1 week ago
Shared on @ThisBigCity This Week
IBM believe a smarter planet needs smarter buildings.
Tony Recsei argues that high density living causes more greenhouse gases than suburban sprawl.
A good week for articles on WorldChanging, as they attempt to define a carbon-neutral city, and the same subject with a particular focus on Seattle.
Some great photos over on Flook, showing how London has changed in the last 2 centuries.
The Behance Network unveil an awesome boardroom table made from Lego, and a video of its construction.
Wired UK reveal a new prototype for a car that splits in two.
What would happen if electricity was 20 times as expensive at it is now? IDEO have released a video exploring that exact topic.
Fast Company ask the question: Would you live in an abandoned mental hospital? as well as exploring IBM’s new attempt at solving the gridlock problem in our cities.
What’s a city without sound? ask the Polis Blog.
Missed out on these links? Follow @thisbigcity on Twitter to get more.
1 week ago
1 week ago
Shipping Affordable Housing to the Masses, via Phoenix
Part 4 in the Series ‘Reimagining Shipping Containers’
By reusing shipping containers, Phoenix-based design firm Upcycle Living have created a modular housing system which costs 2/3 less than a traditionally built home, and with prices starting at $100,000, property ownership could become a more achievable goal for many.
Their 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom model is made up of four 40-foot shipping containers, and contains 1,280 square feet of space. Sustainability is a key factor in the design, with recycled flooring, bamboo cabinets, and energy efficient appliances all present in their first model. More advanced environmental features, such as solar panelling, will be introduced in later models.
As the above image shows, there is plenty of space inside, but the design is nothing spectacular. This is probably why, despite being suitable for mass housing and having already received some private orders, their primary focus is the provision of temporary buildings in disaster zones, and one off public buildings, like their proposed press box and locker room at Grand Canyon University.
Video courtesy of Angela Hardison on Vimeo.
2 weeks ago
Converting a Victorian House into a Bright Green Home
Most Victorian terraces are known for being cold, draughty and expensive to heat, and as reducing the pollution generated by our homes becomes an increasing priority, these buildings are at serious risk.
With that in mind, Greentomato have set about improving the energy efficiency of this Victorian property in London. Their six month plan includes a loft conversion, super-insulating, triple-glazed windows, a green roof, rainwater harvesting, and some ‘major engineering works’, as well as making the building completely airtight.
Think that sounds a lot more than your average home improvement? Then you would be right. This epic conversion is a result of Greentomato’s goal to turn this property into a PassivHaus, an environmental standard which is difficult to achieve in a new build, let alone an historic property like this.
A PassivHaus uses less than 15kWh of energy to heat it per square metre per year, compared to a British average of 130kWh, which definitely applies to an old building like this. Once converted, the building will be home to Tom and Sophie Pakenham, who are both working on the project, and their baby Luke. They believe that:
Low-energy houses are not only much more comfortable living spaces than the old clunkers we live in now, but they also don’t have to look like a nuclear bunker.
Tom, Sophie, and the Greentomato team are hoping this build will show that the amount of work and cost involved in a PassivHaus conversion ‘is not all that much more than a normal whole-house renovation’, and other property owners will be inspired to improve the energy efficiency of their heritage homes.
Interested in following their progress? Check out the Greentomato blog which will be updated throughout the conversion.
2 weeks ago
Shared on @ThisBigCity This Week
Fast Company ask: How Feasible is Large-Scale Urban Farming?
To ensure sustainability, we should all aim to have a little less, says John Assael.
A recent study suggests that Canada is losing its permafrost due to global warming, report Leader Post.
The new GOOD infographic explores how Americans commute to work.
Prospect believe that studying the development of slums can teach us about the future of urban development.
San Francisco looks set to change building legislation to ensure electric car charging points in every new home, report BusinessGreen.com.
Missed out on these links? Follow @thisbigcity on Twitter to get more.
