I'm not really sure what to say about this one, and I'm not even really sure how I feel about it. But I do think that it adds to the debate that we may have gone a little too far...
Accessed from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7deClndzQw on 29the September 2009
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Google is doing it too...
Accessed on the 29the September 2009 from :
http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/google-climate-change-tools-for-cop15.html
New layers for Google earth that show projected climate change events... global warming etc.
Presented by Al Gore :)
http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2009/09/google-climate-change-tools-for-cop15.html
New layers for Google earth that show projected climate change events... global warming etc.
Presented by Al Gore :)
Games
I've tried to use this blog for posting things that aren't directly related to the process part of my topic.
They are however very relevant to my topic, investigation and producing a building with lowered energy use, but are often varied and ... anyway...
I came across this game the other day, fun to play if you'd like to use up some time, called "Build a lot 4". Basically it's a more graphic and slighted varied version of the 'Sim-City' games, where you build infrastructure etc for a place or city.
The interesting thing about the latest version of 'Build A lot' (build lots of things, and build on lots of land..very clever) is that it contains several sustainable initiatives.
Wind farms can be built for power not coal plants, and solar panels for power and satilits dishes for TV can be applied to the houses, and it goes on...
I'm not saying that this is in any way adding anything substantial to the debate/cause, but I do think that it is another example of how these things are penetrating through to the mainstream.
See any of the links below for references/ download :
http://www.retro64.com/build-a-lot_4:_power_source_game.asp
http://www.bigfishgames.com/download-games/6011/build-a-lot-4-power-source/index.html
http://www.retro64.com/build-a-lot_4:_power_source_game.asp
http://jayisgames.com/archives/2009/08/build_a_lot_4_power_source.php
All above links were accessed on the 30th September 2009
A review from http://www.retro64.com/build-a-lot_4:_power_source_game.asp:
"The fourth version of the legendary Build-a-lot series of games is here, and this time the focus is on green energy! Help out the townsfolk by making solar towers and wind farms to produce clean power. But we wouldn't want to skimp on the essentials, of course. That's why you can also add tennis courts, swimming pools, and exclusive boutiques. It's the best Build-a-lot yet!"
Accessed 30th September 2009
They are however very relevant to my topic, investigation and producing a building with lowered energy use, but are often varied and ... anyway...
I came across this game the other day, fun to play if you'd like to use up some time, called "Build a lot 4". Basically it's a more graphic and slighted varied version of the 'Sim-City' games, where you build infrastructure etc for a place or city.
The interesting thing about the latest version of 'Build A lot' (build lots of things, and build on lots of land..very clever) is that it contains several sustainable initiatives.
Wind farms can be built for power not coal plants, and solar panels for power and satilits dishes for TV can be applied to the houses, and it goes on...
I'm not saying that this is in any way adding anything substantial to the debate/cause, but I do think that it is another example of how these things are penetrating through to the mainstream.
See any of the links below for references/ download :
http://www.retro64.com/build-a-lot_4:_power_source_game.asp
http://www.bigfishgames.com/download-games/6011/build-a-lot-4-power-source/index.html
http://www.retro64.com/build-a-lot_4:_power_source_game.asp
http://jayisgames.com/archives/2009/08/build_a_lot_4_power_source.php
All above links were accessed on the 30th September 2009
A review from http://www.retro64.com/build-a-lot_4:_power_source_game.asp:
"The fourth version of the legendary Build-a-lot series of games is here, and this time the focus is on green energy! Help out the townsfolk by making solar towers and wind farms to produce clean power. But we wouldn't want to skimp on the essentials, of course. That's why you can also add tennis courts, swimming pools, and exclusive boutiques. It's the best Build-a-lot yet!"
Accessed 30th September 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Quick case studies:
Freiburg Housing :
“Freiburg, a historic town in South-Western Germany, has been leading environmental policy and practice for over two decades in Europe, and its two urban extensions Vauban and Rieselfeld have generated great interest.”
Again simply put, this small housing development, over its projected life span, will produce more energy than it consumes.
Do these calculations include the energy cost (or requirement) of construction?
Or do they simply ‘RUN’ on lower energy levels?
A Video Overview of the developments : http://showcase.hcaacademy.co.uk/case-study/ecotowns-freiburg-germany.html . Accessed September 16 2009
A full run down on the project : http://www.cafebabel.com/eng/article/3093/eco-housing-renaissance-put-less-carbon-in-the-air.html . Accessed September 16 2009
“Freiburg, a historic town in South-Western Germany, has been leading environmental policy and practice for over two decades in Europe, and its two urban extensions Vauban and Rieselfeld have generated great interest.”
Again simply put, this small housing development, over its projected life span, will produce more energy than it consumes.
The biggest and hardest question to answer, and one I’m not sure if I’ll get to is....
Do these calculations include the energy cost (or requirement) of construction?
Or do they simply ‘RUN’ on lower energy levels?
News article : Is this the greenest city in the world? http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/mar/23/freiburg.germany.greenest.city Accessed 16 September 2009 . Accessed September 16 2009
A Video Overview of the developments : http://showcase.hcaacademy.co.uk/case-study/ecotowns-freiburg-germany.html . Accessed September 16 2009
A full run down on the project : http://www.cafebabel.com/eng/article/3093/eco-housing-renaissance-put-less-carbon-in-the-air.html . Accessed September 16 2009
Quick case studies:
Masdar initiative and the Masdar City..
Some times I feel a bit silly putting some things up as most have been around publicly for some time.
But these are directly relevant to my work so I may as well.
So I’m not sure if you have come across these but :
This is a massive project over in the middle east.. really the scale is just un-imaginable. I have seen real scale models of the project and its just hard to comprehend the density, initiative and infrastructure that goes into something like this..
But it very much appear to be going ahead, and I’m sure that there are some very serious contracts that stipulate that it musty be built to certain speciation’s and essentially stand up to the claims that have been made...
i.e that it will be the world first carbon neutral city and that it will, in a nut shell, produce more energy than it consumes...
Its definitely worth a look if you have the spare time..
I have only posted a small amount of information here, so more links are below:
Foster news announcement : www.fosterandpartners.com/News/291/Default.aspx accessed 16 September 2009
Press release as they “break ground” : http://www.anzses.org/files/Masdar.pdf accessed 16 September 2009
An Australian Business Review article from 2008 : http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/business/story/0,28124,24676764-25658,00.html accessed on 16 September 2009
LAVA wins completion : http://www.e-architect.co.uk/dubai/masdar_design_competition.htm accessed 16 September 2009
Really, just Google or you tube it and remember that this is actually being built at scale and through to completion.
Some times I feel a bit silly putting some things up as most have been around publicly for some time.
But these are directly relevant to my work so I may as well.
So I’m not sure if you have come across these but :
This is a massive project over in the middle east.. really the scale is just un-imaginable. I have seen real scale models of the project and its just hard to comprehend the density, initiative and infrastructure that goes into something like this..
But it very much appear to be going ahead, and I’m sure that there are some very serious contracts that stipulate that it musty be built to certain speciation’s and essentially stand up to the claims that have been made...
i.e that it will be the world first carbon neutral city and that it will, in a nut shell, produce more energy than it consumes...
(Something that if you think about, is just a VERY cool/exciting/amazing idea)
Its definitely worth a look if you have the spare time..
I have only posted a small amount of information here, so more links are below:
Foster news announcement : www.fosterandpartners.com/News/291/Default.aspx accessed 16 September 2009
Press release as they “break ground” : http://www.anzses.org/files/Masdar.pdf accessed 16 September 2009
An Australian Business Review article from 2008 : http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/business/story/0,28124,24676764-25658,00.html accessed on 16 September 2009
LAVA wins completion : http://www.e-architect.co.uk/dubai/masdar_design_competition.htm accessed 16 September 2009
Really, just Google or you tube it and remember that this is actually being built at scale and through to completion.
Meeting with Green Star Council
I have been able to set up a meeting with the Western Australia representative for the Green Star Council.
They are the people that 'Award' projects based on there compliance with the Green star Rating tools.
The tools are quite complex and the amount of Information available on the web site is really just overwhelming so I’m hoping that a face to face chat about the systems and my project will cut down a lot of research time.
Correspondence is below ...
They are the people that 'Award' projects based on there compliance with the Green star Rating tools.
The tools are quite complex and the amount of Information available on the web site is really just overwhelming so I’m hoping that a face to face chat about the systems and my project will cut down a lot of research time.
Correspondence is below ...
Good afternoon Nadji,
I am a fifth year architecture student at the UWA and I am currently researching the impact and benefits of the Green Building Council, and particularly its rating tools.
I am wondering if I am able to meet with you or discuss my topic and to gain some information regarding the tools, how they work and the process behind them.
We have only been given a very short time frame to produce our research, ten days, and so any time or information that you are able to give me will be greatly appreciated.
I will be able to clarify more the topics I am looking into when we talk again but I thought that it would be best to simply get in contact first.
Thank you,
Michael Thorley
I am a fifth year architecture student at the UWA and I am currently researching the impact and benefits of the Green Building Council, and particularly its rating tools.
I am wondering if I am able to meet with you or discuss my topic and to gain some information regarding the tools, how they work and the process behind them.
We have only been given a very short time frame to produce our research, ten days, and so any time or information that you are able to give me will be greatly appreciated.
I will be able to clarify more the topics I am looking into when we talk again but I thought that it would be best to simply get in contact first.
Thank you,
Michael Thorley
Hi Michael,
Thank you for your interest in our work.
May I suggest that you use our website in the first place which offers a wealth of information regarding the things that you are after. If you have any further questions, please feel free to give me a call or otherwise I could offer to meet with you for half an hour this Thursday at 3.30pm in the city.
Regards,
Nadja Kampfhenkel
Nadja Kampfhenkel WA State Manager Green Building Council AustraliaNadja.Kampfhenkel@gbca.org.au
Postal: PO Box 3087 Joondalup, WA 6027 Direct Office Fax Mobile 0437 761 731 http://www.gbca.org.au
For a faster response, please use the direct line.
Please consider the environment before printing this email.
Thank you for your interest in our work.
May I suggest that you use our website in the first place which offers a wealth of information regarding the things that you are after. If you have any further questions, please feel free to give me a call or otherwise I could offer to meet with you for half an hour this Thursday at 3.30pm in the city.
Regards,
Nadja Kampfhenkel
Nadja Kampfhenkel WA State Manager Green Building Council AustraliaNadja.Kampfhenkel@gbca.org.au
Postal: PO Box 3087 Joondalup, WA 6027 Direct Office Fax Mobile 0437 761 731 http://www.gbca.org.au
For a faster response, please use the direct line.
Please consider the environment before printing this email.
Hi again Nadja,
Thanks for the quick response. I have spent some time on your website but due to the depth of information think it would be also great to sit down for a chat.
At this point in time, Thursday at 3:30 in the city is excellent, but I will have to check with one of my lectures there may be a clash for me.
This said, I am 90% sure that I will be able to come in and I will send you an email first thing tomorrow morning to re-confirm.
Its great that you are able to give me some of your time, and I’ll talk to you again tomorrow.
Thanks
Thanks for the quick response. I have spent some time on your website but due to the depth of information think it would be also great to sit down for a chat.
At this point in time, Thursday at 3:30 in the city is excellent, but I will have to check with one of my lectures there may be a clash for me.
This said, I am 90% sure that I will be able to come in and I will send you an email first thing tomorrow morning to re-confirm.
Its great that you are able to give me some of your time, and I’ll talk to you again tomorrow.
Thanks
Reference :
http://www.gbca.org.au/contact-us.asp . Accessed 13 September 2009.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Ellen Brook.
Although I haven’t as yet called ecotect architects, I did take the time to drive up to Ellen brook and a look at the sustainable projects ‘on show’.
It was very interesting because generally the homes looked very much like the standard project homes on offer.
Why on earth is this good?
Because it means that housing that inherently reduces it energy use and the energy use of the final occupant can be implemented within standard development guidelines, and building envelopes.
So the addition of energy conscious design envelopes (essentially what my project is hoping to create) should add another layer of increased efficiency on to housing that fills it.
Images taken Sunday 13 september 2009
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