Geotectura sent us images of their recently completed Porter School of Environmental Studies. The buiding was underwrit through a generous donation by Dame Shirley Porter of the UK. Construction broke ground in December, 2011 on what is being called Israel’s greenest building, and now it’s complete.
Even the mayor came out to inaugurate Tel Aviv’s living laboratory and environmental sciences showcase on May 21, 2014.
The newly inaugurated building at Tel Aviv University practices what it preaches. As students occupy themselves with the challenges of our era, they have a real-time laboratory in which to conduct experiments, demonstrations, and research.
Working with Axelrod-Grobman Architects and Chen Architects, Geotectura carefully designed the interior to optimize natural lighting and ventilation, and to use just the right amount of renewable energy without generating waste. Under floor heating produces just enough warmth to keep people comfortable at their own level, but not enough to heat vacuous spaces.
A three-story EcoWall with a series of steel columns, pathways and terraces reaches down the building’s southern facade.
Related: Construction breaks ground on Israel’s Greenest Building
This wall – a visible highlight of the multifaceted project – has multiple functions, namely to protect the building from noise, pollution and excess sunlight, to generate thermo-solar energy through a sires of tubes in the wall that heat water (and also activates the building’s air-conditioning system independently of the national energy grid,) and to act as a real-time showcase of the groundbreaking work undertaken at PSES.
Small terraces or labs are built into the cage-like EcoWall, which we think is such a brilliant concept. This space is visible to everyone – students, researchers and even visitors, creating a spirit of collaboration and sharing and creating a sense of accomplishment and wonder that everyone can share.
A smart network of computer-controlled LED bulb surface on the eye-catching capsule that projects information and data to great distances. This allows passengers in cars or buses on Ayalon Highway in Tel Aviv to access some of the information displayed.
During the design and construction phase reviews, PSES got high scores from the U.S. Green Building Council, and it seems the building is on track to achieve LEED Platinum – the absolute highest certification possible.
Author: Tafline Laylin
As a tour leader who led “eco-friendly” camping trips throughout North America, Tafline soon realized that she was instead leaving behind a trail of gas fumes, plastic bottles and Pringles. In fact, wherever she traveled – whether it was Viet Nam or South Africa or England – it became clear how inefficiently the mandate to re-think our consumer culture is reaching the general public. Born in Iran, raised in South Africa and the United States, she currently splits her time between Africa and the Middle East. Tafline can be reached at tafline (at) greenprophet (dot) com.
I commend the architects. Really well done, except for maybe the walk on the last picture. Seems a bit narrow. Other than that – it’s clean, interesting and most important – looks contemporary! I hope we see much more of this type of building. 🙂 Cheers!
Such a magnificent building work. This is a truly wonderful piece of art. Hope it helps the environment.