Article 1: 8 Green Building Wonders

I am interested in eco-design and construction and have found some articles in Environ (winter 2007) that discuss environmental practice.

8 Green Building Wonders discusses eco-architecture and focuses on several examples. These include Toyota creating pre-fabricated housing that have a reduction in construction waste and a 30-yr warranty. Torre Cube (16 storeys), Mexico have a passive solar design by Carme Pino so that there is no need for air-conditioning-a major energy factor in high rise buildings. It does this by designing an inner void, atrium, that provides natural ventilation and slatted wood panelling. Straw bale construction is another example, where a 5 star resort, Didimala Game Lodge, in South Africa used 10,000 bales of wheat straw. Freiburg, a town in Germany, has 400 solar installations, many of which are called 'plusenergie' meaning that they generate more energy than they consume. In Queenscliff, Australia, Lyons architects created a green roof that offers year-round insulation due to it being earth bound. A UK school created a cardboard structure made from 100% recyled materials.
These few examples show how eco-friendly design can be used in the construction of buildings
On the 1 Nov, 2006, ammendments were made to the BCA for energy efficiency came into effect. Changes relate to glazing, insulation, air movement, lighting, water supply etc; It is to challange the design and construction industries to develop products more suitable for modern day buildings so that they will have a lesser impact on the environment.