Five sustainable buildings showcase eco-friendly design globally
Architects have completed five distinct eco-friendly structures in Brazil, Indonesia and Sweden that demonstrate how green construction can meet climate targets.
Schools use local timber and earth
The Canuanã school in Tocantins, central Brazil, opened new dormitories for its 540 boarders in 2017. These buildings utilize locally sourced timber and earth bricks to create comfortable sleeping areas without air conditioning. Perforated brick walls allow air to pass through while a vast canopy shades the complex from intense heat reaching 45C. Students and teachers participated in ten days of workshops to ensure the design felt modern rather than old-fashioned.
Bamboo gymnasium spans court without columns
The Green school in Bali opened its Arc gymnasium in 2021 after constructing almost entirely from bamboo since 2008. The structure features arches inspired by a mammal ribcage that span a 760 sq metre sports court without any single column interrupting the floor space. Natural ventilation flows through breezes entering at the base while warm air escapes through vents located at the top of the undulating canopy.
Swedish hotel uses prefabricated wooden pods
Skellefteå added Sara Kulturhus in 2021 as a 20-storey cultural centre and hotel that stands among the tallest timber buildings globally. This building contains two performance halls, a museum, an art gallery, the municipal library, and a glulam and cross-laminated timber hotel. Construction using wood saved one year compared with steel and concrete while replacement trees were planted after harvesting within 40 miles.
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