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World's first microalgae façade goes 'live'

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The world's first full-scale bioreactive façade at the BIQ house in Germany is going 'live' as microalgae are fed into the system for the first time.

The tiny green algae will play a huge role in determining the future potential of this technology, which aims to provide shade and a renewable fuel source for the experimental apartment.

The BIQ house was built as part of this year's International Building Exhibition (IBA) in Hamburg. With 200m² of integrated photo-bioreactors, this innovative passive-energy house generates microalgae biomass and heat as renewable energy resources. At the same time, the system integrates additional functionalities such as dynamic shading, thermal insulation and noise abatement, highlighting the full potential of this technology.

The microalgae used in the facades are cultivated in flat panel glass bioreactors measuring 2,5m x 0,7m. In total, 129 bioreactors have been installed on the south west and south east faces of the four-storey residential building. The heart of the system is the fully automated energy management centre where solar thermal heat and algae are harvested in a closed loop to be stored and then fermented to generate hot water.

Known as "SolarLeaf", this innovative façade system is the result of three years of research and development by Colt International based on a bio-reactor concept developed by SSC Ltd and design work led by the international design consultant and engineering firm, Arup. Funding support came from the German Government's "ZukunftBau" research initiative.

"We've done the research. We've got the units in place. Now as we add the microalgae we will see for the first time how the bioreactor façade operates in a real life situation. It is a test for the technology, but it also represents a huge step forward. If we can demonstrate that microalgae biofaçades can become a viable new source of sustainable energy production, we can transform the urban environment, as well as providing architects with a new source of inspiration."

—Jan Wurm, Arup's Europe Research Leader

The microalgae biofaçade goes live on 25 April 2013 when the technology will be presented in detail to the media and the team will publish comprehensive documentation on the system.

This new system is going to be distributed through Colt International.

World first bio-reactive façade debuts in Hamburg

Fri, 22 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The bioreactor façade at the BIQ house is in position and will be showcased for the first time on 23 March at the opening of the International Building Exhibition in Hamburg.

After that, the integrated algae-based system will be put into full operational mode at an inauguration event for the media on 25 April.

The BIQ house will become the world's first pilot project to showcase a bioreactive façade at the International Building Exhibition (IBA) in Hamburg on 23 March. With 200m² of integrated photo-bioreactors, this passive-energy house generates biomass and heat as renewable energy resources. At the same time, the system integrates additional functionality such as dynamic shading, thermal insulation and noise abatement, highlighting the full potential of this technology.

The microalgae used in the façades are cultivated in flat panel glass bioreactors measuring 2.5m x 0.7m. In total, 129 bioreactors have been installed on the south west and south east faces of the four-storey residential building. The heart of the system is the fully automated energy management centre where solar thermal heat and algae are harvested in a closed loop to be stored and used to generate hot water.

The innovative façade system is the result of three years of research and development by Colt International based on a bio-reactor concept developed by SSC Ltd and design work led by Arup. Funding support came from the German Government's "ZukunftBau" research initiative.

"Using bio-chemical processes in the façade of a building to create shade and energy is a really innovative concept. It might well become a sustainable solution for energy production in urban areas, so it is great to see it being tested in a real-life scenario."

—Jan Wurm, Arup's Europe Research Leader

The system will be officially presented to the media on 25 April 2013 when the biofaçade system goes into operation for the first time.

Metropol Parasol film at City Visions festival

Wed, 26 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Next Thursday 27 "Metropol Parasol film" will be exhibited in "City Visions" a screening cycle at the Urban Center Metropolitano in Turin, Italy. The film is part of the 5^th screening focused on the theme "Lo spazio vivo" (The living space).

The programme "City Visions", created by Image ARCHIVE for the Urban Center Metropolitano proposes a series of six thematic pathways through the videos that the multimedia archive of architecture has collected and selected in the last few years. Each theme is connected to a different way of reading the city, ranging from the private space story to the metropolitan scale tale and it involves the visions and projects of some of the most brilliant architects of our time.

Image ARCHIVE operates around architectural culture when it is represented through the use of the video and it encourages the research of new ideas promoting new points of view about contemporary design.

About Metropol Parasol

The Metropol Parasol film shows the story of Seville´s Plaza de la Encarnación, an old market, once run-down and neglected, now a bustling, modern market and meeting place thanks to a startling construction. This film explores how this huge building affects the people who live and work around it, as well as the historic area in which it sits.

The Metropol Parasol is one of the largest wooden structures in the world and was completed in April 2011, creating a new centre for Seville.

The film was launch at the beginning of the year, receiving a warm reception and a lot of hits on YouTube.

Euro 2012 spotlights Arup's football skills

Mon, 11 Jun 2012 12:39:00 GMT

Arup's design skills will feature alongside the football talents of Ashley Young, Franck Ribery and the rest of the players at this year's European Football Championships.

The Arup-designed Shaktar Donetsk 50,000-seater stadium - the Donbass Arena - will play host to the opening game in Group D between France and England, as well as several other matches, including the second semi-final.

Arup played a key role in the design team that produced the €320 million Donbass Arena, which became the first new FIFA compliant football stadium built in a former Soviet country when it opened in August 2009.

According to Burkhard Miehe, the Arup lead structural engineer responsible for the design of the stadium bowl,

"Donbass set the standard for all the followers in the Ukraine and Russia. We still get enquiries from other clubs in Eastern Europe referring to Shakhtar as their prime example for excellent stadium design."

The Donbass stadium is just one of many major stadia commissions for Arup, extending from the City of Manchester Stadium to the Allianz Arena, so the fans will enjoy the atmosphere no matter what the final score.

Technical Adviser of Year (IJ Awards)

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 15:35:00 GMT

Arup took home Global Technical Adviser of the Year and Energy Technical Adviser of the Year at the Infrastructure Journal Awards last night.

The annual Infrastructure Journal Awards are an industry-leading event rewarding excellence and innovation in infrastructure and project finance.

The Global Technical Adviser of the Year Award is given to technical advisors working on outstanding infrastructure acquisition and project finance transactions that reached financial close in the previous year.

Impressive global project delivery

The award proves that Arup is recognised as the pre-eminent technical advisor in the infrastructure market.

"We are absolutely delighted that Arup's breadth, depth and global coverage of project finance and Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) across all of infrastructure have been recognised in this way. The win highlights how much clients value the ability to integrate technical and financial advisory services."

Steven Lloyd
Global Leader for Transaction Advice

The award acknowledges 26 projects advised on by Arup that reached financial close in 2011 totalling US$20 billion in enterprise value. These included:

New Royal Adelaide Hospital
Gold Coast Rapid Transport scheme in Australia
Highways in Germany, Jamaica, Zimbabwe and Spain
Ferries in Turkey
Ports in Brazil, Turkey and Spain.

Download the full list of projects (PDF, 30KB)

Arup also advised ABP on its US$3 billion debt refinancing in the United Kingdom and worked on many of the year's significant airport transactions including those in Spain, Turkey, the UK and Russia.

Over the last two years and in a challenging market, Arup has advised on over US$40 billion closed infrastructure transactions across the globe.

Unrivalled in the energy market

The energy award acknowledges Arup's work advising on over US$8bn of transactions during 2011, including projects to help GDF, Enel, Eni and E.ON dispose of assets.

Other projects included the innovative Madrid gas network transactions and Fluxys acquisition; Sorek, the world's most advanced desalination plant , Bristol Water, CHP in Russia and advising the Blue Transmission consortium in their successful bid for transmission connections to offshore wind.

One of the projects that Arup acted as vendor advisor for, the Istanbul Ferry Operator Privatisation, won Infrastructure Acquisition Deal of the Year.

Arup was also shortlisted in the Technical Adviser of the Year categories for transport and social infrastructure.

Energy research post for John Miles

Wed, 14 Dec 2011 09:37:00 GMT

Arup Director, John Miles, takes up new Research Chair of Transitional Energy Strategies at Cambridge University being co-sponsored by Arup and the Royal Academy of Engineering.

Arup, the Royal Academy of Engineering and the University of Cambridge have joined forces to create new energy research post, reflecting growing interest in how society can build toward a lower carbon future while supporting sustainable economic growth.

Arup Director, John Miles, will leave his current post to take up the inaugural role as Arup/Royal Academy of Engineering Research Professor in Transitional Energy Strategies at Cambridge University from January 2012.

Professor Miles aims to use the post to explore the development of affordable, low carbon energy technologies and business models.

"It is a great honour to take up this position at Cambridge University. I hope our research will help to inspire some of the creative thinking that will be needed to open up real business opportunities for those engaged in leading the transition from our current carbon-intensive economy to a healthier, cleaner, lower carbon future."

- John Miles

Professor Dame Ann Dowling, Head of the Department of Engineering at the University of Cambridge, welcomed the announcement, saying, "Professor Miles' research will put a sharp focus on the practicalities of making the transition from conventional power to a lower carbon future. His new chair is a perfect fit with the Engineering Department's strategic theme, 'Energy, Transport and Urban Infrastructure', and the wider drive for energy solutions across the whole University."

Robert Barrett, Head of Research Programmes at the Royal Academy of Engineering, added, "We are delighted to co-sponsor this research chair with Arup. The Royal Academy of Engineering is committed to promoting the highest quality research into the key issues we face as a society and this post will do much to aid our understanding of the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead."

Recent developments in both Brussels and Durban have underlined the global challenges involved in restoring the global economy to health and reducing the threat of global climate change. Affordable, low-carbon energy technologies will play a critical role in developing long-term solutions, which is why Arup and the Royal Academy of Engineering have been so keen to support the new Research Chair at the University of Cambridge.

Sainsbury Laboratory wins at WAF

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT

The Sainsbury Laboratory at Cambridge University has won the World's Best Learning Building award at the prestigious World Architecture Festival.

The Sainsbury Laboratory brings together world-leading scientists in a working environment of the highest quality in the University's Botanic Garden. This 11,000m² plant science research centre also houses specimens brought back on the Beagle by Charles Darwin.

"This project connects building and landscape in a poetic and meaningful way. It is beautifully considered in terms of its human scale, and for activities for research and learning. The choice of materials display a profound tactile sense."

- WAF jury commendation.

The client brief called for a world class architecture for world class science. Showcase laboratories benefit from unusually high levels of daylight through extensive roof and façade glazing. Careful integration of the services with the structural form maintains the sense of openness throughout.

Achieving a target of 10% renewables on site was significant. Arup's detailed energy analyses and liaison with the local council meant these requirements were met early in the planning process. The laboratory has a bespoke BREEAM 'Excellent' EPC B rating.

Qualcomm acquires HaloIPT

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 12:30:00 GMT

Qualcomm acquires Halo IPT technology underlining confidence in the future of electric vehicles and induction charging technology

Halo IPT's leading wireless charging technology for electric vehicles, developed by Arup and Auckland Uniservices, has been acquired by Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM).

The UK-based technology development company was founded by Auckland University's technology development vehicle, UniServices, in conjunction with Arup and the support of the Trans Tasman Commercialisation Fund and the New Zealand Venture Investment Fund.

Since its inception in May 2010, Halo IPT has pioneered the development and production of wireless charging technology for the transportation sector. The company's objective is to bring its wireless charging technology to market for road vehicle applications on a global scale.

"In only 18 months, we have brought world-class university research to the attention of the global automotive industry. Through really innovative design, we have demonstrated the huge potential for wireless charging to the world's leading vehicle manufacturers.
Electric vehicles hold great promise and the success of HaloIPT demonstrates the value of Arup's investment of time and resources in activities we feel can make a real difference to the world around us - like developing skills and knowledge needed for a global shift to low carbon economy."

- John Miles, Executive Chairman of HaloIPT and a Director at Arup.

According to Andrew Gilbert, Qualcomm's Executive Vice President, European Innovation Development, "Qualcomm has been investing in wireless power for a number of years and the HaloIPT acquisition will further strengthen our technology and patent portfolio. Building off 20 years of development and innovation in wireless power at the University of Auckland and the global expertise and market knowledge at Arup, the HaloIPT team has established itself in a relatively short period of time as a leading developer in wireless electric road vehicle charging - with HaloIPT winning industry acclamation and awards."

Arup has a longstanding interest and expertise in low carbon mobility. The group is currently leading several major projects in this area, including the UK's CABLED Consortium (Coventry and Birmingham Low Emission Demonstrators) programme - the UK's largest trial of electric vehicles. This project is one of eight regional trials in the Technology Strategy Board's Ultra Low Carbon Vehicle Demonstrator programme.

Arup is also leading a consortium contributing to a £11m research programme - led by the Energy Technologies Institute. The initiative aims to support the future roll-out of electric vehicles. Working with the University of Leeds and E.ON, Arup is developing a model to analyse the economics of UK-wide electric and hybrid electric vehicle usage to support potential carbon reduction.

Kurilpa Bridge wins at World Architecture Festival

Fri, 04 Nov 2011 00:30:00 GMT

Kurilpa Bridge in Brisbane, Australia, has been named best Transport project at the 2011 World Architecture Festival.

The bridge, designed by Cox Architecture, is the largest construction in the world to use "tensegrity" principles - a balance between compressive and tensile forces. Arup supplied the complex geometrical analysis required to produce a strong but lightweight structure, as well as engineering, modeling, geotechnics, lighting design and hydraulics.

The multi-mast, cable-stay structure allows cyclists and pedestrians to cross the Brisbane River between the city's central business district and arts precinct. The bridge features viewing and rest areas, and solar photovoltaic panels provide power for the programmable LED lighting display.

Certainly the judges at the World Architecture Festival seem to agree. The bridge beat competition from a host of prestigious entries from across the globe that were all battling to impress an international panel of leading architects and industry figures, so the award marks an impressive result for everyone in the Kurilpa Bridge team.

Silver at Holcim Awards 2011 Latin America

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT

Arup is one of the lead consultants of the team that picked up the Silver Award at the Sustainable Construction Holcim Awards 2011, Latin America.

The award recognises work on the sustainable post-tsunami reconstruction master plan for Constitución in Chile. The Arup team is led by Alejandro Gutierrez (Milan) with important contributions from Arup Madrid, London and San Francisco.

This master plan was developed after the 2010 earthquake and tsunami that struck Constitución, a city of 46,000 people located on the shore of the Pacific Ocean and 300km southwest of Chile's capital, Santiago. It proposes a strategy to respond with 'geographical answers' to the 'geographical threats' of the earthquake and tsunami risk.

The Holcim Awards is an international competition that recognises innovative projects and future-oriented concepts on regional and global levels. A total of US$2m in prize money is awarded in each three-year cycle. The entry is now a runner up for the Holcim Global Awards to be selected in March 2012.