Nikken Sekkei unveils future of sustainability

Example of entries for the Nikken Sekkei Environmental Architectural Design competition

Entries for the third annual Environmental Architectural Design competition from Nikken Sekkei have been unveiled in Dubai, UAE. This year's competition - held under the theme "2020: What is environmental architecture to you?" - involved a record 39 finalists whittled down from a field of 173 designers who work for the Japanese firm's group companies. On display were three ground-breaking themes, Tokyo Jungle 2020, Time, Space and Environment, and The Plant Factory.

Dr Fadi Jabri, GM, Nikken Sekkei, said,  "We hope that the competition encourages our designers to think about architectural design with the environment and to acknowledge the excitement and potential in elevating environmental elements into architectural culture. Designs can dramatically reduce carbon emissions, up to 60% in some cases are only through constantly pushing the barriers of design excellence- sustaining our market-leading position."

Tokyo Jungle 2020, designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, features large atrium-like spaces at the top of buildings which trap heat while simultaneously providing a tower for natural ventilation. All waste heat emitted from natural ventilation or equipment is collected in the upper areas of the building, making air temperatures akin to a virtual jungle which can absorb part of the carbon dioxide. The issue is particularly pertinent in Tokyo and other major cities, since high-rise buildings in the central districts generate large amounts of heat.