Microalgae Facade? Really!

The following is an article about The BIQ house which will become the world’s first pilot project to showcase a bioreactive façade.  Why? I'm glad you asked.  Reportedly, the microalgae harvests solar thermal heat and algae  in a closed loop to be stored and then fermented to generate hot water.  How would you push this technology further??  

The world’s first full-scale bioreactive façade at the BIQ house in Germany is going ‘live’ as microalgae are fed into the system for the first time.

The tiny green algae will play a huge role in determining the future potential of this technology, which aims to provide shade and a renewable fuel source for the experimental apartment.

The BIQ house was built as part of this year’s International Building Exhibition (IBA) in Hamburg. With 200m² of integrated photo-bioreactors, this innovative passive-energy house generates microalgae biomass and heat as renewable energy resources. At the same time, the system integrates additional functionalities such as dynamic shading, thermal insulation and noise abatement, highlighting the full potential of this technology.

The microalgae used in the facades are cultivated in flat panel glass bioreactors measuring 2,5m x 0,7m. In total, 129 bioreactors have been installed on the south west and south east faces of the four-storey residential building. The heart of the system is the fully automated energy management centre where solar thermal heat and algae are harvested in a closed loop to be stored and then fermented to generate hot water.

Known as "SolarLeaf", this innovative façade system is the result of three years of research and development by Colt International based on a bio-reactor concept developed by SSC Ltd and design work led by the international design consultant and engineering firm, Arup. Funding support came from the German Government’s “ZukunftBau” research initiative.

“We’ve done the research. We’ve got the units in place. Now as we add the microalgae we will see for the first time how the bioreactor façade operates in a real life situation. It is a test for the technology, but it also represents a huge step forward. If we can demonstrate that microalgae biofaçades can become a viable new source of sustainable energy production, we can transform the urban environment, as well as providing architects with a new source of inspiration.”

—Jan Wurm, Arup’s Europe Research Leader

The microalgae biofaçade goes live on 25 April 2013 when the technology will be presented in detail to the media and the team will publish comprehensive documentation on the system.

This new system is going to be distributed through Colt International.

http://www.arup.com/News/2013_04_April/25_April_World_first_microalgae_facade_goes_live.aspx

Post-Tsunami Housing by Shigeru Ban

TGIF!

Japanese architect Shigeru Ban developed these timber and earth houses for the rehabilitation of a Sri Lankan fishing village that was swept away during the 2004 tsunami.

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Developer Phillip Bay asked Shigeru Ban to design a prototype house that could be built cheaply using local materials and would be suitable for the tropical climate. The house was to form a template for the construction of 100 replacement homes in Kirinda.
"This was not going to be a traditional disaster relief effort where we go in and make homes really fast and leave," said Bay. "I wanted to treat this like a development project."



Ban's design comprises a single-storey structure with walls made from compressed earth blocks and a pitched roof made from locally sourced teak and coconut wood.
Each house has two bedrooms, a hall and a sheltered courtyard, which residents can use as a dining room, social space or simply as a place to repair fishing nets.



Adaptable wooden screens divide the rooms, to suit a Muslim lifestyle. "This is the first time I've worked for the Muslim societies," said Ban, "so before I built the houses I had a community meeting to find out what has to be carefully done depending on the generation, for example, we had to separate the man's space and woman's space."
Ban also designed furniture for the residence, using wood from the rubber trees that are common to the region.

The Post-Tsunami Housing was completed in 2007 but was recently named as one of 20 projects on the shortlist for the Aga Khan Award 2013. Other projects on the shortlist include an Islamic cemetery in Austria and a reconstructed refugee camp in Lebanon. Five or six finalists will be revealed later this year and will compete to win the $1 million prize.

Shigeru Ban has also worked on a number of other disaster-relief projects. He devised apartment blocks made from shipping containers for victims of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami of 2011 and was one of several high-profile architects involved in the Make It Right housing project in New Orleans. See more architecture by Shigeru Ban.

Here's a project description from the Aga Khan Award organisers:

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Post-Tsunami Housing
This project provides 100 houses in a Muslim fishing village, in the region of Tissamaharama, on the southeast coast of Sri Lanka, following the destruction caused by the 2004 tsunami. Shigeru Ban's aim was to adapt the houses to their climate, to use local labour and materials to bring profit to the region, and to respond to the villagers' own requirements through direct consultation. For example, kitchens and bathrooms are included within each house, as requested by the villagers, but a central covered area separates them from the living accommodation, as stipulated by the government. The covered area also provides an entertainment space from which women can retreat to maintain privacy. Local rubber-tree wood was used for partitions and fittings, and compressed earth blocks for walls.

Site plan - click for larger image

Location: Kirinda, Sri Lanka (Asia)
Architect: Shigeru Ban Architects, Tokyo, Japan
Client: Philip Bay
Completed: 2007
Design: 2005
Site size: 71 m2 for each house - Total site area: 3'195 m²

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Click here for full article:
http://www.dezeen.com/2013/05/03/post-tsunami-housing-by-shigeru-ban/

Thinking Outside the Concrete Box Friday, June 28, 2013 More items for Building Envelope

Imagine constructing a concrete building in less than an hour. using only air and water. That’s the idea behind the new Concrete Canvas Shelter developed by UK-based Concrete Canvas, which touts "rapid concrete infrastructure." The semi-permanent structure is constructed using a flexible fabric material that contains all the elements of concrete; the material hardens when wetted down. National Geographic / YouTube The cost of the shelters ranges from $23,000 to $30,000 a pop. A recent video report by National Geographic demonstrates how the “building in a bag” works. The video has garnered the attention of more than five million viewers. National Geographic also interviewed one of the innovators behind the technology and described the invention as having “far-reaching” potential. The full interview is available here. Applications and Price The structures are being used and tested by armed forces around the world, including the United States military. The company says the structures would also be useful as temporary shelters in natural disaster situations. Concrete Canvas The concrete canvas shelter comes with an inflatable plastic inner to lift it until it can support itself. Once anchored to the ground and sprayed with water, the concrete-material curves into the shape of the plastic creating a semi-permanent shelter. The fabric material behind the shelter is called “Concrete Cloth,” in the U.S. and is licensed by Milliken & Company. It is being used in a variety of applications, including lining water channels, according to Peter Brewin, director of the Concrete Canvas Company. The cost of the concrete shelters range from $23,000 to $30,000, the prices go down when volumes are purchased, according to the company.

18th Century Church Transformed Into Private Residence

Adaptive reuse projects generally call to mind industrial warehouses and factories turned into trendy studios, or shabby-chic restaurants and bars, but the transformation of the St. Nicholas Church in Kyloe, Northumberland, England has taken this concept of renewal and grounded it much closer to home. The church was purchased not too long ago by Sally Onions and Ian Bottomley, who went the unconventional route when scouting for their newest digs. Far from a Norman Foster style box, or even a classic and quaint Victorian house, the duo instead opted to transform an 18th century basilica into the sanctuary they now call “home.”

The church was originally built in 1792, so the couple wanted to maintain as much of the building’s classic architecture as possible. Rather than undertaking a full-on renovation — which actually would have been cheaper — they opted to restore the key elements of the church, such as the vaulted ceilings and original stained glass windows.

While sofas and beds have replaced pews, the integrity of the architecture remains – you can even find the old cemetery within the churchyard. But don’t think the two are reading by candlelight once the sun sets — the former house of worship has evolved to accommodate contemporary living with modern appliances, fixtures, electricity, and other creature comforts.

Read more: Dilapidated 18th Century Church Transformed Into a Private Home | Inhabitat - Sustainable Design Innovation, Eco Architecture, Green Building

Cool Architectural Alternatives for Living Without Air Conditioning

With the heatwave sweeping the country, an urban air conditioning addiction is also on the rise. For those of us lucky enough to have it at work or at home, the generated air is an easy (if pricey) comfort that often leaves us avoiding the foreign realm of the outdoors. However, air conditioning wasn’t always there for us to fall back on so easily. Believe it or not, architecture can help us alleviate some of the heat.

Above: Thick Earthen Walls: Sagburg by contexture studio

Top image: Cave Dwellings: Chair House by Igor Sirotov Architect

The advent of the air conditioner not only meant less sweat; it also changed the very way that we live, and the buildings we live, work, and play in. Cool porches and deep eaves were unnecessary, walls could be thinner, high ceiling and attics were a waste of space, and development could generally spread into increasingly hot climates. Such temperature control also allowed for steel and glass towers of greenhouse-level-heat to become a practical notion.

Ventilation Strategy: Axis Administration by Krishna Chaitanya Dommu

Prior to this luxury though, if you weren’t submerged in water, buildings actually needed to pitch in with the job of cooling during the summer. Here is a collection of homes that show features that could help you to build your way out of heatstroke. Oh, and also: climate change.

There is a reason why people started by living in caves, as seen in the top image, the Chair House by Igor Sirotov Architect. The thermal mass of the huge volume of earth surrounding caves helps to stabilize temperature inside. Plus, it looks awesome.

Underground: BCHO Earth House by BCHO Architects Associates

Same goes for buildings that are constructed underground. Not only is the sun stopped from entering the interior, but the earth that surrounding the building is slow to heat up and cool down, also making it warmer in the cold months.

Read on for more brilliant examples of living A/C-free!

For more imfromation see link bleow:

http://architizer.kinja.com/cool-architectural-alternatives-for-living-without-air-824993990

Contemporary Living

Enjoy the eye candy!
Would you want to live in any of these spaces?

Architectural Award-winning Beach House. This dramatic sculptural residence is situated in the very private and gated Sanderling Club on Siesta Key. The home turns abstract art into concrete reality. After a four year collaboration, the homeowners and their architect, Guy Peterson, agree that they achieved exactly the modern masterpiece they envisioned. Peterson organized living spaces in color coded "cubes". The cubes reflect a privacy gradient from public uses to shared spaces to family areas. The home is perfectly designed for its' beachfront setting with deep overhangs which shade the property from direct sunlight… but allow for maximum light and spectacular water views. The home functions like a private family resort with its wonderfully large pool designed to accommodate both water polo games and lap swimming. The pool features a slide purely for the fun of it and an oversized Jacuzzi for relaxing. A fire pit is ideal for evening gatherings and the volley ball court attracts players of all ages. The stunning 1.53 acre site features beautifully landscaped gardens on both the entry side of the residence and the beach side living and entertaining area.

Click here for more info: Sanderling-Rd-Sarasota-FL



A. Quincy Jones' 1962 Sherwood residence has been recently transformed into a most sought after, just north of Sunset, Beverly Hills private estate. Period modern details merge flawlessly with cutting edge contemporary systems. Glass walls give way to water features seamlessly blending the outside and in. Master suite is now 2 stories with a spa bath & screening room or gym. Private patios, decks and outdoor access from nearly every room. Truly once in a lifetime opportunity to live in one of the most notable architectural estates available in Beverly Hills. 

Foothill-Rd-Beverly-Hills-CA



Amazing contemporary home in Tanglewood school district! Designed by architect, Ken Shaumberg, this spacious home brings together style amenities, beauty and functionality. Featuring a vaulted wine cellar, gorgeous design and a sparkling pool with water feature, fire pit and cabana with half bath and outdoor shower, this home is one of a kind!

Briarhaven-Rd-Fort-Worth-TX



A dramatic reinvention by NYC's Garrison Architects garnered international recognition for a modern home of wood, steel and vast stretches of glass. While a walking trail weaving through the 9+ acre wooded site invites direct interaction with nature, the peacefulness of the Princeton property is ever present within the 7,000 square foot interior. Each main level room opens to outdoor space, displaying the beauty of natural stone and finely grained wood. Tinted Venetian plaster and mosaic glass tile, used judiciously, energize spaces with color and texture, but perhaps the most striking feature is a set of translucent… inclined panels that wash the Great Room in diffused light from above. A bevy of intuitive technological amenities includes a screening room on the fully finished lower level and a newly updated integrated Apple audio system. Even blinds descend at the touch of a button in the gloriously bright and open master suite (two MBR suites) with one of 4 fireplaces and one of 4 uniquely luxurious full baths. Choose between office all 3 miles to town. 

Province-Line-Rd-Princeton-NJ


(Shout out to Maricela! Thank you!)

Sports Hall by Takenaka Corp

Entitled Harmonie Hall, the building functions as both a basketball court and auditorium for the Kobe International Junior High School and Senior High School, and was designed by Takenaka Corporation to fit in with the wood and concrete buildings that already made up the campus.


A 46 metre-long wall of uninterrupted concrete lines the north elevation. Narrow lengths of glazing run along its top and bottom, bringing light through to the floor and ceiling of the hall.


Larger windows span the southern elevation so that students elsewhere on the campus can catch a glimpse of activities taking place inside, while students inside can look out towards the surrounding woodland.


Structural timber columns are positioned along this facade to take some of the vertical load from the wooden roof, which protrudes over the edges of the walls.





Design Intent
The Kobe International Junior High School and Senior High School Harmonie Hall was based on an idea of a clear and open axial plan utilising concrete and wood to respond to the campus' history while creating a new relationship with the natural landscape. Harmonie Hall is an ancillary facility that includes a teacher's room, storage, toilets, and a gymnasium that can be used as both a basketball court and an auditorium.

Site plan

This building is designed to capture the most from the rich surrounding environment while inheriting the formal language of the campus as it exists today. Functionally, gyms tend to be enclosed spaces removed from their surrounding environment, but this time, by utilising a wood structural frame, the building is in concert with the vibrant local environment as much as possible.
The south side leads to an existing building and is comprised of a long 20m wood structural span for views of the woodlands supported by a 6m high and 46m long concrete wall. Opening the building to the lush ecosystem of the north campus was a natural configuration.
By supporting the horizontal force with concrete walls on three sides, with the north side being the exception, the structural roof frame was designed to transfer vertical load to the wooden poles on the north facade.

Ground floor plan

The north side is a rich and open ecosystem. Through the framing of landscape views, the beautiful surroundings engage with the space and offer openness by using the trees and sky to highlight the structural frame. From the beginning, the design has been interested in offering the experience of simultaneous continuity between the paired horizontal open spaces.
Furthermore, by providing a sufficient aperture to the wind and natural landscape, a space filled with light and consistent breezes from the north is realised.
Also, by using vegetation identified from research and field surveys, trees are transplanted from the construction staging areas while simultaneously cultivating local seeds as a means to visually and biologically produce a landscape of continuity with the local context.

Cross section

The idea for using structure to maximise openness to the surrounding environment, both conceptually and visually, marries the wind and light of the natural environment with the new space. The environment is the architecture.

Site and Context
The context for this project was a combined junior and high school located in the peaceful hills overlooking Suma with a view of the Akashi Straits and Awaji Island. This school was established in 1992 with aims to foster women with prolific knowledge and grace, and the campus has since been designed with the theme that the campus has made an impression on their memory. The exposed concrete of the design provides a sense of integration with the campus which includes many memorable places.

Long section

The existing school buildings, located on the north-south and east-west axes, consist of just two basic geometric shapes, the square and the circle, and were built of exposed concrete. This prompt for this project was to build a gymnasium the size of a basketball court for the 20th anniversary. For this project, I tried to create a new gymnasium, on the angle shaped site located in the west part of the campus, that was in harmony, to the greatest degree possible, with the surrounding environment. The junior high school building has a circular hall in the centre which is surrounded by open related rooms. This memorable hall within the square shaped form is inserted into the hill, but for this project I aimed to create memorable places between this building and the hills.


To see more photos, click here: http://www.dezeen.com/2013/06/24/harmonie-hall-by-takenaka-corporation/

Credit goes to: Amy Frearson @ dezeen