Photovoltaic links

PV links:

Laser dotted PV glass

Integrated Concentrating (IC) solar facade system

BIPV

Solar spray

Companies:

Sulfurcell

Alanod Solar

Applied Solar

Konarka

EnSol AS

Smarter Skin

University of California engineer Luke Lee and architect Maria-Paz Gutierrez are developing an advanced “skin” for buildings that would regulate temperature and humidity through the physical properties of the materials used, dramatically reducing the need for electricity. Their project, called Self-Activated Building Envelope Regulation, or SABER, would regulate how much light and temperature enter and the building and how much humidity escapes by way of a membrane made of alternating rows of cells activated by light from the outside or humidity from the inside. Says Gutierrez, “the material has become the system.”

Inspired by compound eyes found on insects, Gutierrez and Lee’s SABER system is composed of light-sensitive cells composed of micro-lenses and pockets of photosensitive gel. The gel contracts in the light, opening up tubes that, in turn, allow more air to flow into the building in stronger light. The humidity regulation models itself on nature’s water-moving mechanisms. A polymer expands with increased moisture, opening up tiny tubes to increase airflow.

So far, only the lenses have made it to the prototype stage, Gutierrez told Inhabitat. Part of the project’s innovation will be working with companies to get the technology out the door and available.

story via inhabitat & greenbiz

Melbourne's Future Wheel - Australia [Buro North/Squint Opera/Peter Bennetts

Images via Buro North blog

A team of designers have crafted a futuristic reuse concept for Melbourne’s ill-fated Southern Star Observation Wheel, envisaging the wheel as a tram depot in the sky for “flying steam powered punk trams”.

Featuring wind turbine blades and solar panels, the sci-fi windmill would generate power for a fleet of flying trams, alleviating congestion in the city. The adventurous reuse proposal for the “heat-damaged and conceptually flawed” wheel, which closed 40 days after it opened in 2009 when cracks appeared in the frame, features landscaped platforms elevated above a newly-greened Docklands.

The detailed visualisations were created by architectural photographer Peter Bennetts, multi-disciplinary design form Büro North and film and media production studio Squint Opera. Soren from Büro North says: “There are some serious ideas and questions amongst the madness. How to efficiently adapt, reuse and re-function outdated infrastructure as we move to a more sustainable future.”

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story via Australian design review

Oceanscope observatory - Incheon, South Korea [AnL Studio]

Images via Dezeen

Unused shipping containers have for some time been recycled as shelter. Although this can be "green" and inexpensive, many have not been successful in their attempt at a responsible architectural solution.

AnL Studio (Minsoo Lee) has created this observatory as a precedent for the prevalent ongoing usage of shipping containers in rural South Korea.

Dezeen has a story on OceanScope observatory here

Flying Bicycle Lane

why not?

Kolelinia

The Future of Detroit - Largest Urban Farm Worldwide

It is a curiosity what will be the future of this distraught city. John Hantz has plans for a large scale for profit urban farm, which will be the largest in the world. He plans to begin the enterprise in the spring of 2010.

Read the story on Fortune

Sinosteel - Tianjin, China [MAD]

I recently came across the model from MAD which has a simple and artful facade. Construction is underway and is planned for completion in 2012.

From their website:

The varied honeycomb also improves the building's energy efficiency. Although the façade pattern appears random at first, it actually responds to the climatic conditions of the site. By mapping the different air-flows and solar direction across the site, and positioning the windows accordingly, it is possible to minimize heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer.

Sun and wind studies (above) which organized the shape of the hexagon facade.

The base of the tower

The skin is also structural, freeing up the interior from columns.

image credits MAD