Solar-powered seaside retreat marries prefab design and traditional building techniques

This small solar-powered hideaway in British Columbia mirrors the natural incline of the cliff on which it sits. Architecture studio Battersby Howat worked withHinterland Design to assemble a small team of craftsmen to build the Valdes Island Shack, combiningprefabricated design with traditional building techniques.

The 386-square-foot cabin sits on a bluff overlooking the Salish Sea and features solar power and arainwater filtration system. A team of Hinterland Design workers camped near the building site over the course of 5 weeks and crafted the exterior and interior finishes to fit the framing, which was prefabricated off-site byAJIA. The exterior is clad in black-stained cedar siding, while saw-cut white stained plywood dominates the interior.

Related: Off-Grid Snowboard Cabin is a Perfect Retreat for Powder Hounds on Vancouver Island

The color contrast between the exterior and interior helps the building blend into the forest, while providing a serene space with expansive views of the lake. Slightly tilting backward, the house soaks up thenatural light that illuminates the interior. Inside, a metal-rung ladder connects the main living space with dining area and kitchen to the sleeping loft above, which has breathtaking views.

Photo by Lucas Finlay

Emaar to construct solar plant for Dubai Hills Mall

Emaar Development has named a company to build a private solar plant for the Dubai Hills Mall project.

ALEC Energy has been picked to provide the 6.5 megawatt-peak (MWp) solar power plant for the under-construction retail project.

The energy company is a part of ALEC, the construction company building Dubai Hills Mall.

Dubai Hills Mall's solar power facility will feature 24,000 solar panels on the mall's roof, and is expected to generate 10.5m kwh/units of electrical energy in a year.

As a result, the project will record an offset of 4.62m kg of carbon dioxide each year. This is the equivalent of offsetting the annual CO2 emissions of 1,673 passenger vehicles in a year.

ALEC Energy will provide system design, local approval, and construction services for the plant, which will be built and commissioned in line with Dubai Hills Mall's programme.

The solar plant will be ready to operate upon the mall's opening.

Commenting on the contract, James Stewart, general manager of ALEC Energy, said: "We are very excited to collaborate with Emaar Development on this exciting solar project.

"Solar Energy is a smart choice and has many financial and environmental benefits especially in large malls which are large consumers of power.

"This decision will also assist the UAE in meeting its 2030 renewable energy targets."

Dubai Hills Mall will offer 18.58ha of leasable space across its ground and first floors, including more than 700 retail, and food and beverage (F&B) outlets.

This January, it was revealed that Turkey-headquartered AE Arma-Elektropanç has been awarded a $159m (AED580m) contract for Dubai Hills Mall by ALEC.

Under the terms of the contract, the company will carry out all mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) works for the project, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2019.