In the world of construction and architecture, it’s no longer a question of form versus function. The expense of building and design and the demands of fire and safety codes have welcomed new members to the head of the table: sustainability and energy efficiency. “Green” structures aren’t restricted to concept renderings, they’re becoming the norm. And 2009 was an unprecedented year for Green constructions that are equal parts practical and phenomenal–some are even revolutionary. So here are pictures of the top 10 Green Structures of 2009, including a few that are still in the works.

1. Vulcano Buono (Italy)

It’s Italian for “the good volcano,” but this stunning work of architecture is a great accomplishment. It is built to mimic the nearby Mount Vesuvius, and it erupts with genius. It’s essentially a shopping center and hotel, but its trademark sustainable feature is how the sloping ground surrounding its facade rises to meet the top of the structure providing natural insulation.

2. High Line 23 (New York)

In the Chelsea art gallery district of West Manhattan, this green apartment building expands from its modest base in a geometrically daring tower. The structure wastes little energy—with natural ventilation and reflective surfaces that make heating and cooling efficient—and little material as well, recycling over 75% of the construction waste from the project.

3. Fusionopolis (Singapore)

This research and development complex features several buildings, laboratories, and offices for organizations both public and private as well as a commuter station to be completed in 2010. The vast complex continues to be completed in stages of sustainable building, but the 13 sky gardens are a testament to architecture married with nature.

4. Green Lighthouse (Copenhagen)

When the UN Climate Conference (COP15) was held in Denmark last December, Green Lighthouse was the showcase work of architecture. Its crowning glory is its carbon-neutral design. It maximizes the use of sunlight and natural ventilation and manufactures additional lighting via solar-fueled LED lights. One of its coolest features is the way it stays warm: a geothermal heat pump.

5. Bank of America Tower

The fourth tallest building in the United States and the second tallest in New York is also one of the most energy efficient buildings of its kind. The $1 billion project boasts a 255.5-foot spire that reaches 1,200 feet high, but its greywater system and insulating glass keep energy costs and waste extremely low. It was the first skyscraper expected to reach Platinum LEED status.

6. Aqua Tower (Chicago)

Rising 82 stories above Chicago’s magnificent riverfront, Aqua Tower welcomed occupants beginning in the spring of 2009, although work continues to be done. Among its many sustainable features are a rainwater collection system, solar shades, and the largest green roof in Chicago (on the tower’s base).

7. COR Tower (Miami)

Originally slated for completion in 2009, Miami’s greenest condominium complex towers 400 feet above the Magic City. What looks like a panorama of clocks out of a Salvador Dali painting is actually a collection of wind turbines built into the walls of the structure. The ecologically minded design works seamlessly into the function of the building bringing comfort to the residents and sustainability for the environment.

8. Greenway Self Park (Chicago)

Designers in Chicago set out to prove that you don’t have to pave paradise to put up a parking lot. It features six wind turbines that generate the electricity for all its exterior lighting, requiring winds as mild as one to two miles per hour—not bad for the Windy City. The garage also promises to curb the urban heat and rainwater runoff problems with its green roof system.

9. La Tour Vivante

This up-and-coming concept is a way to bring agrarian sensibility to the concrete jungle. It is a vertical highrise of greenhouses food production that can turn a paved lot into a multi-acre farming system. The intricate design manages to redirect sunlight throughout the building, minimizing energy costs and maximizing the potential for growth. Look for it in a city near you in the not-too-distant future.

10. Pearl River Tower (China)

Expected to be completed in 2010, the Pearl River Tower is the future of sustainable skyscrapers. The greenest features are inescapable—wind turbines built into the body of the building, and solar collectors and photo-voltaic cells that cover the surface of the 1,000+ foot building. It is also temperature-controlled with radiant cooling. It is slated to become the most energy-efficient skyscraper in the world. If you would like to share any, feel free to do so in the comment section. Also, if you had to choose the best of the best, which “green structure” would you choose from the above top ten list? Share with us.

Share