Helen Hamlyn Design Awards 2012
Joint Winner
Michael Tuck: RCA Architecture
London's Eternal Summer
In a culture where we expect all foods to be available at all times of the year, this scheme explores whether the urban heat island effect of the City of London can be used to create a constant summertime. Using the excess heat from financial trading servers to create tropical climates and fertile growing spaces, the project asks if the ubiquitous office block can grow more than its profit.
Judge's comment
"Throws the gauntlet down to commercial developers to deliver office buildings that go beyond current ideas about sustainability."
Tim Hardingham, GMW Architects
Joint Winner
Hal Watts: Innovation Design Engineering
Esource
Seventy per cent of Europe's electronic waste is exported to Africa where cables are burnt to recover copper, causing health and environmental consequences. Esource provides a sustainable bicycle-powered cable recycling system for informal recyclers in developing countries. It creates a sustainable process and healthier working conditions, greater social mobility and economic growth.
Judge's comment
"Beautifully simple, ingenious, low-tech solution to clearly identified social, health and economic problems."
Tim Hardingham, GMW Architects
GMW Architects
An award winning architectural and interior design practice based in London, with affiliate offices throughout Europe. GMW offers a wide range of skills and experience in the office, retail, transportation and leisure sectors. Its involvement with the Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design represents an important component of its research activity and commitment to being at the leading edge of new thinking
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