Eco-Green Hotel Afloat in Water – The Ark

That every modern building on the face of this earth seeks to be a sustainable entity is an oft-repeated and well-established fact. Interestingly, this trend is now finding its way even through buildings built on water. And as if in testimony, a gigantic arch-shaped hotel named “The Ark” has been built on sea water by the Russian architectural firm Remistudio, in collaboration with the International Union of Architects’ programme titled “Architecture for Disaster Relief.”

The core concept behind the architecture of this unique building is safety and protection from extreme environmental conditions and climate change.

Sprawled over a total site area of 4500 m2, this building can withstand extreme floods caused by rising sea levels, and floats autonomously on the surface of the water owing to its arch-shaped structure. The Ark is also designed to be a bioclimatic house with independent life-support systems, including elements that ensure a closed-functioning cycle.

Make-up of The Ark

Timber arches and steel ropes used in construction provide structural solidity to the building. The framework is covered by a special foil made of Ethyl TetraFluoroEthylene (ETFE) - a strong, highly transparent foil, self-cleaning, recyclable, highly durable, economical, and lighter than glass. The foil itself is fixed to the framework by special metal profiles, which also serve as solar collectors for water heating and as gutters that collect rainwater from the roof surface. A prefabricated frame allows for fast construction.

The cupola in the upper portion collects warm air which is gathered in seasonal heat accumulators to provide uninterrupted energy supply for the whole complex. The heat from the surrounding environment – the outer air, water or ground – is also used. The building can produce extra power for supplying to adjacent houses and for “green” means of transport.


The building makes a single energy system. The form of the cupola assists in creating an air-eddy at the outer surface around the central bearing, where the wind power and tornado generators are placed. The form of the building allows for placement of photoelectric cells at an appropriate angle to the Sun.

The base of the building is shell-like in structure, devoid of ledges or angles, rendering it very suitable for climatically and seismically sensitive regions. A load-bearing system of arches and cables allows weight redistribution along the entire corpus in case of an earthquake.

Green Touch


• Lush vegetation helps provide good quality of air and a source of food.

• All plants are chosen as per the principles of compatibility, illumination and efficiency of oxygen production

• A transparent roof allows for penetration of sufficient light for the plants in there interiors.

• The design uses solar panels and a rainwater collection system to provide occupants with power and water.

Read more on Green Building Glass http://www.glazette.com/glass-and-green-buildings-349.html
                                                                                                                                                       

Build Eco Xpo (BEX) Asia 2010

Build Eco Xpo (BEX) Asia is a massive exhibition on Sustainable Buildings of Southeast Asia. The focus is on energy efficient building materials, design and architecture for a future of sustainable growth, and incorporation of critical elements into the construction industry, to enhance competitive advantage and knowledge of the ‘Build Green’ movement.

The Xpo will also serve as a platform to present and share knowledge and expertise on various green construction materials, and educate potential customers of the benefits of these products.

BEX Asia 2010

BEX Asia 2009 achieved great response with over 200 participating countries and 6400 visitors. Following this, the 3rd edition of BEX - BEX Asia 2010 is going to be held in Singapore from 13th to 15th September, 2010.

Event Highlights

The Singapore Green Building Council (SGBC) is going to partner with BEX Asia to organise a trade event with a strategic focus on bringing Green Buildings to the forefront of the industry needs.

SGBC is dedicated towards propelling the Singapore building and construction industry towards environmental sustainability by promoting green building design, practices and technologies, the integration of green building initiatives into mainstream design, construction and operation of buildings as well as building capability and professionalism to support wider adoption of green building development and practices in Singapore.

Product Profile

• Acoustic Materials & Systems
• Adhesives
• Air Conditioner
• Air Purifier
• Aluminium
• Automation
• Awnings
• Blinds
• Building Equipment
• Building Services
• Cables
• Ceilings
• Cement
• Chemicals
• Chillers
• Clean Fuel
• CO2 Sensors
• Coatings
• Concrete
• Consultancy
• Controls
• Deckings
• Doors / Gates & Barriers
• Ducting Systems
• Engineering Services
• Escalators
• External Coatings
• Fans
• Fittings
• Flooring Systems
• Fuel
• Furniture
• Generator
• Glass
• Ground Water Protection
• Hardware
• HVAC Systems
• Ironmongery
• LED
• Lifts
• Lighting
• Motors
• Paints
• Pipes
• Polyurethane
• Power Systems
• Properties
• Pumps
• Roofing
• Sanitary wares
• Sealants
• Security & Authentication System
• Software
• Solar Panels
• Solar Power Systems
• Stones
• System Integrators
• Tiles
• Walls / Panels
• Water Heaters
  

Exhibitors’ Profiles

• Agents
• Architects
• Consultants
• Contractors
• Decorators
• Developers
• Distributors
• Engineers
• Estate Managers
• Government Agencies
• Interior Architects
• Interior Designers
• Maintenance Managers
• Manufacturers
• Project Managers
• Property Managers
• Quantity Surveyors
• Retailers
• Statutory Board Officers
• Traders

Venue

Sands Expo & Convention Centre,
Marina Bay Sands,
Singapore.

Green Skinned “G Towers” in Malaysia

G Tower is the latest in green buildings, incorporating features like massive green walls and refreshing rooftop gardens, located at the crossroads of two major thoroughfares in downtown Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This sustainable building received the Green Mark Gold Award from the Building and Construction Authority of Singapore. It has also taken up the position of being Malaysia’s first carbon positive building.

The building rings in a new concept by combining offices, a private club and a boutique hotel, all under one roof. The boutique hotel, named G City Club Hotel offers 180 executive rooms, conference rooms, function/board rooms and an infinity pool. The orientation of the building with the sun is very appropriate, and several water-efficient features have been incorporated.

Green Features

1. This tower uses 25 percent less energy as compared to other buildings of similar size and location, thanks to efficient air-conditioning and lighting systems.
   
2. Double glazed glass panels with vacuum in between have been used, which helps cut heat transmission.
   
3. The extensive landscaping with sky gardens, ponds and green walls help cool the overall environment and improve air quality.
   
4. The swimming pool is kept clean through the use of eco-friendly cleansing salt rather than chemicals.
   
5. A sophisticated rain water harvesting system irrigates the plants and vertical greens found throughout the building. Condensed water from the cooling tower is collected for re-use.
6. Hot water is generated using waste heat from the air-conditioning system.
   
7. The carpets and external timber decking use green certified recyclable materials.
8. The interior décor includes refurbished furniture.
   
9. Toxic free building materials, paints and wallpapers are used for their low volatile organic content (VOC).
   
10. Motion-sensitive lighting helps bring down power costs.

G tower saves nearly 7.3 million Kwh of electricity per year, at a ten-hour day, 6 day-week and 52-week year activity period. This is equivalent to a reduction of 3.5 million kgs carbon dioxide emission into the environment, which is same as saving 18000 trees per year.