St. Patrick's Cathedral, North America

St. Patrick's Cathedral is the largest decorated Neo-Gothic-style Catholic cathedral in North America. It is the seat of the archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York, and a parish church, located at 50th Street and Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, just across the street from Rockefeller Center.

Can Green buildings save India from going grey?

A layman is very likely to show little interest in a speech or a discussion on green buildings. But, when the same person learns that there are only eight years left for us to save Mother Earth from the throes of emissions induced destruction, sitting up and taking notice is the only way out.

• What is a green building and what are the key requisites for constructing a green building?
  

A green building is the one that makes the greatest possible use of natural light and air and least possible utilization of energy and water. It uses industrial byproducts, emphasizes on recycling of waste water, harvesting of rain water, least use of air-conditioning, less production of carbon dioxide and tries to safeguard the environment in every possible way. Making a building green begins at the planning stage. The aim has to be kept in mind throughout. Secondly, safety is paramount in case of a green building. If a labourer dies while the construction is on, the building is never given a green certification.

After the construction is over, it is not possible to make a building green. There are various requisites for planning and constructing a green building.

Firstly, identifying a site for the construction of the building is very crucial. Ideally the site should be located in a centralized place so that the inhabitants can use public transport and less or no fossil fuel run vehicles.

Energy utilization should be optimum in a green building. Care should be taken to reduce the load of air conditioning on the power system.

Water discharge should be zero in a green building. Good green architecture reduces wastage of water in a big way. A green building should ideally have all waste water biologically treated and recycled. Ample structural specifications are incorporated in green buildings for harvesting rainwater. Grey water (water left after washing utensils and clothes) can be used for gardening and flushing purposes.

Maximum effort should be made in use of recycled materials in the construction of the building. Effort should be made to use fly ash Ready Mixed Concrete (20% fly ash + 100% cement) in construction. Aerated concrete blocks can be used instead of bricks for better insulation and heat rejection. Roof insulation should be done with clay rather than chemicals. Maximum bamboo products should be used for flooring.

• What is THE primary consideration while making a green building?
  

Though the term ‘green building’ says that it is about taking care of the environment, the comfort and considerations of the occupant is paramount. There is a standard to determine how good the Indoor Air Quality is, Carbon Dioxide content inside the building should be 400ppm over the ambient CO2 level.

Green buildings have the option of fresh air on demand. Coupled with effective and efficient cooling mechanism, green buildings can let occupants have a wonderful experience.

Frank Gehry's architectural designs in Lehi to be unveiled in August.

The public will finally be able to see what the much-anticipated Frank Gehry-designed project in Lehi will resemble when the famed American architect's artistic renderings are unveiled in early August.

"The designs will show what the hotel looks like, what the (10,000-seat) arena will look like, how retail plays in, and what some of the homes will look like," Provo entrepreneur and owner Brandt Andersen told the Daily Herald on Tuesday.

Public interest in the multi-billion-dollar mixed-use project, which showcases what is potentially Utah's tallest building -- a 450-foot tall hotel -- has been strong since it was first announced last February because of Gehry's involvement. Gehry is the creative genius behind architectural icons like the Guggenheim in Bilbao, Spain.

An unexpected discovery of thermal water beneath the 80-acre site, in addition to ample wind and solar energy sources, provided the inspiration for an architectural design with a new "green" emphasis, Andersen said. About 30 percent of the project could be fueled by green energy, he said.

Inspired by the natural architecture found in Utah's slot canyons such as The Narrows at Zion National Park, the Lehi project will include the 250-room hotel; a signature 500,000-square-foot, 10,000-seat arena; an amphitheater; 3.6 million square feet of residential space or 2,500 condo and multi-floor residential units, and 1.12 million square feet of retail space. The project also includes a boating lake, a wakeboard cable water park and 61 acres of open space.

"Pending final approvals by the city, we will also disclose some letters of intent from national and local tenants for the project by the end of summer. Retail interest is strong because they know of Frank's involvement, the specialized nature of the project and its proximity to the ski resorts," Andersen said.

Once the final project approvals are given this summer, construction will begin on the hotel, the arena as well as the two wakeboarding lakes, Andersen said.

As a precursor of the Gehry project, Andersen, also the owner of Utah Flash, will also be remodelling the Open Court, an 80,000 square foot recreational center in Lehi that he bought a month ago to be the new headquarters of the NBA affiliate. The building, which cost between $5 million and $10 million, will be renamed The Factory and will resemble what he called a "postmodern luminescent cube."

The Factory, located on 4425 N. Thanksgiving Way in Lehi, will also be used as a practice space by the Utah Flash, and will host community basketball camps.