More recently, Inhabitat.com has posted many more links to various NGO’s who are giving their updated predictions of the time we may have before we reach the global warming tipping point.

While there are some conflicting ideas about what should be done to curb the effects of global warming, our living environment (literally our house where we live), and the related choices we make, figure to play a significant role in any ability we have to stem the tide.

While global warming is a complicated subject, there is no complication in understanding that our housing system in the US is dated and highly inefficient. Our goal should then be a simple one – to make smarter decisions about where, how, and what kind of environment we choose to live in. Read post in Inhabitat.

The twist of Masdar City though is to develop an actual destination for the latest in sustainable architecture. In Madar City you’ll be able to see, hear, feel, even live new technologies – sort of like Disney World for visionaries.

LAVA Describes their city this way: Our design proposal focuses on the delivery of three key issues:

1. Performance – to demonstrate the use and benefits of sustainable technology in a modern, dynamic, iconic architectural environment.
2. Activation – to activate or operate the sustainable technology in accordance with the functional needs of this environment, 24 hours a day, and 365 days of the year.
3. Interaction – to encourage and stimulate a social dynamic where the life, values, ideals, and vision of the population of Masdar evolve.

The “Oasis of the Future” demonstrates sustainable technology in a user-friendly architectural environment – flexible use of space, outdoor and indoor comfort, and optimum performance. Our aim is to provide the Abu Dhabi Energy Company with the lowest possible carbon footprint, whilst maintaining the highest level of user experience within the practical viability of affordable architecture.

The user experience is the heart of the “Oasis of the Future”. The Oasis of the Future is a living, breathing habitat. The ability to control ambient temperature at all times of the day is the key to making the Plaza a compulsive destination. The gorges pull inhabitants into the loop. The ‘Petals from Heaven’ open and close; protect pedestrians from the sun; capture, store, and release heat; adjust the angle of shade based on the position of the sun. The heat sensitive lamps adjust the level of lighting to the proximity of pedestrians. The water features ebb and flow based on the intensity of ground temperatures.

Masdar Plaza, The Oasis of the Future’ incorporates the highest level of knowledge and expertise in science, technology, and construction methodology, globally. It is an intellectual balance between iconic architectural identity, cutting edge sustainable design and technology.” Read post in Arch Daily.

Not to be outdone the Incheon mixed-use development in South Korea is said to be a model of sustainability, becoming the epicenter of development for green technologies for Seoul.

When completed the eco-city is expected to house a community of 320,000. Among the technologies to be developed are photovoltaic panels, wind turbines, biomass energy generation, hydrogen fuel cells, and hydroponic roofs.

While the city of Greenberg should be congratulated for their effort to rebuild using green technologies, on a macro level it loses some significance when more and more remote areas of the world leap-frog past the US on the way to the new sustainable world. Just 25 years ago it would have been unimaginable that major projects like Incheon would be happening in Korea rather than the US. Read post in Inhabitat.

Reachable only by water HotW is anchored into the sea by concrete, and boasts a floating deck that rises with the water level and connects to the entrance stairway.

Built to be Eco-friendly, HotW features water desalination, water recycling, tidal and solar energy systems, and a computer driven shading system.

No word on the rates, but it’s safe to assume you’ll be paying for the experience of staying in a floating house drenched in modern style. Read post in Archdaily.

The “Oyster” which operates in shallow waters and connects to an on-shore base is said to be capable of producing 200-600kw of electricity – the amount needed to supply a few hundred houses.

Wave power plants use the oceans movement to generate electricity, and global companies are already lining up to claim prime spots like California, Oregon, and Scotland. New wave technology benefits from having the maintenance component located onshore, reducing cost of operation.

While still in the early stages of development a UK company has calculated that each Oyster could save about 500 tons of carbon dioxide each year. Read post in Inhabitat.

If living on the bay in harmony with your neighbors while sharing basic utilities is your cup of tea, this re-modeled 2,378 square foot cedar-clad marvel will be of special interest to you.

The small development including 4 houses and 2 house boats including the Lobster Boat Residence not only shares utilities but the common parking area, infrastructure, and a vegetable garden too. Read post in Inhabitat.

The leading question then seems to be – can we design our way out of the suburbs?

If you fit into one of the above possible entrant categories, you can learn more about the competition, judging and how to enter at Reburbia. HMH will publish the winning ideas in August.

All this is a result of the Carbon Challenge Programme, a UK government goal to reach zero carbon in all new builds by 2016.

We learn more details from Inhabitat:

Built on the site of a former hospital, which is being transformed into a new community center, each house in the Hanham Development will be free of VOCs, to help ensure a healthy, eco-friendly lifestyle for residents. SIPS panels will be used as the main structural element throughout the development, with the addition of other energy efficient materials. Recycling of materials onsite will ensure a zero carbon footprint. Construction is currently underway, and the first homes are slated for completion in 2010. Read post in Inhabitat.

Take for example this futuristic vertical farm dreamed up by Romses Architects for the Form Shift competition in Vancouver, BC, the first city to adopt the the 2030 Challenge for green house gas reduction.

As strictly a design concept, we (and the Form Shift judges) found the vertical farm entry intriguing, even if it does introduce all kinds of political, city planning, zoning, logistical, not to mention legal and ethical questions in the process.

Still, much of the purpose of competitions like the Form Shift are to introduce new ideas and get people thinking in a new direction. We don’t expect to see anything like the Vertical Farm in the near future, but we can certainly applaud the thought and inspiration that went into the award winning designs.

Visit the competition website to see some other great futuristic concepts that impressed the judges. Read post at DVICE.com.

A more recent attempt by architect Guilherme Vaz in Portugal seeks to define in and out using somewhat different techniques adapted for the specific location.

This whole idea is one architects are increasingly grappling with as we begin to lose sight of more conventional definitions of inside vs outside as a result of newer views of the importance of integrating the ecology with our man made structures.

In a current exhibit in New York, MoMA explores the importance of integrating “harmony between the spatial, social, and environmental aspects of human life,” underscoring how the idea is becoming more relevant as well as a larger part of the architects thinking than in the recent past. Read post in Dwell.