Geothermal Powered Chicago Spire

The Leed Gold Chicago Spire designed by Santiago Calatrava will be the tallest building in Chicago and second-tallest in the world when it is completed in 2010. A geothermal system will draw in river water to cool the building – as a building of this size is almost always in cooling mode even in the dead of winter due to the heat generated by people and mechanical systems. Each floor is rotated a few degrees relative to the previous to give every resident and office-dweller in the structure a unique view.

Also See: Related WebEcoist Articles & Galleries:

Garden to Go: Vegetation Takes Over Chicago Train Car

Want to take that green on the road? This lovely art project put a lush garden in a Chicago train car and circled downtown for hours.

Biomass & Thermal Power Systems & Designs

Unlike solar and wind power generators, an earth energy biomass or geothermal power system is often completely invisible in the finished design of a building.

Sliding Skin Adapts to Sunlight in Egypt's SLIDES House

This desert-friendly house design uses a perforated sliding skin that controls how much sunlight is let into the house, keeping it cool without air conditioning.


Click Here to See Comments & Converse
Get The Free Newsletter

 

©2012 AtomicOnline, LLC, an Evolve Media Corp. company. All rights reserved.
Archives - About - Advertise - Feed - Galleries - Terms of Use - Privacy - AdChoices