In times of water scarcity, every drop is precious. While some people & institutions realize this fact others still go on living in their ignoramus style.

Belonging to the former category is the High School in Arlington (Virginia) along with its Langston Brown Community Center which has set a fine example of green concept (to the world) in terms of rainwater harvesting efforts. The building has a LEED Silver rating for its interesting green features, which are:
• Presence of two 11,000-gallon water tanks (one being on the roof of the building) that store about 280,000 gallons of rainwater per year!
• The water so harvested is used for sidewalk washing, onsite irrigation and such uses.
• Presence of waterless urinals- contributes to the project’s 23% reduction in potable water use.
• Each classroom provides a minimum of 4 switches to control lighting levels.
• The high school’s indoors feature use of adhesives, solvents, paints, and carpets with low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
• Presence of Sunshades-these provide indirect daylighting while still being effective in maintaining more than 90% visibility in building’s occupied spaces.
• Clerestory windows are present on third-floor classrooms to provide additional daylighting.

Source: treehugger.com

Striking out from green grassy slopes of a hill is the building of Finca el Retorno Eco-Shelters in Guatapé-Antioquia, Colombia. This slate gray structured and sleek building is the brainchild of G ateliers Architecture. One look at it and one seems to fall in love with the modern architecture which seems to be so effortlessly blended in the local topography as if it were a pristine part of it from the very beginning.

The building is a series of 8 ecological shelters rather entire eco-complex comprising a chapel, a restaurant, a series of hiking trails and 8 shelters. This heavenly refuge is build keeping in mind all the comfort needs of people along with a solid eco-concern which fits the concept of green buildings. Beautiful wood paneled walls with integrated skylights inside this eco-shelter and a row of blooming flowers and greenery stretching till the hill’s farthest point make it a perfect hide-out to revitalize your senses and ignite a romantic mood!

Via Inhabitat