'Whole Building' Design | Balancing Security, Safety And Sustainability Objectives

The gateway to up-to-date information on integrated 'whole building' design techniques and technologies. The goal of 'Whole Building' Design is to create a successful high-performance building by applying an integrated design and team approach to the project during the planning and programming phases.

Seeing Justice in Sustainable Light:

The new Alfred A. Arraj United States Courthouse in Denver, Colorado serves as a model for designs that balances openness, security, and sustainability. The building showcases innovative sustainable strategies, such as photovoltaic cells and daylighting using light shelves, while also being one of the first U.S. courthouses to meet the new "GSA Security Design Criteria" standards.

The lighting design provides a dramatic improvement in energy conservation and environmental performance over a conventionally designed courthouse. Most importantly, it provides a healthy, safe and productive working environment in courtrooms.

Read More:

Fourteen Passionate Young Leaders Inspiring a Just and Thriving Planet |

Project Green Challenge engages youth by uniting them in a commitment to cultivate a healthy, just and thriving planet. PGC is comprised of 30 sustainability-themed challenges, focused on topics relevant to our daily lives including food, zero waste, fair trade, body and non-genetically-modified organisms (GMOs).

Here are some profound words from an incredible group of young and mobilized leaders:

"My peers, seeing me make changes in my own lifestyle, want to join me in being sustainable. We care about preserving the Earth.” —Kendra, Jericho High School, Jericho, NY Read More --->

Massive Energy-Independent ‘Tree of Life’ Pavilion Unveiled for the World Expo 2015 in Milan |

The Italian team’s “Tree of Life” proposal is an energy-independent four-block community hub that features an expansive open courtyard space. The project includes a 12,000 square meter main pavilion and smaller exhibition and institutional spaces positioned along the 325-meter-long Cardo. The building will be divided into four blocks connected by bridges for easy circulation. The team plans to make the structure as energy-independent as possible.

Read More |

This Redesigned Pedestrian Overpass In Barcelona Is Like A Mini High Line

A pedestrian bridge in Barcelona is being redesigned as a place where people might actually want to spend time. Surrounded by plant-covered walls, the new design includes shaded spaces to sit and look at views of the city. Smog-eating concrete helps clear the surrounding air, and glow-in-the-dark pavement lights the path at night. The photocatalytic concrete used in the new bridge absorbs pollution from the cars below. It's an experimental product that the architects wanted to test. "Using this in reality will give the possibility to measure how much and how well it works," says Casamor. "We don’t have much to lose, and if it works it would be a good choice for using in other more extensive parts of the city." READ MORE |

City of Science in Rome is turning a former military district into a self-sufficient urban ecosystem |

Città della Scienza - the City of Science - in Italy aims to turn a former military district into a self-sufficient urban ecosystem. The project by Vincent Callebaut Architecture is part of a plan to regenerate the urban area in the north of Rome by focusing on visual appeal in addition to sustainable, natural design. The design consists of green public spaces, and a mix of residential and business spaces spread throughout several new buildings.                         Read More |