Curl la Tourelle Head Architecture has created a concept for a school that would sit on the Thames wharf side at Cannon Street and could become the greenest building in London. The Thames Tidal School concept is “an exemplar of low embodied energy and carbon construction technologies,” according to the architect.
The school would be built using natural and bio-renewable materials sourced through local supply chains. The key component of the building’s many sustainable elements, however, is not the building materials it would use, but how it would generate its power.
Rendering: Forbes Massie.
The Tidal School would be built on the shore at the narrowest section of the Thames. The building would extend over the river and use turbines underneath to capture the tidal power. The build site at the narrowest section of the river is important because that is where the velocity of the tidal flow is at its highest point. The submerged turbines would harness the tidal power four times per day and use the energy produced to supply the building with carbon neutral power.
The Thames Tidal School is designed to meet the certifications of the Passivhaus standard and the BREEAM Outstanding rating.
Rendering: Forbes Massie.
Related Stories
Giants 400 | Aug 6, 2015
GREEN BUILDING GIANTS: Green building movement hits a new plateau, but the underlying problems remain
Today, the green building movement is all about eliminating toxic substances in building materials and systems and, for manufacturers, issuing environmental and health product declarations. Whether these efforts will lead to healthier products and building environments remains an open question.
Green | Jul 27, 2015
MUST SEE: Dutch company to test using plastic waste for road construction
KWS Infra is piloting a program to make roads from plastic garbage, including bags and bottles extracted from the ocean.
Codes and Standards | Jul 27, 2015
ICC, ASHRAE outline roles to consolidate IgCC and 189.1
"IgCC Powered by 189.1” will provide the design and construction industry with “the single, most-effective way to deliver sustainable, resilient, high-performance buildings," according to the trade groups behind the agreement.
Green | Jul 23, 2015
NASA: U.S. headed for worst droughts in a millennium
Data from NASA shows carbon emissions could be the driving force behind devastating water shortages and record droughts in the western U.S.
Sponsored | Metals | Jul 20, 2015
Life cycle assessment, and why you should care
LCA is a way of quantifying the environmental impact generated by the manufacture and delivery of a product.
Green | Jul 16, 2015
7 parking facilities first to earn Green Garage Certification
The new program rates parking structures based on 48 elements of operation, from water reuse to bicycle parking to car sharing options.
Smart Buildings | Jul 12, 2015
Office of Management and Budget asks agencies to consider climate change when budgeting for construction projects
For the first time, the U.S. Office of Management and Budget is asking agencies to submit budget plans that consider the effects of climate change on construction and maintenance of federal facilities.
Engineers | Jul 12, 2015
White paper explores low-flow toilets’ impact on drain lines, clogs
The research found that certain variables: toilet paper—along with the pipe slope and flush volume—are key variables in determining whether drain lines might be predisposed to clog.
Green | Jul 12, 2015
U.S. Green Building Council aligns programs with CALGreen
California has a new LEED certification path as the state struggles with drought.
Green | Jul 7, 2015
Philips sheds new light on growing fresh food indoors
A research center in The Netherlands is testing the latest techniques in urban farming.
