The University of Technology Sydney Tower, Sydney

Sydney’s ugliest building may soon be getting a new lease on life through to a plan to ‘reskin’ the entire tower with a high-performance photovoltaic skin. Architecture firm Laboratory for Visionary Architecture (LAVA) has proposed the retrofit, and if their plan is enacted it would turn the 1960’s brutalist building into a brilliant super-efficient eco-tower.

The University of Technology Sydney Tower has long been known as Sydney’s ugliest building (it even says so on their website). It was built in 1960 and it currently hosts the headquarters of the University.

LAVA’s proposed ‘Tower Skin’ concept would wrap the building with a lightweight composite mesh textile. The cocooned shell would then collect rain water, generate electricity and assist the ventilation system in cooling the tower. At night, the skin works as an intelligent media surface that communicates information on events in real time.

While this design is only concept, UTS is making extensive renovations on the tower with the goal of improving energy and water efficiency. Unfortunately, it probably won’t look as cool as this one. The concept design is on display at STATE. RESPOND in the Object Gallery in Sydney.
Inhabitat

Prototype for the House Arc Modular Home Unveiled

We love prefab designs, but we love seeing them come to life even more! Last July, we brought you renderings for the House Arc, a bicycle rack-inspired modular home designed by Joseph Bellomo, and now we’re thrilled to give you a peek of the prototype version which was just unveiled. Prefabricated and flat-packed into a 4-by-10-by-3 foot box, the House Arc can easily be shipped and assembled at its final destination.

The prototype is a 150 sq foot prefab home and weighs all of 3,000 pounds. Built to withstand tropical environments and nasty weather, the rounded design is like an “eggshell where you only need the minimal amount of structure and still have something that is incredibly strong,” says Bellomo. The frame is made from lightweight steel tubing and the foundation consists of a few concrete blocks. Designed to be off-grid, the home will be powered by solar panels mounted on the roof.Although not originally intended as a solution for catastrophe-wrought Haiti, Bellomo thinks his home might make sense as disastar relief housing, and is currently looking for sponsors and investors who may be interested in developing his prototype for that purpose. He says, “We’re going for a kit of parts that the average person can assemble quickly–like an IKEA house, only easier to put together.”www.inhabitat.com

Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth

ALMOST all know where the name of this stadium. No other took the name of antiapartheid, Nelson Mandela. Dad and a great hero of South Africa who is willing to jail for 25 years fighting for racial differences in the country (apartheid).There is an additional name "bay" or the bay behind him, because the stadium is located in front of the Gulf of Nort End. The only world-class stadium in the Eastern Cape Province was built at a cost of U.S. $ 150 million (approximately USD 1.4 trillion). VIP has 150 rooms, 60 business class rooms, sports clothing shop, gym, 500 parking bays, and several multipurpose rooms. In addition, the stadium has 74 blocks of toilets.

It's one of the five new stadiums in South Africa (South Africa) which was built to hold 2010 World Cup, but in Cape Town, Durban, Polokwane and Nelspruit.

Stadium with the entrance 32 is designed with a unique purpose. Grooved dome. Has a multifunction, the stadium is 40 meters high. On the west side, the stadium consists of six levels. Whereas in the other three sides with only five levels of the total capacity of 48,000 spectators. However, after the World Cup will be reduced to 440,000 spectators.


Construction began in 2007, FIFA had hesitated whether to be completed by deadline, in January 2010. However, it was Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium to be completed even earlier, in December 2008. On June 6, 2009, the stadium was opened and attended by 17,000 local residents. A month later, the stadium has been used for the Confederations Cup.

On 28 November 2009, the stadium for the first time will be used for music Koser. Group and renowned singer will perform in South Africa, including the popular group Busta Rhymes.

Magnificent stadium by taking a big name world leaders, stelah World Cup will be the headquarters of Southern football team and the Kings Bay United.