Green Architecture: COR 2.0?

If you are into sustainable architecture, chances are you've already seen Oppenheim's COR Tower in Miami. At 27 stories high, the wind turbines will generate electricity from the breeze off the ocean, complemented by the giant solar photovoltaic panels.

© Dbox

© Dbox

Now what if we add a brim defuser to each turbine on COR, making them into "wind lens", as developed by Kyushu University in Japan. This would double or even triple the output of these wind turbines.

 

 

 

 

The Little Black Dress

I simply heart little black dresses -- simple, elegant, some are good for work as well as happy hours, formal receptions. These are a few ones on my shopping list this season:

Akris Punto，Embellished Dress

Dolce & Gabbana，Lace Dress

Tadashi Shoji，Ruched V-Neck Dress

And of course, I just got a couple pairs of black high heels to match them with!

 

Happy holidays!!!

"Greenest" Office Building

What does it take to be the greenest office building in the country?

Construction has begun on the Bullitt Center in Seattle, its goal -- net-zero water and net-zero energy, using only its own rainwater and power generated by itself. It's expected to use less than half as much energy per square foot as what is required for LEED platinum "green" standards set by the U.S. Green Building Council. (L.A. Times)

Here is what it takes:

• A triple-glazed curtain wall system 
• Windows that open and close automatically depending on outside conditions 
• A closed-loop geothermal system 
• Radiant floor heating and cooling 
• Extensive daylighting thanks, in part, to taller than average ceilings and windows 
• Rooftop solar system designed to generate 100 percent of the building’s energy needs

The Only Thing I Will Say about Milan Fashion Week

Gold!

Bottega Veneta

My favorite, though, is the always breath-takingly gorgeous Luisa Beccaria. Enjoy!

If you missed their Spring 2011 collection, here they are: ethereal, romantique, graceful - honestly, I stop breathing for five seconds when I first saw them.

Tip of the Day

quote-book:

Photograph by: Mikey Burton

Tip of the Day

via environminimalist

Beauty of Imperfection

Josh Olins shoots Magdalena Frackowiak for Dazed & Confused’s February 2010 edition. Wardrobe from the elegant Viktor & Rolf!

Harrier and Jaguar, 2010

Tate Britain 28 June 2010 – 3 January 2011

Fiona Banner, talented young British artist, was awarded the Tate Britain Duveens Commission 2010. Here's a peak at her work:

Harrier, 2010, BAe Sea Harrier aircraft, paint 7.6 m x 14.2 m x 3.71 m © Tate Photography / Andrew Dunkley and Sam Drake

London, where roses bloom in city hall

photo by mergana

Designed by the great Norman Foster, London City Hall may be the most beautiful modern city halls in the world. This egg-shaped building is installed with solar PVs that provides green energy. When you visit London next time, put the City Hall on your visit list! They are open to the public on Mondays to Thursdays from 8.30am to 6pm and Fridays from 8.30am to 5.30pm.

photo by J.Salmoral

Commencement 2010

Harvard Commencement 2010. It'll be my turn soon (hopefully)!

Congratulations to this year's graduates!

The Design School and their lego bricks and mortar.

Law School and their gavels.

The Kennedy School of Government and mini-globes.

Dentistry and their broomstick.

Meryl Streep receiving Honorary Degree.