Architecture that brings Solar into the Landscape

This is interesting and challenging at the same time.

For the architects and landscapers with 'green tint' at the back of their mind, it would be interesting to find out if solar energy and energy efficiency can blend well with beautiful architecture. Folks at Spotlight Solar came up with this idea.

Likely applications

Suitable for commercial and public properties of many kinds - schools, science museums, city halls - these unique products help in differentiating system integrators services and brand. They could dramatically elevate the visibility of your buildings.


'Curve' offers striking and functional design. It is fresh and inviting, bending toward the sun and visitors.


'Lift' design offers flexibility and dynamic look.





Also a great idea for landscape design.

They build structures that complement other energy projects, adding reputation value to the ROI on green building investments. By making solar more visible and attractive, they hope to accelerate the adoption of solar energy.

The Green Mechanics: Put solar panels where people can see them. And like them.


Source: Spotlight Solar, http://www.spotlightsolar.com. All photos are shared from their website.

iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus price in Malaysia

UPDATED. Scroll down.


    

The online grey importers' pricing are not that bad. These were from Lazada and Groupon. 

If you haven't yet figured out how much would a no-contract iPhone 6 pr iPhone 6 Plus cost you, here are the list of prices for US market together with the prices for our closer neighbour, Singapore.

Unlocked phone prices in the US:

iPhone 6 (16GB): $649 - approx. RM2,115
iPhone 6 (64GB): $749 - approx. RM2,440
iPhone 6 (128GB): $849 - approx. RM2,767

iPhone 6 Plus (16GB): $749 - approx. RM2,440
iPhone 6 Plus (64GB): $849 - approx. RM2,767
iPhone 6 Plus (128GB): $949 - approx. RM3,092

Needless to say, these prices put the new iPhones among the most expensive smartphones on the market.


Unlocked phone prices in Singapore (inclusive of GST):

iPhone 6, 4.7-inch display, 16GB: S$988 - approx. RM2,511

iPhone 6, 4.7-inch display, 64GB: S$1,148 - approx. RM2,918

iPhone 6, 4.7-inch display, 128GB: S$1,288 - approx. RM3,274

iPhone 6 Plus, 5.5-inch display, 16GB: S$1,148 - approx. RM2,918
iPhone 6 Plus, 5.5-inch display, 64GB: S$1,288 - approx. RM3,274
iPhone 6 Plus, 5.5-inch display, 128GB: S$1,448 - approx. RM3,681


iPhone 6 prices in Malaysia

Extrapolating the US prices, taking into account previous pricing for Malaysia market,  and making approximation of the Singapore conversion, the following gives you the estimated prices for Malaysia market:

iPhone 6 (16GB): RM2,499
iPhone 6 (64GB): RM2,899
iPhone 6 (128GB): RM3,299

iPhone 6 Plus (16GB): RM2,899
iPhone 6 Plus (64GB): RM3,299
iPhone 6 Plus (128GB): RM3,699

With the iPhone going into the 5-inch display territory, we can expect the Cupertino based phone maker to regain some lost ground here. I was hoping the iPhone 5S came with at least 4.7" display; it never did.

UPDATED:

iPhone 6 (16GB): RM2,399
iPhone 6 (64GB): RM2,749
iPhone 6 (128GB): RM3,149

iPhone 6 Plus (16GB): RM2,749
iPhone 6 Plus (64GB): RM3,149
iPhone 6 Plus (128GB): RM3,549

Read more: http://www.thegreenmechanics.com/2014/11/official-pricing-of-iphone-6-and-iphone.html#ixzz3IFAdi13e

A house with rooms that turn 90-degree

Been itchy to blog for a long time now, and the slow pace in the implementation of the RE and the never ending power supply issues here seem to flame this urge even more. But the semester is busy and blogging has to take the back seat for now.

Anyway, this popped up in my 'green stuff' email subscription recently. Apparently, in the name of efficiency and adaptability, some innovative architects in Iran came up with weather defying house design: A house with 90^o rotating rooms. How about that for creativity.


Rotate your room according to the sun position, season or for functional requirement. Photo sourced from archdaily.


Called the Sharifi-ha House, it is a seven-floor house in Tehran with three rectangular rooms that can rotate up to 90^o in accordance with the season. The design was inspired by Iranian mansions that had separate living rooms for both summer and winter.

When extended outward, the spaces offer each floor its own terrace. The rooms serve a functional purpose as well - the lowest is a breakfast area, the middle a home office and the top was planned as a guest room.

How it work

The owner is importing CNC and other similar industrial German machines, and the structural system is to be fabricated in Germany. This custom CNC-machined mechanisms functions like the turntables used at auto shows.

"In summertime, Sharifi-ha House offers an open/transparent /perforated volume with wide, large terraces. In contrast, during Tehran’s cold, snowy winters the volume closes down, offering minimal openings and a total absence of those wide summer terraces." - archdaily

Source: If you are interested, there is extensive details here at archdaily.