Preview: Energetic Architecture

12 : 05 : 2015 Whole-system Thinking : Energy : Architecture

Global – In a snapshot of this week’s microtrend we examine how natural flows of energy can be manipulated to enhance and even replace traditional built environments.

  • Architecture is moving beyond zero energy towards energy-positive buildings
  • ‘I’m interested in making energy a building material like steel or concrete’ – Sean Lally, founder of architecture group Weathers 
Bee'ah headquarters by Zaha Hadid Architects Bee'ah headquarters by Zaha Hadid Architects
Bee'ah headquarters by Zaha Hadid Architects Bee'ah headquarters by Zaha Hadid Architects
The Smog Free Park by Studio Roosegaarde, to be unveiled in Rotterdam in 2015, uses an electronic vacuum cleaner to remove smog particles The Smog Free Park by Studio Roosegaarde, to be unveiled in Rotterdam in 2015, uses an electronic vacuum cleaner to remove smog particles
Water-purifying structure by Andrés Jaque, winner 
of the Young Architects Program at MoMA PS1 Water-purifying structure by Andrés Jaque, winner 
of the Young Architects Program at MoMA PS1

A number of new buildings in the Middle East and Asia are using architectural forms to manage and harness mechanical and thermal currents to generate energy. One example is the Pertamina Energy Tower in Jakarata, scheduled for completion in 2020, which will feature an opening at its peak that will gather and generate energy from prevailing air currents.

The Big Picture: To find out how businesses can move beyond just minimising energy consumption, read our micro trend on Energetic Architecture

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