Well the term sustainable was something amazing for me. I was eager to inquire more about sustainable architecture. Everyone wants such kind of buildings where there is more natural and green effect. What is meaning of sustainability, well Sustainable architecture is architecture that seeks to reduce the negative environmental impact of buildings by efficiency and moderation in the use of materials, energy, and development space and the ecosystem at large.
When we talk about its features then we come to one point that such buildings are really colourful and eye catching. Now a days when everyone is living in a pollution filled life such sort of buildings and houses seems blessing for us.
Among its energy-saving features are colorful, eye-catching panels that provide shade and maximize daylight as needed, supports that help process wastewater, a roof that captures rainwater, and a series of vertical wind turbines.
A park at the foot of the building literally continues up the structure, as vegetation of 250 species of Australian plants and flowers cover One Central Park, according to archdaily.com. They look pretty, shade the building and send an undeniable statement.
Reaching an incredible 787 feet, the futuristic towers of Bahrain’s World Trade Center complex are optimally positioned to take advantage of the island nation’s desert winds, with three turbines mounted on sky bridges between the towers to generate electricity.
The High line which is an elevated freight railway built in 1930 as a part of a public park. They were asked to remove trains from the street level. Ultimately this issue remained the same and finally in 1999, the mayor ordered to demolish it. Visionary neighborhood residents formed Friends of the High Line, a non-profit organization that pledged to preserve the historic structure and create a neighborhood public amenity by converting the abandoned railway into a public park.
With its distinct cantilevered roof, reflective pools and skeletal structure (a signature of architect Santiago Calatrava) Rio’s Museum of Tomorrow is a testament to future possibilities.
The world’s second tallest building at 2,073 feet, Shanghai Tower is an architectural wonder as well as a sustainable one.
Lets talk about such possibilities in our country Pakistan. There is a big name Yasmin Laghari in constructing such mesmerizing buildings. I was really impressed by her role and contribution. She has become the real example of women entrepreneurship. She is one of the leading name in Pakistan architecture industry.
The country has produced many highly talented architects who have created a number of award-winning buildings catering to this rich one per cent of the population. Yasmeen Lari – Pakistan’s first female architect – established her name by designing landmarks that still stand out for their architectural elegance. These include the Finance and Trade Centre in Karachi (1983-89), developed in consultation with the Canadian architect Eva Vecsei, and Pakistan State Oil House (1985-91), designed with sleek, reflective glass exemplifying a mighty Fortune 500 corporation.
Lari’s work has had a significant impact on marginalized communities not only in Pakistan but also further afield. She has become an inspiration for everyone and people have enjoyed using expensive building materials such as large glass panels, polished granite and steel trusses’, Lari reflects, ‘and perhaps with my present work I am atoning for the damage I caused with my earlier projects’, although as she points out, even then she managed to build a few structures using sustainable materials.
There is another name Mrs.Fans Plugin house was discussed which is another master piece. Mrs. Fan is from a traditional Chinese family. Newlyweds like her are expected to purchase a car and move into a new house in the suburbs to start the next phase of their life. But for people in their early 30’s who wish to be financially independent, the astronomical price of real estate in Beijing makes buying a house on their own nearly impossible.
The new Plugin House System is waterproof and can be used outside of an existing structure.The architectural form of the Plugin is defined not by limitations imposed from regulations but instead the negotiated demands from surrounding neighbors. On all sides of the Plugin the structure cannot block sun light, air circulation, and views of the people next door. Even as the structure was built, new demands came about. The Plugin Panel material makes accommodating these changes practical, chopping off entire sections of the building can be done on site.
Another discussed project is AIR-INK is made out of air pollution particulate matter––namely the un-burned carbon soot you see coming out of the exhaust pipe of cars, chimneys, generators, and more…..
Tools & Technology in Art Education 