Zarkon Group, Author at Zarkon Group Real Estate Builders & Developers

A new design for at-home wind turbines

By Zarkon Group,31/03/2022

Spotted: For homeowners looking to power their house with renewable energy, wind power offers a more efficient and environmentally friendly alternative to solar panels. But while solar panels on domestic homes are an increasingly common sight in urban and suburban areas, far fewer houses are installed with wind turbines.

To reverse this situation, UK engineer Joe Garrett has developed the AuraGen – a new vertical axis wind turbine designed to be mounted on homes and commercial buildings. The AuraGen’s unique design aims to minimise a phenomenon called ‘dynamic stall’ where factors such as wind shear and turbulence place a heavy load on turbine blades – reducing their lifespan. Moreover, the design is simple—reducing maintenance requirements—and offers good power performance.

The new turbine is omni-directional, which means it works no matter which way the wind is blowing, and the technology is tailored to work most effectively on pitched roofs. In fact, the shape of the roof enhances the turbine’s performance, acting like an aerofoil to increase the velocity of air going through the turbine.

A frame is used to directly attach the turbine to the roof. This is an important benefit as, by using the height of the house, the design does not require a tall support structure. This increases stability, meaning that the turbine itself can be wider, leading to greater power generation.

Compared to solar panels, wind turbines have a much higher power density and can operate at night. This latter point means that the AuraGen could potentially be used to charge electric vehicles overnight.

The idea for the AuraGen came to Garrett as a teenager when he worked on scaffolding and rooftops with his dad. He told Springwise that his experiences working in the wind stuck with him and gave him the idea for a roof-mounted wind turbine. Thanks to the AuraGen design, Garrett received recognition as a winner of this year’s UK Young Innovators Awards.

The AuraGen is not the only domestic wind power solution spotted by Springwise. Another designer has developed a wind turbine ‘wall’ that can be tailored to the aesthetic of each home. Springwise has also spotted a portable wind turbine weighing only 10 kilogrammes.

Written By: Matthew Hempstead

31st March 2022

Website: ktn-uk.org/programme/young-innovators/

Structural Membranes: Exploring ETFE and PTFE Synthetic Polymers in Architecture

By Zarkon Group,31/03/2022

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Modern chemistry made mass-producing polymers possible and continues to facilitate the use of synthetic polymers in architecture. Membranes are one of the most visible forms of polymers in design and construction. Waterproofed membranes add a layer to the building’s envelope that both prevents damp walls and helps control the humidity inside. This approach to structure and envelope, which has gradually become popular since the late 20th century, is an especially good choice for public projects with large span roofs. For example, the Millennium Dome by RSHP, which has been badly damaged by the extraordinarily destructive storm Eunice, is a dome structure with a skin of PTFE coated glass fabric that has an astonishing diameter of 1, 200 feet (365 m) and a height of 165 feet (50 m).

A roof formed by a single layer of membrane is significantly thinner than structures built from traditional materials such as timber and bricks, while it is possible to be as strong as steel, depending on the material. The resulting structure, therefore, preserves lightness both structurally and visually. Meanwhile, they are strong enough to stand against the weather and good at self-cleaning. This article looks at two predominant synthetic polymers — both plastics that are categorized as textiles. PTFE, polytetrafluoroethylene, is constructed from carbon and fluorine atoms. Meanwhile, ETFE, ethylene tetrafluoroethylene, is built from carbon, fluorine and hydrogen. While the former is more fire-resistant, the latter performs better under tensile pressure.

Polymers are also applied as hard materials, the Sogokagu Design Lab by Kengo Kuma and Associates has a ETFE façade.

So far, membranes sound ideal for large-span structures. However, the performance of the material heavily depends on its structural integrity. If just one part of the piece breaks, normally, if the type of membrane used is fabric-based like PTFE, the replacement of a whole piece will be required. Therefore, the maintenance and repair of membrane structures can be quite costly, which should be considered when choosing the material.

There is also a wide range of sheet materials that can be considered as membranes. Some are woven fabrics coated with polymers, some come directly as foils/films. ETFE is one of the most popular materials for membrane structures as it becomes a film that is highly flexible to fit onto the skeleton of different shapes. It is also transparent enough to let lights travel through, either allowing daylight into the space to utilize natural light or creating a luminous, performative visual of the building at night by lighting it from the inside. Moreover, the material is highly recyclable — although not biodegradable. Still, already-used ETFE can be reprocessed into new ETFE materials.

water cube_night_exterior water cube_day_interior Designed by PTW Architects, the National Swimming Centre in Beijing, also called Water Cube, has an iconic “bubbling” façade made of ETFE. To achieve this appearance, ETFE films are first welded together, then installed onto the steel frames and lastly filled with inert gases using the piped embedded in the steel frames to form cushions. The swimming pool is lit by natural light during the daytime and very little artificial lighting is needed, thanks to the transparency of ETFE.

Solar energy is let through the envelope as well and heats the space, the water and the concrete floor structure. During the night, the concrete floor of high thermal mass gives out heat that is stored during the daytime, saving energy on air-conditioning. As each cushion is independent of the others, a broken cushion can be quickly repaired by welding a supplementing patch of ETFE onto it or be simply replaced with a new cushion to secure the integrity of the envelope.

Functioning similarly to double- and triple-glazing, the gas-filled cushions are good insulators for noise and heat as well. The insulating function of ETFE cushions has been already proved in the Eden project (2001), where ETFE cushions help control climates in enormous greenhouses.

selgascano serpentine_day_interior While Water Cube employs ETFE cushions for their environmental performance, the Serpentine Pavilion 2015 designed by SelgasCano plays with the material’s transparency. Using colored and color-diffusing ETFE films, joined by colored ribbons, the design team created a surreally colorful spatial experience. ETFE films and ribbons of different shades are attached to the steel skeleton, forming a double skin system where shades overlay building new shades and forms penetrate forming dreamy shadows. The lightness of the material allowed all skin sections to be installed by hand.

PTFE membranes, on the other hand, are normally manufactured by coating PTFE onto glass fabrics, which makes them highly resistant to cracks under stretching and more scratch-resistant than ETFE. The strength of the material allows the formation of dramatic free form structures. While PTFE membrane facilitates natural lighting as ETFE does, it can further filter UV light thus preventing possible damages to furniture caused by long-term UV light exposure. Similar to ETFE, it is also anti-corrosion and easy to clean.

Feuerstein-Arena Schierke_day Feuerstein-Arena Schierk_nighte The Ice Stadium Schierker Feuerstein-Arena designed by GRAFT stands out in the competition to renovate the stadium for its unique roof. The roof of over 29,000 square feet (2, 700 sq. m) spans across the ice rink, meeting the ground at its two ends. The lightweight yet strong PTFE membrane rests on a net of steel ropes which is then fixed to the outer steel frame. The structure bears wind, rain and snow and sheltered the stadium from direct sunlight by diffusing it. During the night, the reflectivity of the material spreads lights across the whole roof, multiplying the artificial lighting.

Browse the Architizer Jobs Board and apply for architecture and design positions at some of the world’s best firms. Click here to sign up for our Jobs Newsletter.

Six solutions that will change the world in 2022

By Zarkon Group,30/03/2022

The world is facing unprecedented challenges – from climate
change to biodiversity loss. And this decade is the decade to act. But to effect
change we need solutions – today. Thankfully, entrepreneurs and innovators
around the globe are working hard to find them.

Many of these innovators will be coming together later this
year at the annual ChangeNOW summit in Paris to share their ideas and meet
other members of the community working to create a better planet. And with two
months to go until the event, Springwise is highlighting six exciting solutions
that attendees can look forward to discovering.

Tackling topics from circularity to cities with everything
from biocarbons to batteries, these groundbreaking innovators embody the visionary,
humanistic and action-oriented spirit that we believe are fundamental for
driving real change – now.

BIOCARBONS REMOVE CO2 FROM THE AIR AND REPLACE PETROLEUM-BASED PRODUCTS

Negative emission technologies—known in industry jargon as
NETs—remove greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide, from the air. These
technologies range from the low-tech—such as tree planting—to the
technologically complex. Whatever form they take, the Intergovernmental Panel
on Climate Change (IPCC) has highlighted that carbon removal and storage is
necessary to meet net-zero targets. But as commentators
have pointed out, this is easier said than done.

One company that is making progress, is German
startup Carbonauten. From 2022,
the company will begin producing large quantities of biocarbons made from waste
produced by the forestry, agriculture, food, and wood industries. This type of
waste would normally be burned, buried, or left to rot, but, instead,
Carbonauten’s carbonisation process turns it into useful products that lock
away carbon permanently. And by preventing the rotting process, Carbonauten
also prevents the release of other greenhouse gases, such as methane and
nitrous oxide.

The woody residues that are used to create the biocarbons absorb carbon dioxide during their lifetime, and this carbon is then stored away. This means that the net effect of producing the biocarbons is the removal of CO2 from the atmosphere. Moreover, renewable energy is a useful byproduct of the carbonisation process, and the biocarbons themselves can replace petroleum-based plastics in key applications.

SUPPORTING SUSTAINABILITY IN FASHION AND TEXTILES

The fashion and textile industries are among the world’s most environmentally damaging. The production of clothes requires a lot of fresh water and contributes significantly to water pollution. Different sources also put the proportion of global greenhouse gas emissions that come from the fashion industry at between two and ten per cent.

To tackle fashion’s dirty secret, non-profit The Sustainable Angle launched the
Future Fabrics Expo – an industry showcase that connects fashion brands to more
than 5000 commercially available sustainable materials. The exhibition has
grown into a huge success and is admired by designers such as Anya
Hindmarch.

To support the main event, The Sustainable Angle establishes a set of criteria for sustainable materials and finds innovators who are delivering against those standards. The non-profit also provides much-needed educational resources for sustainability in textiles.

Photo source: CAFÉ GATO-MOURISCO on Unsplash

IMPROVING LIVELIHOODS AND SUPPLY CHAINS THROUGH ECOSYSTEM REGENERATION

Regenerative agriculture is a term used to describe a range
of practices that acknowledge the interconnectedness of food production and the
natural ecosystem. Similarly, agroforestry seeks positive interactions between
trees and crop plants.

It was the realisation of this link between agricultural livelihoods and the health of the ecosystem that inspired Tristan Lecomte to start the PUR Project. Working with small-scale farmers around the globe, Lecomte observed how many challenges faced by farmers were directly linked to degradation of the natural environment.

The PUR Project is founded on a recognition that companies rely on healthy ecosystems to operate. The organisation works with those businesses to pursue actions that offset their environmental footprint within their value chain. These initiatives are not separate from the company’s core activities but are instead intimately bound up with the supply chain. For this reason, the approach taken by the PUR Project is called ‘insetting’– as opposed to the more common term ‘offsetting’.

Insetting requires the empowerment of local communities and a traceable, transparent supply chain. And the PUR Project favours nature-based solutions—such as regenerative agriculture and agroforestry—that regenerate the ecosystems companies rely on.

‘HEALABLE’ COMPOSITES INSPIRED BY NATURE

In
nature, living things heal, live, and decompose to form new life. But when
man-made materials, such as composites, are damaged they must be repaired. And
current repair solutions can be costly and time-consuming. Moreover, recycling
rates remain low around the world, and many products have frustratingly short
shelf lives.

Now,
Swiss university spin-off CompPair is taking
its cue from nature with a resin that enables composite materials to ‘heal’
cracks and delaminations. All that is required is for the damaged material to
be heated up in a process that takes only a few minutes.

The self-healing
properties of the composites reduce maintenance costs and manufacturing defects,
while extending the lifetime of the material. Moreover, the composites can be
more easily recycled, and are designed to be compatible with existing manufacturing
processes.

End applications for the CompPair composites can be found in the marine, sports, wind energy, aerospace, and construction industries. For example, the company’s material was recently used by a producer of high-quality catamarans.

USING DATA TO MAKE BATTERIES SAFE, DEPENDABLE, AND SUSTAINABLE

The global demand for batteries is expected to
increase rapidly from 185
gigawatt-hours in 2020 to over 2,000 gigawatt-hours by 2030 – an increase
largely driven by the electrification of transport.

Batteries are therefore set to be at the heart of the 21^st Century economy. But battery maintenance can be challenging for engineering teams thanks to issues such as inefficiencies and fires.

Now, Accure, a university spin-off from Germany, has
developed a platform that uses cloud computing to help companies understand and
improve the safety, reliability, and sustainability of batteries. A modern
battery produces a continuous stream of data, and the Accure platform analyses
this data in real-time and at scale. This allows companies to accurately forecast
the safety and health of their fleet of batteries, while finding ways to
optimise performance. For example, batteries age differently, and Accure’s
analytics can help companies dramatically improve their lifespan.

Accure’s technology can be used to monitor batteries used in a range of applications, from e-mobility and power tools to stationary energy storage.

A NATURAL WALL SYSTEM FOR HEALTHY, DURABLE, AND SUSTAINABLE HOMES

According to Canadian startup Calmura Natural Walls, modern homes use too many cheap materials that end up in landfill, cause pollution, and contribute to poor indoor air quality. The company believes there are better ways to build using sustainable materials, and its first product is a biocomposite wall system made from lumber mill waste.

The
biocomposite walls offer homeowners several immediate benefits, such as protection
from fire, mould, pests, and earthquakes. They also ensure a stable
temperature, reducing the owner’s energy bills while ensuring a comfortable home
environment.

In
addition to the cost-saving and comfort benefits, the startup’s walls serve an
even greater environmental purpose by storing carbon. The wood waste that is
used to make the wall panels would normally be burned, composted, or sent to
landfill, leading to emissions of greenhouse gases. Instead, carbon is locked
away for the long term.

Springwise is a proud partner of ChangeNow, which takes place in Paris 19-21 May 2022. As the world’s largest event for the planet, the three-day international summit brings together entrepreneurs, business leaders and policymakers to accelerate change. To find out more and book your tickets, visit changenow.world

Words: Matthew Hempstead

30th March 2022

Will Architects Prioritize Passenger Experience in the Post-Pandemic World?

By Zarkon Group,30/03/2022

Have your say in which architects will take home Architizer’s prestigious A+Awards: Public Voting opens this spring. Interested in next year’s program? Subscribe to our newsletter for updates.

Traveling is an exhilarating endeavor. Whether it be by bus, train or air, successful travel requires stamina, organization and the ability to adapt. When traveling by plane, the initial leg of the journey often causes stress. From document checks to security lines, the entire airport process can feel arduous; however, when you touch down at your destination, the exhausting journey begins to feel worthwhile.

With the added complexities of the pandemic, flying feels more like a burden than it does a favorable experience. The excitement to board a plane is replaced by a fierce worry that something will go wrong. Today, passengers are greeted with long lines, rigorous document controls and a heightened stressful atmosphere. It is hard to predict when the return to normalcy will be — or if that will ever happen — but what is certain is that stress goes hand-in-hand with travel. Will the pandemic change the ways in which architects design transport interiors? Can architecture act as a mediator between stress and calm? Can it facilitate relaxed movement while not compromising practical requirements?

The check-in and administrative side of air travel are likely not to change, and airport security checks will likely remain long and unfavorable; however, once headed to the gate, the energy in the airport can shift. The second leg of the journey can be more relaxing, and architects can have a hand in that.

San Francisco International Airport, Boarding Area E by Gensler, San Francisco, CA, United States. Popular Winner, 2015 A+Awards, Transportation – Airports. © Joe Fletcher Photography

One way to help alleviate travel-related anxiety is through access to outlets. As society turns to digital solutions, passengers are required to arrive at the airport with their documents ready to go and as a result, many rely on their personal electronics to store travel documents. From boarding passes, immunization proof, to test results, electronic devices have become essential for air travel – especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Most airports were built before the digital era and as a result, are only equipped with a mere number of accessible outlets. Airports travel will likely continue within this digital realm and aviation architects are beginning to catch on and ensure their designs are fitting of the times.

San Francisco International Airport, Boarding Area E by Gensler, San Francisco, CA, United States. Popular Winner, 2015 A+Awards, Transportation – Airports. © Joe Fletcher Photography

While aviation architecture continues to evolve, some designs were ahead of their time. Take San Francisco International Airport, Boarding Area E renovation for example. Back in 2014 design team, Gensler was commissioned to transform the airport’s Boarding Area E into a travel oasis — and they did just that. The design features passenger spaces that are not typically found in most airports. From private dressing rooms to yoga centers, this airport terminal truly encourages its passengers to unwind and take a moment for themselves.

O’Hare Global Terminal by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), Concept.

Meanwhile, the recently conceptualized Chicago O’Hare Global Terminal design revives the city’s spirit while prioritizing the passenger’s experience. In a collaborative effort by SOM, Ross Barney Architects and Arup, the team designed a terminal that incorporates atypical airport spaces: the outdoors. The gate’s dining, shopping and entertainment options reflect Chicago’s dynamic art and culinary scene. Meanwhile, passengers can unwind inside or outdoors. An open-to-the-sky concourse garden offers guests a chance to connect with the outdoors before boarding their plane. Surrounded by trees and hammocks, this atypical use of the outdoors facilitates relaxation by offering passengers a chance to breathe after making it past the stressful check-in and security lines.

Guadalajara International Airport, Terminal 2 Concept by CallisonRTKL. Finalist, 2021 A+Awards, Transportation – Unbuilt Transportation

The Guadalajara International Airport Terminal 2 design concept equally promotes passenger experience. Conceptualized by CallisonRTKL, this design enhances the local Mexican culture and cuisine. Interior gardens, comfortable waiting lounges, pet care centers and family facilities – this airport was conceptualized to cover any and all possible passenger requests. The arts are also celebrated in this design. Virtual art galleries and live performance spaces house local dancers and offer passengers a chance to unwind through visuals displays.

Most airports were built before the digital era and prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Upgrading and renovating old terminals and airport spaces is a massive undertaking and costs a pretty penny. But the pandemic has offered a moment to pause, and as large-scale projects start up once again, we see a shift in aviation architecture practices and a newfound prioritization towards enhancing the passenger experience. Ultimately, such shifts in design practices will help mitigate travel-related stresses and encourage passengers to relax whilst waiting to board.

A new app incentivises people to recycle

By Zarkon Group,29/03/2022

Spotted: Incentives definitely help make daily chores more fun! Bower, an app developed by an eco-minded team from Sweden, makes sure that every trip to a recycling centre is rewarded. Users scan anything with a barcode to find out where the nearest recycling point is for that product. And if something cannot be recycled, that is part of Bower’s mission too – to educate people about what exactly goes into packaging their favourite products.

The app uses crowdsourced data to list local recycling options, and users are encouraged to add to the directory. After scanning and sorting the waste at home, users receive the deposit value of each item directly to their account after confirming drop-off at an approved location. Rewards come in either monetary or coupon form and can be transferred between users, spent, or donated to a charity.

The app is free to download and use for both iOS and Android devices, and the company is seeking commercial partners for dedicated recycling campaigns. Brands can use the app to build a better understanding of the life cycle of their products and use the data to engage in new ways and at new contact points with customers. Having recently secured more than €4 million for development purposes, the company plans to use the investment to expand first into the UK and then beyond.

Bower will join similar solutions like the UK’s Litter Lotto app as another way to incentivise people to behave in a more sustainable fashion.

Written by: Keely Khoury

29th March 2022

Email: hello@getbower.com

Website: getbower.com

Pellets made from agricultural and wood waste replace fossil fuels

By Zarkon Group,28/03/2022

Spotted: Each year, Costa Rica produces more than 1.2 million tonnes of wood, of which around 40 per cent ends up as waste. Much of this wood waste is disposed of improperly with decomposition releasing methane, a greenhouse gas that adds to global warming. Now, renewable energy company Pelletics is putting waste to work fighting climate change.

The company takes wood and agricultural waste from sawmills and cassava cultivation and turns it into pellets that constitute a high energy density fuel. Depending on its exact properties, the feedstock is put through one or a combination of processes such as drying, particle reduction, densification, cooling, and dust removal. This treatment takes places at the company’s plant in Muelle, San Carlos, which is situated at the heart of Costa Rica’s sawmill region.

The fuel produced by Pelletics is considered carbon neutral, and can be used as a direct replacement for fossil fuels in applications such as boilers, industrial burners, and home heating. In Costa Rica, fossil fuels are imported whereas the company’s pellets are produced locally, reducing transport emissions while supporting local jobs.

The company currently works with more than 30 sawmills, and the company recently updated its facilities with new technology to further improve its sustainability.

Pelletics is not the only company spotted by Springwise that is developing bio-based alternatives to fossil fuels. Other innovations include a Kenyan biofuel company that services informal retailers, anda researcher turning cardboard boxes into biofuel.

Written By: Matthew Hempstead

25th March 2022

Website: pelletics.com

Contact: pelletics.com/contacto

Brazilian Firm Brings Passive Design Principles to New Production Facility

By Zarkon Group,28/03/2022

Judging is now underway for the 10th Annual A+Awards Program! Want to earn global recognition for your projects? Sign up to be notified when the 11th Annual A+Awards program launches.

Aldous Huxley said that “springs and landscapes have a serious defect: they are free” and that “love for nature does not provide work for any factory.” Well, sorry to contradict the famous writer and philosopher but the new industrial complex for Nice — the Italian multinational leader in Smart Home, Security, Home & Building Automation solutions, designed by M CA – Mario Cucinella Architects in Limeira, Brazil — proves exactly the opposite: namely, that an industrial building can concretely combine productivity, social and technological innovation, research and environmental sustainability.

All images courtesy of MC A Mario Cucinella Architects

Nothing could be further from the apocalyptic and sooty atmospheres of Friz Lang’s film Metropolis (1927) in which the machines of productive dehumanization devoured the lives and identities of workers, reducing them to an automated mass swarming beneath the ground.

On the contrary, here, the building’s iconic roof appears like a large tropical leaf floating on light pillars, evoking the idea of an almost “maternal” architecture that is protective and enveloping, its organic forms in tune with the natural ecosystem. Unusually, equally strong themes of production efficiency and quality of work are combined with the strong emotional impact of this architecture.

The intervention is, on the one hand, a manifesto of cutting-edge technology aimed at increasing productivity according to a sustainable business model. Meanwhile, on the other, this is an architecture of social commitment to promote the professional growth of the local community by leveraging constant training and innovative work experiences.

The complex, covering an area of about 215, 278 sq ft (20,000 sqm) in a forest rich in underground water sources, houses the headquarters of the group with two floors of offices, common areas, showrooms, service and training areas. The production facilities, located at the back, are connected to the central atrium by a large window from which visitors can directly observe the industrial process.

Also at the back, a system of suspended paths, immersed in nature, connects to the building that houses services for employees, such as the gym and the inevitable “churrasqueira.” The working environment is a bit like a home, where it is also pleasant to spend moments of relaxation and socializing.

The building has been designed to reduce energy consumption and toxic emissions through the use of active and passive measures that, thanks to the favorable local climatic conditions, allow the systems to operate completely off-grid for some periods of the year.

In general, the use of natural ventilation is possible for two thirds of the year, thanks to openable facade elements and the integration of mobile openings in the atrium patio that transform it into a giant “ventilation chimney”. The production area, thanks to the combination of thermal mass and natural ventilation, is operational all year round without the need for cooling or heating; showrooms and offices benefit from a mixed system that encourages natural ventilation while reducing overall cooling loads.

The roof, as well as a strong characterizing element of the project, is also an important passive device that provides shading to the large glass fronts during the hottest hours, reducing by 47% the incident radiation and avoiding the risk of overheating. 43 055 sq ft (4,000 sq m) of photovoltaic panels installed on the roof cover the electrical load of the entire building and potentially allow the systems to work off-grid during sunny days.

The landscape design is an equally important part of the intervention and is functional to increase the rich local biodiversity. The project proposes a playful interpretation of the variety of the Cerrado biome, the second largest in Brazil, ranging from grassy glades, to savanna, to forest formations, represented here in different expressive languages along the outdoor paths, inspired by local wild species and native vegetation. Small ponds and water basins mitigate runoff and direct rainwater to a large basin at the bottom of the area; a 2, 120 cubic foot (60 cubic meter) tank stores water to reuse for irrigation.

Image courtesy of MC A – Mario Cucinella Architects

Mario Cucinella, founder and creative director of MC A, states that “sustainability is a founding element of making architecture. Looking back at history, we have always needed a relationship with matter, and the energies brought into play were those of the climate: the sun, the wind, the light. The project re-establishes a symbiotic relationship between the architectural structure and nature, interacting with the landscape and reinterpreting the traditional Brazilian architectural elements and encouraging the use of all its passive characteristics.”

Love for Mother Earth — “our mother and sister who governs us and sustains us” as St. Francis of Assisi said — permeates the work, suggesting a broader reflection on the concept of sustainability that extends not only to environment but also to society and economy. MC A’s building encompasses a cultural approach in which ecology and industry coexist beyond hierarchies and commonplaces.

Judging is now underway for the 10th Annual A+Awards Program! Want to earn global recognition for your projects? Sign up to be notified when the 11th Annual A+Awards program launches.

Sustainable strategies for combatting crop pests

By Zarkon Group,27/03/2022

Spotted: Each year, 3 million farm workers experience extreme pesticide poisoning, and 600 million people get sick from eating foods contaminated with agrochemicals. This is a particularly pertinent problem in Costa Rica – a leading global exporter of pineapples, bananas, and coffee.

The damage caused by agrochemicals—not just to human health, but also to the wider environment—is feeding calls from stakeholders and regulators for environmentally friendly alternatives. But finding viable substitutes that meet the performance characteristics required by agricultural producers and their demanding customers is hard.

Costa Rican startup ClearLeaf is rising to this challenge with a range of innovative solutions to replace harmful toxic pesticides. These are based on emulsions – mixtures of sticky non-toxic liquids that coat living and post-harvest crops that are vulnerable to pests. This coating protects the plant and promotes healing of damaged tissue. Crucially, the company’s antimicrobial agents are highly toxic for single celled organisms, such as bacteria and fungi, but harmless to humans, plants, insects, and wildlife.

ClearLeaf’s solutions offer several important benefits compared to alternatives. First, ClearLeaf offers one of the only non-toxic fungi-bactericides available anywhere in the world. Moreover, the company’s solutions do not cause microbial resistance and enhance rather than impede plant growth. Second, the fungi-bactericides can be applied at any time in the growing cycle and can even be used to protect produce post-harvest – keeping it fresh between farm and fork. Finally, ClearLeaf’s technology does not harm biodiversity on the farm – something that is particularly important in a country home to 5 per cent of the world’s biodiversity.

ClearLeaf is not the only innovator spotted by Springwise that is seeking
to reduce the impact of traditional pesticides. One company has developed a sensor
that gives farmers the ability to identify
insect pests in real time. Another is employing bees
to deliver organic fungicide.

Written By: Matthew Hempstead

25th March 2022

Website: clearagro.com

Contact: clearagro.com/contact

8 Contemporary Ways to Resurrect Art Deco Glamor

By Zarkon Group,27/03/2022

Browse the Architizer Jobs Board and apply for architecture and design positions at some of the world’s best firms. Click here to sign up for our Jobs Newsletter.

Art Deco, which is short for Arts Décoratifs, emerged as a design style in France just before World War I and predated the more minimal and functional Mid Century design. Characterized by bold sleek forms, geometric patterns, reflective finishes, metallic and inlaid wood embellishments as well as luxurious materials, the aesthetic later gained popularity in the 1920s and 1930s, where it was showcased across architecture, interiors, fashion, automobiles and more.

The style married high-quality opulence and dramatic simplicity while also paying homage to technological advancements and mass manufacturing. In addition to Cubism and Viennese Succession, Art Deco also draws inspiration from cultures across India, China, Egypt and Mesopotamia. For many in North America, it is epitomized by icons like the Chrysler and Empire State buildings, completed when America was on the brink of the Great Depression. When America emerged from the crisis, the world had changed and so had aesthetic preferences. Today, we’re exploring how 21st century architects and designers are reviving Art Deco sensibilities and adapting them for the contemporary era.

San George by Framework Studio, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Chevrons and starbursts were some of the most defining elements of the Art Deco style. These patterns can be used in walls, furniture and even floors. Statement zig-zag floors in a high-gloss black and white pattern create a neutral base to place colorful furniture while also adding a stylistic layer to the design. In the San George restaurant, the bold floors come together with bright turquoise and rich emerald tones to create a retro aesthetic without it being too overwhelming.

Restroom in Art Deco Style by Futuris Architects, Yerevan, Armenia

Gold is an easy way to bring in the glamour of the roaring 20s. Instead of large metallic furniture pieces, the color can be introduced in a subtle way by using it in the edges or outlines of décor and furniture pieces, molding, lighting or handles. In this restroom, the studio added oblong mirrors with gilded frames and then reinforced this design language with gold-finished lights and matching accessories. The dark tones of the walls and furniture also help the metal stand out more.

Jazz Billet by Envisage, Gurugram, India

Starburst, solar forms, and stepped patterns are other characteristic elements from this era. These geometric forms were often used in wallpapers, moldings, mirrors and even building exteriors. An Art Deco-style apartment in India showcases these patterns in the form of wall paneling. A dramatic living room wall arrangement is achieved by staggering curved and flat panels of different lengths with recessed light fixtures.

Death & Company Los Angeles by AAmp Studio, Los Angeles, California

Jewel tones have long been associated with wealth and grandeur. Deep shades of red, green, navy or purple can either act as a backdrop or be used in furniture as accents. In Death & Company Los Angeles, these rich hues create a moody atmosphere that is part nostalgic but also contemporary. These colors are juxtaposed with dark wooden panels, light natural stone, metallic accents and floors with geometric tiles.

Beau Cloud Mansion / The Cascade by Bean Buro, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong

Taking inspiration from the automobiles and ocean liners in that era, curvilinear forms and clean lines also became a part of the style in the 1930s. The Bean Cloud Mansion / The Cascade does the same in a modern way. Corners, wall edges and furniture profiles have all been given smooth edges or curved profiles. This is even replicated in cabinet doors and wall dividers. The curved lines are also incorporated at a smaller scale by adding fluting to the dining table.

Santomate by Daniela Bucio Sistos // Taller de Arquitectura y Diseño, Morelia, Mexico

Art Deco is the epitome of making a statement, and lighting can be a big part of this. Illuminators with sleek or geometric forms can easily spruce up simple spaces. This is exhibited in the design of Santome — a restaurant and bar in Morelia Mexico. Globe lights attached to oblong profiles are suspended in a row over the bar. The setup also comprises recessed lighting in the same warm hue to create a halo effect.

Project 1874: Photorealistic 3D Rendering Restaurant by Yantram Architectural Design Studio, Rio Rancho, New Mexico

In addition to floors or walls, patterns can also be introduced on the ceiling. In a conceptual design for a restaurant in New Mexico, the firm used a striped pattern in green and ivory to decorate the ceiling. The Art Deco theme is further reinforced with the addition of geometric starburst lights.

5550 Wilshire by TCA Architects, Los Angeles, California

The style manifests in different forms for the exteriors as well. The most iconic Art Deco buildings across the world often mimic lines and forms of old ocean liners. Curved edges, flat roofs, bands of windows, circular openings, horizontal bands, ship railings and ziggurat-shaped decorations are just a few examples. The 5550 Wilshire is a building that encapsulates this style masterfully. The horizontal mass of the structure is further broken up with vertical divisions to create the illusion of height.

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