There is something peaceful and calming about river pebbles. These smooth, moss-covered stones can provide an appearance of order, fitting together like a natural mosaic, which is probably why they are often times used to decorate spaces ranging from shower floors and walls to outdoor paths and gardens.
But the river pebble design Aedas has created in their 18-story office building, dubbed Lè Architecture, is on a different level; the building itself has been created to resemble one giant, moss-covered river pebble and, as ArchDaily reports, will provide a unique work environment near the Jilong River.
Acting as the moss for this giant pebble, a series of vertical green belts on the building’s west side provide sunshading for the interior office spaces. Meanwhile, the north and south ends are covered in vegetated outdoor terraces.
The office spaces all exist on one side of the building, while “urban living rooms” occupy the other side. The offices and urban living rooms are all centered around communal areas with kitchens, coffee shops, libraries, and breakout spaces.
The project hopes to achieve LEED Gold certification through incorporating a glass façade optimized for construction feasibility and vertical aluminum fins and green planters meant to lower the interior temperature in the summer via sunshading, lessening the need for mechanical cooling.
The project, which is well underway, is scheduled for a 2017 completion.
Image courtesy of Aedas
Image courtesy of Aedas
Image courtesy of Aedas
Image courtesy of Aedas
Image courtesy of Aedas
Related Stories
| Jul 17, 2013
CBRE recognizes nation's best green research projects
A rating system for comparative tenant energy use and a detailed evaluation of Energy Star energy management strategies are among the green research projects to be honored by commercial real estate giant CBRE Group.
| Jul 11, 2013
DOE releases stricter energy efficiency standards for new federal buildings taking effect in 2014
The Energy Department released stricter energy efficiency standards this month for new federal buildings.
| Jul 10, 2013
World's best new skyscrapers [slideshow]
The Bow in Calgary and CCTV Headquarters in Beijing are among the world's best new high-rise projects, according to the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat.
| Jul 10, 2013
TED talk: Architect Michael Green on why we should build tomorrow's skyscrapers out of wood
In a newly posted TED talk, wood skyscraper expert Michael Green makes the case for building the next-generation of mid- and high-rise buildings out of wood.
High-rise Construction | Jul 9, 2013
5 innovations in high-rise building design
KONE's carbon-fiber hoisting technology and the Broad Group's prefab construction process are among the breakthroughs named 2013 Innovation Award winners by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat.
| Jul 8, 2013
RSMeans cost comparisons: offices, daycare centers, convenience stores, fast food
Construction market analysts from RSMeans offer construction costs per square foot for offices, daycare centers, convenience stores, fast food.
| Jul 3, 2013
Architects team with HUD to promote 'Rebuild By Design' competition for Hurricane Sandy recovery effort
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) today announced a communications campaign urging its membership to enter the “Rebuild by Design” multi-stage regional design competition announced by Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan on June 20.
| Jul 2, 2013
LEED v4 gets green light, will launch this fall
The U.S. Green Building Council membership has voted to adopt LEED v4, the next update to the world’s premier green building rating system.
| Jul 1, 2013
LEGOLAND builds 12-foot replica of One World Trade Center
The LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester in Yonkers, N.Y., celebrated the completion of a LEGO replica of One World Trade Center by lighting the 12-foot-tall, 100-pound model.
| Jul 1, 2013
Report: Global construction market to reach $15 trillion by 2025
A new report released today forecasts the volume of construction output will grow by more than 70% to $15 trillion worldwide by 2025.
