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Major projects can be innovative in design while also addressing sustainability, occupant wellbeing and specific challenges related to their local environment. <\/p>\n
Here are five examples from around the world that highlight how unique design can blend with energy efficiency and environmental stewardship, thus serving as a model for others.<\/p>\n
Airports can be utilitarian structures for the most part, aside from the occasional glass wall or art features. However, Portland International Airport (PDX) dares to go further than most air transit facilities in several ways.<\/p>\n
In 2015, Portland initiated a $2 billion redevelopment project called PDXNext<\/a>, with the objective of expanding airport capacity, improving resiliency and enhancing the traveller experience. <\/p>\n The centrepiece of PDXNext is TCORE, the Terminal Core Redevelopment project.<\/p>\n Phase one was completed last August. Aging systems and infrastructure were replaced, seismic resiliency upgrades made and a revamped passenger terminal opened, featuring a stunning mass timber roof with nearly 400 glulam beams made from locally sourced wood. <\/p>\n Beyond its stunning design, sustainability is a key objective. A proposed open-loop ground source heat exchange system for heating and cooling has been proposed, potentially cutting the airport\u2019s fossil fuel use by 95 per cent. <\/p>\n Together with two-thirds of the terminal\u2019s interior lighting coming from natural daylight and despite a 40 per cent increase in building size, overall energy use will be reduced by half, according<\/a> to engineering firm PAE. Biophilic elements are also central to the terminal redesign, with numerous green spaces featuring live trees and foliage integrated throughout the facility.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The University of Southampton\u2019s (U.K.) recently approved a three-storey, 3,400-square-metre life sciences laboratory designed to integrate with the location\u2019s natural setting using trees, hedgerows, ornamental shrubs and wildflowers. The sloping green sedum roof \u201cwill enhance biodiversity, improve air quality, and provide an exciting outdoor environment expressing the connection between science and nature,\u201d the university says<\/a>.<\/p>\n Sustainable building materials with low environmental impact, high-performance glazing, advanced insulation, rooftop photovoltaic panels and ultra-efficient heating, ventilation, air conditioning and water systems will all contribute to the building\u2019s low carbon footprint and a 10 per cent biodiversity net gain.<\/p>\n In Egypt, high local ambient temperatures and a location close to Sphinx International Airport resulted in global design firm Gensler conceiving an innovative solution for Al-Ahly<\/a> stadium in keeping with local height restrictions. <\/p>\n \u201cThe sunken bowl leverages cooler earth temperatures to reduce ambient heat, achieving sustainability through smart, passive design measures,\u201d Gensler said<\/a>.<\/p>\n The new US Coast Guard headquarters in Washington D.C., an 11-storey, 1.2-million-square-foot project is an example of biomimicry<\/a> design, a term used to describe the application of nature\u2019s strategies to produce sustainability.<\/p>\n With the objective of achieving LEED Gold certification, the landscape design by global architecture firm HOK includes step-down courtyards, edges and green roofs that provide continuity between the surrounding woodlands and an adjacent\u00a0historic government campus. <\/p>\n \u201cRainwater falling on the green roofs permeates through the plant roots and soil and into a drainage system that leads to a stormwater pond for reuse in irrigation,\u201d HOK says<\/a>. \u201cLarge amounts of soil were removed from this previously contaminated site and replaced with custom soil blends.\u201d<\/p>\n In the Middle East, a new addition to Dubai\u2019s downtown skyline will stretch the imagination through fantastical engineering and design. <\/p>\n Therme Group, a global developer of wellbeing resorts, says<\/a> its \u201cTherme Dubai \u2013 Islands in the Sky\u201d will feature botanical gardens suspended from the air and pools filled with restorative thermal and mineral waters cascading from a 100-metre-tall-structure, and spaces for cultural and social events for the 1.7 million visitors expected annually. <\/p>\n The project will span 500,000 square feet, \u201csetting a new standard for holistic and daily wellbeing.\u201d <\/p>\n \u201cThe resort will recycle 90 per cent of the water used in its thermal pools, while 80 per cent of the fresh air and cooling needs will be met through clean energy sources,\u201d Therme says. John Bleasby is a freelance writer. Send comments and Climate and Construction column ideas to ed****<\/span>@*****************<\/span>ws.com<\/span>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
In addition, \u201cthe project will implement smart resource management and advanced energy-efficient systems, ensuring a minimal environmental footprint.\u201d<\/p>\n