SAYANI HALDER: Nader Khalili has introduced an affordable, efficient and safe earth bag construction which is being referred to as a ’super adobe’ style structure. The architect has focused on earth architecture by taking inspiration from ancient building techniques and from the mystic poet Rumi’s timeless principles and materials. Iranian Architect Nader Khalili Built Earth Buildings Fit for Space Picture Gallery Iranian Architect Nader Khalili Built Earth Buildings Fit for Space These homes perform well in seismic conditions. Khalili has received many awards from the Aga Khan Foundation, NASA, and the United Nations but this time he has taken a completely unique and unconventional path. The architect’s earth bag constructions are very simple to build as well as they can be made even with the most limited resources available because the only requirement is filling of bags with earth and laying them in a circular plan. The Aga Khan Foundation said these shelters serve as perfect examples of temporary housing made of extremely inexpensive materials and these also provide security in terms of high insulation during arid climates. The best part being that they don’t take much time to build. There is also a soothing news for people living in earthquake prone areas., as these earth bags stand strong during seismic conditions and also include beautiful arches and aesthetically pleasing domes. Technology has brought undeniable progress but Khalili’s low cost and low tech architecture is sustainable and appeals to a larger portion of the global population. Via: Green Prophet

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Iranian architect builds low cost earth buildings for the rural world

Munmun Goswami: Have you ever thought how pure, the white occasion of Christmas would have been if everything were to be white as snow?! Well then, if you have not, come to the God’s Igloo, a huge Church built of nothing but snow at Mitterfirmiansreut. Its hugeness can be described by the fact that it is 65 feet tall and bags a record quantum of 49,000 cubic feet of snow. It is a total marvel that has attracted the attention of thousands of people around. And most remarkably, it has been named, quite appropriately, God’s Igloo. A warm welcome at church made from ice! The church has a capacity of 200, although the size of the population that came to visit the church at its inauguration was considerably huge. Well, the reason for the enchantment was not just the ice, it was the icy blue color that stole hearts away! Picture Gallery A warm welcome at church made from ice! It’s made up of some 49,000 cubic feet of snow. A surprising revelation is in pipeline. This is not the first time that an ice church is being constructed. One of the similar sorts had also come into existence way back in 1911. The motive of the construction was to express protest against the lack of any church construction in the same region. The local residents had to tread a distance of 90 minutes on foot to reach the nearest church, every Sunday morning, for their masses. This newer version of this marvel, however, does not mean to show any kind of revolution. The local people around just decided to remember their lost relatives and ancestors and pay homage to them. So rebuilding an already thought of and tested church structure would be the best idea to go for! Ask about the cost, it is a swirling €100,000. This antique beauty would be there for tourists to marvel at, till the springs this year. Summers are being feared to ruin the chilly beauty. But as far as you have taken a glance of it, you should be happy, because it would be a rare sight to see at many places on the earth. Via: Daily Mail

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God’s Igloo: Eco friendly Church made entirely of ice

Sonia Renthlei: Architecture today The planet’s limited space and our expanding population have left us literally battling for a piece of land to call our own. Areas that were virtually uninhabited a few decades earlier are currently seeing flourishing populations so much that Antarctic could very well be the only place on earth with no human settlements, barring a few researchers and scientists. This lack of space has led architects to come up with structures like skyscrapers as they don’t use much of land area. Towns and cities that once saw sprawling homes and offices are now settling for vertical structures that can accommodate a substantial number of people without compromising on space. Future architecture Of course, reduced use of space doesn’t necessarily imply a decrease in utilization of natural resources. Human needs far outweigh what the earth can produce, which is why there is a growing trend among architects and engineers to design buildings and surroundings that are self sustaining. Mixed-use development, which sees buildings and neighborhoods being used for more than one purpose, is one way that can help us increase sustainability. With everything located in close proximity, vehicular use is decreased which in turn leads to less pollution and better health. The need for a clean future The world is now seeing very high carbon emissions owing to increased use of conventional resources, deforestation and pollution. Conventional buildings currently use huge amounts of energy. This is calculated by the energy used in construction, manufacture and transport of materials to the construction site, building operations and repair and replacement of materials. Consider this: At present, buildings in the United Kingdom utilize about 50% of the country’s energy as well as being responsible for the same percentage of the country’s pollution statistics. Aside from the obvious threats to the environment, there is health factor that needs to be considered. There is a growing number of people falling preys to respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses. This, in turn, leads to expensive healthcare bills and a shorter lifespan. In time, productivity may decrease, dealing a blow to economies worldwide. The need to go green cannot be stated enough as time is running out. This is why architects and engineers are trying to come up with green buildings that are self sustaining and clean. Architecture as a solution The way buildings are designed can make a huge impact in our efforts to reduce our carbon footprints. While the concept of green buildings isn’t new, it is only now that people are giving it serious thought. Making use of nature’s alternative sources of fuel through the utilization of solar, wind and tidal energy, waste management as well as increasing vegetation by constructing green roofs and rain gardens are just some of the methods used to help a building achieve green status. The ultimate goal is to be able to harvest more energy than is consumed, where the excess can be rolled back to a grid for future use. Water, which is a growing scarcity, can also be better conserved as waste water management is employed. The treated water can be used for irrigation, aquaculture and industries. This leaves more fresh water for consumption. Contrary to what many think, green architecture isn’t more expensive than conventional designs. In fact, the cost of materials and construction is almost the same. It is a well known fact that green buildings save a considerable amount of money in the long run as energy bills are greatly reduced. Besides, productivity of workers and students is increased, which leads to higher savings. Trends 1. Solar city tower for Rio Solar City Tower for Rio The designer: RAFAA Architecture & Design Hoping to be completed in time for the Rio Olympics of 2016, the Solar City Tower – if successfully built – will be an amazing piece of architecture. The tower will have the capability of generating power during the day with the use of solar energy and will make use of pumped water storage to generate power during night. The structure will provide energy for the city of Rio as well as the Olympic Village. RAFAA says water will be pumped out on special occasions to create a waterfall to remind people of the forces of nature. 2. Water Droplet Resort for Spain Water Droplet Resort The designer: + Orlando de Urrutia Shaped like a drop of water, the Water Droplet Resort proposes to turn air into potable water taking the help of solar power. This will be made possible by photovoltaic cells on the south façade of the building which will harness the sun’s energy while the north façade will have a latticed framework for ventilation and Teex Micron equipment which will finally convert condensation into potable water. Spanish architect Orlando de Urrutia is hoping that the technology can be used for coastal areas having warm and humid weather. The resort will most likely be constructed in Spain. 3. Vertical safari for Buenos Aires Vertical Safari The designer: + Influx Studio Animals haven’t been excluded in the scheme of things. + Influx Studios has proposed to build a massive vertical zoo near Puerto Madero’s Reserve in Buenos Aires. This will ensure that use of land area is kept to a minimum while still being able to further the cause of wildlife conservation. The skyscraper zoo will house a giant Ferris wheel which stops at each level, giving visitors a peek at the animals. The wheel will move at a very slow speed, completing half a circuit in 30 minutes. The apex of the zoo will be a resting point where visitors can snack at the café or browse the gift shop. 4. Biooctanic for Croatia Biooctanic The designer: + UPI 2M + UPI 2M has initiated a project that will see biofuel being taken to new heights in Zagreb, Croatia. Making use of algae and bamboo, the project named Biooctanic will see towers converting these feedstock into biofuel. The structures will be erected near petrol stations and it is hoped that they will also help filter the surrounding air. Much like vertical farming, the towers will use very less arable land for construction. 5. Vertical farm for South Korea Vertical Farm The designer: Lee Dongjin, Park Jinkyu and Lee Jeongwoo A vertical farm designed by Lee Dongjin, Park Jinkyu and Lee Jeongwoo will see South Korean livestock being reared on vertical structures. Named Circular Symbiosis Tower, the building is a skyscraper which will give urban settings an opportunity to rear livestock in cities. Spiraling platforms with grassy fields will house cows and chickens who will alternate their habitats after every 30 days. This will allow grass to regrow on grazed land after which cows will again be reinstated to that particular platform. Incidentally, the vertical farm concept won the designers a final place in the 2011 Skyscraper Competition. Vision of the future The five concepts listed above are a few examples of how green architecture can provide for our needs without compromising on land space and natural resources. Incorporating ingenuity and conservation, sustainable architecture could very well be the solution to many of the problems we face today. Such visions coupled with technological advancements could prove to see the planet being able to bear more than what was initially thought to be possible.

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Will future architecture do more than just provide living and working space?

Christina Pinto: In the aftermath of natural disasters, survivors will be reassured by the presence of bugs, especially since they could save their lives. Scientists have unveiled amazing micro wizard technology that will assist rescue teams in their search for disaster survivors. After a natural disaster like an earthquake or a Tsunami strikes a place, people are sometimes trapped underground or in collapsed buildings. The surroundings of the place are too unstable to send in rescue workers without endangering their lives, so the special beetles are the best alternative to discovering survivors. Rescue beetle Picture Gallery Rescue beetle Rescue beetle fitted with wing-powered cameras Experts have found a way to strap miniature sensors to the back of small flying beetles and send on the reconnaissance missions. The sensors can be microphones, cameras or even gas detection sensors. These miniature sensors will not require a battery source; instead, they will be powered by natural means from specialized equipment that is capable of energy conversion. A wafer-thin film of solar cell connected to the system converts the sun’s rays into electricity. This electricity source is not the only one as the purpose of the beetle is to enter dark spaces. Therefore, additional energy conversion equipment is embedded in the system to ensure it is always powered up. A thermo electric generator turns the insect’s body heat into electricity while a motion generator turns the insect’s wing movements into electricity. The University of Michigan team has designed technology which is capable of harnessing power from the wing movement of a green June beetle The scientists can send the beetle with the attached system to explore the dark areas and hone in on survivors without the worry of the system failing. The micro controller posited near the head of the beetle will process the information it receives from the sensors. Professor Khalil Najafi is confident that the bug also has military applications, spying in enemy territories and collecting valuable intelligence. The professor hopes that the testing for the new technology can begin next year and the true value of the micro wizard technology will be understood. Currently, the team is looking into patenting the technology and is seeking investors to contribute to the advancements they are making in science. Via: The Sun

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Researchers create self-powered rescue beetle

Shreeja Narayanan: Low cost dwellings that are affordable and sustainable have long been the dream of city planners in urban areas of the developing countries, where many of the urban poor are forced to live on streets or in temporary accommodations. The sustainable urban dwelling unit (SUDU) is one such design that aims at achieving environmental as well as economic sustainability in urban areas of poor African countries like Ethiopia by eliminating dependence on imported and expensive building materials like steel and concrete. Ethiopia has few material and financial resources. With an already booming population that is sure to go up tenfold in the coming years, there will be a further increase in demand for safe shelters for the urban poor. The Sustainable Urban Dwelling Unit (SUDU) Picture Gallery The Sustainable Urban Dwelling Unit (SUDU) The SUDU combines past technologies from different continents, resulting in a new approach to low-tech construction adapted to specific local conditions The SUDU is a double story building, made entirely out of locally available stone and soil, resulting in a low cost modest home for the poor. By combining timbrel vaults and compressed earth blocks, an ecologically balanced durable structure can be created without any need for steel, reinforced concrete or wood to support floors, ceilings and roofs. Soil and stone have less tensile capacity, so building with these materials requires structural solutions based on compression. In SUDU, the construction technique is based on the African usage of cement stabilized and soil pressed bricks, both of which use locally available soil. This method is called compressed earth block (CEB) construction. The locally available soil is rich in clay particles. The SUDU makes use of rammed earth techniques for constructing the first floor of the building with a 60 cm wide wall structure. The ceilings and floors of the building are constructed using a tiled vaulting technique. In this technique, sun dried tiles are used for the first floor and loam is used for the roof, both made from the same soil. Additionally, this vaulting technique does not require any framework, eliminating dependency on wood. Overall, an eco friendly, sustainable home for the urban poor. Via: No Tech Magazine

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Sustainable urban dwelling units: Homes for urban poor

Whether these were surprising moves by companies or governments, unexpected green angles on the news, or our annual "Earth Day Fail" roundup, these are some of the most surprising stories of the year.

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The 11 Most Off-the-Wall Stories in 2011

Shahnawaz Naaz: The technology for harnessing solar energy to generate heat or thermal energy is called solar thermal energy (STE). The US Energy Information Administration has classified the solar thermal collectors as low, medium, or high temperature collectors. Low-temperature collectors are used to heat swimming pools, while medium-temperature collectors can be used to heat water or air for private or commercial purposes. Solar Thermal Power Both these collectors are flat plates. The most important and effective are the high-temperature collectors, which use sunlight to generate electricity. Mirrors or lenses are used to concentrate sunlight which then produces electric power production. STE should not be confused with photovoltaic, which are also used to harness sunlight to generate electricity. The basic difference between STE and photovoltaic is that the former is more efficient than the latter. Currently, we are able to generate around 600 megawatts of solar thermal power. It is believed that the STE can be used to generate as much as 14,000 megawatts. The Good The good about solar thermal energy 1. Water heating and home heating at a low price The use of sun’s energy to heat water can reduce the consumption of electricity to a large extent. These days many homes are using solar hot water heaters, which can work in any climate and require very little maintenance. 2. Unlimited source of energy The solar energy is unlimited and unlike fossil fuels we need not worry that the sun’s thermal energy will end one day. 3. Environmentally friendly One of the major advantages of the solar thermal power plants is that they are completely emission free. We can install these plants on undeveloped, unproductive land and the materials used in building this plant can be procured by using recyclable glass, steel and concrete. 4. More efficient than photovoltaic thermal energy The photovoltaic thermal energy which is currently in use more than thermal power plants is not as efficient as the thermal power plants. Experts maintained that we can use the thermal power plants to generate huge amount of energy. Can this be better? We can produce considerable amount of solar thermal energy using just the sun and materials that are capable of trapping, storing and then dispersing the energy of the sun. Thermal energy is heat energy and it is different from the energy generated by photovoltaic solar panels. Researchers believe that the proper use of this energy can end our dependence on electric heating systems and will help us protect the environment and conserve renewable sources of energy. The STE has the potential to emerge as the future of power supply across the globe. The STE is inexpensive and unlimited, which makes it a highly desirable option in future. The bad The bad about solar thermal energy 1. The reliability of solar energy Solar energy is highly unreliable and if we want to use solar thermal collectors to meet our energy demand, we need consistent sunlight, which is not possible in all the regions of the world and round the year. Suring rainy season, the amount of sunlight decreases considerably. 2. Solar energy plants need large installation spaces We know that the sunlight do not concentrate at any one spot on earth and in order to harness the sunlight we need to set up solar power plants in large areas so that the collectors can trap maximum amount of thermal energy. If we want to install a solar energy plant that can provide electricity to a small community of homes, then we will have to install the plant in few acres of land, which is nearly possible in densely populated cities and towns. Can this be avoided? The rising cost of fuels and depleting reserves of renewable energy has forced us to think of tapping the alternative sources of energy of meet our energy demands. When we talk about alternative sources of energy, the first name which comes to our mind is the sun. Experts maintained that solar energy has the potential to meet a lot of our energy demands. Having said that, it is not easy to harness the solar energy and like everything else solar energy has its weaknesses as well, which are mentioned above. These days several countries are installing solar power plants to harness energy but we still need to cover a long way before we can start depending on solar energy to meet our daily energy needs. The ugly The ugly thing about solar thermal power 1. Solar Energy is expensive The installation of a solar power plant requires a considerable amount of money. We need to build and install a solar power plant in order to use it as a power source and this is expensive. Why are we so critical? The carbon footprint of a product is determined by taking into account two things: the amount of carbon produced by the product and the amount of energy which is required to manufacture the product. The factories which manufacture solar collectors use fossil fuels, which means that though the energy generated by using these solar collectors are emission free, the process which is used to manufacture these collectors are not emission free. We need to find methods using which we can manufacture solar collectors without harming the environment. Bottom-line Sun’s energy is used by the solar thermal energy to heat the thermal applications. There are three kinds of temperature collectors, low, medium and high. There is no denying the fact that the STE has many positive aspects bit more work is needed to make the STE more cost effective and environment friendly.

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The Good, the bad and the ugly: Solar thermal energy

Nisha Changrani: The present picture Technology has become the blood of the modern techno-savvy life that we humans are feasting on today. In the process of enriching the intricacies of this blood, we are causing excruciating inconvenience to the entire environment. Mobile phones, computers, laptops, notebooks, refrigerators, washing machines and every other gadget that gulps down electric fluid to live, adds up to the already piling up trash of metals and plastics. And worse, when these gadgets become practically outdated and withdrawn, they are discarded in the junk or are subjected to pressurised heat to melt them and recycle them off. Both these processes are harmful to the environment. So, the need of the hour is to scamper out for some methods which would if not eradicate, at least reduce the extent to which the environment is harmed. Biodegradable gadgets Increase in electronic waste It has grown by hideous proportions in the past few years, considering the fact that a country like China which measured a 1 percent use of electronic products in the 1990’s, has shot up to become the world’s 6th largest consumer of electronic items. The change has been drastic and many others like China are scampering to reach the same status of technological development. The results could be devastating, if we don’t look out for options other than plastics and metals soon. The day would not be far when a considerable proportion of the land would become a livid junkyard. The time has come to take a serious call on this matter because our metal and mineral reserves have already started experiencing the dawn of extinction. The future 1. World’s first biodegradable paper timepiece Patch paper watch Manufacturer: Altanus Description: Quite trendy in looks, Patch, as it’s called, helps you be on time. With stunning LED display, this paper-based watch is both water proof and shock proof. Patch comes in 10 different colours and weighs as low as 11 grams. Go get yourself the funky watch for $33.50. 2. N701i eco phone N701i eco phone Manufacturer: NEC Description: One would be surprised to know that as much as 70% of this phone is made from biodegradable plastic which comes from kenaf (a plant from the family of okra and hibiscus) and poly-lactic acid extracted from corn & potatoes. 3. Corky mouse Corky mouse Designer: Adele Peter Description: How about using a mouse that generates energy every time you click it? Well, this corky mouse uses some piezoelectric components and is made from recyclable plastic and cork. Every time you click it, move or scroll it, the mouse tends to generate kinetic energy. 4. Cardboard vacuum cleaner Cardboard vacuum cleaner Designer: Jake Tyler Description: Known as the Vax EV, this vacuum cleaner is made from recycled cardboard obtained from shipping containers. It is not green for the namesake, but the machinery it uses is made from nylon plastic that replaces the process of injection moulding with rapid process manufacturing. 5. Eco Turntables Eco Turntables Designers: Sennheiser and Mathew Lim Description: The designer and the industry partner have together brought out a music combo that would contain a turntable and headphones, both carved out of bio-friendly products like bioplastic, fibrewood and felt. The entire package is gracefully huddled up in a box that is made of recycled wood. Problems with biodegradable gadgets Biodegradable plastics are currently being used in a limited number of devices. The challenge is to make the facility available for a complete gadget, rather than to go for broken utilities in components. The facility for the production of biodegradable plastics is available in only a counted number of countries. It has to be extended to the other parts of the world to see a significant difference. The methodology through which biodegradable plastics and other forms of environment friendly or the so called green items are made, requires a considerable quantity of crude oil to be split out of its reserves. Thus, it is not much of ‘green’ actually. The bottom-line It is only one line. The better we switch on to the green prospect (in the literal sense of the word), the better it is for us. The catch is to take the challenge head on. It is upon us as to how we would like to see the earth in the future – emerald green with lustrous forests and blue seas or fluorescent silver with screeching.

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Biodegradable gadgets: The next green bandwagon

Dakshina Thakur: We may have caught a sight of manufacturers going down the line and picking up recycled materials or eco friendly elements to imbue in their technologically advanced solutions. Be it embracing recycled newspapers for devising the USB stick, utilizing paper-to-go cups for uber easy iPod speakers, or settle upon Samsung’s Blue Earth Phone carved using recycled plastic water bottles, the sphere has rendered almost all. However, glimpsing through the products that rely on recycled telephone wires to provide versatility may indeed throw a curve over many. Since the world’s all about ‘going green,’ we have got our hands on some really stunning environmentally friendly products, that won’t only take a twinge of guilt away, but will also make you stand apart from the crowd in a startling way. Have a look:

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Five eco friendly products made from recycled telephone wires

Ruchika Pahwa: Shift Architecture Urbanism is a Dutch firm that has won several awards at the Groene Kamer competition for its state-of-the-art Eco-retail development in Tilburg, the Netherlands. This development aimed at creating a specialized country estate that is an innovative blend of nature and recreation in an Eco-retail setting. The project proposal needed to include four different building typologies that could fit the given masterplan and could act as a place where there is a merged reflection of the city and countryside. Shift took a topographic approach and came up with this beautiful design named Topos, which is not just an eco-retail development but is a nice integration of landscape and architecture. TOPOS Eco-Retail Development Proposal The entrance square to Topos is designed as an earthwork that is in the shape of a big bowl with a nice surrounding landscape. All four building typologies are in one way or the other connected to this exclusive square, which is a big attraction for the visiting explorers. The first typology is an omni-directional block that includes the landwinkel, which is a large shop offering locally grown food products. Winning the second prize at the competition, this block is strategically placed on the earthwork’s top as it acts as the anchor program of the whole masterplan. The block reflects itself as a transparent greenhouse. Picture Gallery TOPOS Eco-Retail Development Proposal TOPOS Eco-Retail Development Proposal by Dutch firm Shift Architecture Urbanism The wooden sculpture inside the block is like a cross shaped volume that helps maintain carved-out open corners on the ground floor. Acting as an inside-outside connection, these corners work as indoor gardens. The cross shaped volume further allows a flexible floor plan connecting corner gardens. Winning the first prize, a campus building typology is designed at the landscape with three retail buildings combined into it. There is an attractive shared court inside the campus toward which all three building entrances have been directed and given more transparency. Following earthwork’s topography, a horizontal strip window is provided to other facades, and this window offers a special 3D effect to the earthwork. The third building typology is crafted in the form of a restaurant that was given the second prize at the competition. As a triangular carving within the earth’s body, this restaurant faces the square from its opening side. The seating area is accommodated in the restaurant’s covered middle part, while its terrace is developed toward the South. Adjacent to the triangular carve, rest of the restaurant’s functions are based in the earth’s body. There is a merger of the inside and outside environment when some foldable window panels trigger the south facade’s opening. This disappearing border provides a classic beauty to the restaurant. The fourth building typology included in Topos is known as Solitaire. A winner of the third prize, this landmark is designed like a programmed vase. Its closed core has mixed vegetation at the top, and boundaries of the core evolve in a circular fashion. A few secondary functions take place within this core. There is a ring-shaped pavilion at the bottom of the vase that is enclosed by sliding glass panels. Several open-closed pavilion combinations become possible due to these sliding panels. Thus, all these building typologies can together make the Topos Eco-retail development a star attraction for visitors to Tilburg. Via: Arch Daily

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Topos Eco-Retail Development Proposal combines nature and recreation