Paris-based Vincent Callebaut Architecture has come up with a plan for a mixed-use complex located in Cairo that combines vegetation and structure to communicate Egypt's inclination toward progressive architecture, designboom reports. The proposal's main purpose is to raise awareness of sustainable architecture designed to combat global warming.
The roof is solar, and shades green rooftop terraces and sky villas. This conserves energy otherwise needed for cooling, as do the solar panels and heating tubes on the roof.
Nine stories of housing contain 1,000 residential units, all within a series of rectangular volumes situated around a central boulevard, according to designboom. Four stories of underground parking, a supermarket, office space, and three levels of retail space are also included in the complex.
The retail areas will be fronted by a transparent curtain wall punctuated by green walls to indicate the main entrances towards the shopping mall. The roof of the whole development is set as a big community garden comprised of an area of orchards, infinity swimming pools, and sports facilities.
The scheme includes eight specific sustainability features:
1. Windcatchers
2. A passive geothermal cooling system
3. Solar photovoltaic cells, which cover all the solar roof and the west and east facades
4. Solar heater tubes, located on the roof above each core
5. Wind turbines, integrated along the axial spine at both ends of the promenade
6. Roof food gardens cover the whole complex, improving the thermal inertia of the roof
7. Living walls
8. The use of recyclable and/or recycled furniture.
Check out more renderings below, courtesy of Vincent Callebaut Architecture.
Related Stories
| Aug 11, 2010
Best AEC Firms of 2011/12
Later this year, we will launch Best AEC Firms 2012. We’re looking for firms that create truly positive workplaces for their AEC professionals and support staff. Keep an eye on this page for entry information. +
| Aug 11, 2010
Report: Building codes and regulations impede progress toward uber-green buildings
The enthusiasm for super green Living Buildings continues unabated, but a key stumbling block to the growth of this highest level of green building performance is an existing set of codes and regulations. A new report by the Cascadia Region Green Building Council entitled "Code, Regulatory and Systemic Barriers Affecting Living Building Projects" presents a case for fundamental reassessment of building codes.
| Aug 11, 2010
Call for entries: Building enclosure design awards
The Boston Society of Architects and the Boston chapter of the Building Enclosure Council (BEC-Boston) have announced a High Performance Building award that will assess building enclosure innovation through the demonstrated design, construction, and operation of the building enclosure.
| Aug 11, 2010
Portland Cement Association offers blast resistant design guide for reinforced concrete structures
Developed for designers and engineers, "Blast Resistant Design Guide for Reinforced Concrete Structures" provides a practical treatment of the design of cast-in-place reinforced concrete structures to resist the effects of blast loads. It explains the principles of blast-resistant design, and how to determine the kind and degree of resistance a structure needs as well as how to specify the required materials and details.
| Aug 11, 2010
ACSA announces 2008-2009 ACSA/AISC steel design student competition winners
The Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) is pleased to announce the winners of the ninth annual steel design student competition for the 2008-2009 academic year. Administered by the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) and sponsored by the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), the program challenged students, working individually or in teams, to explore a variety of design issues related to the use of steel in design and construction.
| Aug 11, 2010
ZweigWhite Announces 2009 Best Firms to Work For
Management consulting and research firm ZweigWhite has identified the best civil engineering, structural engineering, multidiscipline A/E services, environmental services, and architecture firms to work for in its annual ranking of top industry firms. These outstanding employers were selected based on their commitment to provide a positive work environment and challenging and interesting work opportunities for their employees.