I've always been a fan of James Bond. Not so much James Bond in practice, but in concept. I have a deep interest in green technology along with a tremendous disappointment that the 21st century is finally here, yet the skies aren't filled with Sean Connery-era James Bond jetpacks.
I have to take inspiration where I can get it. If James Bond was given lemons, he'd make lemon martinis for everyone, complimentary for the ladies of course. It's that kind of "can-do/get the crowd sauced" attitude from which I take my cue in introducing a new feature to Daily Kos; The James Bond JetPack Rating System™, a look at some of the new and developing green technology, automobiles, buildings, etc., rated through the prism of whether James Bond would approve.
Today, we'll look at some green buildings.
Item: The Hearst Tower
Location: New York City
Status: Open for Business
EcoGeek sez:
The Hearst Tower became New York City’s first skyscraper to achieve LEED Gold accreditation from the USGBC when it opened its doors last year. 80% of the steel used to make the behemoth was recycled. On the inside, the floors and ceiling tiles are made from recycled materials as well.
The diamond shapes on the building’s façade aren’t just for show either. The diagonal grid required fewer steel beams to achieve the same rigidity as a conventional skyscraper, and the design allows more natural light to enter the tower.
What’s more, rainwater is collected on the roof and is funneled into a 14,000-gallon tank in the basement. The Hearst gathers enough water from the sky to account for 50% of the tower’s usage. It’s pumped into the cooling system, used for irrigating plants and for the innovative water sculpture in the main lobby.
James Bond JetPack Rating™ sez: The city that never sleeps is a great fit for 007. The diamond shapes are a real plus too. Not a residential tower, but the presence of the very jet-set looking Cafe 57 is a definite plus. Downside? Cafe 57 is the preferred lunch locale of The Oprah Magazine staff. This is significant in that it essentially neutralizes Bond’s famous "hotter than Oprah" pick-up line.
3 JETPACKS
Item: Hypergreen mixed-use skyscraper by Jacques Ferrier
Location: Paris
Status: Concept
Jetson Green sez:
Recently, Paris-based architect Jacques Ferrier unleashed his "Hypergreen" mixed-use skyscraper concept, which was submitted for a project competition in Paris. Hypergreen incorporates a curving lattice facade made of ultra-high-performance concrete that acts as the building's primary structural system. It has the look of steel, almost resembling some of Foster's designs such as Hearst Tower or 30 St Mary Axe. Measuring 246 meters in height, Hypergreen has the following green features: geothermal heat pumps, photovoltaic panels, integrated wind turbines, earth cooling tubes, vegetated sky lobbies, a roof garden, rainwater recovery system, and flexible and adaptable floor plates. The exoskeleton reduces the number of columns that make for odd floor plates.
James Bond JetPack Rating™ sez: Skyline and lattice are all conducive to ultra-cool jetpack chase scenes. 007 also could hover next to lattice, going virtually unnoticed by bad guys inside while he spies on them (U.S. justice dept. may like this as well). And any chance 007 gets to jet around Paris...did someone say amour? Oui oui!
5 JETPACKS
Item: Mixed-Use Ecological Tower
Location: Siberia
Status: Concept
Designing firm Foster + Partners sez:
Rising above the skyline of Khanty Mansiysk in Siberia, this mixed use tower will be a new landmark, providing crucial amenities for the city, sheltered from the harsh local climate. The concept is driven by a progressive environmental strategy that is expected to establish new benchmarks for the region.
Set high on a hill in a densely wooded area, the tower rises above two podium buildings each facetted like a cut diamond, reflecting and refracting natural light to illuminate the interior. At the summit, a viewing platform and restaurant offer panoramic views over the city.
The development will take advantage of a number of sustainable energy strategies and key to the energy performance of the building are its atria, designed to facilitate solar gain and to encourage daylight to permeate the complex.
James Bond JetPack Rating™ sez: Too much of a religious cult look here. Sorry, this one would just freak James out, could not compute. Result would not good. Did you ever see the movie Scanners?
No jetpacks, 5 Scanners guys. Graphic mercifully omitted.
Coming Soon - The James Bond JetPack Rating™ System ponders the future of green automobiles.
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