Three TreeHugger Picks Win Design Awards
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto on 07.31.08
Three projects previously profiled on TreeHugger have won design awards from the Ontario Association of Architects, perhaps indicating that green ideas in architecture are becoming more mainstream, or that my taste in architecture is not as bad as so many commenters suggest. Only one of the three was overtly green and going for LEED certification; the other two had green aspects that I admired. I love the Credit Valley Hospital addition by the Farrow Partnership because of it's remarkable use of wood. See more at Study Proves Good Design Means Healthier Patients
The Umbra Concept Store by Kohn Shnier Architects in Toronto integrates LEDs into the fabric of the exterior (something we will be seeing a lot more of, where lighting will be permanent parts of the building instead of something added in).
Inside, it has the most remarkable chandelier, made up of Umbra lamps stuck together in clumps, proving that compact fluorescents can be gorgeous in the hands of a good designer. Umbra Store Lit by Compact Fluorescents
Greenest is Mongomery Sisam's Toronto Botanical Gardens, complete with green roof with native vegetation, special fritted glass that screens out 70% of the heat gain, water conserving fixtures and energy efficient lighting. Toronto Botanical Garden by Montgomery Sisam
More on Montgomery Sisam in TreeHugger:
First Look at Archetype Sustainable House Competition
More on Kohn Shnier in TreeHugger
Modern Prefab by Kohn Shnier Architects and Royal Homes
Laneway House by Kohn Shnier Architects
Architects: Your Websites Suck. Read This Post!
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Llyod,
So you don't feel to picked on
I often like you architectural picks, I just don't comment on them-- so keep them coming.
Michael
fabulous!
Is that bamboo? What ever it is, it's gorgeous.
I like the top picture. Very very cool.
I'm new to the site but have you seen some of Michael Reynolds work. He's designed some amazing houses. I recently designed and built a small structure using some of the same techniques which i'm using to store my recyclables. Next summer i hope to build a green house for plants which will utilize upwards of 500 tires and a large amount of glass and plastic bottles.