Category — architecture

“By the year 2050, nearly 80% of the earth’s population will reside in urban centers. Applying the most conservative estimates to current demographic trends, the human population will increase by about 3 billion people during the interim. An estimated 109 hectares of new land (about 20% more land than is represented by the country of Brazil) will be needed to grow enough food to feed them, if traditional farming practices continue as they are practiced today. At present, throughout the world, over 80% of the land that is suitable for raising crops is in use (sources: FAO and NASA). Historically, some 15% of that has been laid waste by poor management practices. What can be done to avoid this impending disaster?”

[http://verticalfarm.com/“>Vertical Faming]

[Inhabitat has the story]

“In Madrid, Spain, a unique, hulking structure is currently being built. An “Air Tree,” it’s designed to both affect the surrounding environment and act as a social center. It’s loaded up with solar panels that create electricity that’s sold to the local electric company. It’s completely self-sufficient, powering itself and using the money it makes from selling excess energy for upkeep. It also produces oxygen like a tree, hence the name. And as for it being a social center, it’s designed to be a public gathering place. It’s really pretty cool, a completely unique idea and one that, unlike most out-of-the-box ideas like this, is actually being made a reality.”

[Gizmodo]

“obviously, construction technologies are advancing extremely quickly. couple that with multi-billionnaires / deep-pocketed companies trying to outdo each other in the quest for the next standout design and you have a near-future filled with mile-high skyscrapers and buildings that no longer look like buildings.”

[Continue Reading]

The Situated Technologies Pamphlet series explores the implications of ubiquitous computing for architecture and urbanism: How is our experience of the city and the choices we make in it affected by mobile communications, pervasive media, ambient informatics, and other “situated” technologies? How will the ability to design increasingly responsive environments alter the way architects conceive of space? What do architects need to know about urban computing and what do technologists need to know about cities? Situated Technologies Pamphlets will be published in nine issues and will be edited by a rotating list of leading researchers and practitioners from architecture, art, philosophy of technology, comparative media study, performance studies, and engineering.

[Free Download | via Bruce Sterling]

Dubai-tastic superlatives and apocalyptic fears aside, the buildings standing today—monumental though some of them are—pale in comparison to what’s coming. Apart from the supertall buildings and stylish designs by superstars, there are a sig­nificant number of projects by local and regional architects, along with innovative, social, and sustainable work like David Fisher’s twirling tower, which will have floors that rotate independently and use wind turbines to power itself. In September the United Arab Emirates launched a green ratings system, LEED Emirates, modeled after the U.S. Green Building Council’s standards and focused on water conservation, energy efficiency, and sustainable site development—an indication that the country’s massive investment in design and construction will produce more than just pretty buildings.

[Full Article | Slideshow | via Bruce Sterling]

Maynard’s Corb v2.0 is a speculative housing complex that serves to update Le Corbusier’s old idea of the house as “a machine for living in” – and Maynard takes that statement to its logical extreme. He proposes permanently incorporating a cargo container-stacking machine into a new residential suburb. The machine would thus rearrange all the houses on a near-continual basis.

[BLDG BLOG | CORB V2.0]

photo by airwaves1

Burj Dubai under construction.