‘Air Tree’ Structures in Madrid produce Oxygen and Energy

[gateley]

The city of Madrid soon plans to add a striking new structure that will “climatically transform” its urban architecture. Designed by Urban Ecosystems, the Air Tree pavilion is to be built from recycled materials and will be 100% energy self-sufficient. Using photovoltaic cells, the Air Tree produces a substantial amount of energy, which is then sold back to the local electric companies, the profits being used for maintenance of the structure. The second byproduct is of course oxygen - hence the name ‘Air Tree’!

We’ve written about the Madrid Air-Tree before, when the design ‘Ecoboulevard’ for industrial revitalization won the AR Awards for Spanish Architecture group Urban Ecosystems. Aside from their aesthetic appeal, the trees have a very interesting benefit for the local residents who have to suffer through hot Spanish summers. The surrounding environment near the air tree will be naturally conditioned, reducing the heat island effect found in most city centers. The air trees will be implemented city wide in the coming years.

Furthermore, the structure, made from lightweight recycled materials, can be easily disassembled and moved to another site when needed. This feature makes the entire idea really intruding because dozens of air trees can be installed in cities around major metropolitan areas during summers. The trees will cool the surrounding environments and as a bonus generate clean electricity. If the idea catches on, don’t be surprised to see an air tree in the city near you very soon.



http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/01/24/stunning-air-trees-only-byproducts-are-h2o-energy/

[Lithos]

1. Interesting

Very cool

:thumbsup:

[mac2]

2. We used to be the leading technology country.

Not anymore under the Bush, Inc. They've sucked everything they could out of us since Reagan.

[Aloha Spirit]

3. Fortunately, Obama and Clinton both "believe" in science. January needs to happen asap.

[gateley]

6. We're probably the leading debtor nation these days. nt

[Sanctified]

4. I will probably get flamed but...

damn did they have to make it so ugly? If someone plopped that piece of garbage in front of my house I would not care if it produced golden eggs I would want it out of my sight.

[gateley]

5. There are some cool pics at the link --

plus, it says it's easily disassembled and transported. So if you wake up one morning and see it outside your window, you could do a midnight marauder type thing and move it down a block or so. :7

[drmeow]

7. It might be prettier closer up

or in person. I'm off to Madrid in about 3 weeks - I'll see if I can find one and report back :)

[Arctic Dave]

10. Please do check it out.

Because as it is, I have to agree with the other poster, it isn't very appealing. They didn't print very good pictures of it.

[mac2]

11. Someone has to start and this is progress.

The first radio was pretty simple now we have Ipods, computers, etc. Many new ones even wireless.

We have to ask ourselves how can we improve on this idea?

Well I have that research type mind since I did years of it. First you have the idea and then you try to make it happen.

Greatness is built on the shoulders of others who came before them.

[GuvWurld]

27. This is a great idea, and yes, we should ask how we can improve it

"What would be better?" - great multi-purpose meme.

This versatile meme is simple and easy to remember. Use it to:

o Steer complaints toward specific, solution-oriented brainstorming.
o Resolve partisan stalemates with centrist solutions that make the definition of “better” the center of the debate.
o Juxtapose proposed reforms with current reality.

[drmeow]

25. Damn -

I don't think I'm going to be able to. Looks like it is in a suburb of Madrid and I doubt I will get out there.

[gateley]

20. Cool! I'd love to hear what you think!! nt.

[drmeow]

26. see my other reply

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=3266147&mesg_id=3267777

[drmeow]

8. for what its worth

You are not the only one to feel that way if you go to the link :)

[ColbertWatcher]

9. It's no uglier than a cell phone tower. n/t

[mac2]

12. Yes...

[rucky]

15. When the vines grow...

the plans are to remove as much of the scaffolding as possible. It'll look more like a tree, then, according to a comment on the site.

[muriel_volestrangler]

21. It's a recycled gas storage structure

that's why they've gone for the 'ugly' look - cheaper (and more environmentally friendly) than melting down scrap steel to design something new. The idea is that in 20 years time, the trees around it will have grown up, and they can then remove the structure:

http://greenlineblog.com.nyud.net:8080/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/madrid-air-tree-image-151.jpg

http://greenlineblog.com/madrids-air-tree/

And they're using them in brand new bits of city that have no greenery yet, so they're already pretty ugly. They're a sort of stop-gap until normal trees are grown enough to provide so cool shade.

[roguevalley]

23. I love it. I hear that vines will be the total structure in a few years

and the metal stuff will be taken away. How beautiful is that?

[demmiblue]

13. Here is an interesting comment:

"I know you think the above structure is ugly, and I did too at first, but with a little more research I realized what their intentions were. I thought, why would they plant a LOT of trees in an area that won’t allow them to grow large and more beneficial? Then I realized, those are vines. I did more research from the links in this article, and those are all vines. Eventually, the entire structure will be covered in plant. The surrounding land has young trees, that will one day be large, but it takes trees so much longer. This structure, will be a frame for the vines until it has covered the whole thing, at which point they will remove as much of the industrial material that is safely possible, leaving a large pavilion made of vine. It’s entirely possible to support itself, especially if they chose a vine like Wisteria, which develops a thick trunk from what was once vines." -Jesse


This is a cute picture:

[formercia]

14. Somebody has to water the plants.

They would have been better off planting grass in the park in the foreground instead of having a concrete slab that re-radiates the heat.

All the air trees in the universe won't make up for bad urban planning.

[rucky]

16. Someone has to water the grass

:shrug:

[formercia]

17. Act of God

It's called rain.

When it gets too dry, you turn on the sprinklers.

Think of all the free air conditioning and oxygen provides and you don't have to buy a zillion flower pots made from Oil.

[rucky]

18. These are vines.

Set in pots made from recycled materials. Once they fill out, most of the scaffolding is removed and reused.

Most of the time you see an eco-innovation, the developers have thought of stuff like this, and are pretty upfront about the improvements needed. But one of the biggest barriers to innovation is the tendency to throw the baby out with the bathwater.

[formercia]

19. It's novel, I admit but uses too much 'manufactured' stuff.

What's wrong with old-fashioned parks with trees, grass and flowers?

[roguevalley]

24. grass requires more water and care than this and there is the

fertilizer problem. this adds cooling and is much better all around.

[supernova]

22. "intruding"

don't they mean "intriguing?"

Marvelous idea though. :thumbsup: