Apple just unveiled plans to build 100 percent renewable energy powered two data centers in Denmark and Ireland. Like all Apple data-centers, the new ones will run entirely clean, renewable energy sources. Constructed at a total cost of US$ 1.9 billion, the data centers will each measure 166 thousand square meters and will power the company's iTunes App Store, iMessage, Maps and Siri services. The data centers will be located in Athenry in western Ireland and in Viborg in central Denmark and Apple expects them to be operational in 2017. Not only will the facilities be powered by 100 percent renewable energy, but they will also be constructed with additional sustainable features. The center in Athenry, Ireland, will include an outdoor education center for local schools and a walking trail, and is to be constructed on land "previously used for growing and harvesting non-native trees." Additionally the company will seek to restore native trees to nearby Derrydonnell Forest. The Apple Data center for Viborg, Denmark will be designed to capture excess heat from the servers, which will then be conducted into the district's heating system to provide warmth for adjoining communities. Furthermore, it will be located next to one of Denmark's largest electrical substations, removing the need for additional generators. As for precisely what renewable energy sources the data centers will utilize, it is likely that Apple will embrace the potentials of wind energy in the reason, and Apple emphasizes that they will "work with local partners to develop additional renewable energy projects from wind or other sources to provide power in the future. These facilities will have the lowest environmental impact yet for an Apple data center."

The Singapore "Changi Airport", which was named the world's best airport in 2014, started construction of new terminal. Known as "Project Jewel", the new terminal is going to recreate nature. Airport, relax and comfort are three words destined never to sit next to each other in the same sentence, but looking forward at the plans for this new terminal that could soon change. According to project authors in 2018 visitors can enjoy new little "paradise" in airport. The massive donut-like structure, constructed from steel-and-grass will be 10 stories, five above ground and five underground. Jewel Chandi's centerpiece will be Forest Valley, a five story garden with thousand of trees, ferns and shrubs. In the middle of the forest, will be the 40-meter-high Rain Vortex. On completion, it'll be the world's tallest indoor waterfall, according to the airport. At the night, the Rain Vortex will transform into a light and sound show. In the US$ 1.1 billion terminal will be 130-room-hotel, for visitors and passengers, retail areas, game-zone, restaurants and so on.

Property Development Company CJSC announced the launch of the construction of "Kamar" multifunctional business center in Yerevan by laying its foundation stone on November 6. The business center, designed in accordance with the most advanced international technologies, will be the first in Armenia to be certified by BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method), a global leader in the design and assessment of sustainable buildings based in the UK. The development of the unique "A" Class office building will comply with the modern energy efficiency and environmental standards, thus considerably elevating the overall standards of the commercial real estate in the country. Property Development Company CJSC, the owner of the building, has approached to the project with ultimate responsibility and care, highly prioritizing the buildings in this historical area. For several years before the start of construction works, the company has been organizing various public discussions with experts and beneficiaries to identify the most appropriate solutions and to insure high level of transparency throughout the entire process. The initiative started at least 5 years ago. Right at the beginning of the project the company organized an open architectural contest for the development of the concept by involving the best and most recognized engineers and architects from various countries. Committed to preserving the values of Armenian history, they have stored every single stone from the old building. Company further developed an architectural and engineering solution that highlights the historical importance and overall design of this part of the city. The main problem is that the complex should combine innovative solutions with the old constructions. The total value of the project is about US$ 37 million. IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, will provide a US$ 9 million loan and secure another US$ 9 million loan from DEG (Deutsche Investitions und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH). The rest of the investment will be provided by Property Development Company CJSC.

After 5 year construction, Stefano Boeri Architects' brilliant "Bosco Verticale" towers are finally complete. World's first vertical forest comprises a fantastical pair of luxury high-rises that add nearly 10.2 thousand square meters of lush vegetation to the skyline of Milan, a city notorious for its air pollution. However, "Bosco Verticale", which translates in English as "vertical forest," will be more than just a beautiful sight to behold--like a pair of green lungs, its forested facade of 21 thousand plants will absorb CO2 and particulates, dampen noise pollution, lessen the urban heat island effect, and create oxygen and favorable microclimates. The "Bosco Verticale" mixed-use towers were constructed with US$ 2.5 billion public-private investment as part of the redevelopment of Milan's Porta Nuova district. The towers, measuring 80 meters and 110 meters, house 800 trees between 3 and 9 meters tall, over 4 thousand shrubs, and 15 thousand ground cover plants including vines and perennials. Created with LEED Gold certification in mind, "Bosco Verticale" is also equipped with a gray water recycling and irrigation system as well as photovoltaic solar cells. The buildings welcomed its first residents last month, but those families weren't the only ones to call the vertical forest home; a thriving bird population has already begun to nest in "Bosco Verticale's "rich foliage, of which over a hundred different species of trees and shrubs are represented. "The real key to this project is biodiversity," says Boeri. In addition its 22 thousand residences, the high-density mixed-use towers also comprise 6400 square meters of office space and 650 commercial spaces. Nearly two out of ten property buyers are foreigners. The superstructure was also recently shortlisted for the prestigious International High-rise Building Award 2014 (The City of Frankfurt has bestowed The International Highrise Award every two years since 2004. The honor is awarded to a structure that combines exemplary sustainability, external shape and internal spatial quality, not to mention social aspects, to create a model design. The prize, a 50 thousand euro is awarded to the planners and developers jointly) as one of the five most beautiful and innovative high-rises in the world that were recently completed. Boeri is currently in China, where he plans to replicate the "Bosco Verticale" project.

The primary goal of home energy efficiency initiatives might be to reduce total energy consumption, but these projects could have a negative impact on public health if we do not take care. Global climate change has been called the biggest global public health threat of the 21st century - and energy efficiency is a key tool in our efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emission levels. In a 2014 article published in the British Medical Journal, James Milner and his co-authors outlined how some home energy efficiency improvements could cost lives by increasing indoor radon exposure and the resultant risk of developing lung cancer. According to the authors, energy efficiency projects could lead to an estimated 56.6% increase in average indoor radon concentrations. They calculate that the corresponding increase in radon exposure could lead to 278 premature deaths (the equivalent of 4,700 life years lost) each year in the UK. After smoking, radon exposure is the most important risk factor in developing lung cancer. This colorless gas, which occurs naturally from the indirect decay product of uranium or thorium, can be found in indoor air. It produces a radioactive dust that is trapped in our airways. This radiation then causes lung damage and increases the chance that we will develop lung cancer. Each year, an estimated 1,400 cases of lung cancer in the UK are primarily due to radon exposure and about 21,000 in the US. The increased radon concentrations in the Milner study stem from the fact that many energy efficiency improvements alter the way that buildings exchange indoor and outdoor air. These alterations are often aimed at reducing energy losses due to leaky windows or drafts around unsealed doors. In turn, these buildings can be more effectively heated and cooled, leading to observable public health improvements and decreases in total energy use. However, they can increase some health risks. According to Milner and co-authors, while an individual project can be "good for energy efficiency, indoor temperatures in winter and protection against outdoor pollutants, it has the potential to increase concentrations of pollutants arising from sources inside or underneath the home." A 2013 study suggested similar risks in retrofitted buildings from mold growth and "sick building syndrome", where occupants appear to experience health issues from occupancy in a building. By trapping humidity inside the building, energy efficiency retrofits could unintentionally lead to dangerous mold growth. In turn, people in these buildings would be more prone to chronic fatigue, irritated lungs, and watery eyes. Using fans and other equipment to carefully control the indoor air quality could reduce or eliminate the negative co-impacts documented in these studies. Of course, the use of these technologies would offset some of the energy savings. But, they could also prevent an array of illnesses, which could stymie future energy efficiency proposals. Energy efficiency projects can help to reduce total energy consumption. They are a key part of mitigating the impacts of global climate change. But we must be aware of any potential negative co-impacts on human health and take care to reduce their effect.