China aims to construct a "space lab" 10,000 feet under the South China Sea

China takes top billing in this week’s news of the “what the huh?” variety. China is working to secure rights to the South China Sea in order to build what can only be called a “space station” deep below the ocean’s surface . The proposal involves a platform built 9,800 feet under the waves, where dozens of crew members would be stationed. The purpose? Primarily to aid in the country’s offshore mining efforts. Evidently, word has not yet reached China about what a devastating practice that can be. The Chinese Science Ministry recently gave a presentation on the plan, although many details aren’t available to the public at this point. Essentially, the country wants to construct a deep sea scientific hub where crews could survive, underwater, for up to a month. Theoretically, all manner of ocean-related scientific research could be conducted there. The project was mentioned in China’s five-year economic development plan, released in March, wherein this deep sea lab was ranked second in priority among the top 100 scientific projects the country aims to undertake. Related: China is building artificial islands in disputed South China Sea territory After Chinese authorities reviewed the plan, it was evidently decided to speed up progress on the underwater platform, although there have been no announcements related to the project’s time line, design, cost, or specific location. It’s presumed at this time that President Xi Jinping’s administration is targeting the South China Sea , evidenced by the country’s efforts to secure sovereignty over the highly disputed waters. China already considers more than 80 percent of the South China Sea under its sovereign territory, in the face of opposition from Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and the Philippines, which all stake some claim to various parts of the same region. What will happen next in the evolution of China’s underwater ‘space station’ project is anyone’s guess. Via Motherboard Images via Jennifer C/Flickr and  Wikipedia

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China aims to construct a "space lab" 10,000 feet under the South China Sea

Earthquake-resistant affordable home stacks together like Legos in just six days

Used as a stronger alternative to brick walls, ferrocement can be handcrafted from locally available materials to reduce the structure’s impact on the environment and its cost. The Full Fill Home prototype at the Venice Biennale, for instance, was constructed using materials recycled from the German Pavilion used for last year’s Venice Biennale. “We’re not just talking about affordability in terms of money here, we’re also talking about impact on the environment,” Kundoo told Dezeen . “We can’t afford to keep building the way we do.” The material is low-tech enough to be produced by masons in their backyards, yet strong enough to withstand harsh winds and mild earthquakes. Related: The Armadillo Vault’s hundreds of limestone slabs are held together without glue Flexibility is a main factor in the prototype house design, which comprises modular and hollow ferrocement blocks that can be stacked like Legos to build anything from walls to furniture. The simple modular blocks can also double as storage and be in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors to suit the homeowner’s needs. Each house can be assembled in as little as six days and disassembled in one day. Following the conclusion of this year’s Venice Biennale, the Full Fill Homes property will be donated to Marghera and used to house the homeless. + Anupama Kundoo Via Dezeen Images via Anupama Kundoo

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Earthquake-resistant affordable home stacks together like Legos in just six days

More than 30 workers may have died in an offshore oil rig fire in Azerbaijan

More than 30 people may have died after an offshore oil rig in the Caspian Sea caught on fire. An operation is currently underway to rescue surviving workers, but a severe storm, which contributed to the fire, is hampering efforts. Azerbaijan’s state energy company Socar released a statement saying that 29 workers have been rescued, but denies that any workers have died. Read the rest of More than 30 workers may have died in an offshore oil rig fire in Azerbaijan

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More than 30 workers may have died in an offshore oil rig fire in Azerbaijan

Obama quietly approved arctic drilling, amid controversy and environmental concerns

On March 31,  President Barack Obama ‘s administration renewed the 2008 Arctic lease sale . That decision started a 30-day clock for the Interior Department to review Royal Dutch Shell’s drilling plans. The oil company has already invested nearly $6 billion exploring the arctic waters for possible drilling sites , and they have oil rigs headed toward Alaska at the time of this report, indicating the oil execs may be feeling pretty confident about getting the go-ahead to resume drilling this summer. Read the rest of Obama quietly approved arctic drilling, amid controversy and environmental concerns Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg Post tags: Arctic Drilling , arctic offshore drilling , arctic oil drilling , environmental destruction , offshore oil drilling , oil drilling , president barack obama , Royal Dutch Shell

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Obama quietly approved arctic drilling, amid controversy and environmental concerns

U.S. Navy Converts Seawater into Jet Fuel Using ‘Game Changing’ Technology

United States Navy scientists claim they have successfully developed a method of converting seawater into jet fuel . Researchers at the Naval Research Laboratory developed a technology that extracts carbon dioxide and hydrogen from seawater and then converts these gases into a hydrocarbon liquid fuel. Sorcery you say? Well, the scientists haven’t just produced the fuel, they’ve also used it to power a miniature radio-controlled flying jet. Read the rest of U.S. Navy Converts Seawater into Jet Fuel Using ‘Game Changing’ Technology Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg Post tags: “clean energy” , “sustainable energy” , carbon dioxide , catalyst , electrolytic cation exchange module , fuel , gas , hydrogen , internal combustion engine , jet fuel , liquid hydrocarbon , Naval Research Laboratory , NRL E-CEM , offshore oil rig , renewable energy , United States Navy

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U.S. Navy Converts Seawater into Jet Fuel Using ‘Game Changing’ Technology

Nike’s Aerostatic Dome is World’s First Structure Supported Entirely by a Helium-Filled Canopy

To celebrate the launch of the  KOBE 9 Elite Low HTM at this year’s Milan Design Week, Nike teamed up with Arthur Huang, founder of upcycling company MINIWIZ , to create a stunning aerostatic dome supported by nothing more than a helium-filled canopy. Located at Palazzo Clerici in Milan, it’s the first architectural structure which uses zero compressive elements . What’s more, the entire pavilion can be deflated and relocated to another location inside five pieces of check-in luggage. Read the rest of Nike’s Aerostatic Dome is World’s First Structure Supported Entirely by a Helium-Filled Canopy Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg Post tags: aero-static dome at Milan design week by Arthur Huang , aero-static dome at Palazzo Clerici in Milan , aero-static dome supported by helium-filled canopy , helium-filled balloon supports entire structure , KOBE 9 Elite Low HTM at Milan Design Week , MINIWIZ builds an aero-static dome for design week , Nike’s aero-static dome at Milan Design Week , Nike’s Flynit technology fused with modern architecture , structure with zero compressive elements

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Nike’s Aerostatic Dome is World’s First Structure Supported Entirely by a Helium-Filled Canopy

David Chipperfield Wins Competition to Design Sophisticated New Nobel Center in Stockholm

Read the rest of David Chipperfield Wins Competition to Design Sophisticated New Nobel Center in Stockholm Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg Post tags: 2018 completition , Architecture , David Chipperfield , design competitions , nobel center , Nobel Prize , nobel prize competition , Nobelhuset design , Stockholm , Urban design

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David Chipperfield Wins Competition to Design Sophisticated New Nobel Center in Stockholm

Tunisia Battles to Save Famous Star Wars Set from Encroaching Desertification

Remember Luke Skywalker’s home in Tatooine that was lovingly restored by fans? It’s currently one of several Star Wars sites threatened by desertification in Tunisia. In order to address the problem, this week Tunisia’s tourism ministry announced a new international fundraising campaign aimed at saving sets used in the Star Wars films before they are destroyed forever by the encroaching desert. Read the rest of Tunisia Battles to Save Famous Star Wars Set from Encroaching Desertification Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg Post tags: Anakin Skywalker , desertification , Luke Skywalker , Mos Espa , Ong Jmel , Save Mos Espa , star wars , Tunisia , Tunisia Tourism Ministry

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Tunisia Battles to Save Famous Star Wars Set from Encroaching Desertification

Bioclimatic Rio Branco 12 Tower to Set New Standards for Green Offices in Brazil

Read the rest of Bioclimatic Rio Branco 12 Tower to Set New Standards for Green Offices in Brazil Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg Post tags: “living wall” , “sustainable architecture” , bioclimatic facade , Brazil , eco design , eco office , eco tower , green architecture , Green Building , green design , green facade , living facade , natekko , net zero , office tower , rb12 , rio branco 12 , rio de janeiro , Sky-Gardens , Solar Power , solar powered office , Sustainable Building , sustainable design , triptyque , Urban design , Urban Redevelopment , Zero energy

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Bioclimatic Rio Branco 12 Tower to Set New Standards for Green Offices in Brazil

BREEAM Excellent Everyman Theatre Renovation Reuses 25,000 Bricks in Liverpool

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BREEAM Excellent Everyman Theatre Renovation Reuses 25,000 Bricks in Liverpool

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