Now only claiming to be green isn’t enough, is it? So nowadays, a structure which projects itself as green must pass a specific certification. But that’s not it, apart from acknowledging the building’s ‘greenness’, architects are pushing the envelope of structures by making them ‘energy’ positive. Take a look at these five urban skyscrapers oozing with ‘positive’ energy.
1. Elithis Tower
Towering over Dijon, France, the Elithis Tower is purportedly the world’s foremost positive energy structure. This ten-storied building was designed by Arte Charpentier Architects as a challenge by the tower’s General Manager, Thierry Bievre. Flanked by solar panels and solar shading, the tower is also plugged with more than 1,500 emission-analyzing sensors to keep a tab on its energy usage. The tag on this 54,000 square feet tower is a solid $10 million.
2. Abu Dhabi’s Masdar Headquarters
This $22 billion behemoth project is expected to be completed by 2016. Masdar City is touted as the first zero-carbon emissions and zero-waste zone. The Masdar headquarters, the soon to be Abu Dhabi Future Company’s home and other organized buildings will largely be responsible for future developments to the city. The final design of the city was chosen out of more than a thousand pitches and plans to integrate various utilities to concur lowest impacts on energy, waste and water.
3. Coop Himmelb(l)au Energy Positive Office for Austria
This crystal maze with spiked protrusions is already set to be awarded with a Sustainability Award this year at the MIPIM Architectural Review Future Project. The Coop Himmelb(l)au when constructed, promises to generate energy in excess of its usage, and is expected to wipe out more than 1,000,00 kg of carbon emission each year, spreading a truly mammoth amount of positive energy.
4. Energy-positive wind powered rotating skyscraper for Dubai
Dubai has always been top-league when it comes to architectural innovations. And this particular project is set to be its most stunning and most ambitious ever undertaken. It’s set to become unparalleled in terms of luxury while simultaneously producing ten times as much energy as it uses up. The individual floors of Dynamic Architecture’s wind-powered rotating skyscraper rotate individually, never letting the apartment residents get bored of the same view. Yes, the whole thing can rotate to open up a new view at the push of a button. The building is equipped with wind turbines at each floor which pull out enough power for the whole building. This exciting piece of architecture is set to roll into construction in Dubai very soon and then spread to other cities as far as Moscow. Dr. David Fisher, the designer, has sealed the balance between high-living and sustainable living, which is surely going to find buyers among Dubai’s elite.
5. Pearl River Tower
Almost nearing completion, the 71-story Pearl River Tower has carved in the most advanced green-resources and technology available to be one of the most sought-out structures emerging in the 21st century. The 309.6 meters high tower is lodged with a pair of openings in its facades which reveal wind turbines busy generating energy for this marvelous design.