Three models selected for Dallas’ new sustainable square block

by Sarah Blaskovich

DALLAS — “They love us, they really love us!”

Finalist #1: <strong>Forwarding Dallas</strong>, chosen for European-style massing, vegetated screens, innovation

Finalist #1: Forwarding Dallas, chosen for European-style massing, vegetated screens, innovation

We heard in December that Dallas was picked to be the nation’s first fully-sustainable, “off the grid” inner-city block. “They picked us!” some said. Positioned as a contest of sorts, a committee has spent the past 6 months or so sifting through nearly 200 entries from 26 countries. The goal was to find the best model with sustainability, affordability, originality, and usability of sustainable materials. (Yes, usability is actually a word.)

I wrote about this in 2006 for D Magazine back when the big-picture plan was still a pipe dream. Today, this is a hot-button issue that's becoming a reality.

Finalist #2: <strong>Entangled Bank</strong>, chosen for striking full-block massing, arrangement of sustainable systems

Finalist #2: Entangled Bank, chosen for striking full-block massing, arrangement of sustainable systems

The project is called Urban Re:Vision and is scheduled to break ground in 2010 once they pick the final winner. It's all been put together by the Central Dallas CDC, in partnership with Urban Re:Vision, and the new complex will be built across from City Hall in a “crumbling parking lot ... that has gone neglected for years,” says one source. “The mayor of Dallas calls it the ‘forgotten lot.’”

Each company is charged with using advanced technologies to capture wind, solar, water, and geothermal resources, according to Re:Vision. Sources within the project tell us it's supposed to generate resources, support and empower the community, and become a model of sustainability for other interested cities.

Finalist #3: <strong>Greenways Xero Energy</strong>, chosen for creating sense of community, bold greenway plans

Finalist #3: Greenways Xero Energy, chosen for creating sense of community, bold greenway plans

And now, we have your top three finalists with mock-ups of what they want to do. They were actually chosen in early June, but the news wasn't broadcast too loudly, and we think it's interesting:

*Forwarding Dallas: modeled after a hillside and features open spaces and wooded areas. Even includes an orchard.

*Entangled Bank: places vegetation on balconies and uses solar energy to "fuel the hot water heaters on top of the building and produce electricity during the day."

*Greenways Xero Energy: includes a verticle axis wind turbine and a sky -- yes, in the sky -- pasture where cattle will live.

We have no idea how these things will actually work, but we'll leave it to the experts. What do you think?

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If you'd like to read more about each of the three finalists, NBCDFW offers glimpses on each individually: "Forwarding Dallas" -- http://tinyurl.com/l7sy3q; "Entangled Bank" -- http://tinyurl.com/m54coj; "Greenways Xero Energy" -- http://tinyurl.com/km5l99

Sarah Blaskovich Staff

4 months, 4 weeks ago
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You know this city can have so many toys, while like a mean kid it wont let other kid's come over and play in the sand box....while here is another design...it looks great... But urban travler fact for today....I was downtown, it is hot, good traffic with people on the street, but still the same boring buildings....empty....while the neat stuff is off limits.....A/T...Have it your way....