Solar Roadways Unveils Super Strong Solar Panels for Roads in Prototypical Parking Lot Read more: Solar Roadways Unveils Super Strong Solar Panels for Roads in Prototype Parking Lot | Inhabitat - Sustainable Design Innovation, Eco Architecture, Green Building

resource: http://inhabitat.com/solar-roadways-smart-parking-lot-harvests-energy-captures-stormwater-and-melts-snow/

Eight years ago, Scott and Julie Brusaw had a vision of replacing the asphalt on American roadways and parking lots with energy-producing solar panels that are strong enough to withstand vehicular traffic. After a lot of experimentation and funding struggles, the couple and their company Solar Roadways just unveiled their first parking lot made of hexagonal panel. Not only does the parking lot harvest energy, it also incorporates overhead utilities and repositions underground utilities for more efficient use. Power and data cables line a cable corridor alongside the parking lot, which provides easy access to power and data companies.

I think this is great initiative considering some people tend to observe solar panel on roof is aesthetically uncomfortable.The solar film has already been developed for awhile but not sure about its life span. As for the polymers, there's numerous high impact and long lasting ones. Here the trick would be to create a textured surface to prevent slippage for tires during rain, ice and snow.

Why Green Architecture Hardly Ever Deserves the Name

resource: http://www.archdaily.com/396263/why-green-architecture-hardly-ever-deserves-the-name/

Something surprising has happened with many so-called “sustainable” buildings. When actually measured in post-occupancy assessments, they’ve proven far less sustainable than their proponents have claimed. In some cases they’ve actually performed worse than much older buildings, with no such claims. Widespread use of expansive curtain-wall glass assemblies and large, “deep-plan” designs that put most usable space far from exterior walls, forcing greater reliance on artificial light and ventilation systems.

One problem with many sustainability approaches is that they don’t question the underlying building type.For example, adding more efficient active energy systems tends to reduce the amount of energy used, and therefore lowers its overall cost. But, in turn, that lower cost tends to make tenants less careful with their energy use — a phenomenon known as “Jevons’ Paradox.” Increasing efficiency lowers cost, and increases demand — in turn increasing the rate of consumption, and wiping out the initial savings. The lesson is that we can’t deal with energy consumption in isolation. We have to look at the concept of energy more broadly, including embodied energy and other factors.

I think this demonstrates that “green” components need to be planned from the start and not considered add-ons to get points, and that includes a good look at the building form.  And also much of the current green trending is just that. It is too much of a short term satisfaction to have lasting effects.

PHOTOS: Europe's Grass-Lined Green Railways = Good Urban Design Read more: PHOTOS: Europe's Grass-Lined Green Railways = Good Urban Design | Inhabitat - Sustainable Design Innovation, Eco Architecture, Green Building

resource: http://inhabitat.com/europes-grass-lined-green-railways-good-urban-design/

Green roof? how about Green tracks?
It is not new idea combining landscaping with public transportation but European trams greenways show the potential of incorporating landscaping into good urban design. This allows public transportation to be part of urban fabric. Not only it looks aesthetically good but it can also partially contribute to reduce impact of urban heat island. However, there is upcoming problems. Maintenance issue. Due to the different climate issues and maintenance of water it may not stay as green as it should be in the future. Perception is everything. Many people tend to assume grass turning brown is dead but in fact it may not be. It may be going dormant. Particularly the area with dry and hot climate. Therefore it is required public to understand the conflict with aesthetic issue and acceptable on how it is.  

Ryue Nishiziwa's Gorgeous Vertical Garden House Takes Root in Tokyo Read more: Ryue Nishiziwa's Gorgeous Vertical Garden House Takes Root in Tokyo | Inhabitat - Sustainable Design Innovation, Eco Architecture, Green Building

resource: Inhabitat http://inhabitat.com/ryue-nishiziwas-gorgeous-vertical-garden-house-grows-in-tokyo/

Continuing the discussion of previous post - If general public's preference of city does not reduce and city is running out of space for them, building a high rise may be unavoidable. If that is the case then searching for a solution within the given situation may produce new idea and image of sustainability. I found this great project in Japan designed by Ryue Nishizawa, architect of SANAA, introducing new living environment in urban setting. Extending the idea of green roof, this project has turned whole building as garden.

Instead of true facade, curtain walls and terrace with green plants separates the room and amenities. Lower ground has more public space and as the level goes up private zone appears. Roof terrace includes guest room and terrace to afford city view from higher level. It almost seem like a gigantic plant pot standing in between two tall residential buildings. Imagine a city full of this types of apartment, a residential block that can breathe by itself creating comfortable environment not only for dwellers but also to the neighbors.

Light Matters: 7 Ways Daylight Can Make Design More Sustainable

resource: Archdaily http://www.archdaily.com/471249/light-matters-7-ways-daylight-can-make-design-more-sustainable/

This article introduces 7 ways to design a sustainable architecture using natural light which are;

1. Optimize urban design and building orientation
2. The perfect size, form and glazing treatment for windows
3. Shading for visual comfort and cooling
4. Work with bright interior surfaces
5. Move task areas close to windows
6. Consider daylight reflector systems
7. Energize your building with solar radiation

This are the basic of architecture that was taught during the first year of bachelor degree. However, lots of works has been missed the very fundamental idea about it.
Among the 7 factors I would like to discuss about first point - relating to urban planning and building orientation. The city is full of people and building requires capacity to afford place for them. Does it mean it is unavoidable to design a high rise buildings? is there alternative? It reminds me current work going on in Sydney. Barangaroo Project. It has given lot of effort to make sure building to be sustainable. Considering construction process to be zero waste, carbon neutral and be water positive. But how about its surroundings? The over shading caused by 3 gigantic high rise buildings which would lead future buildings to built higher and higher to avoid each others shadow. In designer's perspective I wonder why high rise seem like their only choice to built something in front of water. The intention of the project was to be extension of the city. What kind of city are they dreaming of? another dubai? Image of city needs to be revised.  

Jessica Green: We're covered in germs. Let's design for that transcript

Resource: http://www.ted.com/talks/jessica_green_good_germs_make_healthy_buildings

This talk is very original and fundamental, thinking sustainability from the microscopic level. Studying bacterial population and in dust to observe the ecosystem. It is very provocative to see how the science and Architecture works together. The speaker points out the idea of living in harmony with our environment at a micro scale. Sustainable includes everything; from macro concern like global warming to micro concern of one person's health. Both concerns cannot be detached. This is a good example of specific study area can affects everyday life. In the presentation she suggest activating good germs to perform for our health which may influence designing architecture that understands the ecosystem.

H&P architects: sustainable bamboo, earth and stone pavilion

Resource: http://www.designboom.com/architecture/hp-architects-sustainable-bamboo-earth-and-stone-pavilion/


The sustainably built art and cultural centre located in Vietnam was designed by H&P Architects encouraging community to engage with education. This pavilion uses local resource such as bamboo, earth and stone with traditional construction method. By using the local materials it has reduced large amount of transportation. Bamboo is well known as rapidly reusable raw material and it also grows quite fast. Its strength and durability is comparable with oak and steel. Also it is water resistant which is appropriate for location like Vietnam that has seasonal monsoon. This building represent the recent approach of searching the benefits of primitive hut. Not only utilizing surrounding environment but also explore the traditional method to be applied in present to create conceivable contemporary design. However using earth wall may be not appropriate for an architecture with humid climate even though it is pavilion.