Green Buildings – review of the year 2009

Green buildings had one of the best years in recent times with a host of iconic buildings making the switch to more environmentally friendly technologies.


One of the least environmentally places on earth, the Las Vegas strip, got a lot greener with details of a new sustainable resort released this week.

A new 18m square-foot development called CityCenter, a joint venture between MGM Mirage and Dubai World, will opened in 2009 on 67 acres between Bellagio and Monte Carlo resorts on the strip.

New details about the scheme were confirmed this week and range from from slot machines fitted with air conditioning units to the strip’s first on site energy-generation through an 8.5megawatt natural-gas co-generation plant – allowing the resort to help guests ‘green their stay’.

While the Arab world even went greener with The Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s home becoming the first building in the Arab world to achieve globally recognised green credentials.

According to the building’s owners it’s now the first existing building in the region to achieve LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).

The iconic Sears Tower is to be transformed into a beacon of sustainability with a multi-million dollar green makeover.

Owners of the building in Chicago, and the tallest construction in the western hemisphere, have announced plans they say will result in ‘unparalleled’ energy savings and reduced CO2 emissions.

An estimated $350m, with a number of private and public financing and funding options currently being explored, will be spent on the improvements.

A school in Stoke has recycled a commercial airplane to give wings to its expansion plans.

Pupils at the Kingsland Primary School were given the chance to choose what they wanted as an extra classroom.

One child suggested an airplane and the school, this week, opened the new classroom with ‘first class’ facilities.

Luke Walsh

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