Zero-E Adds Eco-Bling to Architectural Modeling
BY Cliff KuangThu -via: Fast Company
Woods Bagot and Buro Happold have invented a design program that helps architects and engineers create zero-emissions buildings. These days, progressive architects and engineers wax philosophical about bio-mass digesters, photovoltaics, and water recycling systems. But what is their effect, really? Will they truly make a difference? Woods Bagot, an Australia-based architecture mega-firm, and Buro Happold, a British giant in architectural engineering, have teamed up to produce Zero-E, a system for modeling building performance that might help architects understand the precise effects of all the eco-bling that they add to their buildings. While systems like this already exist for building systems such as LEED, Woods Bagot claims that this is the first time anyone has developed something that integrates such advanced technologies–and tests them against the supremely rigorous standard of zero emissions.
A new tool that helps to assess the mix of uses needed for truly sustainable projects highlights the importance of looking at the big picture. Sustainable masterplanning will help engineers and architects win the battle for lower carbon emissions, something tighter Building Regulations alone cannot achieve. That’s the belief of Hilson Moran’s director of sustainability Matt Kitson. Via. BSD read more
Vertical axis wind turbines are an intriguing technology that most people still know little about. The turbines we are accustomed to use blades to turn a horizontal axis (which is often housed in the little cupola on the top of the turbine’s tall stem). Vertical axis turbines turn a vertical shaft (picture a barber’s pole) to generate power. Helix Wind, a US maker of some very slick looking vertical axis wind turbines, has struck a deal with a West African telecom company to power cell phone towers with wind. This allows the towers to operate autonomously without transmission lines or diesel generators. Via:treehugger read more
GREEN HORIZONS An increasing amount of electricity is being generated by solar panels in California and wind turbines in Texas.
By KATE GALBRAITH
Texas cares little for environmental niceties. Its governor, Rick Perry, bashes the Environmental Protection Agency at every opportunity, and recently branded the climate bill that passed the House of Representatives a “legislative monstrosity.”
Yet the oil-and-gas state has nonetheless emerged as the nation’s top producer of a commodity prized by environmentalists: wind power. Eager developers are covering its desolate western mesas with giant turbines. The world’s largest wind farm began operations in Texas this month, and the state now has close to three times as much wind capacity as Iowa, the second-ranked state.
California, by contrast, has all but stifled wind developers. The state built several big wind farms in the 1980s — but has added very few since, because of the cost and delays of complying with stringent state environmental regulations. The early turbines killed thousands of birds, for instance, and that memory lingers. Via:NYTimes read more
NASA climate scientist Tom Wagner gives us a look at the state of the Arctic Sea ice in 2009 and discusses NASA’s role in monitoring the cryosphere. Via: NASA
core.form-ula is the academic wing of form-ula. Our goal is to provide a platform, be it physical or virtual where architects, artists, designers, engineers, scientists, and writers can come together in collaborative space.
Core.Profiles
A Brief introduction to some of the people doing what we find to be progressive work in the field of Architecture, Art, Design and Science.
