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We begin today with a look at a new tick in green architecture. "Sustainability" has been the buzz word as architects and builders incorporate natural materials and use less energy and natural resources in new buildings. An eco-friendly stamp of approval was created in 2000 called "Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design," or LEED, to help streamline the process. But designers of some recent high-profile projects, including Renzo Piano, designer of The New York Times’ new building in midtown Manhattan, have decided to forego LEED in favor of their own version of green design.

Joining Word of Mouth with more is William Bostwick. He writes about art and architecture for Metropolis, Dwell and other publications. His article on LEED and green design appears in the July/August issue of GOOD Magazine.

Over the past fifteen years or so, Dubai has worked hard to become a "city of the future." Through jaw-dropping acts of architecture and infrastructure, it’s transformed itself into a modern marvel, with huge manmade islands, astonishing buildings, and the world’s tallest skyscraper (currently under construction).

Now, if this promotional video proves accurate, Dubai could be home to another feat of structural design – a skyscraper that moves.

The design for the new building by architect David Fisher calls for floors that rotate individually, and horizontal wind turbines between each floor would power the building. It’s unclear at this point whether the plans for the 80-story building have been approved by officials, but Fisher’s proposal calls for a 2010 completion date.

Joining Word of Mouth with the details is local architecture buff Donald Kreis. His day job is with New Hampshire's Public Utility Commission, where he’s general counsel.

In the 1960s, Cambodians created a new sound from the music they heard on Armed Forces Radio. They listened to the surf guitar, soul music, and psychedelic grooves broadcast to American soldiers stationed in Vietnam. Cambodian musicians adapted rock and roll to their own melodies.

Organ player Ethan Holtzman took a trip to Cambodia in 1997. He brought cassettes of '60s pop home to share with his brother Zac. They both caught the bug, started a band, and discovered Chom Nimol, then singing at a night club in the little Phnom Penh area of Long Beach. Dengue Fever was on.

The band is now helping to save the music from extinction. Tragically, artists, musicians and intellectuals were singled out for execution when the Khmer Rouge came to power in Cambodia.

The band's has just released their fifth album, "Venus on Earth," and they're playing tonight at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Guitarist and songwriter Zac Holtzman joined Word of Mouth to shed light on Dengue Fever's origins and their reworking of Cambodian pop.

You can watch the trailer for the documentary about the band's return to Cambodia, "Sleepwalking Through the Mekong," by clicking here.