It ain't Easy Being Green

 

Scarcity: the part of sustainability we don’t hear about enough. Sustainable architecture, in a wider public perception, would probably look utopic: shiny, sleek, and chic. The idea of a ‘sustainable city’ for example, conjures images of delicate glass towers lush with greenery. This image of sustainability, in my opinion, is counterintuitive to the nature of true sustainability, which prioritizes its functionality moreso than its form. In the case of more subtle, less greenwashed sustainable architectures, the scarcity model (the idea that it is more sustainable to use common materials and methods of construction) helps to dictate a vision of sustainability that is more accessible and more environmentally supportive. Projects like these, that utilize passive strategies and a connection to the environment moreso than larger projects, are an example of how architects can reshape the definition of what is sustainable in a context that delivers on its promises. It is also the imperative of architects to understand how these sustainable systems work-to arm themselves with information and metrics that are clear and direct representations of the performative quality of their buildings.