Concrete jungles are more a norm than an exception in the world that we live in. The obvious impact of this is visible in the form of lack of green spaces in the surroundings. The effect is also felt on the quality of air in the vicinity. This has given a push to the need for sustainable architecture. It calls for building skyscrapers that not only recycle water and energy but can also help in pollution control and management. The concept of an algae research center tries to incorporate all these requirements of our age into a single structure. The research on algae has gained prominence in the recent times owing to the immense potential it holds in the domain ofbiofuel generation.
Self Respiratory Algae Research Center
The structure
The Algae landscaping on the tower and the area around it keeps the air clean. This is because algae are known to take in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to give oxygen just as other plants do. This is how this research center gets the distinction of being a self respiratory structure. It is only apt that an algae research center brings this property of algae into use. The core of the building, the one that joins the landscape to the high rise has been earmarked for places of public use. Library, coffee shops, conference rooms and auditoriums occupy this space. Next to the public space, classrooms and offices have been provided for. On the higher floors, the laboratories for algae research get ample space. A rainwater collection and filtration system in place adds to the environmental sustainability of the building.
Significance of Algae research center
It is a well known fact that fossil fuels are unlikely to last for eternity. In addition, these produce gases such as oxides of nitrogen on combustion. These gases pollute the atmosphere. The need for alternative fuels that are not as harmful to the atmosphere has led to greater research in the field of biofuels. Algae prove to be a much better source of fuel than other plant materials for the same measure of area under cultivation. Another factor that works in the favor of algae is that even sea water can be used for the production of algae. The oil produced from algae is biodegradable. The harm that oil spills cause to water is also contained as this biofuel is almost harmless. The research in the domain is required in an effort to bring the cost of production lower for this fuel to be considered as a credible alternative to fossil fuels.
Elements of sustainable architecture
Algae in the structure takes in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Rain water collection and treatment allows for use of rain water. Another factor that makes the building self cleaning and also cleans the surrounding air is the use of titanium dioxide. This compound is a photo-catalyst. It brings about the reduction of oxides of nitrogen in the atmosphere to carbon dioxide. Titanium dioxide used on window panels makes them self cleaning based on the same property of photo-catalysis and the formation of free radicals.
0 comments:
Post a Comment