Abstract

The edge reusing natural resources like rainwater proves the importance of replenishable resources. This website goes into depth about rainwater collection and compares two different buildings in two different locations that utilizes replenishable resources. Different areas around the world have different climates. Understanding the challenges that one area could face versus another demonstrates the strategies needed to complete a task like rainwater collection. For example, The Edge in Amsterdam, Netherlands has a sub-oceanic, humid, and rainy climate. Their climate is influenced by the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. It experiences cold winters and cool summers. Whereas Sydney, Australia has a warmer climate with milder winters and hotter summers. This website is important because comparing my main case study ‘The Edge’ to ‘The Pixel Building’ I show where it is more appropriate to use a strategy such as rainwater collection. This website uses sources from Caris Hofman. Hofman’s explanation of harvesting rainwater specifically in the Netherlands assists this website by giving insight on the strategies needed to perform a task like rainwater collection in the Netherlands. Also, Michael Tang who identifies health risks of climate change in Australia. Tang uses precedents from Australia that utilizes the use of rainwater harvesting and explains why rainwater harvesting is good in Australia's climate. Also, Tom Randall’s journal in 2015. Randall talks about how The Edge is the smartest building in the world. Randall also speaks about the many sustainable design strategies the edge utilizes. Specifically, a focus for my case study is the rainwater harvesting. Randall details how a massive concrete tub in the back of the parking garages gather rainwater that is used to flush the buildings toilets and water gardens. Overall, The Edge is deemed the greenest building on the planet by BREEAM and exemplifies just how much better buildings can be.