Team Israel’s Net Zero Energy Building at Solar Decathlon China 2013 [Video]
Freshome founder Micle Mihai-Cristian recently visited Israel thanks to Kinetis ( Kinetis is a nonprofit educational organization established to promote, at home and abroad, the recognition of Israel as a vibrant and inspirational source of creativity and innovation). It was there that the connection with Architect Joseph Cory of Geotectura was established. This is how we found out about the Solar Decathlon China 2013, a design competition that will challenge collegiate teams to design, build, and operate solar-powered houses that are Net Zero Energy Buildings and are affordable, energy-efficient and attractive.
According to the press release we were sent by Joseph Cory, the summer of 2013 will be the first year that a team from Israel will participate in the Solar Decathlon competition. Team Israel’s design for a house draws much of its inspiration from the Mediterranean “4 Room Israelite House”, an ancient building archetype found in archaeological remains in the region from 3500 years ago, with rooms built around a central courtyard. It focuses on the link between the indoors and outdoors with a large patio that creates a gradual threshold from public to private space.
The building incorporates passive design features that create an improved thermal envelope that will maintain a comfortable living environment with minimal space heating or cooling. Windows, walls, and floors are made to collect, store, and distribute solar energy in the form of heat in the winter and reject excessive heat in the summer. Since 2002, the Solar Decathlon has involved over 90 teams and influenced thousands of collegiate participants in interdisciplinary research, design and construction of energy-efficient, solar-powered houses. Finally have a look at the video for more information!
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Experimental Zero Energy Building Nestled in The Hills of Italy: TVZEB

A notable design collaboration between the traverso-vighy architecture studio and the University of Padua’s Department of Technical Physics led to the development of Residence TVZEB, an experimental zero energy building. The new project was especially built to accommodate an environmentally-sound architecture studio and is located in a few kilometers from the historic center of Vicenza, Italy.

The dwelling has a total surface of 190 square meters and was constructed from parts, combining CNC machined and handcrafted components: “The larch glulam and galvanized steel structure is suspended along two longitudinal lines of the foundation and was dry assembled on site: all building components are made from recyclable and/or recycled materials and can be dismantled. The building can be disassembled at the end of its life cycle and its materials can be separated and recycled, restoring the site to the natural landscape“. The residence is entirely fueled by internal energy sources (wood combustion, solar and geothermal energies).






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NASA building Space Launch System with laser melting, adapts 3D printing for the skies (video)
As we know it, 3D printing is usually confined to small-scale projects like headphones. NASA is ever so slightly more ambitious. It’s using a closely related technique from Concept Laser, selective laser melting, to build elements of its Space Launch System on a pace that wouldn’t be feasible with traditional methods. By firing brief, exact laser pulses at metal powder, Concept Laser’s CAD system creates solid metal parts that are geometrically complex but don’t need to be welded together. The technique saves the money and time that would normally be spent on building many smaller pieces, but it could be even more vital for safety: having monolithic components reduces the points of failure that could bring the rocket down. We’ll have a first inkling of how well laser melting works for NASA when the SLS’ upper-stage J-2X engine goes through testing before the end of 2012, and the printed parts should receive their ultimate seal of approval with a first flight in 2017.
Filed under: Transportation, Alt
NASA building Space Launch System with laser melting, adapts 3D printing for the skies (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 Nov 2012 19:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Uncommonly Shaped Building In Taiwan Inspired by The Famous Chinese Dragon Symbol

Architects Lab Modus envisioned and developed the Hongzhu Housing Sales Center in Taoyuan County, Taiwan, an unusual looking building, inspired by a famous Chinese symbol: the dragon. According to the architects, the plan consists of “ two-story lifted glass box and a sequence of double layered perforated metal panels. Resonating with the form of ancient Chinese lucky animal, the form of the project takes inspiration from the dragon, a symbol of success and luck“.

The 1200 square meter project also stands out due to an interesting architectural element: “The gradually transformed perforated metal panels provide an eco-friendly solution to prevent direct sunlight exposure into the interior space to reduce the usage of air condition and artificial lighting devices“. Once inside the massive building, things get… more down-to Earth, with common modern furniture arrangements and overall elegant decors, without any visually striking features, reminding of the extravagant exterior.















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Clearwire starts building LTE network this month, wants to salve (and profit from) Sprint growing pains
Clearwire doesn’t have much time left before its promised LTE rollout goes live in early 2013, so it’s with some relief that we know the deployment is getting underway. CFO Hope Cochran told those at Goldman Sachs’ Communacopia Conference this week that construction of the first cell sites starts this month, with efforts truly swinging into full gear during the fall. The executive also reminded us of a very pragmatic reason why many of the 5,000 LTE sites due by June 30th will target high-traffic areas — as Clearwire is only selling the faster data access to other providers, it should pocket more money in any regions where Sprint needs all the help it can get. Call it a virtuous cycle. Cochran certainly does: while Clearwire is free to make deals with others, Cochran says her company weighs any alliances against what it still considers a very special pact with Sprint. No doubt the 4G pioneer is hoping that it’s making the right choices, as other carriers aren’t waiting around.
Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile
Clearwire starts building LTE network this month, wants to salve (and profit from) Sprint growing pains originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 23 Sep 2012 07:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Making the Most of Building Sharing: Two Townhouse by alsoCAN architects

Jane McDougall from alsoCAN architects sent us photos and information about a project entitled 2 Townhouses. Designing a townhouse each for a builder and a plumber they work with, alsoCAN architects managed the clients’ brief to lift the townhouses from being speculative to being more individual. The plans started off as mirror image 3 bedroom townhouses in Richmond, designed with families in mind, but then morphed to reflect each client. One townhouse stayed similar to the original brief, the other’s plan was altered internally to suit a couple with an adult child. Richmond is an inner city area that was abandoned by families for the space of the suburbs. But they are returning for proximity to the city, using the surrounding parks for their outdoor space.

There are a series of spaces that can be used by different family members; a casual study alcove punches out into the rear courtyard and a separate studio space is over the garage on the lane. A long, thin plan is inevitable when designing townhouses. The interior becomes the focus and is treated like a facade by introducing solid stone walls and timber bed heads wrapping up the wall to the ceiling. In one: dark, warmer tones, bluestone and spotted gum. In the other: light, neutral tones, limestone and paler timbers. To bring light into the deep plan there is a small light well. The light well is not just to look out at; it is a relaxation space. The light well is a red tiled plunge pool / spa, so the reflectiveness of the water and red tiles glow into the living room. The two sets of photos below depict each of the two home layouts- have a look! [Builder: Patrick McKibbin, PBM Group P/L]




Floor plan for the two townhouses below:








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Unique Building Structure Alternating Between Living And Parking [Video]
![parking-and-living (2) parking and living 2 Unique Building Structure Alternating Between Living And Parking [Video]](http://cdn.freshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/parking-and-living-2.jpg)
Parking spaces transforming into housing units – is that a viable idea we should seriously take into consideration? According to San Francisco-based designer Aaron Cheng, who submitted this interesting idea to this year’s James Dyson Awards, a building that alternates between housing and parking is not only possible, but it can also be a solution to crowding for both people and cars. The Parking + Housing project is this creative designer’s solution to a common problem – “During daytime, the housing units are compressed to create spaces for parking, while at night, the process reverses with parking turning back into living quarters via a pneumatic structure.” Inspired by the growing number of population and vehicles in major urban areas, the designer’s solution spotted on Fatscodesign offers an alternative space utilization that seems to view this problem from behind a unique structure system: “The Pneumatic Shelter is the key in the development. This involves inflating an ETFE skin with air, inflated from the permanent utility module or hand pump. This unique structure system allows the project to transform from living space to parking space and vice verse.” Would you consider sharing your living space with your car?
![parking-and-living (3) parking and living 3 Unique Building Structure Alternating Between Living And Parking [Video]](http://cdn.freshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/parking-and-living-3.jpg)
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Inhabitat’s Week in Green: origami Yoda, high-speed rail line and a self powered building
It’s been a great week for two of our favorite things over at Inhabitat: LEGOs and Star Wars. First, a group of LEGO builders from LEGOLAND Windsor built the tallest LEGO tower ever, snatching the title back from South Korea and returning it to the UK. Then, using 152,455 LEGO bricks, Rolls-Royce built a half-size replica of the jet engine that powers the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. In one of the most ingenious LEGO constructions ever built, LEGO pro Rene Hoffmeister built a barrel organ that plays the Star Wars theme song. And in other Star Wars news, we reported on the renovation of Luke Skywalker’s boyhood home in Tatooine (actually it’s in Tunisia). And finally, we shared a photo of this 7-centimeter-tall origami Yoda — the most adorable bit of Star Wars memorabilia ever made.
Inhabitat’s Week in Green: origami Yoda, high-speed rail line and a self powered building originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 Jul 2012 12:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Europe’s Tallest Building Celebrated with Explosive Laser Show in London [Video]
![Shard London light show (4) Shard London light show 4 Europes Tallest Building Celebrated with Explosive Laser Show in London [Video]](http://cdn.freshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Shard-London-light-show-4.jpg)
The Shard in London is officially the tallest building in Europe, proudly rising 309.6 meters (1,016 ft) above ground level. The skyscraper designed by Renzo Piano is also the second-tallest free-standing structure in the United Kingdom, after the 330-metre (1,083 ft) concrete tower at the Emley Moor transmitting station. According to The Telegraph, the external completion of The Shard was celebrated with a spectacular laser light show held at Southwark, south London. The 95 story building was illuminated by twelve lasers and 30 searchlights, creating an unforgettable spectacle for the people present at the inauguration. Colors filled up the London sky in an attempt to immortalize the grand opening. At the incredible building rate in Europe, we can’t help but wonder how long will the Shard be the continent’s tallest skyscraper. Enjoy the light show in the video below and feel free to share your thoughts regarding this imposing project!
![Shard London light show (2) Shard London light show 2 Europes Tallest Building Celebrated with Explosive Laser Show in London [Video]](http://cdn.freshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Shard-London-light-show-2.jpg)
![Shard London light show (3) Shard London light show 3 Europes Tallest Building Celebrated with Explosive Laser Show in London [Video]](http://cdn.freshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Shard-London-light-show-3.jpg)
![Shard London light show (5) Shard London light show 5 Europes Tallest Building Celebrated with Explosive Laser Show in London [Video]](http://cdn.freshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Shard-London-light-show-5.jpg)
![Shard London light show (6) Shard London light show 6 Europes Tallest Building Celebrated with Explosive Laser Show in London [Video]](http://cdn.freshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Shard-London-light-show-6.jpg)
![Shard London light show (7) Shard London light show 7 Europes Tallest Building Celebrated with Explosive Laser Show in London [Video]](http://cdn.freshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Shard-London-light-show-7.jpg)
![Shard London light show (8) Shard London light show 8 Europes Tallest Building Celebrated with Explosive Laser Show in London [Video]](http://cdn.freshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Shard-London-light-show-8.jpg)
![Shard London light show (9) Shard London light show 9 Europes Tallest Building Celebrated with Explosive Laser Show in London [Video]](http://cdn.freshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Shard-London-light-show-9.jpg)
![Shard London light show (1) Shard London light show 1 Europes Tallest Building Celebrated with Explosive Laser Show in London [Video]](http://cdn.freshome.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Shard-London-light-show-1.jpg)
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Three Community Programs Inside A Prismatic Building

The Community Centre in Tyrol was designed by Austrian studio Machné Architekten, who did a great job in constructing this structure that houses three distinct programs. Dezeen showed us that this type of buildings can be seen from many angles in different ways, re- constructing itself in your mind whenever you think about it. The prismatic architecture allows each faceted side to gather views of the surroundings through geometric windows breaking the view. Using timber and fiber cement cladding, architects designed the volumes to focus on the primary design feature. In the back, straight lines seem to dominate, uniting the three volumes with a glazed foyer.

Split between a town hall, a music center and fire department offices, the interior program was aligned along neighboring houses and sight lines. Architects share with us their insight: “The use of the site and the positioning of the town hall on the street and the foyer to the north is creating two new squares. The northern area of the building (foyer) goes over into the existing event space and in the south, a new place, which is flanked by the town hall and the fire department.” Perfectly balances both in design and partitioning, the community center imposes modern design on its surroundings.















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