Intelligent and Good-Looking!

Is it just me or does sustainable architecture look awesome?!!! I was surveying some recent sustainable architecture project proposals and in my humble opinion addressing sustainable aspects of our environment seems to go hand in han with approaching the aesthetics with just as much innovation. Technologies that are being developed to redue negative impacts on the earth can be seen as platform for our control over how the tectonics of the space appears.

 

I have always been interested in the individual as a unit of measure for analyzing what can be done. If you have passonite, thoughtful people designing, then the architecture, and therefore our cities will reflect that. These things are not encouraged by some external sense of duty or the fear of the perlis and  ills that come from the consequences of bad behavior, but instead a love and concern for self and others.  So someone asks “What does all this have to do with good-looking architectures sustaible architecture?

It is my understanding that in whatever we set out to do we must take care of the whole person: physically, spiritually, mentally and emotionally.  Environmental sustainability addresses our physical selves only. It is beyond this that architecture can be used to improve the other aspects of the individual.

 

Being aesthetically innovative and thoughtful in architecture inspires (spirit) others to be creative and thoughtful in their own contributions to the world. The value embodied in the architecture instills a sense of value in the partakers subliminally. Knowing that someone has taken such care to give you something so beautiful and meaningful emotionally registers no matter what it is. I think that is why God tells us:"Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might" (Ecclesiastes 9:10). Our best makes a difference!

So why design something that only addresses the physical part of others. Even LEED had design credits in their system because they are aware of the wellness that good quality encourages. I’m reminded of the ongoing debate of Form over Function in architecture and have always wondered why they’ve pitted themselves against one another. I think that we have been blessed to have the opportunity, creativity, and the technology to marry form an function that creates a whole project for whole people.

We are used to the notion that ”you can’t judge a book by it’s cover” or “the prettiest people do the ugliest things.” Can’t a person or something be good-looking and intelligent at the same time?! Of course it can people are doing it every day! Take a look!

 

 

 

Like I said, I don’t know if it’s just me… but sustainability looks good!!!

 

 

Passive Design

With my background in Architecture, I thought it fitting to post something related to my field. Architects have a bad rap for being stuck up and abstract. My merging academically with Building Construction is helping me to see the art of building in a much more practical and sustainable way. 

Passive Design is a free and thoughtful way that we can design a building to the strength of the environment that it is set in. Often times architects can design objects that have no relation aesthetically to the context in which it is constructed. The most important context for our future is the sustainable context and we cannot afford building designs that do not address it. Passive design is another great way to overcome the stigma that sustainability is burdensome and costly. 

Design a building, not necessarily for aesthetics but durability and efficiency can have a longer impact on the environment longer that the building. The less energy and resources we use the better for our planet.

Here are a few ways to think ahead:

• ·         building location and orientation on the site – if you have an opportunity to choose a site, location is important. Locating a building far from amenities and public transportation access would be no good. Think about the people that are being service and what should be conveniently located in the proximity. In most cases though a site has already been chose for the architect to design on. The optimal building orientation changes in reference to where the sun is(north or south hemisphere). For example, in Florida we want to limit heat. Therefore orienting the building on the east-west axis so that the east and west are least exposed because they get the longest exposure. Maximize light on the north and protect the southern exposed façade.                         

• ·         building layout- place the rooms based on their program and need for light/warmth

                        

• ·         window design- In Florida windows on the north is good. Southern exposed windows should had some kind of screening system. Most often there is less windows on the southside

                   

• ·         insulation (including window insulation)- insulate well so that there is less transfer of heat between the layers of the build. This reduces the need to use more HVAC to adapt the indoor temp.

                

• ·         thermal mass- This helps with heat regulation(absorption and dispersal)

                       

• ·         shading – protect exposed facades. Preventing the sun from hitting a surface is better than cooling it down.

                          

• ·         ventilation – Orient the building to either capture or avoid wind depending on where you are located.

                    

All of these decisions don’t costs a penny but in the long term help the building reduce its impact on the environment. It does require some research and concern about the site and maximizing it’s gifts.

 

The Stigma of Sustainability

As new technology advances at an astronomical pace, humanities progress has improved at a glacial pace. Sustainable development cannot be successful no matter how many technological advances happen it must be the decisions, mindsets, and the behaviors of people that can change the situation. Think of how many parts of sustainability are simply a matter of a little extra thought and care about how things are designed and disposed of. Building orientation, passive design, and waste management/reduction are just a view of early, free decisions that can greatly impact energy use and reuse of materials.  Technology is certainly important, but it’s more like the icing on the sustainable cake. The heart of the matter is actually how people respond to the actual conditions that confront them in their environment and daily lives.

So why haven’t we all rallied around the need to be sustainable and thoughtful about how we treat God’s beautiful planet. I believe to some extent it is on the part of ignorance about our predicament. Some people are oblivious that the way they live their lives is actually impacting everyone. Increasing awareness is something we can all to (this blog is evidence of that). What I think is the largest reason that most have not reevaluated their lives and changed to become sustainable is because of the stigmas associates with sustainability. The most fundamental stigmas are: 1. Sustainability Costs too much 2. Sustainability is inconvenient and burdensome and 3. That sustainability is beyond our control.

I must confess, I’m working on my own self with these stigmas and ideas as I come to learn more about the dire straits we are in. I’m so used to a life of disposal and convenience that it has been difficult for me to change (And I’ve been educated about our situation!) Just speaking freely here, I love getting to school or work quickly and efficiently in my car without having to leave early, sweat, and ride a bike every day. However, I don’t have to ride in my SUV 20 minutes both ways alone! Carpooling is a viable option for minimizing the carbon used if 2 other people going the same way ride with you. Let’s consider the three stigmas with this one aspect. 1. Carpooling costs too much- of course this is not true the more people you drive the more money you save and the less you harm the environment. 2. Carpooling is inconvenient and burdensome – This can be true if you do not coordinate between riders, however if you pick up people closer to you and arrange pick up times you can be to work on time stress free. 3. Carpooling is beyond our control- Everyone can drive, this is completely doable!

Think of how many scenarios that we may have applied these stigmas and have allowed them to keep us from helping out the planet. We could evaluate our decisions sand see if we can’t do a little that will change a lot. It is unrealistic to say that there are never tradeoffs with sustainability but I think it is safe to say that the pros certainly outweigh the cons. But that’s just my thinking …next time.