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Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Green Design Will Save the World



"Undulating Croatian Sports Center is an Urban Design Masterpiece"



"The campus is sited on a slope, so access is provided by flights of stairs that ascend the lower roofs.








"The new Zamet Centering the Croatian city of Rijeka is a public square topped with a series of undulating buildings interspersed with energy-saving green roofs. designed the complex to allow full pedestrian access to the community spaces without overwhelming the neighborhood with its scale. One third of the facility is located underground, and the rest rises in tiers of walkways and green roofs that flow though the campus. Inside is a library and retail and office spaces that are anchored by an international sports auditorium. The building extends the bounds of the bordering park while contributing to the area's community life. The campus is sited on a slope, so access is provided by flights of stairs that ascend the lower roofs."Complementing the upper adjacent park is a series of that enable rainwater infiltration and help regulate the temperature of the buildings beneath. The plaza is covered in a unique ceramic tile and the ribbon effect of the levels and inspired by local rock outcroppings. The exterior flows easily into the interior, and the undulating mass scales so as not to overwhelm the plaza -- thus creating a more natural and inviting environment for assembly. Tucked-under parking and the project's sizable subterranean development also helps give the project a human scale. The plaza act as an extension of the adjacent park. The tiles are custom made for the project and create an organic unique facade that is also durable, easy to clean and will help keep the buildings cool with a high albedo. Rich details are expressed on every side of the centre and halls provide access to a large auditorium, which also benefits from daylighting. The 2380-seat main auditorium uses a telescopic stand system, allowing it to adapt to different uses quickly, expanding the usability of the space. The 16830 square-meter complex's day-lit and open space succeeds in creating an accessible and approachable. Wood accents and sound baffles soften the interior.

Monday, October 4, 2010

La Isla De Ometepe


La Isla De Ometepe just joined UNESCO in the 8th Wonder of the World!
Ometepe is an island formed by two volcanoes rising from Lake Nicaragua in the Republic of Nicaragua. Its name derives from the Nahuatl words ome (two) and tepetl (mountain), meaning two mountains. It is the largest island located in the Lake Nicaragua.













It seems unsullied, and spectacularly so, protected from so many of the world's follies, including a lot of tourist infrastructure, by a cool, clean moat. But it's most certainly worth roughing it a bit to see primary forests trade off with organic farms in the folds of the volcanoes' fertile skirts, teeming with howler monkeys and parrots, and hiding a wealth of archaeological treasures.
You can fly out through various airlines into Managua International Airport. From there take a bus or drive down to San Jorge to Moyogalpa. There you can either take a ferry or small boats roughing the sea to the island. As with all adventures, take plenty of water, first-aid, and an open mind!

Earth