The Ultimate ‘Energy Saving’ Building
In 2005, the Chinese local government decided to build a giant freeway that passed through ChongQing, China.
To make way for one section, local buildings that would block development were bought out and demolished, except for one. A single six-story building’s residents refused to move from their building, no matter what the government offered.
Normally this would end the production of the highway, or in China, would have the residents forcibly removed. This time, for some reason, they decided to just construct the bridge over the building as if it was not even there.
The locals all joke and call it the super “energy saving” building, as it doesn’t get any sun or rain all year long. The roof is so close to the bottom of the bridge, that the residents must all have to wear earplugs to sleep.
(link)
By Mui Mui on 09-06-2008
Comment by darkwing duck
June 9th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
The Simpsons did it
the “Matlock Expressway”.
Comment by website design
June 9th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
So loud that they must wear ear plugs to sleep? That will teach them not to take lucrative offers from the government!
Comment by leroy slater
June 10th, 2008 at 2:58 am
It would seem that all new bridges/roads, should be constructed in this manor. I am certain that the noise should be easy to cancel. But why not just build houses under bridges, it does seem to be enery wise. And then also lopcl streets would be for local people, and roads would take others on their way else where. Seems to be win-win
Comment by 克莱夫
June 10th, 2008 at 9:13 am
“through ChongQing, a local town in China.” – I’m not sure that CQ fits the description of ‘local town’ as it is one the biggest municipalities in China, which makes it pretty big.
Comment by sultan_azteca
June 11th, 2008 at 8:09 pm
I second Leroy. How much waste of urban surface is taken up by bridges or overpasses? Why not building underneath them? My common sense (granted, not much) tells me the noise would be louder for dwellers of buildings sitting ON BOTH SIDES of the building, as noise would go sideways easier than through the bottom. Besides, such noise could be lessened by foaming up the bottom of the bridge. Also, from the last picture shown, it appears that there is at least another smaller building below the bridge, but it looks more like a whole neighborhood. Anyways, except for the risk of the bridge collapsing on top of the building (caused by an earthquake, or due to Minnesota-style bridge maintenance schedules), I don’t see any other serious cons, but I can count a handful of pros, cooling energy savings included. Again.
Comment by sultan_azteca
June 11th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
Looks like a smart urban space management, energy-savings idea to me… to hell with noise, use foam!
Comment by Claude
August 1st, 2009 at 6:29 pm
In Japan's urban centers elevated train lines and freeways usually have buildings underneath. Contrary to the speculation, the noise isn't bad, since the traffic runs on top of the freeway rather than underneath. A couple feet of concrete does wonders for noise control.