London’s 2012 Eco-Tower @ Royal Docks
The tower, pictured below on the left, is a 24 story mixed use residential building proposed for the underserved royal docks district in London. Studio RHE (Richard Hywel Evans Architecture) is in the planning stages of the project, hoping to begin construction in 2012. The Eco-Tower is wrapped with colored panels on two sides (I believe the east and south); the panels themselves containing photo-voltaic, and solar water heating tubes. The panels and tubes shield the residences from intense sunlight, while absorbing some to produce energy and heat water for the dwelling units. On a third side (my guess is the west side) there is a series of terraced gardens that could serve many purposes (i.e. produce food, reduce storm water runoff, absorb co2 etc.).
SilverTree as it is called, incorporates a plethora of renewable energy systems, and is designed to greatly reduce the carbon footprint of the building. Ground source heat pumps within the buildings foundation assist to offset the energy needed to heat the residences. In addition the building would contain a central biomass energy center. Superior insulation, closable “winter” gardens, and carefully placed windows provide additional thermal efficiency.
the project will be mixed use residential, providing 161 living units of varying sizes and retail/commercial space on the lower levels. Hopefully this project will be a catalyst for the district; influencing further regeneration and conservation through the effective use of an integrated design process. I am loving the “trendiness” of green sustainable architecture!!
