Ecowatch Designs that sustain

A canal that uses rising sea levels to create energy? Many eco-creative ideas were honoured at the World Architecture Festival 2017.

FROM a hydroelectric canal that addresses rising sea levels to a tower of renewable energy, architecture is going eco-friendly.

The two projects above are among the winners of the inaugural WAFX Prize, part of the World Architecture Festival’s (WAF) 10th anniversary celebrations. Prizes went to future projects that identify key challenges for architects over the next 10 years.

WAF 2017 will be held at the Arena Berlin in Germany from tomorrow and will run for three days. WAF organisers have also launched the WAF Manifesto, which identifies key future challenges including climate, energy and carbon; water; ageing and health; re-use; smart city technology; building technology; cultural identity; ethics and values; power and justice; and virtual worlds.

There are 11 future project winners which critically address the Manifesto issues.

(All photos come from the project proponents.) 4. I Love Nydalen by SAAHA AS

This proposal maps out how the historic industrial buildings in the Nydalsveien 32B area of Oslo, Norway, can be preserved and redeveloped with housing, to enable active and vibrant city life.

The centre of the district will be transformed into a greenhouse, a common and shared space for both residents and the general public. Winner of the Re-use prize.