Reviews


 * __BANGKOK BIO-SOLAR HOUSE __**

Sustainability is wholly integrated with home life with Thailands first Bio-Solar House, a completely self-reliant abode in Bangkok where nothing goes to waste. The brainchild of Soontorn Boonyatikam, a professor of architecture at Chulalongkorn University in Thailand who is also the designer and occupant, the Bio-Solar House was developed in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team comprised of students and faculty from architecture, engineering and science departments. Although the exterior features of the house differ little from the average middle-class Thai dwelling, its true powers lie in the installed functionalities that course through its interiors. The Bio-solar home’s energy is generated entirely through solar panelling. A sufficient water supply is maintained collectively via rain, dew and condensation from a cooling system which can also be recycled and used to replenish the garden. Eco-consciousness is even extended beyond the premises with an electrical car that is powered by surplus electricity generated by the house. The additional investment for a Bio-Solar House may seem a tad costly in comparison to a conventional home but proves worthwhile when you think about never having to pay for another utility bill ever again. Architect Soontorn Boonyatikam has always been interested in sustainable design, but personal circumstance provided additional motivation for this project. His wife suffers from pulmonary problems, and thus the family needed isolation from the notoriously polluted Bangkok air. The answer was a virtually airtight house in which the air is continuously filtered. Economics also played a major role in his design. Soontorn is also looking ahead to retirement and wanted a house in which “he’s never have to pay another energy bill”




 * __Article Summary__**

The text "**//__ Tech Briefs" __//** written by Alan Joch is based in a new project to use virtual reality in the design process. This project is launched by the General Services Administration (GSA) to view stereographic representations of their new courtroom in Jackson long before its construction. But the question is, if could sophisticated imaging technology create better 3D representations and reduce errors? And to answer this question a model walkthrough was performed. During the model walkthrough, courtroom elements could be rearranged based on the feedback of judges and others. After getting the judges’ response, the GSA refined a number of design elements. After that the GSA associated with Arup Acoustics and Paul Marantz, (the project’s lighting designer) Validated the acoustic and lighting characteristics of the model. Then the Judge William Barbour, U.S. District Court judge for the southern district of Mississippi, said: “We won’t know if virtual reality accurately simulated the courtroom until we get through with the building, But my initial impression is yes, it definitely did.” For me the virtual reality it’s a great tool to create and design spaces, because with the technology advance we can reduce errors and make things more fast, easy and well done!

**__Video-Podcast Summary__** The video is about an interview made to Peter Kageyama and Arthur Aw; both are architects but Aw is an Urban Planner and a designer too. Aw is the head of the ICT (Information Communication Technologies), a national development organization for Singapore; he is basically in charge of all constructions in Singapore. Peter and Arthur talk about SARASOTA International Design Summit 2006 where professionals of design discuss and share opinions or ideas about how design and urban planning can be used to spur better relationship with the environment, better innovation and better business. With respect to innovation and creation, Singapore has become an icon in the field of urban planning due to the unique things made in terms of development and creativity. They also talk about Biopolis, a project where experts in urban planning, architects and scientists work together to get better results. For both experts, the discussion and agreement between scientists’, designers’ and planning professionals’ ideas is essential to get better benefits for citizens, without leaving behind the esthetic aspect, as it is happening in Singapore thanks to the work done by Arthur Aw’.

By Cindy De Abreu and Marines Garban

media type="file" key="parte 1.wav" width="300" height="50" media type="file" key="parte 2.wav" width="300" height="50"