Top 100 Eco Architecture Trends in 2017

From Eco-Friendly Bike Paths to Conceptual Floating Cities

— January 27, 2018 — Eco
Where environmentally friendly architecture once focused on individual homes, buildings, or functions, architects and designers are now taking strategic approaches to combat long-term, systemic issues related to urban planning. The most important eco architecture trends in 2017 have revolved around how governments, designers and architects are coming together to resolve the pollution and population-related consequences of rapidly developing urban environments.

One way in which eco-friendly architecture can be integrated into cities' long-term plans involves infrastructure that better supports bike usage – cutting down on both pollution and traffic congestion in cities. Examples of such innovations include the Radbahn Berlin bike path, which joins neighborhoods and features greenery-rich architecture, as well as the Cykelhust apartment complex which was designed specifically for cyclists – built with large elevators, ample storage space and a bike-specific parking garage.

Another way in which cities will eventually be transformed fundamentally to accommodate growing populations is by entirely new ways of architectural placement. One such example is Baca Architects' conceptual designs, which reveal floating cities and communities that mitigate some of the consequences of overpopulation.
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94
Eco Asian Architecture Conferences
Eco Asian Architecture Conferences
The ARCASIA Conference Discusses Environmental Sustainability
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93
Elevated NYC-Inspired Parks
Elevated NYC-Inspired Parks
The Camden Highline Will Transform an Old Railway into a Green Park
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92
Elevated Modular Roadways
Elevated Modular Roadways
BMW's New Roadway Concept Would Encourage Eco-Friendly Commuting
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91
Broad-Spanning River Developments
Broad-Spanning River Developments
Morphogenesis' 'A River in Need' Will Rehabilitate the Ganges
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90
Mobile Solar-Paneled Music Halls
Mobile Solar-Paneled Music Halls
'La Seine Musicale' Features a Moving Solar Panel Tail
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89
Shipping Container Stadiums
Shipping Container Stadiums
The Ras Abu Aboud Stadium Can Be Taken Apart After the Match
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88
Smart City Summits
Smart City Summits
Huawei Has Proposed Options for Eastern Europe's Smart City Infrastructure
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87
Solar-Powered Refugee Camps
Solar-Powered Refugee Camps
This is the World's First Refugee Camp to Be Powered by Solar Energy
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86
DIY Solar Panel Kits
DIY Solar Panel Kits
The 'Legion Solar 2' is an Inexpensive Eco Solution
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85
Treed School Complexes
Treed School Complexes
The Cornebarrieu School Complex Tackles Environmental Challenges
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84
3D-Printed Concrete Bridges
3D-Printed Concrete Bridges
The Gemert Will House is the First Bridge Made with This Technique
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83
Energy-Generating Solar Sidewalks
Energy-Generating Solar Sidewalks
Thomson Rivers University is Aiming to Be More Sustainable
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82
Floating Eco-Friendly Pools
Floating Eco-Friendly Pools
The Plus Pool Project Received Unexpected Support from Heineken
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81
Upcycled Coastal Holiday Decorations
Upcycled Coastal Holiday Decorations
The Town of La Oliva Has Turned Waste into Decorations
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80
Massive Green-Roofed Bookstores
Massive Green-Roofed Bookstores
The 'Book Garden' is the Largest Bookstore in the World
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79
Floating Prefab Cabins
Floating Prefab Cabins
The DD16 Floating Cabin Features the Essentials for Comfortable Living
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78
Sustainable Cannabis Houses
Sustainable Cannabis Houses
The Walls of This Home in Israel are Made Out of Hemp and Concrete
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77
Bike-Friendly Apartment Complexes
Bike-Friendly Apartment Complexes
Sweden's Cykelhust Complex Was Designed for Bikers
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76
Architecture-Preserving Solar Tiles
Architecture-Preserving Solar Tiles
ZEP's Sun Roof Tiles are Appropriate for Historical Buildings
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75
Repurposed Garden Offices
Repurposed Garden Offices
Architect Created Industrial Garden Offices from Shipping Containers
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74
Tech-Fueled Waterfront Redesigns
Tech-Fueled Waterfront Redesigns
Toronto's Waterfront is Undergoing a Google-Sponsored Redesign
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73
Spiralling Treetop Walkways
Spiralling Treetop Walkways
This Spiraling Observation Tower Offers 360-Degree Views
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72
Conceptual Water-Powered Buildings
Conceptual Water-Powered Buildings
This Structure Would Be Powered by the Thames River's Movements
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71
Paper-Paved Bike Highways
Paper-Paved Bike Highways
This Bike Highway in the Netherlands is Paved with Toilet Paper
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70
Customized Solar Panels
Customized Solar Panels
Sistine Solar's Rooftop Panels are Tailored to Match One's Home
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69
Humongous Solar Parks
Humongous Solar Parks
This Dubai Facility Will Be the World's Largest Single-Site Solar Park
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68
Conceptual Floating Cities
Conceptual Floating Cities
Baca Architects' Floating City Concept is an Overcrowding Solution
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67
Vertical Urban Forests
Vertical Urban Forests
The Hawthorn Tower is Set to Be Holland's First Vertical Garden
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66
Floating Ferry Terminals
Floating Ferry Terminals
Vincent Callebaut's Ferry Terminal Design Was Inspired by a Manta Ray
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65
Meditative Treehouses
Meditative Treehouses
The Quiet Treehouse Promotes the Health Benefits of Noise Reduction
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64
Inverted Pyramid-Shaped Homes
Inverted Pyramid-Shaped Homes
Christian Bourdais' Concrete Holiday Home Boasts an Unstable Look
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63
Urban Ziplining Experiences
Urban Ziplining Experiences
London's Future Forest Offers a 40-Meter Zipline in a Shopping Center
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62
Biodiverse Public Parks
Biodiverse Public Parks
Hong Kong's Taikoo Place Will Foster Native Flora
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61
Glowing Transparent Greenhouses
Glowing Transparent Greenhouses
'Less House' in Ho Chi Minh City is a Luminous Structure
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60
State-Wide Green Habitats
State-Wide Green Habitats
The Haritha Keralam Mission in Kerala, India, Envisions a Green State
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59
Sliding Glass Roofs
Sliding Glass Roofs
This Environmentally Friendly Shopping Center is Illuminated by Natural Light
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58
Transformed Suburban Centers
Transformed Suburban Centers
Bijlmerbajes Prison is Transforming into a Pedestrian-Friendly Square
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57
Unfurlable Solar Panel Systems
Unfurlable Solar Panel Systems
The Rapid Roll Solar PV Design Allows Flexible Panel Installation
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56
Mobile Self-Powered Bridges
Mobile Self-Powered Bridges
This Energy-Efficient Bridge Can Be Transformed to Sail Around a River
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55
Slim Skyscraper Concepts
Slim Skyscraper Concepts
'262 Fifth Avenue' is New York's Newest Slimmest Skyscraper
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54
Soaring French Sky Gardens
Soaring French Sky Gardens
The Occitanie Tower Will Be the City of Toulouse's First Skyscraper
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53
Plant-Covered Hotels
Plant-Covered Hotels
This Former Hospital Was Converted Into a Hotel Covered in Plants and Trees
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52
WiFi-Enabled Solar Benches
WiFi-Enabled Solar Benches
The Mmcité1 'Woody' Bench Has Charging Capabilities and More
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51
Wood-Made Office Campuses
Wood-Made Office Campuses
The 'Nanterre Arboretum' Will Be the World's Largest Solid Wood Project
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50
Homelessness-Combating Tiny Homes
Homelessness-Combating Tiny Homes
The San Jose Tiny Home Concept Now Has Two Potential Designs
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49
Solar-Powered Bike Lanes
Solar-Powered Bike Lanes
A Polish Engineering Firm Developed a Luminous Solar-Powered Bike Path
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48
Climate-Responsive Structures
Climate-Responsive Structures
'Air Houses' are Environmentally Compatible Art Installations
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47
Architectural Bamboo Structures
Architectural Bamboo Structures
Bamboo in Architecture is Both Flexible and Reduces Costs
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46
Energy-Harnessing Glass Blocks
Energy-Harnessing Glass Blocks
These Solar Glass Blocks Aim to Naturally Illuminate Buildings
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45
Ecological Bird Airports
Ecological Bird Airports
McGregor Coxall Will Design a Bird Sanctuary at the Lingang Eco Park
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44
Store-Based Living Plant Walls
Store-Based Living Plant Walls
Innisfree's Union Square Location Houses 10,000 Types of Plants
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43
Eco-Focused Urban Bike Paths
Eco-Focused Urban Bike Paths
The Radbahn Berlin Would Be Berlin's First Covered Bike Path
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42
Climate Change Sculptures
Climate Change Sculptures
Lorenzo Quinn's Sculpture Reminds Viewers of Environmental Effects
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41
Public Medicinal Greenhouses
Public Medicinal Greenhouses
'Breathing Bubble' is a Transparent Greenhouse for Medicinal Plants
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40
Converted Firetruck Homes
Converted Firetruck Homes
This Home on Wheels Was Made from a 1953 GMC firetruck
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39
Vertical Forest Cities
Vertical Forest Cities
Stefano Boeri has Designed a Plant-Covered City to Fix China's Smog Problem
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38
Chic Birdhouse-Inspired Hideaways
Chic Birdhouse-Inspired Hideaways
Studio North's Birdhut Poses as a Cozy Nest for Humans
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37
Wooden Skyscraper Concepts
Wooden Skyscraper Concepts
The Wooden 'Native Skyscraper' Was Inspired by Africa’s Baobab Trees
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36
Digital Greenhouse Installations
Digital Greenhouse Installations
'Digital Vegetables' Created a Symphony of Light and Sound
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35
Futuristic Bio-Dome Designs
Futuristic Bio-Dome Designs
Florida's Waterfront Will Be Revamped with Bio-Climatic Domes
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Modular Eco Activation Kiosks
Modular Eco Activation Kiosks
The 'Cubox' Pop-Up Kiosks Have a Customizable Interior
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33
Merged Modern Industrial Homes
Merged Modern Industrial Homes
'Truss House' Pays Homage to Its Industrial Past
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Urban Fabric Houses
Urban Fabric Houses
'MINI LIVING - Breathe' is a Small-Scale, Low-Impact City Dwelling
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31
Mushroom-Shaped Cabins
Mushroom-Shaped Cabins
This Quirky Cabin's Structure is Inspired By Ground-Sprouting Fungi
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30
Inverted Roof Designs
Inverted Roof Designs
This Cleverly Designed Domed Roof Keeps Homes Cool in Arid Climates
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29
Wooden Skyscraper Concepts
Wooden Skyscraper Concepts
This High-Rise Project Explores the Use of Wood in Modern Architecture
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Living Green Bridges
Living Green Bridges
This Organic Structure Provides a Safe Path for Wildlife in Seoul
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Photovoltaic Skating Rinks
Photovoltaic Skating Rinks
This Concept Uses Ice Skating to Generate Electricity
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26
Hobbit-Inspired Homes
Hobbit-Inspired Homes
This Grotto Home Encourages Occupants to Get In Touch with Nature
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DIY Wooden Stick Domes
DIY Wooden Stick Domes
The Hubs DIY Garden Dome Kit Makes Natural Dwellings Outdoors
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24
Urban Tree Installations
Urban Tree Installations
This German Start-Up Aims to Reduce Pollution Using Vertical Planters
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23
Stable-Inspired Tiny Homes
Stable-Inspired Tiny Homes
The Ostara Tiny Home Takes Design Cues From Equine Architecture
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22
Shipping Container Developments
Shipping Container Developments
LA is Developing 84 Units of Affordable Housing
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21
Vertical Hydroponic Farms
Vertical Hydroponic Farms
Sasaki Designed an Urban Farm for Shanghai's Urban Agricultural District
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20
Self-Contained Prefab Saunas
Self-Contained Prefab Saunas
The Küng Sauna 'Swing' Makes the Most of Small Spaces
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19
Converted Bus Accommodations
Converted Bus Accommodations
The Big Green Bus Hotel Offers a Charming Glamping Experience
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18
Energy-Positive Eco-Resorts
Energy-Positive Eco-Resorts
The Nautilus Eco-Resort Embraces Sustainable Architectural Designs
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17
Lego-Like Gardens
Lego-Like Gardens
The Modular Growmore System Makes Creative Gardening Accessible
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16
Skyscraper Rooftop Parks
Skyscraper Rooftop Parks
Hong Kong's 'SKYPARK' is an Urban Park for its Residents
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15
Shipping Container Suites
Shipping Container Suites
'Poshtel' Pop-Ups Will Be Available for Rent Through Airbnb
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14
Modular Construction Systems
Modular Construction Systems
BeamCNC Can Turn Lumber into a Useful Construction System
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13
Elevated Prefab Hideout Cabins
Elevated Prefab Hideout Cabins
The Kudhva Prefab Cabins are Perched Above the Treetops
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12
Modular Pre-Fab Shelters
Modular Pre-Fab Shelters
The SmartDome is a Pre-fab Shelter That's Both Modular and Mobile
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11
Sun-Following Folding Caravans
Sun-Following Folding Caravans
The 'sCarabane' Caravan Camper Harnesses Natural Energy for Power
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10
Mobile Shipping Container Boutiques
Mobile Shipping Container Boutiques
The Garnet Hill Shop is Housed in an Old Shipping Container
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9
Stackable Zero-Energy Homes
Stackable Zero-Energy Homes
The '#150 Skilpod' is a Stackable Prefab Home for Eco-Friendly Living
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8
Curvaceous Wooden Domes
Curvaceous Wooden Domes
The 'Dome of Visions' Explores Wood as an Eco-Friendly Alternative
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Peaceful Minimalist Homes
Peaceful Minimalist Homes
'House Rheder' is Designed to Be as Reductive as Possible
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Floating Hurricane-Resistant Homes
Floating Hurricane-Resistant Homes
Arkup's "Livable Yachts" Can Withstand Category Four Winds
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5
Deliverable Pre-Fab Homes
Deliverable Pre-Fab Homes
MODS International Partnered with Amazon to Offer Pre-Fab Homes Online
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4
Parking Space-Sized Homes
Parking Space-Sized Homes
The 'Tikku' House Offers All Necessary Amenities in a Compact Space
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3
Customized Eco Homes
Customized Eco Homes
The eXo/nat Concept is a Modern and Adaptable Alternative to Green Living
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2
DIY Prefab Cabin Homes
DIY Prefab Cabin Homes
The Ecokit Prefabricated Cabins Can be Erected without Professional Help
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1
Unfolding Modular Houses
Unfolding Modular Houses
These Movable Homes Provide a Speedier Construction Alternative
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