26th
Sustainable Architecture
A few weeks ago, Diane Nagelkirk, chair and associate professor of the Architectural Technology and Facility Management department at Ferris State University, came to speak to our Design Seminar class. Her presentation was basically to give us a quick background on sustainable architecture for an upcoming brand identity project.
I learned that 48% of energy consumption comes from building construction, operations, and maintenance. Because of recent concerns over global warming, as well as the growing energy crisis, sustainable architecture is becoming more prevalent in industrial and residential projects.
Concepts of sustainable design:
• exemplify the principles of conservation
• encourage the application of conservation principles in our daily lives
• contribute to the health of air, water, and soils
• incorporate design and construction that reflect bio-regional conditions
• reduce the impact of human use
• maintain environmental integrity
The principles of sustainability define the ideal situation as:
• constructed from natural sustainable materials collected on-site
• generates its own energy from renewable sources such as solar or wind
• manages its own waste
Diane also stressed that practicing sustainability doesn’t require a loss in the quality of life, but does require a change in mindset. Less consumptive lifestyles could be the first step.
In recent years, there has been a huge push for sustainable architecture. Sustainable design advocates include:
• LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
• USGBC (US Green Building Council)
• Smart Growth Movement
LEED Requirements:
http://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=222
http://www.watershedarch.net/portfolio_vlm.htm
