Rico Flor

A brief and interresting discussion about new ‘eco-towns’ planned for the UK:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/audio/2008/jun/25/ecotowns.housing.environment

Hmm…come to think of it, my fellow larkies in the office fit the description. We are a “construction engineering consultancy”, but we’re doing fine so far, save the many moments when you feel the need to educate them about your profession, and point out that their utility manhole will be sitting askew on you paving grid…and that styrofoam on…[Read more]

The accreditation system seems quite blurry for now this side, save bulletins for seminars by the Emirates Green Building Council (initiative by HH Sheik Makhtoum), but developers are taking notice. Much talk in meetings about projects meeting Green Building standards, but not much push or initiative from the companies yet on getting on board the…[Read more]

Hello all
I dont actually work in an engineering company but im a lonley LA who works within a design dept run and filled with engineers! Does that count?
S.

I’m currently involved in a number of projects (mainly Qatar) going for LEED accreditation, some of the platinum.

It is not a directive from our consultancy (consider impact on client cost) but a desire from the client.

The main drive is in Qatar is from by QF / QP (Qatar Foundation) with the direct hands on influence of the Emir’s w…[Read more]

Hello all.

Three questions for all. (1) How significant is the LEED initiatives of the UAE (or the GCC in general) to your current projects and practice? (2) Is LEED accreditation a must in your office? (3) Have your office/EGBC/local LEED contacts informed you of the process to get accreditation?

A mouthful but important. Thanks in advance for…[Read more]

Looking for all gulf experienced LA’s to provide a true insight into the discipline in the region.

Hi’s and Hello’s to you all. Got a short question for you guys. I’m not familiar with mesquite (Prosopis juliflora), so do you know if this could be propagated en masse asexually? Rumor has it in the UAE that the indigenous and endemic trees here are resistant to mass asexual propagation. I hope you can prove me wrong….

The the streets on the island of Bali in Indonesia are rather amazing. A contradicting yet some how functional mosaic of temples (Balinese Hindu), tacky souviner shops, bars, resturants, massage parlors, internet cafes, etc. all spilling into a 20 ft wide alley (street) that is already full of taxis, motorbikes, donkey carts and peds.…[Read more]

In Sydney, there is a magnificent avenue of Moreton Bay Figs (Ficus macrophylla) along Anzac Parade. They’ve been there for well over a hundred years and create a dramatic canopy over this wide, major thoroughfare.