A sustainable area-cooling solution, Cloudscape, by Cloward H2O and dwg. architects has won an Urban Land Institute (ULI Austin) Impact Award for Project Innovation.
ULI Austin members are committed to responsible development and sustainable land use with the aim of building better communities. The category recognises originality and creativity in development.
Cloudscape is an iconic feature of the newly-developed Fareground at One Eleven Congress Plaza in Austin, Texas. The system creates cooling clouds to provide a pleasant ambient environment for the many professionals, residents and visitors who flock to the vibrant community hub.
To realise their vision, dwg. architects turned to leading provider of aquatic design engineering services, Cloward H2O. The brief was to create a system that could still operate effectively in a drought.
Cloudscape recycles waste water from air conditioning
Designed to be self-sustaining, the system doesn’t draw on the city’s valuable water reserves. Instead, it utilises previously wasted water from the building’s own air conditioning condensate. This amounts to a staggering 280,000 gallons a year.
What is particularly clever about this unique method of water recycling is that it provides more water during hot summer months when demand is high, than during the winter. The harvested condensate is collected, treated, stored, and then atomised at high pressure from tall, elegant pylons.
Founded in 1977, Cloward H2O works with landscape architects and other partner organisations to design and engineer waterparks, theme parks, splash pads, pools, spas, fountains, marine exhibits, life support systems and more.
Last month, two of its projects, Ouray Hot Springs Swimming Pool and Grand Caymans’ Kimpton Seafire Resort and Spa, were recognised with 2018 Aquatics International Dream Design Awards.
