355 Eleventh is a LEED-NC Gold adaptive reuse of a historic (and previously derelict) turn-of-the-century industrial building. The building's original timber frame structure was retained and seismically upgraded. Both a new exterior envelope and new interior were provided to serve the building's current role as a multi-tenant workspace. The building has recently been selected as one of the AIA/COTE Top Ten Green Projects.

A-cero Architecture describes the design of this house as “The maximum expression of minimalism”. The house is situated in the upscale neighbourhood of “La Finca” in Pozuelo de Alarcón (Madrid), within an exclusive housing development, an area with wide green spaces, lakes and spectaculars houses, and most if them actually designed by A-cero.

Many towns in Denmark have centrally located industrial silos; most are no longer in use, but continue to visually dominate the local skyline.

This is also the case in the town of Løgten north of Aarhus, where the former silo complex has been transformed into a 'rural high-rise', with 21 high-quality residences composed as individual and unique 'stacked villas'.

They are an alternative to standard apartments or to detached suburban sprawl, and are a mix of single storey flats and maisonettes, meaning that even the lower levels fully get to enjoy the views, and that no two flats are the same.

The actual silo contains staircases and lifts, and provides the base of a common roof terrace. Around the tower, the apartments are built up upon a steel structure in eye-catching forms which protrude out into the light and the landscape – a bit like Lego bricks.

Rising 23 stories above Portland, Oregon’s evolving West End neighborhood, Twelve|West is a mixed-use building designed to meet two LEED Platinum Certifications and serve as a laboratory for cutting-edge, sustainable design strategies. It features street level retail space, four floors of office space for ZGF Architects LLP, 17 floors of apartments and five levels of below-grade parking.

As a 2010 Top Ten Award Winner of the AIA/COTE Top Ten Green Projects, the building has an eco-roof, rooftop garden and terrace space, complete fitness studio and a theatre. Four wind turbines sit prominently atop the building representing the first U.S. installation of a wind turbine array on an urban, high-rise. Twelve|West serves as not only an anchor in a rapidly transforming urban neighborhood, but also as a demonstration project to inform future sustainable building design.

Photographs by Tim Hursley

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Thuwal, Saudi Arabia, designed by global architectural firm HOK, has been selected as one of the 2010 "Top Ten Green Projects" by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Committee on the Environment (COTE). The annual awards program honors sustainable projects resulting from an integrated approach to architecture, natural systems and technology.

The project is a new international, graduate-level research university established to drive innovation in science and technology and to support world-class research in areas such as energy and the environment. As Saudi Arabia's first LEED certified project and the world's largest LEED-NC Platinum project, KAUST is a new international, graduate-level research university established to drive innovation in science and technology and to support world-class research in areas such as energy and the environment.

All photographs: © JB Picoulet
All plans and Renderings: © HOK

The project renovates an existing house built in the 1950’s. The original house was well constructed, but, with 7’-6” ceilings and a stair segregating the main living spaces, it lacked spatial hierarchy and volume. In addition, the existing house failed to take advantage of its remarkable site, which offers spectacular views to the north and west across Puget Sound.

The Experimental Ranch House, was originally designed by Cliff May (20th Century California Architect credited with creating the California ranch-style home in 1931) as his personal residence. It is situated in the Sullivan Canyon area of Los Angeles. The historic house was completed in 1952 and is thought to be a unique example of the evolution of Ranch House design.

All photographs by Joe Fletcher

The 2360 square foot structure centers on a spacious great room that contains the living area as well as the kitchen. The room has a large skylight that provides a view of the tree canopies above and floor to ceiling windows at the North end. The resulting effect is an indoor space that is fully integrated within the outdoor environment.