The J1 Residential Tower by O1a Architecture has been designed as a sustainable high-rise on the Cornice in Abu Dhabi. The biodynamic project is a mixed-use development that consists of retail spaces in the base, office space and a hotel with amenities located centrally and residential areas that make the upper section of the tower.

The building aims to create innovative space for living, recreation and working, which will help enrich the quality of life of the end user. The building, which generates energy through is envelope and geometry strives to create architecture that is respectful to the inheritance of future generations. Environmentally sustainable principles were also applied to the design wherever possible.

Designed by Greek firm Deca Architecture, the “Aloni” is a house designed as a dual response to the particular topography of the site and to the rural domestication techniques that in the past shaped the raw Cycladic Island landscape. Situated on the exotic Antiparos Island of Greek, this stunning home appears like it’s naturally camouflaged in its environment.

The most prominent man-made interventions in the landscape, the dry-rubble stone walls are being replaced with by holiday homes. Four courtyards carved into the flowing landscape divide the living spaces into five interior areas. The east-west axis the slope drops offers a mesmerizing view of the sea.

Via: Designboom 

A team of students at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco have built a modern home office that utilizes sustainable prefabricated design techniques. Upon completion of factory-built elements, the structure was simply planted in the owner’s yard.

The sustainable structure uses recycled denim insulation, reclaimed redwood siding, aluminum frame window units and copper roof panels. The design team also minimized construction waste with approximately one inch of waste for every 12 feet of materials used.

via: Jetson Green

Designed by Najjar-Najjar Architects, Villa A is a beautifully designed house above a slope of the Poestling Berg that comes jam-packed with over-the-top amenities. It is mostly covered with large glass panels, so that visitors get to enjoy the beautiful panoramic views of the city from almost every room. The large scale glazing and the sliding elements blurs the indoor area and outdoor space.

Planned to fulfill all requirements for a green building as set in the European building standards, the Villa A provide efficient sun protection in summer and low sun warms up the interior space during winter. The house is divided into several rooms, like living room with open floor plan, bedrooms in the upper level that is linked by stairs, basement floor that is used for a private gym, wellness facilities, office and playroom for the kids.

Taking the topography of the site into consideration, the house is partly caved in the ground. The steel beam grid structured roof with aluminum panel cladding enhances the aesthetics. The passive energy concept is supported by a recuperator in the ground and sun collectors on the roof. Lounging on the sofa or chaise lounge overlooking the swimming pool and enjoying the spectacular view over the city could be more than refreshing.

Via: ArchDaily www.ecofriend.org  

The “Home for Life” is not just any single-family home, but is the first prototype of a Danish concept known as an “Active House.” Designed with an aim to bring carbon-neutral houses to the masses, this stylish little house is the first of eight experiments that VKR Holding is financing in five European countries. The self-sufficient house using eco-friendly materials, a rooftop of solar panels and energy-scrimping designs produces enough energy to meet terms with its daily energy requirements, while sending the surplus to the grid.

In July 2009, the Simonsen family moved into the model home to test how close it is to being a net zero-energy home. Located on a residential street outside Arhus, Denmark, the one-and-a-half-story house features broad windows and long sloping roof of a typical Scandinavian home. The slanted skylight that lights up the first floor with sunshine can be opened to bring in more fresh air.

It also sports features like specialized windows, tight insulation, a climate-control system and solar thermal collectors. The house generated 800 kilowatt-hours of electricity last August. Its overall surface area of the house was kept to a minimum to avoid heat loss. The $700 000 Home for Life has proved to be net-zero energy home and is sure to satisfy the inhabitants. The Simonsens will be moving out of the house in one month, and this environmentally friendly, carbon-neutral home will go on the market.

Cypriot architect Luke Clayden is proposing an all new way to utilize garbage to create greener products. Christened the Bio Diversity Project, the proposal calls for the development of a bio-recycling plant, which will transform garbage into crops. The main concept is to design biodegradable commercial packaging for everyday needs, which will include micro seeds.