Facebook claims Luleå is likely to be one of the most efficient and sustainable data centers in the world. All the equipment inside is powered by locally generated hydro-electric energy. It is 100% renewable and they have been able to reduce the number of backup generators required at the site by more than 70%.
In addition to harnessing the power of water, they are using the frosty Nordic air to cool the thousands of servers that store photos, videos, comments, and Likes. Any excess heat produced is used to keep the offices warm.
Nearly all the technology in the facility, from the servers to the power distribution systems, is based on Open Compute Project designs. The Facebook-founded initiative encourages the development of “vanity-free” hardware designs that are highly efficient and leave out unnecessary bits of metal and plastic. These designs are then shared with the broader community, so anyone can use or improve them.
In early tests, Facebook’s Luleå data centre is averaging a PUE (power usage efficiency) in the region of 1.07

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Master LEGO Builder Creates Epic 200,000 Piece Fantasy World

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SKYLINE SILHOUETTE AT SUNSET

Photograph by THOMAS HAWK

In this stunning sunset photo by Thomas Hawk, we see a silhouetted skyline of San Francisco as seen from Albany Beach.
Located on the east shore of San Francisco Bay, Albany Beach is part of the East Bay Regional Park District, a system of parklands and trails in the counties of Alameda and Contra Costa, just east of San Fran. The system comprises over 113,000 acres in 65 parks, including over 1,200 miles of trails.

While obviously edited (the water is black after all), I personally enjoy the artistic treatment Thomas has applied.

For his final project, graduate architecture student Hank Butitta bought an old school bus on Craigslist for $3,000. 15 weeks and $6,000 of improvements later, Hank and his two friends were ready to embark on a 5,000 mile (8,046 km) journey across the United States.
The 225 sq. ft mobile home features reclaimed gym flooring and dimmable LED lighting. Using the 28 inch wide windows as a modular guide (the aisle is also 28 in. wide), the bus is divided into four primary zones: bathroom, kitchen, seating, and sleeping. The space can be configured in a variety of combinations, depending on need.
At 10 miles per gallon, the school bus is not the most efficient vehicle, but it’s an unforgettable way to travel and one that is sure to bring Hank and the team experiences for a lifetime. Below you will find images of the bus and additional information on the design.

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 DESIGN

Envisioned with a nod to the tiny house movement, the project was a way to show how building a small structure with simple detailing can be more valuable than drawing a complex project that is theoretical and poorly understood.

The primary goals during the design phase was to develop a living space in 225 sq ft that was as open and unrestricted as possible. To accomplish this, Hank set self-imposed guidelines that eliminated any furniture or structure above the bottom edge of the window. This allows the space to remain continuous, and maintains clear sight-lines from one end of the space to the other, even while seated.

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In order to help remove the inhabitant from the reminders and connotations of its former life as a school bus, entry into the space is reoriented to the rear. Upon entering the space, the occupant first encounters the
bathroom. In this zone, one side of the aisle is walled off to enclose the toilet.

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