The IPCC’s August report was a “red code for humanity”. He noted that global warming is likely to reach 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels in about a decade, and many of the changes will be irreversible by that time. As it stands, we are at 1.2°C and rising. Hence, it is critical that we redouble our efforts to reduce, if not reduce, global warming and its effects.
In the real estate development sector, there are many ways to ensure sustainability in terms of design and construction. This photo gallery features some unique and eco-friendly buildings around the world.
Cube Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Completed in February 2020, this building occupies a prominent location on Washington Platz. Designed as a focal piece of art, its facade is layered with 12 glass elements, creating kaleidoscope-like reflections of its surroundings.
According to the architect’s website 3XN, the building’s combined total mass and effective facade-to-ground area ratio allow for 100% glazing. The ventilated dual leather front also provides high performance as a daylight emitter and overheating protection while enhancing natural ventilation.
The building is designed to be one of the smartest buildings in Europe, integrating the ideal IoT environment to allow optimization of everything from access and indoor climate control to maintenance and energy supply, and even the behavior of its users.
(Photo by B. Al-Atabi)
Bahrain World Trade Center, Manama, Bahrain
This office building, which consists of two 50-story sail-shaped towers, is the first skyscraper in the world to incorporate wind turbines into its design to help reduce overall energy consumption.
According to bahrainwtc.com, the design takes advantage of its location by harnessing the sea breeze, and the generated power provides up to 15% of the towers’ electricity needs. Other measures to reduce the demand for energy reserves from fossil fuels include the innovative use of shading to reduce solar gains, deep gravel roofs that provide kinetic insulation and energy-efficient lighting.
Located in the business heart of Manama, Bahrain World Trade Center was designed by Atkins and completed in 2008. It is adjacent to the luxury Moda Mall and the five-star Sheraton Bahrain Hotel.
(Photograph by Genisa)
(Photo by Renek78)
Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Center (MITEC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Nestled on 75.5 acres, MITEC is the third largest MICE venue in Southeast Asia and the largest trade and exhibition center in Malaysia, offering more than 51,000 square meters of exhibition space and triple sized exhibition halls, according to the MITEC website.
Formed with curves of steel and glass and embellished with songket weave motifs, MITEC’s distinctive, contemporary design is inspired by rubber seeds.
Designed by RSP Architects Sdn Bhd and completed in 2016, the Green Building Index certified building used recycled materials during construction. 70% UV repellent glass, a rainwater harvesting system, carbon monoxide sensors and fresh air fans, variable speed motors in the center’s cooling pumps, motion sensors in all public toilets, a timer-based garden irrigation system, and bathtubs were installed Hand that comes with sensors in kitchens, building automation system and mold prevention system. Also, chemical treatment of water for cooling towers is not used.
(Photo by VinnyWiki)
(Photo by Mariordo)
(Photo by Giovanni Matos)
Museum of Tomorrow, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Museu do Amanh (Museum of Tomorrow) is a two-storey 15,000 square meter building designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava. According to calatrava.com, the building, which was completed in 2015, is constructed primarily from local materials and its innovative features include solar panels that move with the sun to maximize energy absorption, reusable rainwater harvesting and an air conditioning system that uses a water funnel from Guanabara Bay. The water is then filtered, cleaned and returned to the bay through a small waterfall.
All water in the Museum’s LEED Gold-certified washbasins, tubs and showers is treated and recycled, along with water used to dehumidify the air, which can be up to 4,000 liters per day. The site adds that these efforts save an estimated 9.6 million liters of water and 2,400 megawatts of electricity each year — enough to accommodate more than 1,200 homes.
(Photo by Sardaka)
(Photo by David Stanley)
One Central Park, Sydney, Australia
Part of the 5.8 hectare residential development in Central Park, this two-tower residential development consists of a 34-storey residential tower and a 12-storey serviced residential tower located on a retail common podium.
One Central Park was designed by Ateliers Jean Nouvel, PTW Architects, and Foster + Partners. The vertical landscape of this 130-meter-high building was designed in collaboration with French botanist and artist Patrick Blanc and covers about 50% of the building’s facade.
Completed in 2014, the facade is incorporated with water walls and low-rise horizontal plantings while cables support a variety of climbing and spreading plants. These devices act as a natural sunlight controller that changes with the seasons, protecting apartments during the summer while letting in sunlight in the winter, according to www.jeannouvel.com.
(Photo by Thomas Wolfe)
Marco Polo Tower, Hamburg, Germany
Located beside the River Elbe in Haven City, the 55-meter-high residential tower was completed in 2010 and features 58 apartments, each rotating a few degrees on its axis to allow its occupants to enjoy stunning views of the harbor and city. According to architect Behnisch Architekten’s website, the building’s environmental features include sunken facades that are protected from direct sunlight by the overhanging terraces above, so that no additional sunshades are needed.
The design also includes vacuum collectors on the roof, using a heat exchanger to transfer heat to the apartment cooling system. In addition, innovative sound-proofed vents in the sleeping areas encourage natural ventilation without increasing noise pollution from the outside.
(Photo by Orf3us)
(Photo by Calerna)
(Photo by Calerna)
Copenhill, Copenhagen, Denmark
Also known as Amager Bakke, CopenHill is a waste-to-energy plant topped with a ski slope, hiking trail and climbing wall. Designed by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), the 41,000 square meter plant replaced an old 50-year-old waste-to-energy plant with new incineration facilities combined with the latest technology in waste treatment and energy production.
According to the company’s website, the plant turns 440,000 tons of waste annually into enough clean energy to deliver electricity and district heating for 150,000 homes. The building also contains 10 floors of administrative space, including a 600-square-meter education center, as well as a rooftop bar, a CrossFit area, and a viewing plateau.
The 10,000-square-meter green roof deals with the challenging microclimate of an 85-meter-high garden and rebuilds the biodiverse landscape while absorbing heat, removing air particles, and reducing rainwater runoff, says BIG. The power plant opened in 2017, the artificial ski slope and recreational picnic area in 2019.
(Photo by EG Fox)
(Photo by Alex Levitt)
One Angel Square, Manchester, UK
As the new headquarters for the co-op, the 15-storey building has a three-sided structure with a fully double-glazed facade that curves horizontally and vertically around the building. According to breeam.com, the Environmental Assessment Method website for the Building Research Foundation, the facade and open atrium are key to creating natural heating, cooling and lighting.
In addition to having its own source of heat and power generation through a combined heat and power plant, the building, which was completed in 2013, has other environmental features such as heat recovery from IT systems that help heat the building, low energy LED lighting and equipment and IT systems, gray water and rainwater recycling systems for flushing toilets and irrigation, and highly efficient service and passenger elevators, according to breeam.com.
(Photo by Kenta Mapuche)
ACROS Fukuoka International Hall, Fukuoka, Japan
The building is designed on the last remaining green area of the city. To reconcile the government’s need for a new office building with the community’s concerns about green space, architect Emilio Ambasz reconciled opposing desires by preserving the park’s original volume with a series of green, rolling steps as the facade of the new building, according to his website, ambasz.com.
Completed in 1994, there are 14 gardens in the rooftop building, which feature pools and water features as well as panoramic views of the harbor and its surroundings. The building’s general space contributes to reducing the heat island effect as well as energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions, contributing to a 15°C difference between indoors and outdoors, the site says.
The 97,000 square meter interior includes an exhibition area, a museum, a 2,000 seat theatre, conference rooms, government and private offices, a tourist information center, shops and four underground floors.
Taipei Beitou Public Library, Taipei City, Taiwan
The three-story library, designed by architect Kuo Ying-chao, uses timber construction and features deep balconies and vertical arbours. These, according to taiwantoday.tw, help reduce energy consumption and save energy by lowering heat radiation.
Environmentally friendly features include rooftop solar cells capable of generating 16,000 watts of power or 10% of the library’s total energy consumption, and rainwater harvesting and storage systems, which are used to flush toilets and gardens, according to the news portal.
Opened in 2006, the library houses more than 63,000 books, including a large collection dedicated to conservation, she says.
(Irwin Sue photos)
PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering, Singapore
The 367-room property is best known for its “hotel in a garden” design that includes 15,000 square meters of terraced raised gardens, nearly twice the size of the site. This allows each guest room with views of the tropical garden, according to the architect’s website WOHA.
The BCA Green Mark Platinum certified building was completed in early 2013 with a total area of 29,811.54 square metres, inspired by the adjacent Hong Lim Park, rice terraces and landscape topography. Some of the building’s passive design strategies include walkways with natural ventilation, solar irrigation, rainwater retention, and sun shading. The project has received Singapore’s Green Mark Platinum rating, the country’s highest environmental certification.