1. Velodrome—London, UK
Just north of London's Olympic Park, the Velodrome opens its doors this
summer to thousands of track cycling fans during the 2012 Olympic and
Paralympic Games. Reflecting the design of a bicycle, the building is
lightweight and efficient—one of the most sustainable Olympic Park
venues.
Inspired by the sport itself, Veldrome's designers, Hopkins Architects
says: “The bike is an ingenious ergonomic object, honed to unrivaled
efficiency. We wanted the same application of design creativity and
engineering rigor that goes into the design and manufacture of the bike
to manifest itself in the building.”
Its double-curved roof emulates the dips of a racetrack and its
specific positioning allows for the abundant use of daylight, while
external timber cladding helps achieve natural ventilation. Only 100
tons of steel were used compared to the 3,000 used in the Aquatics
Center that is about the same size. By utilizing new technology and
software throughout the design process, adding photovoltaics and
turbines weren't necessary to make the Veldrome a sustainable
masterpiece.
2. Marco Polo Tower—Hamburg, Germany
As a world leader in green tech and renewables, it's no surprise that
Germany also boasts some pretty sustainable buildings. Designed by
Behnisch Architecketen, the Marco Polo Tower marries a high-end
residential project with a holistic ecological building concept. Sun
collectors on its roof provide power to warm water for the apartments,
and the recessed facades of the structure protect it from direct
sunlight.
3. Livestrong Foundation—Austin, Texas, US
The 1950s-era warehouse was adaptively reused and transformed into a
LEED Gold-certified building. Windows were put in the roof to harvest
the state's ample daylight and nearly 90 percent of the materials from
the previous building were reused to build the new structure. Commuters
are encouraged to take advantage of the Lance Armstrong Bikeway, a
six-mile bike path that enables carbon-free transportation from one side
of town to the other.
4. Park Hotel Hyderabad—Hyderabad, India
Earning the country's first LEED Gold certification for a hotel, the
five-star luxury boutique hotel boasts distinct sustainable design
strategies. Perforated and embossed metal screens over a
high-performance glazing system allow diffused daylight to enter
interior spaces.
5. Swarovski Headquarters—Lake Zurich, Switzerland
This transparent, low-energy, horseshoe-shaped building houses some 500
staff for the crystal manufacturer Swarovski. For heating and cooling,
the structure takes advantage of water from the nearby lake.
6. OS House—Racine, Wisconsin, US
Johnsen Schmaling Architects takes credit for this LEED
Platinum-certified family house. Using natural cross-ventilation and its
solar exposure, the home is incredibly efficient. It also features a
compact plumbing system that includes low-flow fixtures and an on-demand
hot water circulating pump. Due to an incentive from its local utility,
every kilowatt its PV system produces provides the owners twice the
value.
7. FUSMH—Madison, Wisconsin, US
The First Unitarian Society Meeting House, a 20,000-square-foot
addition to the city's Meeting House, is LEED-Gold certified. It's about
40 percent more efficient compared to similar buildings of its nature.
When spaces aren't occupied, carbon dioxide sensors trigger a
ventilation system to save energy.
8. Sandal Magna School—Wakefield, UK
Standing as one of the most carbon-efficient schools in the UK, Sandal
Magna teaches its students about sustainability by example. Ecological
features include natural ventilation through wind towers and on-site
energy generation for cooling and heating. Solar panels adorn its roof
and students raise fruits and vegetables in a garden behind the school.
9. House in Shimogamo—Kyoto, Japan
“To be able to see green from every room.” Those were the client's
stipulations. Despite the cold, industrial look of a circular screen of
frosted glass around the house, an incredibly spacious green zone
strikes a pleasant contrast on the inside.
10. Cherokee Studios—Los Angeles, California, US
Making the most of the mild local climate, the housing project employs
passive cooling strategies of cross-ventilation and thermal convection.
The site is not only a LEED Platinum live/work complex offering
professional recording studios in select units, but deemed the best
studio in America by Beatles producer George Martin.
Thank you Anthony. It is always a pleasure to have someone advise me of what is going on. I have heard of genetically modified seeds being used to prevent farmers from being able to save the seeds from the plant for the next seasons crop. I know how serious this is and have order my own heirloom seeds. Many of the plants I am growing this year are from previous crops. Every year that I replant seeds from previous crops they seem to get stronger and adjust to my weather conditions. At one point I started my first organic tomato plant simply by accident. A tomato from the store was going bad and through it out into the yard in a dirt pile. A tomato plant started growing all by itself with little to now help from us. This is what encouraged us to start a garden. If a store tomato could grow without our help what could we accomplish with some actual hard work and love for the garden. It turned out amazing each year getting bigger.
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The building is located in Fairfield, Wisconsin. Built for $4 million
dollars, the 12,000 square foot center is as green as they come, with
the project obtaining 61 out of the 69 available LEED points. The
building was designed by 
Monsanto is the company that supply's the world with genetically modified seeds/food -the pesticides Are grown into the seeds
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