As the Commercial Real Estate industry advances, environmentally friendly practices have moved to the forefront. Major technological advances and bright minded architects are contributing to the sustainability of buildings and structures everywhere. Here are some articles that discuss stone pitching, sustainable communities made from upcycled materials, and how nature is being incorporated in New York’s skyscrapers.
The Importance of Stone Pitching
Stone pitching is a technique used around drainage systems to reduce erosion and other damage to roads. This process used medium-sized rocks, or stones, partially submerged in mortar. These stones create a barrier that allows water to flow steadily while decreasing soil and sediment runoff. This cost-effective solution to steep slopes increases durability, reduces repair needs, and aids in environmental management practices.
Building Sustainable Communities from Shipping Containers
Two architects have discovered a way to integrate upcycling and sustainability into the built environment. Ada Tolla and Giuseppe Lignano are reusing discarded shipping containers and creating structures out of them. Their upcoming documentary will highlight their history, design processes, and optimistic future for sustainable communities made with upcycled materials.
Bringing Nature to the Concrete Jungle
Architects have found a way to create a building that adds nature to New York City’s “Concrete Jungle” while also being sustainability compliant. The Spiral is a 984-foot-tall skyscraper in West Manhattan. Its name comes from the unique design of trees that spiral around the exterior of the building, cascading from top to bottom. This building also provides benefits for its employees. The building has a rare feature of terraces that also interconnect between floors. This allows workers to get fresh air and connect with those on different floors that they may otherwise have never had a chance to interact with.
