The Work Will Always Be There
So I follow this architect/writer Mike Eliason on twitter who speaks pretty grimly about sustainable design and development in the United States. He's based out of the PNW, but spent time practicing in Germany where he worked on medium-rise urban projects for multi-family, commercial, and institutional projects. Nowadays, its unclear if he spends much time as a designer, where he has focused his efforts on leading lectures and workshops on topics related to urbanism and sustainable design.
Through his tweets and published articles, I've started reading more on what options we have in developing decarbonized buildings and cities and he makes it seem as easy as climbing Mount Everest. Challenges such as restrictive zoning, parking minimums, accustomed (i.e. wasteful) construction methods, inefficient environmental systems, and grid dependence all pile up to make this mountain of obstacles between a well-wishing designer and a truly sustainable project delivery. This week's readings examined sustainability in different lights and different contexts from that which I was used to hearing, and really aimed to think that there is no true one-size-fits-all fix for sustainable design. It should be a mindset, it should be an approach, and often times it should not even be new construction.
I'm glad this week's readings gave us a chance to study more of the background of architectural sustainability, so we can learn about where we came from as well as where we should be headed. Sustainability reads as a good topic to end the course's lectures on as it will be impactful across our lifetimes, with the hope of leaving our world better than we found it. Through these last few sections of class readings, I've connected the topic of sustainability to studies in urbanism, spatial justice, and the building envelope to hopefully give me the tools to work on projects that at least get most of the way up this proverbial mountain.
Diego,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you in that sustainability should be malleable and integrated, not just a green roof or solar panels slapped on the top of any given building. The barriers to a truly sustainable project are huge, and it oftentimes seems like the US is not equipped to get there and maybe never will get there.
My brother in Christ,
ReplyDeleteThe more I learn about the professional side of architecture, it seems apparent to me that the solutions seem embedded in code and in laws. If we want to see positive change, we must convince the lawmakers to change the rules and enforce stricter regulations on the entire process, from zoning, to the mechanical systems, to the materials of the facade. We as emerging architects can help push the boundaries of what the world sees architecture as, and use or designs to inspire the changes we want to see.
Diego,
ReplyDeleteI agree that sustainability should start from the beginning of a project and not just be integrated and added on as design progresses. It will seem like a second thought if doing this. If we focus on these strategies from the initial concept phase, I think we can really make a big change to sustainable strategy in building.
Diego,
ReplyDeleteYou're correct in observing that sometimes the best way to be sustainable is not to build new. The idea of using the existing and adapting it to a new use is incredibly intriguing. In the context of the call to action and the School of Architecture, we have begun to teach in a way that will prepare us for the challenges ahead. This preparation has namely been done through the COTE semester, and I'm happy to see, the inclusion of having to design around an existing building in the Synthesis studio. We could do more, and I would love for the School to teach more about being innovative with existing or low-carbon materials in the form of model making and details.