A hand-picked selection of the new buildings in the press this week.
Green Span, Atria Green Residencies, Hong Kong
Hong Kong developer Atria Green Residences is creating what it calls a “soulful property” with its latest incarnation called Green Span. The regenerated terrace will produce enough energy to partly power its neighbouring tenements as well as itself, thanks to its photovoltaic solar energy. The adapted Chinese low-rise ‘tong lau’ (meaning tenement structure), built in 1968, has been given a green roof and a vertical green wall that will improve the building’s energy performance, mitigate atmospheric heat and noise and utilise storm and grey water.
"Regeneration of buildings is the ultimate example of recycling,” Amil Khan, director of KF Development Ltd said. “And one that needs to be practiced far more extensively in Hong Kong’s highly-developmental society, where newer and bigger have traditionally been seen as better.”
The city's collection of Chinese tenement buildings was “rapidly depleting”, Khan said, but are considered of significant heritage value by the majority of Hong Kongers.
The rental apartments also feature Forest Stewardship Council-certified furniture.
Green Span benefits the community by preserving the city’s unique heritage of architecture and improving the area’s carbon footprint.
One40william, Perth, Hassell
Imagine the ultimate time saver for your commute — a fireman’s pole from your desk to your train home. Well Hassell has designed the next best thing with One40 William project, which is located above the William Street train station with direct access to the platforms.
Costing $350 million, the project will provide 36,000m² of commercial office and 6,000m² retail, food and entertainment tenancies. It has also achieved a 5 Star Green Star Design rating with a score of 72 points.
The building is designed with user comfort in mind and more than 80 per cent of office floor space will be within eight metres of an external window.
The result will be an energy efficient building, which will have reduced running costs, significant reduction in its greenhouse gas emissions to the environment, whilst at the same time encouraging sustainable behaviours throughout the building to its occupants, says Hassell.
The three tower form, all orientated on an east west axis, ensures that minimum portions of the building face Perth’s harsh western sun, allowing one40william to embrace solar passive design.
Due for completion early 2010, the project has achieved a significant pre—let with the West Australian State Government committed to leasing 22,000m² of high spec office space.
Zira Island, Azerbaijan, BIG Architects
Zira Island is a 1,000,000m² island In the Caspian Sea that will soon be developed into an eco-community and sustainably-built resort by Denmark-based BIG Architects.
The carbon-neutral eco-island’s design is based on the seven peaks of Azerbaijan and its mountainous ecosystems. Located in the bay of the capital city Baku, the development will stand as an example to a region so dependent on oil, that it is possible to live off the wind and sun.
BIG Architects’ Zira Island will feature seven major structures modeled after the peaks of Azerbaijan that are connected by trails, greenbelts and the coastline. Each peak will house a residential development and public space. There will also be 300 private villas near a golf course in the central valley.
“As a young post-soviet democracy, Azerbaijan is rediscovering its national identity, The Seven Peaks of Azerbaijan proposes an architectural landscape derived from its natural landscape,” says BIG Architects.
