Zira Zero Island described by BIG as “high-end living with low end resource usage,” is a 1 billion meters-squared master plan for a carbon neutral resort and residential development. Located within the crescent shaped bay of the capital city Baku, Zira Island includes the Seven Peaks of Azerbaijan and 300 private villas with panoramic views out over the Caspian Sea.
The concept is envisioned by its designers, BIG Architects and the engineers Ramboll to be a sustainable model for urban development, and an iconographic skyline recognizable from the city’s coastline.
Bjarke Ingels, founding partner of BIG described the Island’s use and dependence on natural surroundings.
“What we propose for Zira Zero Island is an architectural landscape based on the natural landscape of Azerbaijan. This new architecture not only recreates the iconic silhouettes of the seven peaks, but more importantly creates an autonomous ecosystem where the flow of air, water, heat and energy are channeled in almost natural ways. A mountain creates biotopes and eco-niches, it channels water and stores heat, it provides viewpoints and valleys, access and shelter,” he said.
Lars Ostenfeld Riemann, Ramboll’s group director of buildings and design described its significance as one of the symbols of sustainable planning.
“By help of the wind, the sun and the waste the Island will produce the same amount of energy as it consumes. In a society literately built on oil this will serve as a showcase for a new way of thinking sustainable planning. Following other ambitious eco-city projects like Dongtan in China and Masdar in Abu Dhabi this project will cause the carbon emissions of people living there to decline over the next decade.”
The Zira Island master plan will be apart of the upcoming public exhibition entitled “Yes is More” at the Danish Architecture Center opening on February 20th at 6:00pm.
