The Limits of Sustainability

It is a natural effect of the human condition; we don’t change collectively until we are forced to.  For every visionary willing to seek and bring change, there are 4 more dragging their feet along the way.  “It’s someone else’s problem, they can find a solution.” “I won’t have to deal with the consequences, so I don’t care.”  We may not hear these thoughts explicitly, but they are implied by inaction and a stubborn refusal to change.

There are many forms of sustainability in my mind – environmental sustainability, social sustainability, and economic sustainability.  Good architecture that is sustainable will address all three.

But ultimately, I don’t believe architecture is the answer.  Don’t misunderstand me – I think we have a responsibility to build the most sustainable buildings we can.  These buildings should seek to have a positive environmental impact and be as energy-efficient as possible.  Relatedly, these buildings should also be of reasonable cost and comfort, given today’s sensitive wealth distribution.  But when sustainability is only about reaching a higher level of energy efficiency for the prestige of a certification by implementing high-cost, maintenance-heavy technology and overdesigned mechanical systems, sustainability in architecture has lost its relevance.  As Abalos colorfully said, “The sustainability of consultants and some architects has become to the eyes of the rest of professionals, and especially those of students, a parade of high-tech drag queens which hardly stimulates creativity.” This attitude extends beyond the realm of creative development and creates byproducts of complacency in the psyche of the typical building occupant through notions of a self-righteous sustainability mindset with zero actual sacrifice.  A platinum certification isn’t going to change the way the average user of the building thinks about his energy consumption, or how she spends her money, or the fact that he is completely dependent on a car and dwindling fossil fuels for transportation, daily resources, and earning an income.  I’m not sure how architecture changes these things (or if it even can, or should attempt to).

I will try to design buildings that future generations can enjoy.  I will try to design buildings that have the lowest environmental, but highest social impact possible.  But until everyone is hit in the face with the idea “something needs to change – now,” that is all architecture will be able to do.