Two distinct projects, in different parts of the world by different architects and yet they stand out due to their futuristic and green approach. One of them was built keeping in mind the carbon footprint, the idea was to create maximum built space on minimum land area and the other aimed at energy conservation at all possible levels to reach a 60% energy saving rating.
The NLF has been designed as a luxurious high-rise residential project. The project is in Nilufer district, Bursa, Turkey. It has been designed, by GAD Architecture (a New York and Istanbul based firm) in association with Dara Kirmizitoprak. It is a landmark project for the city of Bursa.
Given the stipulation of a small site carbon print, it was essential that the building be a high rise and tower over the other constructions in the city. Built on site area of 2,250sq m, the building boasts of an awe inspiring 40,000 sq m of total construction which will be surrounded by live vegetation at every level.
Beside residences, the project includes retail space, restaurants, offices and space for social activities. The residential tower follows five levels of office and three levels of retail space.
The top level is a restaurant with an unobstructed 360 degree view of the surroundings. The building has a helipad above the restaurant and its unique turning ellipse shape, ensures that the residences have beautiful sweeping balconies and create a unique view that changes as you move around it.
Noain City Hall, Navarra, Spain has been built with only one thing in mind, energy conservation to the maximum. The brilliant design is credited to Zon-e Arquitectos who have concentrated on both active and passive energy saving systems. The building hardly resembles a government building, but is more like a nature reserve.
The building’s face will be completely covered with vegetation of different colors to help with its energy conservation aim. The design utilizes natural light to its maximum in order to keep energy costs down.
It is designed as a series of layers, facilitating the free flow of light. The open air space in the center of the building is surrounded by offices that benefit from the natural light. The walls don’t reach the ceiling bringing the light in.
The entrance is like a translucent skin that glows in the dark and filters sunlight in the daytime. The skin also acts as a sunshade to cut down on solar impact. The plants growing on the façade absorb solar radiation and act as insulation at night and during winter.
They provide fresh moist air and bring nature closer to work space not to mention that geo thermal energy is the main source of energy for this green building.
