Pritzker Winner Ito’s Sustainable Dome Still Shines

One of many seating configurations in the dome, supported by 25,000 pieces of sustainably sourced wood. Image by Mikio Kamaya via Toyo Ito & Associates.

Pritzker Prize-winner Toyo Ito's Odate Dome in Japan, made with sustainably harvested wooden support beams and translucent Teflon, has performed well in many monsoon storms. Read more →

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Green-Walled World Court Breaks Ground In The Hague

Artist's conception of the new International Criminal Court outside the Hague. Image via Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects.

To convey “openness and transparency,” the design for the new International Criminal Court includes green walls and a generous use glazing for ventilation and daylighting. Read more →

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GSK’s Daylit Philly Office Gets Double LEED Cert

Exterior of new GlaxoSmithKline building at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. Image by Francis Dzikowski/Esto for Robert A.M. Stern Architects, LLP.

GlaxoSmithKline's new Philly headquarters uses automated natural daylight monitoring and energy recovery systems, saving up to 30 percent on heating energy costs. Read more →

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Refurbished LEED Platinum Lab Now Researches Climate Change

CalTech's Robinson Laboratory, with its historic solar telescope, was built in 1932. Image via Architectural Resources Group.

An 80-year-old telescope once used to study the sun now brings daylight to underground climate science labs in this clever bit of adaptive reuse on the Caltech campus. Read more →

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Daylight To Stream Through Chinese Mega-Convention Hall

The winning design for the 13 million-square-foot Tianjin Exhibition Center is based on natural daylight. Image via gmp Architekten.

The winning design for the planned 13 million-square-foot exhibition hall in Tianjin, China, will reduce the hall's carbon footprint through daylighting and natural ventilation. Read more →

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Prefab Tind House Echoes Rural Scandinavia

The basic Tind prefab house is a simple one-story box with a gently sloping roof. Image via Claesson Koivisto Rune.

A series of energy-efficient prefab houses debuted in Norway and Sweden, echoing the historic architecture of the region while retaining modern simplicity. Read more →

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TVZEB House Channels, Changes Natural Daylight

The Traverso-Vighy house in Italy is situated to get the maximum amount of energy from the sun. Image via Tvzeb.

Many homes use sunlight for power and passive solar heating. This net-zero energy home in Italy actually alters the spectrum of ambient light to enhance the well-being of the residents. Read more →

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Spanish Tech Park Sheds Light On Research

The new Pitagoras and Tecnova science buildings in Alameria, Spain, were recently completed with sustainability in mind. Image by David Frutos via Ferrer Arquitectos.

A new sustainable science park in Alameria, Spain, dedicated to research and technology, uses high-tech facades to manager solar gain and provide ventilation. Read more →

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Soaring Chapel Brings Nature To Congregation

The design for the new Florida Interfaith Chapel resembles a flowing wedding gown, many of which are sure to come before the altar. Image by Brooks + Scarpa.

With and undulating, swooping roof that repels excess heat and draws in breezes, a design for a new Interfaith Church in Florida is as green as it is gorgeous to behold. Read more →

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R.I. House Suited To Wicked New England Climate

Grassy interior courtyard formed by the houses creates windbreak for a patio and sunken pool. Image by Michael Biondo via Roger Ferris + Partners.

Ocean House, on coastal Rhode Island, gives a modern twist to the classic 19th century boat shed, creating a windbreak and protecting inhabitants from solar gain. Read more →

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