Copenhagen-based architecture firm Tredje Natur has proposed what it calls the world's first upcycled high-rise tower. Inspired by the classic Copenhagen courtyard building, the mixed-use, 22-story CPH Common House design concept uses recycled materials to an "unprecedented extent," according to the firm. Façade elements are made of recycled tiles and concrete with brick components, while recycled window panels are repurposed as wood paneling. Overall, the team proposes reusing a total of 17,577 tons of waste, and saving 1,174 tons of carbon emissions. Thanks to the tower's stepped design, Tredje Natur can incorporate 5 percent more green space than conventional towers and make use of rainwater as it naturally travels down the building. ”With CPH Common House, we want to show that you can easily build high and densely without losing the connection to history, context and the human scale," said Tredje Natur partner Ole Schrøder in a project description. "The project is based on a strong understanding of the site, resources and the microclimate, which results in an empathetic benchmark for sustainable high-rise buildings in Copenhagen." [Tredje Natur]
EcoDistricts Certified, a verification platform that measures equity, resilience, and climate protection in communities, has certified four new districts in North America. The recent additions—the Towerside Innovation District in Minneapolis, the North Shore Innovation District in Vancouver, the Etna EcoDistrict in Pittsburgh, and the Broadway-Slavic Village in Cleveland—bring the total number of communities that have used the group's EcoDistricts Protocol to 17. According to the platform, its protocol offers a "framework to build collaborative governance, create implementation roadmaps, and track their performance in areas such as placemaking, health and wellbeing, green infrastructure, and economic prosperity." [EcoDistricts Certified]
In its first ever Impact Report, WeWork makes the case for its positive impact on small businesses and on cities around the globe. According to the report prepared by HR&A Advisors, WeWork supports some $122 billion in GDP through "direct, indirect, and induced spending." Companies with four employees reportedly save $24,000 in real estate costs when renting from WeWork, and 13 percent of small businesses are more likely to survive after three years if they are WeWork members. See the full report here. [WeWork]
According to a new report in The New York Times, Tesla is looking to regain its foothold as the lead residential solar provider by selling its solar products at 16 percent less than the national average for similar systems. This announcement comes just one week after news of the company's $702 million in losses in the first quarter of 2019. To create some cost cuts to support these price-cutting measures, Tesla will now ask consumers to purchase the systems directly online as well as take pictures of their electric meters, circuit breaker boxes, and other equipment to send to Tesla to reduce the burden of site visits. [The New York Times]
This week, Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser released the city's first ever resilience strategy, Resilient D.C.: A Strategy to Thrive in the Face of Change. The report outlines challenges and potential solutions relating to inclusive growth, climate, smart cities, health, and equity. “Washington, D.C., is one of the strongest, most diverse, and most vibrant cities in the United States; for our growth and prosperity to continue, we must make sure that we are prepared for the unexpected and are resilient in the face of change and challenges,” Bowser said in a press release. “Through Resilient D.C., we have the opportunity to work together across disciplines to tackle the challenges of today and tomorrow and make D.C. a model for cities across the nation.” [Government of D.C.]
