Greenscrapers Get High (see what I did there?)

Top Ten Green Skyscrapers

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10: The Urban Cactus - Rotterdam, Nederland

The Urban Cactus is a residential project in the Netherlands that will offer 98 residential units on 19 floors. Thanks to the staggered design of the curvy balconies, each unit's outdoor space will get plenty of light from the sun. That means that this "greenscraper" really will be green when all the residents' gardens are in bloom. While this tower may lack in the technology department, its carbon-mitigation potential still looms high thanks to all the photosynthesis happening on the porch.

9. 340 on the Park - Chicago, Illinois

When 340 on the Park opens later this year in Chicago, it may become the first residential "greenscraper" in the city to meet LEED standards. If you have $700K to throw down on a 1600 square-foot condo, you can enjoy low utility bills thanks to the building's fully insulated windows and rainwater capture system. And the most awesome amenity is the multistory winter garden starting on floor 25.

8.Waugh Thistleton Residential Tower - London, England 

 On the other side of the pond, the Waugh Thistleton Architects have an eco-residential building in the works as well. This design will employ helical wind turbine technology.  Four turbines attached to one side of the

tower have the potential to generate 40,000kW hrs a year, more than 15% of its energy needs.  

7.The Burj al-Taqa (Energy Tower) - Dubai, United Arab Emirates

If this 68-story "super greenscraper" becomes a reality, it may become the tallest of all eco-towers, thanks to the proposed 200-foot wind turbine that will sit atop the building. Burj al-Taqa will occupy #22 on the world's tallest buildings list should it gets the green light.

Wind isn't this greenscaper's only bag, however. Solar panels will cover a 161,459 square foot artificial island chain connected to the building and seawater will power Burj al-Taqa's air conditioner!

6. The Hearst Tower, New York City, New York

The Hearst Tower became New York City's first skyscraper to achieve LEED Gold accreditation from the USGBC when it opened its doors last year. 80% of the steel used to make the behemoth was recycled. On the inside, the floors and ceiling tiles are made from recycled materials as well.

The diamond shapes on the building's facade aren't just for show either. The diagonal grid required fewer steel beams to achieve the same rigidity as a conventional skyscraper, and the design allows more natural light to enter the tower.

What's more, rainwater is collected on the roof and is funneled into a 14,000-gallon tank in the basement. The Hearst gathers enough water from the sky to account for 50% of the tower's usage. It's pumped into the cooling system, used for irrigating plants and for the innovative water sculpture in the main lobby.


 For more information on the Top Ten, look here. (But not until I reveal the top five. That would be cheating.)