"The Eco Ark pavilion is hailed as a new benchmark for the future of green buildings and a spectacular showpiece for the Taipei International Flora Expo." The designers have adhered "to the mantra of "Reduce, Reuse and Recycle', the nine-storey high Eco Ark Pavilion is built largely out of recycled plastic bottles. It weighs 50 percent less than a conventional building, yet it is strong enough to withstand the forces of nature, including fire!"
Taiwan is already one of the world's biggest recyclers of plastic bottles. " According to the group, the inspiration for the EcoARK came from the large number of plastic bottles recycled in Taiwan every year -- totaling 90,000 metric tons -- the equivalent of 4.5 billion 600 ml bottles."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYci63xhlbg
According to Inhabitat, an online magazine which focuses on contemporary designs which "will save the world" has noted:
" 'EcoARK is the world's lightest, movable, breathable environmental miracle,' said Douglas Hsu, Chairman of the Far Eastern Group. Though POLLI-Bricks have been used here [in Taiwan] on a grand scale in the EcoARK they can be used to make anything from a vase to a garden wall to a house. Just a small amount of silicone is placed between the bricks to make a bond between their specially designed interlocking structure."
http://inhabitat.com/ecoark-pavilion-made-from-1-5-million-plastic-bottles/
The same Inhabitat authors conclude, "The 130 meter long structure is completely deconstructable -- it can be taken apart and reassembled at another location, kind of like a giant LEGO building. To top off the eco-cred the building was engineered to withstand large earthquakes and typhoons. Sounds like Taipei will be able to repurpose this building for a long time to come."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1S5ncMvWnAo&feature=fvwrel
The Taipei International Flora Expo will only continue into mid- April 2011, so hurry if you wish to see the EcoArk in its current location!
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