In honor of Earth Day, this month's questions have a sustainability theme!
What is your definition
of sustainable architecture? Do you have a favorite
sustainable building or favorite sustainable feature?
BOB (Partner
Emeritus):
Sustainable design is
when we design, not just for today’s client, or for today’s public good, but we
design for our children and grandchildren and our client’s children and
grandchildren. Sustainable
architecture is meant for future generations and is respectful of how we use
today’s resources so that that we do not short change future generations, by
taking from our environment in a way that robs our descendents of the resources
we enjoy today.
One of my favorite
sustainable designs is the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center in Buford,
Georgia. This LEED Gold
Certified building was designed by Lord Aeck & Sargeant. It houses an environmental museum and is part of
the Gwinnett County park system.
TERI (Senior
Project Manager):
Sustainable
architecture to me is design with the intent to extend the normal anticipated
life expectancy of the building to the greatest extent. Sustainable architecture aims to design
buildings that run as efficiently as possible and minimize their impact on
infrastructure & the environment.
Louvers! I love louvers! They are probably one of the most simple
things that can be included in a sustainable design solution. They lower heat gain for the building and
plus, they just look cool!
AMY (Intern Architect):
Sustainable
architecture pays attention to the lifecycle of a building: what materials are
used; the way a building functions; how it relates to the users; and its
recyclability once the structure has reached the end of its life.
My favorite sustainable
building is the Butaro District Hospital by MASS Design Group.
CHRIS (Intern
Architect):
My
definition of sustainable architecture would be the Minecraft definition:
fully-grown trees in minutes, infinite resources hand gathered without
mechanization and everywhere the sun path goes directly overhead.
JACQUELINE (Intern Architect):
Sustainable
design is a way to ensure that our children enjoy the natural resources that we
are enjoying right now. It also helps to
ensure that the building can be as efficient as possible, which might not be
obvious right away, but in time, can make a difference both environmentally
& financially.
One of my favorite sustainable
works is the Hearst Building in NYC, which was certified as New
York City's First Occupied Green Office Tower.
It achieved the Gold
Rating for Environmental Sustainability by U.S. Green Building Council
in 2006.
http://www.hearst.com/newsroom/hearst-tower-officially-certified-as-new-york-city-s-first-occupied-green-office-tower
***If you enjoyed reading our blog question & answer for April
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