en designing for the public, architects and engineers must take into consideration the economic, environmental and social impacts of their design. The three categories; people, planet and profit are the fundamental principles of sustainable architecture. Architecture firm Cox Architecture joined an alliance with the architecture firm Architects 61 and engineering firm Arup to perfectly address the three categories of responsible design while also managing to create an entirely new category of bridge.The Helix, is the first of its kind. Located in the heart of Singapore's Mariana Bay, it acts as a cultural figurehead symbolizing the re-urbanization of Singapore's cultural centres. The Helix geometry is inspired by the unique and universally known shape of DNA. The purpose of the pedestrian bridge is to literally and figuratively connect the cultures of the region and provide a common ground which all could appreciate. The design was intended to be unique to the region and has been quickly recognized as a modern architectural-engineering masterpiece. This report will discuss the unique traits of the design that make the bridge architecturally and environmentally innovative. METHOD One of the main purposes of the bridge was to achieve a higher standard in sustainable bridge design. This was appropriately addressed by the efficient selection of materials and geometry. The entire structural system of the design consists of only stainless steel. A stainless steel skeleton was made economically possible due to the maximization of material function. The bridge behaves like two opposing springs, in which the outer helix transports the load to the base supports and the inner helix supports the deck. As each spiral has a...
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... then added to create the final product. The images below display the construction process. Above: spacing deck supports and testing ring uniformity.
7 Below: Installation of helix members. Above: a comparison of the real bridge section to the model section.
8 Below: Final product. CONCLUSIONStructural innovation combined with fundamental sustainable design methods creates architectural marvels that can be presented to a global audience. Architects and engineers will have to continue to innovate in order to address the world's growing needs while keeping the long term impacts of their design in mind. The Helix bridge is an architectural-engineering masterpiece which addresses the needs of the community while being designed for the longevity of the structure. Structural innovation and sustainable design have been perfectly combined
At the time of its construction in 1929, the Ambassador Bridge was the largest spanned suspension bridge at 564 meters until the George Washington Bridge was built. It was an engineering masterpiece at the time. The total bridge length is 2,286 meters and rises to 118 meters above the river. Suspension cables support the main span of the Ambassador Bridge and the main pillars under the bridge are supported by steel in a cantilever truss structure. In total, the McClintic-Marshall masterpiece is comprised of 21,000 tons of steel. The immense socio-economical impact that the Ambassador Bridge has on transportation and trade is imperative for daily interaction between the Un...
According to Suspension bridges: Concepts and various innovative techniques of structural evaluation, “During the past 200 years, suspension bridges have been at the forefront in all aspects of structural engineering” (“Suspension”). This statement shows that suspension bridges have been used for over 200 years, and that people are still using them today because they are structurally better bridges. This paper shows four arguments on the advantages of suspension bridges, and why you should use one when building a bridge. When deciding on building a suspension bridge, it has many advantages such as; its lightness, ability to span over a long distance, easy construction, cost effective, easy to maintain, less risk
Golden Gate Bridge held the title as one of the longest bridges for a reason. It has a total length of 2,737 meters with a width of 27 meters. It also has a clearance of 67 meters for ships to pass by. Besides its incredible dimension, its architecture also plays a tremendous role for its beauty. The bridge employs art deco style, a chevron or beveled shape, used to add visual effect. The concrete structures at the ends of the bridge have chevron form as well as the concrete at the base of the towers. There are two shafts in each tower, 90 feet apart decreasing in width as they go up. The two shafts are connected by cross bracing and having four horizontal struts above. The bridge’s art deco design and towers were designed by architect Irving F. Morrow.
The Tacoma Narrows Bridge is perhaps the most notorious failure in the world of engineering. It collapsed on November 7, 1940 just months after its opening on July 1, 1940. It was designed by Leon Moisseiff and at its time it was the third largest suspension bridge in the world with a center span of over half a mile long. The bridge was very narrow and sleek giving it a look of grace, but this design made it very flexible in the wind. Nicknamed the "Galloping Gertie," because of its undulating behavior, the Tacoma Narrows Bridge drew the attention of motorists seeking a cheap thrill. Drivers felt that they were driving on a roller coaster, as they would disappear from sight in the trough of the wave. On the last day of the bridge's existence it gave fair warning that its destruction was eminent. Not only did it oscillate up and down, but twisted side to side in a cork screw motion. After hours of this violent motion with wind speeds reaching forty and fifty miles per hour, the bridge collapsed. With such a catastrophic failure, many people ask why such an apparently well thought out plan could have failed so badly?(This rhetorical question clearly sets up a position of inquiry-which iniates all research.) The reason for the collapse of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge is still controversial, but three theories reveal the basis of an engineering explanation. (Jason then directly asserts what he found to be a possible answer to his question.)
The 1.78 mile western span of the bridge between San Francisco and Yerba Buena Island presented the first obstacle. The bay was up to 100 feet deep in some places and required a new foundation-laying technique. Engineers developed a type of foundation called a pneumatic caisson to support the western section. A series of concrete cylinders were grouped together and then capped-off, having the air pressure of each cylinder identical to balance the beginning of the structure. From there, the workers added sets of new cylinders until the caisson reached the bottom of the bay. Then, in order to reach the bedrock, they inserted long drills down the cylinders, digging until they reached bedrock. After the caisson was balanced at the bottom of the bay, workers filled it with 1 million cubic yards of concrete, more concrete than was used for the construction of the Empire State Building! This caisson connected the two suspension bridges that make up the western part of the bridge.
In conclusion, the designers and builders of the tower have an undesirable job: creating a building that is functional, modern, sustainable and unique. At the same time it is honoring the memory of the people that died in and around the buildings that stood there before. While the green sustainable features have been criticized for being too expensive, they will do more than save just water, electricity and emissions. They and the grace of the building will inspire a generation of green and safe skyscrapers for the twenty-first century. This building has become one of the safest, environmentally friendly and expensive ever built, but as critics slate the building for various reasons, one cannot take away the determination through political, social and economic status that designers and workers have created such a beautiful building with great meaning.
The world is developing every day and we continue to discover new and innovative ways to better our quality of life. A trend that everyone seems to be focused on is saving the environment, which is also known as sustainable living. Not only does this apply to our lifestyle and environment, but it also translates into design. Sustainable living is becoming more popular around the world and is a lifestyle using skillful and sensitive design. It eliminates negative environmental impact and requires renewable resources. We each have decided to research different furniture companies to broaden our knowledge of the innovative practices used in each company. Throughout our paper we will introduce each of our companies and the products and practices they use to produce sustainable furniture. Our research will show that sustainable furniture design is beneficial to consumers by allowing them to live a more environmentally friendly lifestyle as their manufacturers develop innovative ways to make renewable furniture.
Over the East River in New York City stands the Brooklyn Bridge, connecting the Brooklyn and Manhattan boroughs. From end to end, the bridge spans 6,016 feet and weighs a heavy 14,680 tons. Ever since construction on the Brooklyn Bridge was completed in 1883, the bridge has offered a safe route with scenic views to tens of thousands of tourists and commuters who have traveled it via train, car, pushcart, and bicycle. The history behind the Brooklyn Bridge is definitely intriguing as well as important because many fatalities occurred in the construction process, including one which occurred before construction on the bridge even started. Also, a lot of workers, time and money were used in building the bridge. In addition,
Moving on from the organizational issues to the financial aspects, an analysis aiming to prove if sustainability is measurable or not will be provided, discussion based on IKEA’s sustainability report of 2015th year.
Sustainable design seeks to reduce negative impacts on the environment, the health and comfort of building occupants, thereby improving building performance. The basic objects of sustainability are to reduce consumption of non-renewable resources, minimal waste, and create healthy, productive environments (“Sustainable Design”). Focusing primarily on the sustainable design principles, there are five, including: low-impact materials, energy efficiency, quality and durability, design for reuse and recycling, and renewability. As sustainability appears to become the necessary trend in architecture, the question concerning the cost versus outcome of “going green” really an investment or a waste of time and money comes to mind. With our research provided below, we believe the expenses may truly be with the investment in the end.
This Sustainable Architecture began long ago with scientists brainstorming and designing a new design for an eco-home that’s liable on decreasing massive numbers of en...
Every day the world around us is changing ever so slightly in many different ways. Humans can affect the environment through our day to day lifestyle without even noticing the change. An ecological footprint is a measurement of how much a person uses the environment around them to live their life. This given measurement can help one to see their impact on the earth. It is an important tool to understand what actually a human does to change the habitat near them. My ecological footprint results gave me a perspective of how my daily life can impact the world I live in, as well as, how I as an individual can change my actions to make less waste on earth. It is also useful for each person to know their own ecological footprint since no one live
Sustainable fashion is among the developing design viewpoint and movement of sustainability with the main objective of establishing a structure, which can be sustained for the foreseeable future in terms of conservationism and social accountability. This implies that all the products made are developed with much consideration to the environmental and social influence all through its overall lifetime encompassing its carbon imprint. It is revealed that sustainable fashion is not just a short time trend but one, which could endure for a long time (Fletcher 76). Beforehand, conservationism used to represent itself in the fashion world through the contribution of a portion of transactions of products for a charitable reason.
Sustainable buildings are becoming somewhat of a necessity in the world today. As the demand for green building develops, so does the demand for green building materials. Just as the old techniques and building materials seem to disappear in the assembly of things, they are now making a come back. Green building focuses on the efficiency of major resources like water and energy. As the cost for sustainable materials and products are on the decline, building green seems to be the most cost effective kind of design and construction. Looking specifically at green materials and their impact on the production of structures, it is evident that they are a prime choice for building material. The use of green materials should be promoted because they are better for the environment, more healthful for the consumer, and better for the economy.
The United Nations recently published a list of goals they hope to accomplish by 2030 called the Sustainable Development Goals. These goals will replace the Millennium Development Goals, which were set in 2000, when they expire at the end of 2015. Some of these goals include ending poverty, promoting gender equality, and improving water and sanitation conditions. Arguably, the most important goal is to “end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture” (in text citation- NY Times Article). Hunger was also an important goal on the MDG list, yet it was not fully accomplished (in text citation- Progress chart). The goals was to reduce hunger by half, and yet, the number of people who go to bed hungry