Urban Humanism:
Exploring Concepts of Sustainable Architecture
As an architect I often
ponder on the role of architecture in our changing world. With the economic
turmoil of Great Recession I can't help but wonder what awaits us 'on the
other side'. Given the fact that the construction and housing industry suffered the
most job loses and the most economic slow down points me in the direction that
way we shape our environment will change dramatically in the next decades.
When looking ahead we hope that we can achieve a sustainable future: sustainable economy; sustainable communities; and enveloping all, our environment. So how is architecture going to fit within this
sustainable system?
First we should discuss the
definition of architecture. In past decades the term 'architecture' related to
buildings and components within them. The architect's job ended at the building envelope
and everything outside the envelope was somebody else's job. That's why the
buildings are often perceived as stand alone objects with no connection to the
space around them.
If we think about 'green'
architecture in the context of this definition we often refer to LEED
(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). LEED is a point system
designed to mitigate the negative impact a building has on the environment.
Points are given for less construction waste, less energy consumption, less
harmful chemicals in the materials used etc. But is doing less harm to the
environment good enough? What if architecture actually positively contributed
to our lifestyle, our communities?
Architecture needs to be
redefined to include all forms of human intervention into natural landscape.
Buildings are only one form of this intervention; others include roads,
sidewalks, power poles, fountains, benches, planters, detention ponds, plazas
and everything else we permanently and temporarily install to make modern life possible.
Once we consider buildings being a part of a larger system we can then discuss
their contribution to the environment they shape.
Human activity is greatly
affected by our surroundings. There are places that stimulate economic growth
by featuring local businesses and places that foster communities by encouraging
human interaction. There are places where it's fun and safe to walk and people
are healthier there as a result. As architects respond to new economic
conditions it's going to be our job to understand the mechanisms of integrating
architecture with sustainable lifestyle and to create environments where people
thrive.
In future columns I
would like to discuss different aspects of how architecture should become a
component to sustainable system where we live, work and play. How architecture
can contribute to a healthy lifestyle, strong local economy and vibrant
communities. Some of the subjects I will discuss include:
§
Urban infill
§
Cars and parking
and their role in people-friendly environment
§
Architecture as
a framework for walkable commercial and neighborhood streets
§
Buildings and
their functions as pedestrian destinations
§
Architecture as a
mechanism for supporting diverse communities
§
Architecture and
multi-modal transportation
Please join me next time and
feel free to contact me with your comments at gkung@kungarch.com.
