
05.12.2011 / Green Life
The sustainable landmark
Can you imagine London or even Paris without the shining lights outlining their most beloved and famous landmarks – respectively Tower Bridge and the Eiffel Tower? To the eye of a tourist, they would certainly loose part of their charm.
Yet, all major cities have to deal with the energy crisis; and wouldn’t it be great if the positive message in terms of energy saving through technology and sustainable architecture came from some of the greatest symbols of civilization?
In a way, this is already happening: as part of the plans for the “green” 2012 Olympic games in London, the city is planning to install a state-of-the-art energy efficient lighting system on Tower Bridge. While cutting down the bridge’s carbon footprint and reducing the energy consumption of the existing lighting system by an estimated average of 40 per cent, the initiative would allow the monument to mantain its nightly charm.
The Tour Eiffel will probably undergo some even more impressive alterations.
First of all, the plans for a forthcoming restoration include the use of alternative energies: solar panels to heat the water in the Tour’s washrooms and restaurants, wind turbines, hydraulic energy and rainwater recovery.
Secondly – and controversially, since the plan previously anounced by Le Figaro has not apparently been approved by Paris City Hall – engineering company Ginger Groupe unveiled a project that consists in hanging plants all around the tower to absorb CO2 and supply the city with supplementary oxygen. Let’s just hope this is not gossip!
Links
http://greenme.it/abitare/bioedilizia-e-bioarchitettura/6397-torre-eiffel-albero-gigante




