Tag Archives: read-the-rest

Cathedral Data Center Uses Thermal Energy to Heat 500 Homes

Data farms take up lots of space, suck a ton of energy, and generate a large amount of heat. Whereas keeping sets of servers cool can be a complicated endeavor, the city of Helsinki is putting that excess thermal energy to good use with the creation of what a local power firm has called the “ greenest data center on the planet “. Situated in a cave beneath the gorgeous Uspenski Cathedral , the new data center will provide enough heat to keep 500 homes warm. Read the rest of Cathedral Data Center Uses Thermal Energy to Heat 500 Homes Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg Post tags: cathedral data farm , green design , helsinki data farm , recycled heating , sustainable design , Uspenski Cathedral
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New UK Library Fits Within a Phone Booth

London is calling! Actually, it’s Westbury-sub-Mendip’s new 24-hour red phone box library! After witnessing their weekly mobile library disappear, this wee town in the south of England town wasn’t going to let their iconic phone booth be taken away as well. Conceived by a local resident as a way to save a bit of history while satiating the curious minds of the township, the classic phone box was recycled into what has now become one of the country’s smallest libraries. Read the rest of New UK Library Fits Within a Phone Booth Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg Post tags: green design , phone box library , public space , Recycled Materials , sustainable design , Urban design , westbury sub mendip
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Capstone Unveils Hybrid SuperCar Propelled by a Jet Turbine

Capstone Turbine is set to blow through the boundaries of conventional hybrid electric vehicles with its recently unveiled
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First Net-Zero Neighborhood in the US Being Built in Boulder

A new development in the north of Boulder, CO stands to be the first completely net-zero neighborhood in the US. Dubbed SpringLeaf Boulder , the project aims to bring net-zero homes “to the masses” by streamlining green technologies and driving down costs. The twelve homes are designed for LEED Platinum certification, will be fully powered by photovoltaic systems , and are very close to shops and restaurants, creating a little eco-community within Boulder. Read the rest of First Net-Zero Neighborhood in the US Being Built in Boulder Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg Post tags: "leed" , boulder , colorado , LEED platinum , net zero , net zero home , net zero neighborhood , springleaf homes , Zero energy , Zero Energy Housing
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Waterpleinen: Recreating Rain Reserviors as Dynamic Public Parks

For cities that are settled below sea level, dealing with copious amounts of rainfall year round can be a destructive challenge. But as the Royal Dutch Meteorological Institute predicts, Rotterdam has an even damper outlook – over the next century rainfall in the area is expected to increase by 5% with an increase in intensity of 10% . Rather than pouring heaps of money into expanding the sewer systems, officials have decided to turn to designers Florian Boer and Marco Vermeulen . In a project called “ Waterpleinen ” the pair have developed a much less costly and uncomplicated alternative that combines a vivid public space with a place for water collection! Read the rest of Waterpleinen: Recreating Rain Reserviors as Dynamic Public Parks Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg Post tags: green architecture , green design , public space , sustainable design , water issues , Waterpleinen by Floria Boer and Marco Vermeulen
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The Green Façades of Édouard François

Inhabitat has done a lot of coverage of living walls, particularly those of French botanist Patrick Blanc. They are complicated things, requiring pumps, hydroponics and a lot of care. If they don’t get it right they can fail, like the Paradise Park Childrens Centre in London did. Edouard François does a different kind of green wall, known as green façades. In these much simpler structures, no pumps and technology are needed, as the vegetation is planted in the ground and the walls become the growing medium.
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BOOK REVIEW: Restoring a House in the City

It was a great pleasure to step away from the computer and check out a fabulously beautiful book sent to us by Artisan publishers on the eco-friendly practice of restoring townhomes, brownstones and row houses. Written by Ingrid Abramovitch, Restoring a House in the City is a wonderful resource on the process of restoration and is full of stunning photography of gorgeous homes around the country. Renovations are near and dear to our hearts at Inhabitat and it was even more enlightening to learn how these older homes are naturally eco-friendly. We had a chance to ask Ingrid some more questions and ask for tips on how to eco-renovate an older home – read on for our interview! Read the rest of BOOK REVIEW: Restoring a House in the City Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg Post tags: antique , book review , eco-friendly upgrades , eco-upgrades , ingrid abramovitch , rennovation , restoration , restoring a house in the city , salvage , salvaged materials
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Construction Begins on Amazing Tunnel-Shaped Rotterdam Market Hall

Imagine having this sweet public market pop up in your town? Well the lucky residents of  Rotterdam are actually getting one! This week, the mayor of the city announced the commencement of construction on the huge tunnel-shaped market hall which will flash images of gigantic fresh fruits and vegetables via LCD screens on the inside and be lined with balconied apartments offering killer views on the outside. This true mixed-use development combining residences, shopping, restaurants and a public market will be a central hub of activity for citizens and tourists. The project is being developed by Provast and was designed by MVRDV.
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Chrome Hotel’s Swiss Cheese Facade Saves Energy

Sanjay Puri Architect ’s new Chrome Hotel features a fresh façade punctuated with holes that allow natural light to stream in while keeping air-conditioning costs to a minimum. The opaque windows were purposefully set throughout the swiss cheese façade to allow ambient natural light to enter, and they also create an incredibly cool effect at night when backlit by LED lights . Read the rest of Chrome Hotel’s Swiss Cheese Facade Saves Energy Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg Post tags: Chrome Hotel , Green Building , green design , green hotel , LED lighting , Sanjay Puri Architects , sustainable design , Sustainable Hotel
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Chrome Hotel’s Swiss Cheese Facade Saves Energy

Sanjay Puri Architect ’s new Chrome Hotel features a fresh façade punctuated with holes that allow natural light to stream in while keeping air-conditioning costs to a minimum. The opaque windows were purposefully set throughout the swiss cheese façade to allow ambient natural light to enter, and they also create an incredibly cool effect at night when backlit by LED lights . Read the rest of Chrome Hotel’s Swiss Cheese Facade Saves Energy Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg Post tags: Chrome Hotel , Green Building , green design , green hotel , LED lighting , Sanjay Puri Architects , sustainable design , Sustainable Hotel
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