The winners of Re:Vision Dallas have created plans that challenged us, engaged us and inspired us.

And their ideas, from local materials and vegetated screens to integrated greenways, will shape how people will live and work here in the future. Take a look at this visionary thinking. And watch how  ideas become reality in the months ahead.

AND THE WINNERS ARE…

Entry 193: Forwarding Dallas

Forwarding Dallas is modeled after one of the most diverse system in nature, the hillside. This site is a series of valleys and hilltops that contain native vegetation to Dallas and become more hearty and resistant with altitude. The hills function to maximize the harvest of solar thermal, photovoltaic, and wind energy. This design intends to efficiently and effectively collect resources for residential and commercial consumption. Water will be collected on the rooftop, recycled and stored underground for grey water usage and irrigation. Construction of Forwarding Dallas will make the best use of natural lighting and ventilation based on the location of the building.

Among the design components are:

• Open green spaces including wooded paths and interior courtyards as well as a green roof and orchard
• 100% prefabricated construction system integrating building materials from local sources
• Housing options from studio apartments to three bedroom flats fit to accommodate 854 residents
• Combination of photovoltaic and wind power providing 100% of the energy needed for residents
• The Southwest façade for the solar gain in a Venetian Blind concept which adjusts according to the season
• The Northeast façade is made entirely from thick, high thermal mass straw bales which provides added insulation
• Water permeable paved areas to prevent pooling and flooding

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Entry 136: Greenways Xero Energy

Greenways Xero Energy aims to build sustainability and profitability in the community setting. Community gardens, vertical farming, and water capture are at the basis of the community unit. This design resembles a beached naval ship to best capture Dallas’ solar exposure and rainfall. The vegetation will be placed in balconies and on the ground level to improve air quality and provide a basis of economy through communal farming. Solar energy will fuel the hot water heaters on top of the building and produce electricity during the day. Greenways Xero Energy hopes to springboard future development in a growing sustainable city and focus on making connections with surrounding neighborhoods. By nature of its concept, Greenways Xero Energy allows for easy integration of surrounding areas into the block each ‘district’ with a unique identity. Pedestrian-friendly “greenways” serve as the public space infrastructure and multi-modal transit center that decreases necessity of cars. The facility is powered using photovoltaic arrays and solar hot water panels. Shading on the south side of the building reduces cooling loads significantly and geothermal tubes help to mediate temperature swings.

Among the design components are:

• Ground-level and balcony gardens to provide shade and improve air quality
• Emphasis on urban agriculture creates a platform for self-sustainability through practices such as vertical farming and slow food restaurants
• Domestic solar hot water system
• Photovoltaic panels in a grid-tied system on south end produces electricity during daylight hours

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Entry 113: Entangled Bank

The Entangled Bank is a mixed use development combines residence and retail, making each sustainable through the integration of education and green technology. On top of the Entangled Bank is a green roof with vegetation and a sky pasture to sustain ‘Dexter’ livestock that require less dietary consumption and can thrive on pastures where other cattle would starve. The sky pasture is also available for each tenant in the community to grown produce for their own consumption or resale in the market. The power utility system outfitted with vertical axis wind turbine that produces 50% more electricity than conventional turbines. This is best suited to the Dallas median wind needed to generate the turbines. A grey water treatment will be redistributed for irrigation. This plan is designed to incorporate education with sustainable profitability through the Organic Farming Institute and a Slow Food Restaurant. Food will be grown on site for the organic grocery store and host produce from many local organic farmers.

Among the design components are:

• Intensive green roof system providing the base structure for an elevated park
• Grain field providing seasonal vegetation for livestock grazing in the sky pasture
• A vertical farm which climbs the side of the building for tenant use
• Photovoltaic panels are attached to the exterior providing up to 100% of the power required on each of the 500 units
• Vertical axis wind turbine will provide power for core needs including common lighting, retail space and parking level ventilation
• Glass ponds on the elevated park level captures runoff from rooftop vegetation

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