Ecological design is gaining ground. The connecting thought of the projects presented in this book is sustainable construction and operation - and not needing to abstain from spectacular architectural solutions in the process. A holistic approach always leads to a convincing design.

Good planning is necessary for a substainable building because resources and energy are not only used up during the building's operation but also particularly during the construction phase. The planning starts with the orientation of the facility, the effect that sunshine has on it, and the prevailling direction of the wind. Shading and natural themal effects provide cooling in the summer and high thermal mass can store the warmth in winter. This becomes more and more important as energy costs rise. Today ecological architecture is not limited to residential homes any more, large company buildings have also been constructed along eco-standards. This book features a selection of extraordinary international projects that impress thanks to their design and environmentally friendly construction. An index with contact information of the architects is enclosed.