In his text, “Ecological Urbanism,”
Mostafavi says that scale is the biggest issue with sustainability today: we
must think about “exploitation of the world’s
limited resources” in the larger context of urban
infrastructure rather than only a single architectural object. I think
Mostafavi is right in this statement and his description of today’s
sustainability as adding a multitude of new expensive technologies, sensors,
and other gadgets to make a building operate more efficiently and
intelligently. There has to be a better approach, one that is more connected to
design rather than the invention of new technologies.
I think Abalos, in his text, “Aesthetics &
Sustainability: Alternatives,” argues for a transition
back to low-tech sustainability that is closely connected to the design and
form of space, bringing the Architect back to the forefront of sustainable
design thinking instead of technology experts. I think projects that embrace
working with nature, and natural forces that already exist, are good examples
of this idea. Architects should let nature inspire creativity for a new
approach to large-scale sustainable design.
I agree with the stance of low-tech is more sustainable. I believe that the old ways of sustainability will eventually transform into a more sensible way of designing for the environment. Utilizing more natural materials has been the way of old. Allowing weather/climate conditions for cooling or heating as in our project this year should be explored on a grander level in the industry.
ReplyDeleteI believe that there is a wealth of information found in nature and in science that architects do not fully understand. To harness that knowledge and apply it to the design can be very simple yet have as great of an impact as a high tech design solution.
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