Ecological

The mixed-use eco-district “Cartoucherie Wood’art” ist built on a former industrial site on the left bank of the Garonne. Together with Seuil Architecture, we have built a complex with flats, shops and a hotel on a 13,000 m² site. On the edge of the public square and lined by the tram axis, the hotel tower sets a clear accent in the new district. Behind it, on the quieter west side, two residential complexes rise on a plinth with shops and public facilities. The lush green gardens on the roof of the plinth are visible from the square and provide common meeting spaces for the residents. They also form a reserve for biodiversity and limit the creation of heat islands. At ground level, a pedestrian street connects all th... More

What if a house were not only a home but a real vital space?   The modular house in Miraflores de la Sierra / Madrid, is a cooperation between Madrid based studio Holleghaarquitectos and the german eco-house pioneer Baufritz. It was built in 2012 as the first construction using the Baufritz-system on spanish territory. The prefab-elements provided by Baufritz and produced in their EMAS-awarded plant in Bavaria, Germany, guarantee a completely pollutant-free indoor climate as well as a very high level of sustainability. As an architectural firm, the relationship with Baufritz enables us to offer our clients top quality ecological architecture almost without design restrictions. More and more people look for homes that are built res... More

The installation and the signage of “Centro Servizi Culturali Santa Chiara”, property of Trento Municipality, have been commissioned by a tendering procedure. The project includes the exterior and interior parts of a medieval former convent, partially protected by “Sovrintendenza dei Beni architettonici” (cultural heritage committee). The “Centro Servizi”, thanks to the adjoining urban park, links different parts of the city and, together with the two theatres, attracts people of all ages and different cultures. Part of the complex, uninhabited for ages, is in a severe state of disrepair and except from a few graffiti of a modest artistic level, there are offensive and xenophobic writings on the walls, evidence not only of urban but also ci... More

Northerly Island transforms a man-made peninsula on Chicago’s lakefront into a 91- acre living ecosystem, a public park only twenty-first century knowledge could build. The design embraces the island’s artificiality and uses the occasion to construct a topography and landscape that will encourage wildlife to occupy it—over time, creating an amplified, biodiverse ecology whose various habitats and architectural features offer people multiple ways to engage directly with nature without leaving the city. Studio Gang’s design for Northerly Island was developed as part of a comprehensive framework plan in collaboration with the US Army Corp of Engineers and JJR Smith Group. The framework plan envisions a series of environmental enhancement... More

İDE.EGE Technopark A. Ş. is a technopark project as part of Ege University in Izmir, Turkey. The first development project within this 50,000 m² masterplan repurposes 35 second hand shipping containers to galvanize a talented community in Izmir and beyond. The facility houses independent R&D firms focusing on biotechnology, energy, materials and software. This program is coupled with “catalysts” such as a hackerspace and a gallery to increase interaction and collaboration potential among all members.The project’s need was the creation of a space that housed office and laboratory units to be rented out and moved to different locations as needed. At this point, building types with a simple construction process and the opportunities i... More

Istanbul Sapphire has been designed by Tabanlıoğlu Architects as a high-tech structure that consists of 64 floors (54 above-ground and 10 basement floors), communal living floors, extensive parking spaces, a large shopping mall, and 47 floors for residences. There will be specialized floors which have private gardens between every 3 floors, and every 9 floors are separated from each other by a communal living area or mechanical floors. Design of the gardens are proposed with a number of alternatives and the consistency of garden maintenance is under the residence management company’s responsibility. Sapphire is the first ecological building of Turkey, having two special glass shells which can take the outside air naturally by holes loca... More

As China’s first special economic zone, Shenzhen has brought miracles in urbanization, industrialization and modernization in the last 30 years. The overall competitive power of Shenzhen is second to Hong Kong, ranking first in mainland China. In this setting Mecanoo designed a 260,000 m² ecological urban building complex. Situated at the foot of the beautiful Tanglang Hills, Tanglang Towers are perfectly placed to capture the busy flows streaming along the number 5 Huan Zhong metro line and major new roads circling downtown Shenzhen. Programme: Eco urban building complex, with metro station feature. 4-star boutique business hotel of 25,000 m², medium class A offices of 49,000 m², One-stop experience-based thematic shopping mall of 52,... More

Villa Al is a green villa in a green environment. This proposal emphasises the existing qualities and character of the location. A meandering river through a green environment is translated into a meandering route through a green pavilion. In a natural context also the electricity and heating are found in natural resources. A heatpump installation allows for heating from the soil. Electricity is captured by solar panels and from the water motion in the river. The pavilion/villa is constructed from natural materials found in the surroundings. These materials emphasize the character of living in a green environment. Wood; The pavilion has a wooden construction. Also the floor and some interior ceilings are clad with wood. Straw;... More