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GOING GREEN IN NEW ENGLAND
It's no longer enough to be energy conserving. To be truly "green," a building should integrate efficiency and form, use renewable energy systems, and demonstrate sensitivity to its natural surroundings and to the health of its occupants. It should also rely on materials, construction methods, and operational procedures that cause minimal disturbance to the environment. — Published 2004.0428
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BARCELONA RUNS DEEP
The Poblenou area of Barcelona is experiencing a renewal. As the doorway to the site for the 2004 Universal Forum of Cultures — with themes of cultural diversity, sustainable development, and world peace — this traditional industrial district is taking on a new technological focus. — Published 2004.0317
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NATURALLY COOL CONVENTION CENTER
Echoing the shape of bridges arcing over the Allegheny River in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania is the new David L. Lawrence Convention Center. A sail-like roof is suspended from steel cables over the four-story riverfront building.
The dramatic form designed by architect Rafael Viñoly Architects is more than visually striking, however. The sweeping roof channnels river breezes and creates a degree of natural ventilation that is extraordinary for a building of this type and size. — Published 2003.1008
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SUSTAINABLE CENTER FOR WOODS HOLE
It has become common in recent years for architectural clients to take an interest in energy conservation. But a research organization dedicated to studying the effects of human activities on the environment has a responsibility to go still further to apply sustainability as a guiding principle. — Published 2003.0910
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RECONSTRUCTION COMPLICATIONS CONTINUE
When architect Daniel Libeskind was chosen in February 2003 to redesign New York's World Trade Center site, it appeared to be an irrevocable decision about the fate of "Ground Zero." But controversies have persisted, and what finally gets built may be very different from Libeskind's original design vision. — Published 2003.0827
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LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT TOOLS
One of the most difficult problems for architects interested in sustainable design is knowing which materials are "green." Is the material recycled? Local? Renewable? Is it low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs)? What if you have to choose between these attributes? Are there other factors to be considered? And what about marketing claims? Is a material really "green" just because the manufacturer says it is? The choices can be bewildering. — Published 2003.0716
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GREENING ROOFTOPS
Green roofs — topped with soil and living plants — have well known benefits to the buildings beneath them. They provide thermal and sound insulation and can prolong roof life. They also offer healthful benefits to their urban surroundings.
So says Steven Peck, executive director of Green Roofs for Healthy Cities. Other potential benefits of so-called "naturalized" rooftops include stormwater management, urban food production, air pollution reduction, and urban heat island temperature modification. — Published 2003.0625
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LEED PLATINUM AT UCSB
It is fitting that one of the first buildings to be certified by the U.S. Green Building Council for achieving the "platinum" LEED status is a school dedicated to researching environmental issues, training research scientists and professionals, and identifying and solving environmental problems. — Published 2003.0611
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SUSTAINABILITY NORTHEAST
"Green" Building design, as it becomes increasingly adopted by U.S. architects, is about more than conserving energy and natural resources. In green building, design criteria broaden to include fostering a sense of community, maintaining healthy environments, and preserving historic properties. These were some of the themes of the 2003 awards program of the Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA), which recently made awards to workplaces, schools, and residential projects. — Published 2003.0521
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BUILDINGS FOR EARTH DAY
As architects become more aware of their role in protecting the natural environment, they begin to view "sustainable design" more broadly. In addition to reducing consumption of fossil fuels, successful "green" architecture also improves comfort for building occupants, protects and repairs its immediate surroundings, and makes a positive contribution to the community. — Published 2003.0430
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