Bigger Better Greener - Ideas for a better tomorrow.

I wrote previously about Solar Trees by Ross Lovegrove. One of most beautiful ecological object ever produced. As Solar Trees are on the streets of Europe, new version is in progress. This time branches that will follow the sun, escaping the shadow and achieving much higher efficiency.
Truly amazing. Excuse me, my Local Council, when we will have these in my street?

Architect Juan Herreros won 2nd place on competition for new building of the Cadarache Research Center. Building look amazing concept took all my words away, so I will leave this to architect:

“The project consists of five pieces of architecture located in a forest rich in biological activity. We have concluded of our visit to the site, that the best option is to inhabit the forest without exceeding their height, making architecture as a new species that respects, protects and enhances the forest, until create a new balanced system in which buildings and trees are sharing rights and obligations. With this we will not competing with the size nor the presence of a large reactor or reduce the value of the ecosystem of a wooded garden at the foot of the buildings.

Our deployment strategy is compromised to build without altering the conditions of the forest, to inhabit the forest without violence creating a symbiotic architecture with its microclimate and its density. To do so, we are disclaiming to open large breaks on the continuity of natural cycles and are proposing to build linear buildings of optimum and constant width that occupies corridors from which have been lifted only the required trees, allowing the maximum proximity of the remaining facades. The original density of the forest will always be present and architecture appears filtered through the foliage.”

Wonderful. But, where is a garage for my Hummer?

Check more images on ArchDaily
http://www.archdaily.com/3574/iter-complementary-buildings-cea-cadarache-juan-herreros-arquitectos/

If you have a bit of birchwood and some free time – here is a great way to renovate. H20 architects made this amazing interior for garden house in Paris. Just amazing and inspirational space. Hope they didn’t forget to put fire-alarm.

Enjoy, from treehugger
www.treehugger.com/files/2008/04/stair-paris-h2o-architects.php

The Critical Mass is unique sustainable dance club. By bouncing on the dance floor you can generate energy, flush toilet with rainwater or watch walls changing colour depending on heat level. This Rotterdam based club is really going step further and we cannot wait more sustainable clubs to pop-up around. Maybe by dancing you can charge your electric car for morning getaway home.

Enjoy a greener beat at
www.enviu.org/cm/cm_index_site.html

Another niche business is found – Portovert is magazine for sustainable weddings. There is a heaps of tips and ideas, for travel, venue, power and fun tools as ‘wedding carbon calculator’.

Visit and keep details in your diary or recommend to your friend
http://www.portovert.com/

Being green and living green is everyday task. Especially for big cities. In February 2008, in Sydney will be held conference and exhibition on Green Cities. Over 1200 delegates will explore new technology and initiatives that will make city living greener.

http://www.greencities.org.au/

I was city person till few years ago, now living in beautiful mountains surrounded by trees. Each time when I come in city, I am surprised by contrast – concrete, polluted air and unhappy people. Changing a city is a biggest investment for tomorrow. We need green earth and happy people. Actually that is one of my ideas and initiatives I would like to dedicate in the future – bringing more green in cities. I believe that future lay in biotechnology that will be incorporated in modern life and slowly merge nature and technology in one.