Project 1: Ecological/Sustainable Architecture
What Does Ecological Architecture Mean?
"Ecological architecture is about preserving and complementing the natural elements within an urban setting, whether that’s a green wall on a single building or integrating green spaces as a city is planned. Ecological architecture is a type of urban greening , which is about creating green spaces that promote symbiosis between urban and natural environments. As cities around the world become larger, ecological architecture has grown to promote that symbiosis in new, creative, aesthetically pleasing ways. It has also grown in popularity as we have become more aware of climate change, and search for means of combating its effects."
This kind of architecture has been around for longer than you may think. For example, in the 12th century AD, the Angkor Wat temple was built using an irrigation system and hydraulic power to water, heat, and cool the place. The ecological architecture we're use to though wasn't around until the 1960's. Unfortunately, as this movement began, so did an opposing movement filled with concrete buildings using lots of fossil fuels.
21st Century
Now in the 21st century, we see how unsustainable the concrete movement was and are trying to combat it. As we learn more about the relationship between our environment and our architecture, we are coming up with ways to be both eco-friendly and aesthetic. This is especially important as we keep expanding our cities, adding to the climate change problem. But this doesn't mean completely destroying all our previous buildings, there are easy ways to combine more sustainable architecture with what we already have; for example, by using green roofs or living walls. But "green" architecture doesn't have to be green. While a lot of sustainable architecture consists of using green plants to make the building ecological, there are other ways to make architecture "green". However these items, and ecological architecture in general, should not be an afterthought; sustainability should be right there in the beginning of the building designs.
"Ecological architecture is about preserving and complementing the natural elements within an urban setting, whether that’s a green wall on a single building or integrating green spaces as a city is planned. Ecological architecture is a type of urban greening , which is about creating green spaces that promote symbiosis between urban and natural environments. As cities around the world become larger, ecological architecture has grown to promote that symbiosis in new, creative, aesthetically pleasing ways. It has also grown in popularity as we have become more aware of climate change, and search for means of combating its effects."
This kind of architecture has been around for longer than you may think. For example, in the 12th century AD, the Angkor Wat temple was built using an irrigation system and hydraulic power to water, heat, and cool the place. The ecological architecture we're use to though wasn't around until the 1960's. Unfortunately, as this movement began, so did an opposing movement filled with concrete buildings using lots of fossil fuels.
21st Century
Now in the 21st century, we see how unsustainable the concrete movement was and are trying to combat it. As we learn more about the relationship between our environment and our architecture, we are coming up with ways to be both eco-friendly and aesthetic. This is especially important as we keep expanding our cities, adding to the climate change problem. But this doesn't mean completely destroying all our previous buildings, there are easy ways to combine more sustainable architecture with what we already have; for example, by using green roofs or living walls. But "green" architecture doesn't have to be green. While a lot of sustainable architecture consists of using green plants to make the building ecological, there are other ways to make architecture "green". However these items, and ecological architecture in general, should not be an afterthought; sustainability should be right there in the beginning of the building designs.
My first task was to find a site that would work for my project. I wanted to design a community that is sustainable while not being overly pricey for the residents. I also wanted the people living and working in the community to feel connected to the world around them through the buildings. Finally, I wanted to design on a site in an urban area to combat against the current unsustainable buildings there and to be a leader in promoting ecological change which means I also would have to be contentious of how I utilized the space.
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