translucent insulating glass brings in natural light.

2. Dalby Forest visitor centre, North Yorkshire, UK

Dalby Forest visitor centre Water conservation and renewable energy use have been kept in mind

The reception desk at this site is made out of old used materials while the roof is done up with tire tubes. The entire building can be recycled at the end of its lifespan. Renewable energy from solar photovoltaic panels and wind turbine is used. Water conservation has been kept in mind as toilets are flushed with rainwater instead of the regular water supply. The boiler is fueled with wooden chips and bits gathered from the forest nearby.

3. CII – Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre, Hyderabad, India

Green Business Centre Waste water us recycled using root zone treatment

This building is amongst the very few outside US to acquire the LEED platinum rating. In fact, this was the first building in India and also outside the U.S. to be endowed with this certification. It is actually the office of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and a public-private venture between Government of Andhra Pradesh and Godrej & Boyce Mfg Ltd. The building applies green construction techniques like using renewable energy, recycling, water conservation and energy efficiency. There is a green roof and waste water is recycled using root zone treatment. Solar photovoltaic cells generate indigenous power supply.

4. 30 The Bond, Sydney, Australia

30 The Bond Uses passive chilled beam technology for energy efficiency

The headquarters of Lend Lease, this was the very first CBD building in Australia to acquire the 5 stars rating meted out by the Australian Building Greenhouse Rating. This sustainable structure employs the passive chilled beam technology for energy conservation. In addition, the natural ventilation and fully operable shading facades help to reduce carbon emissions. Local and eco friendly materials such as linen, cotton, wool, sisal, goat hair, leather, and bamboo are used here. There are winter garden rooms, water saving fittings, and a terrace garden with native drought resistant plants.

5. Centrum Galerie, Dresden, Germany

Centrum Galerie Received the BREEAM Excellent rating

This massive shopping complex is known for being the first building to receive the BREEAM Excellent rating not only in Germany but also in continental Europe. The building uses daylight as much as possible and incorporates a green roof. There is an energy saving mode built. Other distinguished advancements are a high-quality design and a comprehensive transport plan.

6. RIT’s University Services Center, New York, US

RIT’s University Services Center A highly energy efficient construction

Built in Rochester in New York, this is a LEED platinum certified construction. The University Services Center at Rochester Institute of Technology uses renewable sources of power including solar pholovoltaic cells. Almost 90% of the waste during construction was recycled and recycled materials are used even for running the building. The power usage for heating and cooling is reduced by 50%. Water conservation, biodiversity by cultivating native vegetation, control plan for erosion and sedimentation are a few other eco-feats achieved here.

7. Shangri La Botanical Gardens, Orange, Texas

Shangri La Botanical Gardens Recycled materials are used in construction

Eco friendly energy systems are installed here; wind power plants supply energy and there are thirty six solar panels that can generate about 300 watts of electric voltage. The wood used is from trees fallen down during the 2005 hurricane Rita. Also, the geothermal well for heating and cooling is a marvel. The construction allows in ample daylight and is built on a concrete foundation made up of fly ash usually thrown out as waste. There are also heat reflecting metal roofs that use up less energy, corn based eco flooring, parking lot from recycled asphalt, etc. This center has also received US Green Building Councils Platinum certification.

The Glasshouse Combines a Pendant Lamp with a Terrarium Full of Lush Greens

Terrariums are a way to fashionably bring plants into an indoor space. Building upon the beauty of the classic concept, Czech designer Krstyna Pojerova has taken the terrarium to the next level. Called Glasshouse, this chic hanging terrarium also doubles as a pendant lamp, adding both light and life to any room

The terrarium lamp is made from an onion shaped glass orb. Rather than just an access hole to change the light bulb, the bottom of the glass inverts inside, forming a protective lip around the opening. This holds all the goodies inside, and provides the perfect amount of space to support a new mini garden! Through the opening, you can cultivate your fresh herbs, pick small flowers, or simply water the little green plants.

The lamp portion shines down on your little garden, supporting photosynthesis even in dim spaces, and the excess heat produced by the bulb incubates your fresh herbs, keeping them happy and healthy. There’s also plenty of room to water your plants, and also room for soil. Holes on the top of the orb allow healthy plants to sprout through — but they may need a little guidance.

The Glasshouse was created to foster the urban kitchen, and let city dwellers with no outdoor or window space grow their own fare in a unique way. Aside from adding life to a room, the hanging lamp adds a punch of color and a beautiful design.

The Glasshouse can be ordered from the Czech site Art-Light.

World’s Largest Solar Bridge Crosses The River Thames in London

London's largest solar roof is now under construction -- and it's set on a bridge! The massive 6,000 square meter array photovoltaic array is currently being installed by Solarcentury on the Victorian-era Blackfriars Bridge in London. The project is on track to become the world's largest solar bridge - when completed, Blackfriar's roof will hold 4,400 individual photovoltaic panels and produce around 900,000 kilowatt hours of electricity every year. Renewable energy will account for half of the station's energy needs and reduce annual CO2 emissions by more than 500 tons -- the equivalent of 35 American households.

Over 100 bridges, 20 tunnels, and six public ferries cross the River Thames, but only Blackfriars will shine in photovoltaic glory. Solarcentury is working in conjunction with other public transportation and facility upgrades to reduce pollution and congestion, improve the passenger environment, and act as a catalyst for regenerating some of London’s more deprived areas. Lengthening the station’s deck will require 14,000 tons of new materials. In an effort to keep environmental impact to a minimum, hefty loads will be transported by barge instead of via London’s crowded roads.

Originally built in 1884, Blackfriars station is overdue for the retrofit, which will bring this steam-era railway into the 21st century and give travelers direct access to key local attractions including the Globe Theater and the Tate Modern. The station’s redevelopment is part of Network Rail’s £5.5 billion Thameslink program, which aims to improve the interchange between the national rail and the London Underground. Once the upgrade is complete, as many as 24 trains will be able to run the tracks every hour, nearly doubling the station’s capacity. Upping the amount of north-south traffic along the Thames will be a good thing when the 2012 Olympics come to town.

“Station buildings and bridges are fixed parts of our urban landscape,” said Derry Newman, Chief Executive of Solarcentury in a statement, “it is great to see that this one will be generating renewable energy every day into the future. For people to see that solar power is working is a vital step towards a clean energy future.”

Brisbane may have a solar-powered footbridge and there are plenty of other green bridges out there, but Blackfriars Bridge is set to hold the record for the longest — at least for now.

World Habitat day: India raise awareness for adequate housing

India joins rest of the world in marking World Habitat Day on October 3, 2011. The United Nations has designated the first Monday of October every year as World Habitat Day to draw attention to the current global state of the human habitat and to push toward adequate housing for all.

Habitat for Humanity, a Christian non-profit organisation that addresses issues of poverty housing, will engage in a month-long observance, highlighting challenges of housing and sustainability faced by communities across India, a Christian Today report said. “We would join nations across the globe in marking World Habitat Day, a time when we can highlight the problems of homelessness and the challenges in addressing the issue,” said Justin Jebakumar, director of Habitat for Humanity India, Delhi HRC.

“Habitat’s vision is to have a world where everyone can have a decent place to live, as safe shelter brings dignity and honor to all especially women and children. To achieve this, we aim to develop innovative housing and shelter assistance models,” he expressed. For this year, the United Nations has chosen the theme ‘Cities and Climate Change’ to point to impacts of disasters resulting from climate change.

“World Habitat Day falls during the month when demographers predict our planet’s seven billionth inhabitant will be born. The future that this child and its generation will inherit depends to a great degree on how we handle the competing pressures of growing population growth, urbanization and climate change,” UN secretary general Ban Ki-Moon said. 

Five modern trends in sustainable architecture

With so many ecological concerns coming up every year, the need for the hour is to grasp the concept of Eco-friendly and sustainable architecture. The dawn of this green architecture came from the Eco-build in London, Cannes and the Earth Day and it seems to be develop rapidly in the developed countries. Green architecture can change the world. With rapid advancements in the field of Eco-friendly products, there is a huge demand for making buildings and construction techniques more greener and sustainable and less harmful for Earth. The world has grasped this idea very well. The need for new techniques and materials which can be easily recycled are taken into consideration. Here’s showcasing 5 trends in green and sustainable architecture which is a focus of attention amongst Eco-designers.

1. Vertical Farming

With an expected increase in population to 9.1 billion people within the year 2050, feeding all the people around the globe is a cause for major concern. Food production needs to increase by 70%. This would mean having higher crop yields and expansion of the area cultivated. However land available for cultivation is not evenly distributed, while others are suitable for cultivating only a few crops. Thus architects have been designing buildings where one can grow crops on all the edges surrounding the building. This gives more area for cultivation and helps solve the expansion crisis. The vertical farms can be integrated with residential buildings too, with farms being set up on the external periphery of the buildings. This provides a clean environment for the residents to live in.

2. Straw

Straw is a sustainable material which can be used as a building material. Many designers and builders today are making use of this natural material to make phenomenal designs which are Eco-friendly. These buildings can be made from prefabricated panels using straw. These panels can be assembled from locally sourced star which can be fit into the panel frame made from timber. This production style helps save money and energy and decrease build times and carbon emissions. Electricity can be generated by photovoltaic and solar thermal panels and the extra electricity can be sold to the electricity grid. The homes made by straw would be considerably cheaper, as straw is a product which is available in vast quantity. This low cost makes it more popular to the general masses.

3. Phase change materials (PCMs)

Phase change materials are used to store both cooling and heating energy. These new age materials can be embedded in the ceiling and the wall tiles from where they absorb heat to keep the space cool and reduces the need for air conditioning. These Phase change material tiles have micro capsules made of a special wax which is developed to contain heat during the day. Some companies selling phase change materials claim that using the material reduces temperature of your indoor surrounding by almost 7ºC, hence reducing air conditioning costs.

4. Bees and biodiversity

Bees are an integral part of our biodiversity. A small garden or a rooftop is all that is required to keep bees. They help in making delicious honey from plants and flowers in your gardens, parks and the tree lined roads. It is important to make an environment in cities that safeguards wildlife and also helps in further diversity. By incorporating biodiversity into architecture, we can make a cleaner and greener world. Hence keeping bees and making bee hives are an important step that needs to be taken to ensure a cleaner, greener environment. In London, vast number of bee hives have been created on the roof tops of buildings, attracting many bees.

5. Sustainable materials

Apart from the many products used in construction made from recycled materials, many researchers are looking at the construction industry for other sustainable materials from other sectors which are rarely used in design and construction.

Thousands of samples have been taken from countries all over the world. These selected materials provide an Eco-friendly alternative to other resource hungry materials which generally have many by products which are harmful to the environment. These samples are being studied and their properties are made good use of. So it is essential that we find sustainable materials which can be easily recycled and are durable and appropriate for construction.

Six Steps to Prevent Indoor Air Pollution in Your Home

Studies show that many times indoor pollution takes more of a toll on your health than outdoor pollution. As we walk through our homes, the air turbulence created by our moving bodies stirs up a  combination of dust and debris that can be very irritating to the lungs. Indoor Air Pollution and Irritants Human skin particles, pollen, and smoke are all part of this bothersome brew of irritants. The most  irritating are dust mites. Dust mites are microscopic creatures that feed on dustespecially flakes of skin. Household cleaners and pesticides are full of chemicals. People are even bothered by low levels of these compounds. Ironically, indoor air is now recognized as being full of many of the same chemicals we've spent so much time reducing outdoors. Another common source of indoor air pollution is drycleaned clothes, which emit a number of chemicals that may be harmful. Fortunately, homeowners these days have a wide range of options that can help them breathe more easily and comfortably in the home.

1. Reduce and alter indoor chemical use Pay close attention to the labels on household products. If  possible switch to natural products that contain fewer toxic chemicals. When you do need to use a  stronger chemical, use it sparingly and follow all the precautions explained on the label.

2. Air out drycleaned items Don't immediately store drycleaned items in a closet. Take the plastic off and  allow your clothing to air out for a day or two in a space with good air circulation. Then, recover the items with plastic and store them in a closet.

3. Use more sophisticated furnace filters  The traditional furnace air filter isn't designed to clean air. Its  only function is to keep large particles, like hair and debris, from damaging the furnace blower. These larger particles are rarely the source of human breathing difficulty. Now there are new, more elaborate filters on the market that trap enough particulate matter to help humans breathe better. In general, the more costly the filter, the more dust it snags out of the airflow. Costing anywhere from $7 to $100, sophisticated filters can pull out up to five times as much dust as traditional filters.

4. Install an electronic air cleaner Electronic air cleaners can extract 30 times as much dust as ordinary  filters, but they cost a lot more. In fact, a professionally installed air cleaner costs $500 to $700. While this is a substantial amount of money, it's worth every penny if it offers significant breathing relief to one or more people in your household. If the price is too steep for you, portable units can be purchased for far less. Of course, the smaller units clean just the air in one room much like a window air conditioner cools only one room. Electronic air cleaners only need to be cleaned once a year or so because they incinerate the trapped dust.

5. Open the windows Don't keep your home tightly sealed all of the time. Years ago homes weren't nearly as insulated as they are today. However, one drawback to this is that indoor toxins also get sealed inside. It's important to air out your home regularly by opening windows and using fans to draw outside fresh air inside. Installing an attic or whole house fan is a great way to bring a big breath of fresh air indoors.

6. Add plants to your home Plants can do a great job of helping to remove the indoor toxins from home. And, some plants work harder at it than others. A few that have been shown to work well: Boston fern, spider plant, English ivy, areca palm, and peace lillies. A good rule of thumb is two plants per hundred square feet.