British company modcell is attempting to create more “green,” housing with the use of straw cladding panels in construction and has created a new project - The BaleHaus - A domestic “carbon bank.” It seems a practical approach to us, but whether this idea takes off and is as environmentally friendly as it appears remains to be seen, and according to their website:

Living more sustainably requires us to develop ways to:

1. live within our environmental means - especially in relation to our carbon footprint;
2. maintain a healthy and comfortable quality of life;
3. build strong communities.

BaleHaus addresses these three challenges in a number of ways and offers a straightforward and practical way to reduce our footprint on the earth, without the need for an “eco-guilt trip”.

More on BaleHaus Green Buildings

The last private island in New York City, an untamed speck of land with spectacular views of the Manhattan skyline, was preserved on Tuesday for its current residents — snowy egrets and black-crowned night herons. South Brother Island — a 7-acre (2.8-hectare) vacant island in the East River between The Bronx and Queens — was handed over to the city on Tuesday to be protected as a bird nesting ground, officials said.

They said the $2 million deal was unusual due to the combination of the island’s central location yet relatively untouched landscape. More on Last Island in New York Saved

According to Treehugger, this innovative green skyscraper is “to be constructed” in Dubai. Come on guys, ckeck your facts. This is a design proototype that is unlikely to get off the ground. Here is the official press release:

“Low carbon commercial towers may one day become a reality in Dubai thanks to international consultants Atkins, whose Middle East operation is currently undertaking the concept design for ‘The Lighthouse’, located in the heart of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).

In setting a new benchmark for Dubai, the 400-metre luxury office tower aspires to be a low carbon commercial building which aims to reduce its total energy consumption by up to 65% and water consumption by up to 40%. This will be achieved through the use of passive solar architecture, many low energy, low water engineering solutions, recovery strategies for both energy and water and building integrated renewables – including large scale wind turbines and photovoltaics.

During the development of the design Atkins will map and manage the embodied energy content of the building and select materials from sustainable sources, so that impact on global resources is controlled. Already this is leading designers to consider a steel frame solution for this structure.

Additionally, features such as floorplates interconnected by micro-atria and the inclusion of inter connecting vertical gardens are being actively considered to enhance the social aspects of this building.

From the early stages of the project, Atkins will work closely with DIFC to establish and rigorously evaluate options for achieving a low carbon building before making final recommendations.
Inspired by the rectilinear context and simple minimalist lines of the existing DIFC precinct, as well as the client’s requirement of creating a ‘lighthouse’ for DIFC, the building generates active energy through three integrated 29m diameter wind turbines.
To optimise performance and operational periods, the turbines have windward directional wind vanes or limited yaw and the spandrel glazing sections of the south facing vertical façade incorporate 4000 photo voltaic panels.
This unique building, with a total construction area of 140,000 sq m, will become a working prototype for low carbon towers within the region and a model for more sustainable developments in the future.
Features: 400m high; 66-storey commercial office tower; three 29m diameter, 225 KV wind turbines; 4000 PV spandrel panels; 84,000 sq m of commercial space as well as basement and podium parking, convention centres, retail, environmental visitor centre and a park connecting to the DIFC central spine.
Status: Concept Design
Location: in the Dubai International Financial Centre, Dubai, plot GB-03 “

Note the operative words like “may be”and “evaluate options” and “concept design.” I love the idea of a green building. I also know that the UAE has a history of mistreating it’s labor force. Unions are illegal in the UAE and a high mortality rate on any new construction project is to be expected. Green? -I don’t think so. There’s more to green than a solar panel. For my money, the wind turbine powered version from Dynamic Architecture has a better chance of getting built.

• Treehugger
• The original post.
• Atkins
• The designers site

Plans for a “green” building project in Dubai are in motion. One can only hope the builders treat their workforce with a little more respect than tradition dictates in the UAE? Sadly, I find that highly unlikely. Despite protests from around the world, money talks.

The Dynamic Architecture building, which will be constantly in motion changing its shape, will be able to generate electric energy for itself as well as for other buildings. Forty-eight wind turbines fitted between each rotating floors as well as the solar panels positioned on the roof of the building will produce energy from wind and the sunlight, with no risk of pollution. The total energy produced by this inbuilt ‘powerhouse’ every year will be worth approximately seven million dollars.
Each turbine can produce 0.3 megawatt of electricity, compared to 1-1.5 megawatt generated by a normal vertical turbine (windmill). Considering that Dubai gets 4,000 wind hours annually, the turbines incorporated into the building can generate 1,200,000 kilowatt-hour of energy.
As average annual power consumption of a family is estimated to be 24,000 kilowatt-hour, each turbine can supply energy for about 50 families. The Dynamic Architecture tower in Dubai will be having 200 apartments and hence four turbines can take care of their energy needs. The surplus clean energy produced by the remaining 44 turbines can light up the neighborhood of the building.
However, taking into consideration that the average wind speed in Dubai is of only 16 km/h the architects may need to double the number of turbines to light up the building to eight. Still there will be 40 free turbines, good enough to supply power for five skyscrapers of the same size.

The horizontal turbines of the Dynamic Architecture building are simply inserted between the floors, practically invisible. They neither need a pole nor a concrete foundation. In addition, they are at zero distance from the consumer, which makes maintenance easier.
The modern design of the building and the carbon fiber special shape of the wings take care of the acoustics issues. Producing that much electric energy without any implication on the aesthetic aspect of the building is a revolutionary step in tapping alternative energy sources. Furthermore, this energy will have a positive impact on the environment and economy.

And the designer’s website is here.