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Banyan Tree Corniche Bay was designed by Foster and Partners in London. Located in the tropical island of Mauritius, This luxury resort promises to bring the islands the charm, sophistication and luxury befits such a breathtaking island, and enhance the architectural triumph. The Hotel and Spa is due for completion 2010.

The master plan is for a discreet and environmentally intelligent architecture that blends harmoniously with the lush and extensive landscape. Green fingers of lush vegetation extend down towards the sea, with a series of contemporary buildings inserted amid tropical plantings to create an architecture that at once responds to the contours of the landscape and recedes into the green totality.

Forming a sculptural family, dramatic undulating timber-shingle roofs unify the built elements and reinvent island architecture. Combined, these elements provide an idyllic haven in a luxuriant tropical garden, a pervading sense of tranquility and luxurious relaxation.

Sustainable design principles are at the heart of the architectural approach, ensuring that the masterplan is not only energy efficient, but also helps regenerate the landscape. Built from natural, sustainable materials, the rich organic palette creates a seamless relationship between the buildings and the landscape.

Volcanic rock collected from the very site will be used, anchoring the resort to its surroundings, and other natural materials such as timber shingles, vegetation and water are dominant features in the master plan. The striking wave-like, curving roofs are designed for optimum natural ventilation, and to collect rainwater for treatment and reuse.

Solar power will be harnessed and electric vehicles will be available for transport around the site. Offering privacy and exclusivity, the scheme creates a new model of luxury resort living.

Visit Foster + Partners website - here.

CH2 is the City of Melbourne’s landmark green office building. Located at Little Collins Street, Melbourne, the building was designed by City of Melbourne and DesignInc Melbourne. With its Six Star Design Rating granted by the Green Building Council of Australia, CH2 is one of the cleanest and greenest buildings on earth.

Visit Council House 2 (CH2) website - here.

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Triptyque Architects designed this building in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The concept is quite simple but neat: there are two major blocks of plant connected by a bridge and cut by metal, concrete and glass. Among the blocks is a square internal space opens as a local community, meetings and exchanges.

Visit Harmonia//57 project website - here.

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This home features all natural insulated concrete form walls on first floor, radiant floor heat, passive solar design, structural insulated roof panels (SIPs), high performance staggered stud walls allowing for continual thermal barrier, a bioswale rainwater management system, and more.

Visit the builder website - here.

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This building build from structural bamboo, one of the fastest growing renewable resources being used for a whole host of products in the green building industry and beyond. It was the largest bamboo structure ever created.

Visit The Zócalo Nomadic Museum - here.

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