Reactionary not Radical
It seems (from our readings and the lectures) that (theory-focused) architects tend to be radical, to look to architecture for answers, solutions to the problems of modernity. As I've said before, architecture is much less central and important (thankfully) than these people make it seem. (I still wonder how they made money - aside from academics.)
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'Real' sustainability does not lie in any new amazing paradigm of architecture. Much more likely it is just in designing good buildings: buildings that last, that are attractive (so that people want to keep them around), and are useful. If you manage to design something like that, it is a more sustainable project than 100% of radical architecture (if only because radical architects don't actually build anything, they just talk).
There is no magic bullet.
Regardless of how concerned you are about the warming of the earth (I am not at all concerned about this), the solution is not in our hands. The biggest solution (nuclear power) already exists, and yet somehow does not interest most of those who are loudest about the climate.
So, design well, and ignore the radicals.
I pretty much agree with you, real sustainability I think comes from architecture of the past and what they did to passively heat and cool their homes. Using simple techniques and forms of the past by default make buildings more sustainable. The designers of the past were kind of smarter than we are because they designed their buildings in ways that they were naturally cooled or retained heat. I mean the dogtrot style house was built that way for a reason. So why wouldn't we design using what we already know works well and maybe just slightly tweak it?
ReplyDeleteYeah, I completely agree with you on this one. And of course, the problem with most of college education: the only way they can make money with their detrimental ideas is through institutions funded by subsidy. And they get to live in a bubble while instilling ideas into students who will take it as truth. A dangerous cycle.
ReplyDeleteI love this. Yes, the solution is there. Another fad that will probably change on a dime to something else were supposed to care about and move to like clockwork.
ReplyDeleteI agree, lets design and make smart choices to make our buildings last, be beautiful, and strong.