a new normal

"In short, hybrid material aesthetics, useful in the first and third world, capable of joining the three elements of Arup’s triangle: the efficiency derived from architectural form, passive systems and active systems in a new combination ‐ a material “crossbreeding” in accordance with contemporary demographic changes." - Inaki Abalos Aesthetics and Sustainability: Alternatives

The importance of the word sustainability is ever so prevalent in the field of architecture, however, it almost feels as if it is a problem we still have yet to fully address. We have addressed many times that buildings account for 60% of carbon emissions however, it truly feel that architecture in the normal sense has not changed. With how houses are built now, so cookie cutter, I don't see them lasting past 30 years without having or wanting to be rebuilt all together. Unfortunately, with the rise of sustainable issues also came the rise in capitol. Having sustainable materials that are accessible in any climate or by any economy is pivotal to the earth lasting another generation. I believe sustainability needs to be taught not only to architecture students, but to every student. We should be learning about these topics from such a young age that we start asking our parents about it, and questioning how things are being made and used. Some obvious things that are starting to become prevalent are the use of solar panels, however they are obviously out of reach for certain parts of the world because of cost. What about greywater recycling? Gardening? These are all simple things that I think we sometimes forget exist, especially when they are so out of reach for so many of us. One way we can all start living sustainably is though shopping at local farmers markets, and when they are closed using an online farmers market such as misfit market (they take unsellable or overstocked foods from grocery stores and sell them at a reduced price). As well, shopping at thrift stores, donating instead of throwing out, and recycling (where easily accessible). You may think, what does this have to do with architecture? However, I think it has everything to do with architecture. 

Once we start questioning how we live every day, and how that can be more sustainable, we start thinking about our buildings in the same way. Once being sustainable is more accessible to everyone, architecture will start to change and morph because everyone will be thinking this way. If we could learn how to make buildings more sustainable in high school not only for the architects, but for the engineers, the businessmen, the tradesmen...architects will be held to a higher standard. This will only make architecture better by building the world that we want and will last.