Green Building International Solar Cities Initiative Conference in Dezhou

Located in Dezhou – China, this is the biggest solar powered sundial building. This is green building design for conference and exhibition center. Green ideas have been applied throughout the construction. The external structure of the building used only one percent of the steel used to construct the Bird’s Nest. Advanced roof and wall insulation mean energy savings 30 percent higher than the national energy saving standard.

With 75,000 square meter (807,293 square feet) the building center includes exhibition centers, scientific research facilities, meeting and training facilities, and a hotel. It’ll be a showcase of solar design, solar desalination, and, of course, about 50,000 square-feet of solar panels on the exterior. The conference center is supposed to be about 30% more efficient than China’s national standard. And, notwithstanding its size, renewable energy will power 95% of the center’s energy needs.

According to the China Internet Information Center, “The design of the building is based on the sundial and underlines the urgency of seeking renewable energy sources to replace fossil fuels.” Also, as a symbol of clean energy, the exterior is covered in white.

Architecture Art Gallery Building of Circa on Jellicoe by studioMAS in Johannesburg

StudioMAS have completed art gallery building in Johannesburg named Circa on Jellicoe. This building is situated on the corner of Jellicoe and Jan Smuts Avenues, Rosebank (Johannesburg, South Africa) this is new gallery part of the Everard Read Gallery and showcases contemporary South African art called Circa Gallery. The design team developed the elliptical form to cope with the constraints of a narrow site and the prospect of creating a landmark. Its main feature is an aluminium fin facade that allows views into and out of the building.

Circa comprises of three levels with the public ground floor consisting of 106 sq m of craft exhibition space. Beyond this, users traverse a perimeter ramp that connects ground and first floor exhibition spaces. This 177 sq m double volume multi-purpose exhibition space has 7 moveable display screens that can drop through the floor into the ground level below, when unused. The top floor consists of a 105 sq m private lounge and deck overlooking Johannesburg’s urban forest.

The main structure is cast in situ concrete; the cantilevering perimeter ramp and staircase are also concrete. The façade cladding consists of anodized aluminium fins which are attached to the concrete by steel angles and bracing. Dry-walling has been used inside the main gallery to conceal services behind. Glass has been used extensively on the ground floor to close off access into the building after hours and yet maintain views.