As seas rise, nature can protect our cities

As seas rise, nature can protect our cities

The Antarctic ice sheets are melting more quickly than predicted and sea levels around the world could rise by 1.5 to 2 metres this century – double compared to some previous estimates. This has been met with concerns for 45 million displaced in coastal Chinese cities and major Australian population centres “slipping under the waves”,

Goodbye to Zaha Hadid, the Dame of architecture

Goodbye to Zaha Hadid, the Dame of architecture

Both criticised and praised, the award-winning and undisputed world archistar, Zaha Hadid, died following a heart attack on 31 March in a Miami hospital, where she was being treated for bronchitis. The news has been confirmed in the evening by Zaha Hadid Architects, one of the world’s most important studios where 246 architects are employed:

On “the Edge” of sustainability

On “the Edge” of sustainability

It might not have been chosen as the most beautiful building in the world but the Dutch know what’s what when it comes to innovation and sustainability. The Edge by PLP Architecture is the 40,000 square metre Amsterdam headquarters of consulting firm Deloitte, elected the greenest office building in the world. It was recently awarded the

Zaha Hadid, the female star of architecture. Will a black hole of controversy gobble her up?

Zaha Hadid, the female star of architecture. Will a black hole of controversy gobble her up?

Zaha Hadid is the most famous woman surrounded by a sea of male celebrity architects, or starchitects. She has gained worldwide recognition by challenging architectural traditions with innovative but egocentric projects that have generated many a controversy because she often sacrifices functionality for the sake of designing shapes that express her trademark aesthetic. If [architecture]

Sustainer homes, the self-sufficient house respectful of the environment

Sustainer homes, the self-sufficient house respectful of the environment

Building a house that generates the hydraulic and electrical energy it needs to be completely self-sufficient is finally possible. That’s what a team of Dutch researchers demonstrated by starting the Sustainer Homes project, the container house exclusively fuelled with renewable energy.   It’s a mobile house of 30 square metres realised thanks to the recycling