The Bioclimatic Skyscraper: Kenneth Yeang's Eco-Design Strategies

Rising over global cities, the modern skyscraper has long been a symbol of economic growth and environmental decline. For years, they have been reviled by environmentalists for being uncontrolled energy consumers. Malaysian architect Kenneth Yeang acknowledged the skyscraper as a necessityin modern cities and adopted a pragmatic approach to greening the otherwise unsustainable building typology. Yeang’s bioclimatic skyscrapers blend the economics of space with sustainability and improved living standards.

Entreluz House / Pablo Padilla Carvacho + Jesús del Río Enrico

This house is located at the beginning of one of the ravines with abundant native vegetation in Algarrobo. With the aim of coexisting and integrating with the site, the house is elevated on stilts and cantilevers towards the ravine, which in turn allows the native vegetation to recover its space and grow through it.

Opening Up / Industry Meets Design: Steel Pivot Doors in a Production Hall

Situated in the village of Kaltenbach, amidst the Austrian mountains, is the head office of Empl. A manufacturer of fire-fighting trucks and other large vehicles with special functions, their products include off-road vehicles, mobile army hospitals and temperature-controlled trucks to carry food. Whatever their function, each vehicle is unique and has been composed with the greatest of care. The end products can be seen in Empl’s handover hall – a stylish production hall where vehicles are handed over to clients personally. The building has a total of five pivot doors, one of which is most notable. In episode four of Opening up, FritsJurgens gives a peek into this unique space.

Earth Day 2023: Cities Address Climate Challenges Through Legislation, Civic Initiatives, and Innovative Engineering Systems

Every year since its establishment in 1970, Earth Day aims to bring into focus not only the increasingly threatening effects of climate change but also highlight the effective measures and adaptation efforts that can improve the quality of our environment. This year’s event comes after a report from the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in March, which presented another warning on the magnitude of changes produced by human-induced global warming and its impact on people and ecosystems. The same report does offer some hopeful prospects as well, showing that adaptation measures can build resilience, but those urgent systemwide transformations are needed to secure a net-zero future. In response to these findings, the 2023 Earth Day is focused on the theme of “Investing in Our Planet,” as an encouragement for governments, institutions, businesses, and civil society to accelerate the change. Read on to discover several citywide initiatives aligned with these objectives of building resilience and a more sustainable future through legislation, civic involvement, and innovative systems.

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