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A view of the Okhta Tower's green 'insulation'
British architects and engineers have developed a unique way to keep Russians warm in in freezing temperatures.
The idea is to cover their buildings in 'intelligent fur coats'. The energy-saving concept developed by UK architects RMJM will be used to build Europe's tallest building - the 396m high Okhta Tower in St Petersburg.
The tower will be cased in two glass and steel sensor-lined 'envelopes' with plants and shrubs filling the buffer zones in between.
The plants provide natural thermal insulation during winter and create a rich source of fresh air to ventilate and keep offices cool during the summer.
This green buffer zone will use sensors to respond to the weather and will help to significantly reduce heating costs. The building's exterior will be finished with temperature-colour changing glass panels.
Tony Kettle, RMJM's director of group design, says it the architectural equivalent of a green-tech Russian doll.
"The building will be alive - it will breathe, think and make decisions about how best to use energy," Kettle explains.
"In cold weather, it takes warm air out of the offices before they become overheated - this half way green insulation zone between the outside and inside temperatures reduces heating fuel costs.
"In warmer weather, the technology takes fresh air from outside into the green buffer zone, and in turn moves that fresh air in to cool the office space.
As well as its tower, the new centre will cover 77 hectares including further commercial space, a concert hall, museum, sporting arena and public green areas.
Construction starts later this year and is scheduled for completion in 2012.
