Archinect - News

World’s Largest Solar Towers Take to the Sun

2013-03-27T20:38:00-04:00

California will soon be home to the world’s two largest solar towers through an ambitious project known as The Palen Solar Electrical Generating System. The announcement was made shortly after the US Department of Interior announced the country was to add 1.1 gigawatts to its clean energy capacity. California has also committed to have a third of their power must be derived from renewable sources by the year 2030.

Flush With Oil, Abu Dhabi Opens World's Largest Solar Plant

2013-03-19T16:45:00-04:00

Abu Dhabi, the most oil-rich of the United Arab Emirates, is now home to the world's single-largest concentrated solar power plant. The 100-megawatt Shams 1 plant cost an estimated $750 million and is expected to provide electricity to 20,000 homes, according to the BBC. Why, you might ask? Bloomberg says the less oil Abu Dhabi uses for local consumption, the more it can export.

Abandoned stable becomes off-grid, luxurious family dream home

2012-02-24T18:02:00-05:00

Without access to the grid, the Alonsos added photovoltaics and hydro power and worked to ensure the home wouldn't use much energy. The original position of the stable worked to their favor. The southern exposure allows for the sun to be the main source of heat during the winter. The Alonsos also added large wooden shutters that slide closed like a second skin, covering the large windows at night to trap in most of the home's daily solar heat gain.

Stanford and Cornell Offer Novel Environmental Plans for N.Y.C. Campus

2011-10-24T19:05:00-04:00

If Cornell University were to win the city’s competition to build a new science graduate school, it would install on Roosevelt Island almost four acres of solar panels, 500 geothermal wells, and buildings with the rare distinction of generating as much power as they use.

Foster + Partners Unveil Plans for Solar-Powered LEED Gold Kuwait International Airport

2011-10-04T16:27:26-04:00

Foster + Partners just announced they will be designing the new Kuwait International Airport - and they're aiming to make it the world's first LEED gold certified passenger terminal! The stunning design is sure to be an eye-catcher from both the ground and the sky, and it will raise the environmental bar for airports everywhere with a smart set of green features that will reduce the building's energy use and keep it cool in one of the hottest places on earth.

7 Amazing Sun-Powered Homes in the 2011 Solar Decathlon

2011-09-21T16:27:20-04:00

From super efficient solar energy systems, to high-tech whole-house monitoring, rainwater collection, vegetable gardens and beautiful architecture, we're amazed the innovation at work in this year's Solar Decathlon entries. Although we're excited to see all 20 of the Solar Decathlon houses starting today in DC, we've got our eyes on several shining contenders - read on for a first look at our top 7 teams!

NJIT, Rutgers students push boundaries of sustainable building with innovative green house

2011-07-25T18:16:14-04:00

"Team NJ" — as the group of architecture, planning and engineering students from the two universities is called — has built a futuristic-looking, one-story house that challenges traditional building techniques and sets a model for innovative, green housing.

Maldives plans 18-hole floating golf course

2011-04-26T15:56:35-04:00

Troon Golf, Waterstudio.NL and Dutch Docklands have announced plans to build a floating golf course in the Maldives islands, in the Indian Ocean, with holes connected by underwater tunnels.

Wired tells us about plans to build a zero-footprint, super-ambitious, golf course project. At least we'll have golf when the sea levels rise.