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Algae systems, and other green technologies develop a green community in Scottsdale, Arizona. Scottsdale is known for its golf courses, sunshine, and money; algae systems, working in tandem with solar power maintain this community identity as energy patterns change. Biofuel research is the focus of Arizona State University, and ASU had a research community in Scottsdale known as Skysong. This project proposes a partnership between the city and ASU to be a catalyst for a regenerative future.
Algae systems provide food and fuel for this community set in a desert climate. Algae only needs water, sunshine, and nutrients to grow and produce energy, fuel, and food. It can use gray or black water to collect nutrients, which in the process, provides potable water for human consumption. Different algae have different amounts of proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates that each produce different amounts of food, energy, and biofuel depending on their composition. This allows for a diversified network of algae systems in different parts of the city that may need more fuel than energy and vice-versa.
Scottsdale hires architects and landscape architects to work with new systems developed by scientists and engineers integrate the algae systems into the city without altering their way of living. Algae production systems are designed to work on building facades, on top of biofuel stations, and even within homes. The integration allows the user to be close to the algae providing them with the food and energy they need. Scottsdale citizens, learn and grow with these systems without changing their way of life.
This project documents the initiative of Scottsdale, looking back from the future to see how they made the transition to the ‘green era.’
Algae systems, and other green technologies develop a green community in Scottsdale, Arizona. Scottsdale is known for its golf courses, sunshine, and money; algae systems, working in tandem with solar power maintain this community identity as energy patterns change. Biofuel research is the focus of Arizona State University, and ASU had a research community in Scottsdale known as Skysong. This project proposes a partnership between the city and ASU to be a catalyst for a regenerative future.
Algae systems provide food and fuel for this community set in a desert climate. Algae only needs water, sunshine, and nutrients to grow and produce energy, fuel, and food. It can use gray or black water to collect nutrients, which in the process, provides potable water for human consumption. Different algae have different amounts of proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates that each produce different amounts of food, energy, and biofuel depending on their composition. This allows for a diversified network of algae systems in different parts of the city that may need more fuel than energy and vice-versa.
Scottsdale hires architects and landscape architects to work with new systems developed by scientists and engineers integrate the algae systems into the city without altering their way of living. Algae production systems are designed to work on building facades, on top of biofuel stations, and even within homes. The integration allows the user to be close to the algae providing them with the food and energy they need. Scottsdale citizens, learn and grow with these systems without changing their way of life.
This project documents the initiative of Scottsdale, looking back from the future to see how they made the transition to the ‘green era.’
Concept
The projects name, LIVING EQUIA, comes from the phrase Living Ecologic Quality and Integration of Ambience. These words sum up our desire to create a house that can live in harmony with nature, without neglecting quality of life.
Design
Elegant shafts of light, energy optimizing orientation, homogeneous outer skin, flexible and modular structure, and a well-lit and spacious interior.
Technology
High efficiency photovoltaic modules, passive cooling system, solar thermal systems, heat pump, and a home automation system.
Sustainability
Wooden design (FSC certified wood), low environmental impact, good level of recyclability, low demand for primary energy in its production, and natural materials.
Photovoltaic System
Photovoltaic modules produce direct current of the kind generated by batteries. The electronic invertors then convert it into alternating current. This energy can thus be fed into the grid. In countries like Spain and Germany, users receive financial compensation for transferring electricity into the public power grid.
Room Temperature
When temperatures are high, the house uses thousands of tiny wax globules (PCM: phase changing materials), which are contained in the roof to cool it down. When the wax is melted (at about 23 ºC) it can retain a high amount of energy. Drops of wax work just like a large wall in an old building: they absorb the summer heat so the building is kept cool. To be able to absorb heat the following day, the PCM layer should be cooled down overnight. In order to achieve this, the cool night air circulates along the surface of the ceiling.
Ventilation
An automatic ventilation system with the capacity to recover heat brings a constant supply of fresh air and regulates humidity at the same time. In addition, the panels inside the house retrieve excess humidity and return it to the environment when needed.
During cold weather, heat is transferred from used air to freshly cooled air without the use of a heating system. Humidity is transferred in the same way. During hot weather, the system operates inversely; the incoming air is dehumidified and cooled down by the used air. With this system, the air is kept fresh even in tropical temperatures. The panels absorb excess moisture and regulate it. Only under extraordinary circumstances will active dehumidification be necessary.
Concept
Three basic ideas shape the proposal:
The creation of a unique industrialized model.
The commitment to a broader definition of technology proficiency, adding a factor of accessibility, and applying these values to all design elements - from the structure itself, to the details and finishes.
The logic of distributed intelligence. By including unique elements from various fields of technology, and rather than opting for the traditional box + panel design, the team has chosen the distribution of intelligence. Each component of the house contains the same level of technology, energy and structure.
Structural design.
The house is lifted up from the ground, creating a shadow space beneath it. Despite the opportunities provided by the earths natural insulation, weve opted in favor of exploring other avenues (ventilation strategies, evaporative cooling, creating a structural core with thermal inertia, exploiting wind dynamics, etc.) A series of reinforced frame bars create a ribcage in this space, and they define a minimal geometric distance, allowing total freedom but without technical overkill, complicated construction or structural excesses. The structure and the skin become one and the same.
Geometric design.
A standard paraboloid is positioned in the manner best suited for following the sun (throughout the year and day), which bends in different parts to achieve optimal orientation during the summer (narrowing to the west, widening eastward, and flattening at the zenith to 70 degrees).
The freedom permitted by this structural model allows us to swiftly and smoothly adjust the houses envelopment so as to meet our strategic needs. We are able to achieve maximum specialization while maintaining the same geographic location.
Construction systems.
The selection of materials, scale of building elements and level of technology used, were all chosen not only for their quality and functional optimization, but also for their availability, ease of use and maintenance. A wooden structure was chosen over steel, and structural elements were purposefully selected to be small, light and manageable, as opposed to using larger, heavier beams.
We also opted for traditional and personal assembly systems and for photovoltaic imprinted textiles, which are less efficient but are cheaper, more adaptable and more manageable than bulky photovoltaic cell panels. In this way, weve achieved greater freedom of interaction in both the design phase and in the houses assembly and subsequent use.
Technological systems.
This simple operation of the houses components is reflected in its bioclimatic behavior. Intuitive ventilation strategies in the second skin, humidification of the air through sprinklers, and using the inertia of the construction materials and the support frames in the shadowed areas, all lead to significant energy saving. In this way, soft and transparent operating techniques, along with an understanding of the active role of the user, lead to real efficiency gains.
Algae systems, and other green technologies develop a green community in Scottsdale, Arizona. Scottsdale is known for its golf courses, sunshine, and money; algae systems, working in tandem with solar power maintain this community identity as energy patterns change. Biofuel research is the focus of Arizona State University, and ASU had a research community in Scottsdale known as Skysong. This project proposes a partnership between the city and ASU to be a catalyst for a regenerative future.
Algae systems provide food and fuel for this community set in a desert climate. Algae only needs water, sunshine, and nutrients to grow and produce energy, fuel, and food. It can use gray or black water to collect nutrients, which in the process, provides potable water for human consumption. Different algae have different amounts of proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates that each produce different amounts of food, energy, and biofuel depending on their composition. This allows for a diversified network of algae systems in different parts of the city that may need more fuel than energy and vice-versa.
Scottsdale hires architects and landscape architects to work with new systems developed by scientists and engineers integrate the algae systems into the city without altering their way of living. Algae production systems are designed to work on building facades, on top of biofuel stations, and even within homes. The integration allows the user to be close to the algae providing them with the food and energy they need. Scottsdale citizens, learn and grow with these systems without changing their way of life.
This project documents the initiative of Scottsdale, looking back from the future to see how they made the transition to the ‘green era.’
Recycled Pop Top purse Amelia is an adorable purse that's great as an eco-friendly bridesmaids gift.
Photo: Deborah Ellen Jutz
Water gardening is the best lifestyle choice you can make. Learn more about water gardens and ecosystem ponds at www.aquascapeinc.com
Green Roof Workshop - roof, a year later
Sproull-Radke Green Roof Workshop
Kirkland, WA
HARRISON architects
Bracelet and necklace pop - top jewelry from Escama Studio. Pop tops and jump rings with a lobster clasp closure.
Photo: Deborah Ellen Jutz
Backyard pond designs, decorations, and water gardens by Aquascape. Visit our website at www.aquascapeinc.com
Green Roof Workshop - roof, a year later
Sproull-Radke Green Roof Workshop
Kirkland, WA
HARRISON architects
Recycled Pop Top purse Amelia is an adorable purse that's great as an eco-friendly bridesmaids gift.
Photo: Deborah Ellen Jutz
Many reclaimed and reused materials.
Sproull-Radke Green Roof Workshop
Kirkland, WA
HARRISON architects
The options for cork flooring in North American homes has truly evolved. Designs and patterns range from traditional to modern, in original colors or dyed and add style and creativity to any room.
Concept
The idea behind this house took account of extreme weather conditions similar to those found in desert regions, since their cooling systems demand the use of a lot of energy. The principles of traditional construction in such regions have also been taken into account when designing this house.
On the one hand, the prototype works with a higher amount of thermal mass but over the smallest possible volume of the building, thus offering very little surface for sun absorption. On the other hand, its great isolation enables the house to cool down on its own.
Technology
The design unites aesthetics with good energy use. The idea is to maintain a compact and well-insulated structure. The phase changing material is used inside to increase the thermal mass. The roof and facades are surrounded by solar panels that produce more energy than the house needs.
The aim is to use the smallest possible amount of polluting energy. Therefore, this prototype is constructed with environmentally friendly materials, such as wood. Because the house requires a lot of movement, it is designed in several modules, both in the living areas and secondary rooms, and in all their unions (which are weather-activated). This modularity provides the flexibility needed to vary the configuration of the dwelling.
The volume is divided into simple modules that can be joined together. These unions are used for lighting, ventilation, heating in the winter and for passive cooling in summer. The houses energy tower plays an essential part, along with wind and the evaporation system, which allows the cooling of air in hot, arid climates, such as that of Madrid. The joining of elements characteristic for these parts, such as the wind towers of Arabic regions or the courtyards of Spain, with modern materials, achieves a high level of comfort but consumes very little energy and it helps improve the aesthetic appearance of the building.
The energy tower captures wind, it cools air, and then it brings that air inside. Thus, we achieve a pleasant temperature inside, as well as an active cooling system. The tower allows for passive cooling of the house throughout most of the year, while adding to the houses interior design.
The school has three "Personal Learning Communities” (PLC's) that function as clusters of approximately 125 students - PLC 1 (Pre-K to grade 2), PLC 2 (grades 3-5) and PLC 3 (grades 6-8).
Each PLC connects to the central all-school commons that functions as a multifunctional space, equally suited for uses ranging from Community events and formal presentations to a gathering or instructional space. Large overhead doors allow educators to open up adjacent learning spaces for increased flexibility.
Plentiful natural daylight and views to the outside connect the school to the exterior environment.
The core-skin-shell concept
The main idea is to create a prefabricated technical core, which houses the technical equipment. This nucleus is located within a low cost and technologically simple structure, which is easy to construct, waterproof, and insulated from outside temperatures.
Design Strategy
The house is organized around the technical nucleus. The interior space develops from there. During the day, the nucleus is closed and the space is fully occupied, while at night, the nucleus opens up to separate the home into different environments.
The house is positioned upon a platform of various levels, which are connected by ramps and stairs. These levels include two terraces: a winter terrace facing south, and a summer terrace which faces north. The main entrance faces north.
Technology
The intent is to incorporate the simplest technology possible into the house, in order to facilitate its industrialization and commercialization, so that practically anyone can live in and operate the home. Its coating is formed by 52m2 of solar panels that produce the energy needed for the house and the electric car, which are also connected to inverters in the technical nucleus.
Hot water is obtained through the 3m2 thermal panels, located on the south façade. The heat recovery ventilation system, thermal panels and hot water tank are connected together through Nilan VP 18 compact (a compact system for passive houses). This system also produces heat and cooling through a pump. The heating system works by heating the incoming air.
Sustainability
The choice of materials takes into account the amount of CO2 produced and the unsustainable energy needed for production. Renewable and organic materials, such as soil or wood, were used whenever possible. Steel has been used in small amounts because it enables the manufacture of large components with few materials.
The PVC membrane uses unsustainable energy but its impact is offset through the recycling method developed in Grenoble by the manufacturer Ferrari.
The use of passive systems (orientation, its compact shape, thermal mass, insulation, sun shading and natural ventilation) limits power consumption. The active systems allow climate control inside the house while using minimal energy. The heat pump and the heat recovery ventilation compensate for the consumption of clean photovoltaic and thermal energy.
The 'Masha' messenger bag comes in: black, silver, 3-Tone silver fade, and 3-Tone blue fade (shown). Fully lined with high quality matching color fabric liner. The Masha makes a dramatic statement. Hand crocheted with recycled aluminum pop-tops. Fair traded.
Photo: Deborah Ellen Jutz
Cork can be used as a building material. It looks chic, natural, and its eco-friendly! Cork is also resistant to mildew, rot and mold. Naturally occurring suberin is the key substance that prevents cork from rotting even when it is completely submerged under water for a long period of time.
From the long list: submitted by Nadim Baig Mirza, Centre for Alternative Technology, www.cat.org.uk.
The SIT UP book gets to the bottom of sixteen "Good and Gorgeous" seats from UK designers with a passion for sustainability.
The [re]design likes you booklet introduces the [re]strategies with innovative examples from leading edge UK companies and encourages you to try [re]designing for yourself using the [re]strategy tool.
Both are available to buy from the [re]design website www.redesigndesign.org
Bike and Roll NYC rents their fleet of bikes and quadcycles from recycled blue shipping container kiosks on Governors Island in NYC.