Concept and Technique: How Traditional Japanese Architecture can contribute to Contemporary Sustainable Design Practices

Transcription

1 Connecticut College Digital Connecticut College Environmental Studies Honors Papers Environmental Studies Concept and Technique: How Traditional Japanese Architecture can contribute to Contemporary Sustainable Design Practices Courtney Angen Connecticut College, courtney.angen@conncoll.edu Follow this and additional works at: Recommended Citation Angen, Courtney, Concept and Technique: How Traditional Japanese Architecture can contribute to Contemporary Sustainable Design Practices (2013). Environmental Studies Honors Papers. Paper This Honors Paper is brought to you for free and open access by the Environmental Studies at Digital Connecticut College. It has been accepted for inclusion in Environmental Studies Honors Papers by an authorized administrator of Digital Connecticut College. For more information, please contact bpancier@conncoll.edu. The views expressed in this paper are solely those of the author.

2 Concept(and(Technique:( How(Traditional(Japanese(Architecture(can(contribute(to(Contemporary( Sustainable(Design(Practices( ( CourtneyAngen ConnecticutCollege DepartmentofEnvironmentalStudies InCollaborationwith: DepartmentofArchitecturalStudies DepartmentofEastAsianStudies Fall2012BSpring2013

3 Table&of&Contents& & Introduction& 1 & & Chapter&1: DefiningSustainability Introduction 6 Section&1: 7 SiteIssues Section&2: 11 MaterialSelectionand ConstructionMethods Section&3: 18 ABuilding slongevity Section&4: 27 LongBTermPerformance Section&5:& 32 Hindsight Conclusion& 35 & & Chapter&2: TheSustainabilityofTraditionalJapanese Architecture Introduction 37 Section&1: 38 NaturalLight Section&2: 45 NatureandGardens& Section&3: 55 NaturalVentilation& Section&4: 61 FlexibleSpace Section&5: 68 MaterialSelection Conclusion 73 & & Chapter&3:& LearningfromthePast:Allowing TraditionalArchitecturetoInform ContemporarySustainableDesign Introduction& 76

4 Section&1: 77 ModernInterpretations Section&2: 91 ConceptuallyIncorporating TraditionalFeaturesof Sustainability Section&3: 97 EstablishingNewandInspired PrinciplesforSustainability Conclusion& 102 & & Conclusion& 104 & Appendix& i References& iii

5 INTRODUCTION Inrecentyears sustainability hasbecomeamorewidelydiscussedtopic amongsocietiesseekingtolessenthedetrimentaleffectsthatwastefulconsumption hashadontheenvironment.thisincreasedacknowledgementmayhaveresulted fromthe newfound understandingoftheimportanceecosystemsholdinthe balanceoftheenvironment;yetitmayalsosimplybeoutoffearofwhatthefuture maybringintermsofglobalclimatechange.contemporarysocietieshave inherentlybecomeincreasinglydetachedfromnatureinawaythatisharmfulto boththeenvironmentandpeople.ingeneral,thisdisconnecthasmostlydeveloped fromourowndesiretoadvanceourwaysoflife.peopledesignandadaptstructures andtechnologiestocopewithnaturalforcesbeyondourcontrolasameansof gainingsomepoweroverthem.thispower,inturn,allowsforacreationofasense ofbothphysicalandemotionalcomfort,fromwhichpeoplefeelprotectedand happy. Increasingly,peoplehavegenerallycometounderstandhowmanGmade featureshavethecapabilitytonegativelyaffecttheimmediateenvironment,and therehasdevelopedageneraldesiretoimprove.asaresult,anacknowledgement oftheimportanceofsustainabilityhasemerged,andonemajorwayinwhichpeople havesoughttoimprovethesustainabilityofourlifestylesisthroughthemostbasic oftechnologies:shelter.architectureprovidesanopportunitytoreconnectour lifestylestothenaturalenvironmentinawaythatpositivelyaffectsourdailylives. Eveninsearchingforasolution,ourcontemporarysocietieshaveatendencyto 1

6 createnewwaystoreconnectarchitecturetotheenvironmentinasustainable manner.althoughthismethodisaviableapproach,itisimportanttorecognizethat solutionsarenotalwaysfoundinsomethingnew.humanhistoryofferscenturiesof casestudiesforourbenefit,butgenerallythereisapropensitytooverlook importanttraditionalbuildingmethods,eventhoughtheyhaveinfluencedwhatthe globalsocietyhasdevelopedinto.asaresult,peoplerealizelaterthanweshould thatsomethingessentialhasbeenlostorforgotten. Thepastisasignificantpartofwhathasmadethepresentwhatitis,and, subsequently,whatwillbecomeofthefuture.therefore,examininghowtraditional culturesinteractedwiththeirrespectiveenvironmentsinthepastcanbethemost beneficialstageofcreatingnew,sustainablearchitecture,acceptingthatthis new technologycanbeinspiredbythepast.thisiswhyvernaculararchitectureisso relevantwhenitcomestoredesigningourmethodsofsustainability;whereweseek toreconnecttonature,pasttechniqueswerebasedonastronglinkwiththenatural environment.therefore,traditionalarchitectureprovidesvaluableinsightintowhat worksandwhatmaynotintermsofsustainability.yetnotallvernaculardesigns arecreatedequal;afterall,naturalenvironmentsdifferdependingonlocation. Therearecertaintraditionaldesignsthatdemonstrateuniqueconnections,which maintainthepotentialtoinformcontemporaryarchitecturaltechniques.traditional Japanesearchitectureisonesuchexample,asinthecenturiesofadaptingbuilding methodstoimprovethequalityoflivingfortheoccupants,japanesebuilders creatednumeroussustainabledesigntechniques. 2

7 Asacountrythatexperiencesawiderangeofnaturaldisasters,Japanhas encounteredcountlessexamplesofthepoweranduncontrollableaspectsofnature. Thedangerousandunpredictablefeaturesoftheenvironmentareperhapswhy Japanesearchitectshavelongsinceacknowledgedtheimportanceofnaturally occurringfeatures,suchaswind,sun,water,andmaterials.thisrecognitionwas thenincorporatedintobuildingdesignsasameansofusingnaturetotheoccupants advantageratherthansimplyassomethingbeyondtheircontrol.accordingtoeiji Maki,authorofSustainable1Architecture1in1Japan: [Japanese]1architecture1avoids1artificial1uniformity,1creating1instead1 attractive1and1heterogeneous1interior1spaces1and1harmonious1special1 relationships.1these1structures1were1designed1to1last1and1were1built1from1 renewable,1locally1available1materials.1we1aim1to1learn1the1lessons1offered1by1 these1superbly1functional1traditional1buildings1and1apply1them1in1our1own1 green1designs.1(maki122)1 1 AlthoughcertainaspectsofJapanesetraditionalarchitecturaldesignweremerely resultsofavailablematerialsandimmediateenvironment,thearchitecture continuestorepresentoneofthemostextensiveformsoflivingsustainably.1 Thetitleof traditional or vernacular doesnotdeterminewhetherornota designconceptissustainablesuchthatitcanbeincorporateddirectlyinto contemporarylifestyles.adaptabilityiskey;featuresofvernaculararchitecturemay notbeappropriateforcontemporarysocieties,buttheconceptsembodiedinthese 3

8 featurescanlendtothegenerationofusablecriteriaforsustainability.vernacular Americanarchitecturedoesnotinformsustainabilitytotheleveloftraditional Japanesestructures;thisisduetoitslimitedhistory,whichhasleftAmerican vernaculardesignlittletimetoevolvebeforemodernityallowedforthetamingof thenaturalelementsthroughtechnology.traditionaljapanesearchitecture providesavaluabletemplateofsustainablemethodsthatarenotonlyaesthetically pleasingbutalsofeelbothemotionallyandphysicallycomfortable,evenin contemporarysociety.asarchitecture(andthecoreconceptofshelter)isa keystoneofmodernlifestyles,itisanidealmethodofachievinganimprovementof sustainabilityintermsoftheglobalsocietyasawhole.therefore,itisimportantto examinetraditionaljapanesearchitectureinordertoimprovecontemporary sustainabilityand,subsequently,createastylethatisnotnecessarilyeither historicalornew,butisinspiredbythepastand,thereby,improved. Inordertotrulyunderstandhowvernaculardesigncaninformcontemporary architecture,itisessentialtobringconcretemeaningtotheterm sustainability. As afairlynewconcept,sustainabilityencompassesavarietyofmeaningsand connotations,butthereisonlyonepurpose:tolessonthedetrimentaleffectsofour societiesontheenvironment.therefore,chapteronewilldiscussanddevelopa definitionforthebroadconceptofsustainability.thisdevelopmentisessentialto understandinghowsuchvernaculardesignsastraditionaljapanesearchitecturecan lendknowledgeandmethodstoimprovingcontemporaryarchitecture.aftera workabledefinitionofsustainablearchitectureisestablished,inchaptertwoan explorationofaspectsofjapanesedesignthatmaintainsustainablecharacteristics 4

9 willbegin.wewillanalyzehowtheseparticularelementsofthisbuildingtradition mayinformsustainabilityinacontemporarysense.finally,chapterthreewill examinehowtraditionaljapanesearchitecturecanbeincorporatedinto contemporarydesigns,acknowledgingsynthesesofpreviousarchitects(both AmericanandJapanese).Methodsofincorporationwillbeexploredand, subsequently,wewilldevelopgeneralsustainablecriteriainspiredbyvernacular techniquesforuseincontemporarydesigns. 5

10 CHAPTERONE: Defining'Sustainability INTRODUCTION Sustainability, intermsofarchitecturaldesign,isawordthathasreceivedan increasingamountofattentioninrecentyears,yetacleardefinitionforitisdifficult todetermine.intheirbooksustainable+design:+the+science+of+sustainability+and+ Green+Engineering,DanielValleroandChrisBrasierstate: Green+architecture+has+been+defined+as+the+means+of+allowing+people+to+become+ more+in+touch+with+the+environment+in+which+they+live.+it+incorporates+natural+ landscapes+in+to+the+building s+design,+which+gives+people+a+better+connection+to+ the+land.+it+also+takes+into+account+all+of+the+environmental+effects+which+a+ building+will+have+on+a+place.+(168)+ Greenarchitectureisameansofreconnectingpeopletotheenvironmentinwhich theylive,whichinandofitselfisamethodofsustainability.inmanyways,green architecturerepresentsasortofsubsectionofsustainablearchitecture,onein whichcurrentdesignmethodsaresimplylessdamagingratherthanredefiningthe wholeprocess,whichis sustainability (McDonough).Sustainability,however,is moredifficulttodefinethan greenarchitecture becauseitisusedtoaddressa numberofdifferentpurposes.becauseofthisambiguity,beforeanalyzinghowto produceapieceofsustainablearchitecture,onemustfirstunderstandwhat 6

11 sustainabilityreallyis.sustainablearchitectureimpliesaspecificgoalorstatebased onscientificprinciplesandverifiabledata.sustainabilityinarchitecture encompassesawidevarietyofelements,whichcanbeorganizedintothecategories ofsiteissues,materialselectionandconstructionmethods,humaninteraction,the building slongevity,andlongttermperformance;andinallthisitshouldbe respectfulofpastdesigns. SECTIONONE Site'Issues' ' Sustainablearchitectureimpliesmorethanmerelyatoolofenvironmentalism; itisaboutcreatingaconnectiontonaturethatbringsaboutaprotactive,integrated, andmutuallybeneficialrelationshiptotheenvironment.sustainablearchitecture seekstoexistwithinanaturalenvironment,andnotasaseparateentity.according tovallero,thisis Abuildingthatisnotmerelyplacedonasitewithnoconscious regardtothespecificsofthearea;thearchitecturemustconnecttothenatureand atmosphereofitshome, (168).Thisimpliesthatabuildingdoesnotrejectnaturally occurringfeaturesofthelandscapeorharmthem;insteadthesestructuresmust connecttonatureandexistwiththeenvironment.inordertoaccomplishthisstate, AzbyBrown,authorofJust+Enough:+Lessons+in+Living+Green+from+Traditional+Japan, theorizes: weneedtotrainourselvestoimmediatelyseetheinteractionsupon whichnaturalprocessesarebased,andtobetterobservehowthethingswemake interactwithwhatisalreadythere, (94).Forthisreason,thecharacteristicsofa siteareessentialtoanalyzingthesustainabilityofabuilding.peoplehavealways 7

12 recognizedtheimportanceoflocation,butonlyrecentlyhasthisessentialtraitbeen acknowledgedasavitalcomponenttosustainability.forexample,theunitedstates LEEDCertificationprogram,whichassessesabuildingforitssustainabilitybasedon aseriesofrequirements,accountsforasite sprevioususesaswellasthe surroundingcommunity(pubicservices,transportation,density,etc.)initsanalysis. Acknowledginghowabuildingaffectsasiteisextremelyimportant,butitis alsovitaltoassesshowthebuildingisaffectedbyitslocation.inaddition,itiskeyto takeintoaccountifbuildinganewstructurewoulddestroyordamagenatural habitat,orifanalreadydevastatedsitecouldpotentiallybenefitbytheconstruction ofasustainabledesign.thedesignofasustainablebuildingshouldillustratean understandingofthesite scharacteristics,takingcaretoavoidorreducedamaging features.accordingtovallero, Green+buildingsincorporategivensitecharacteristics andconditions,suchasmicroclimate,lightexposure,vegetation,andurbanfactors (e.g.,noise,amenities)intothedesign, (168).Thismeans,essentially,that architectsunderstandandtakeintoaccountvariousnaturalfeaturessuchthattheir sustainablestructuresexistinamutuallybeneficialrelationshipwiththe surroundingenvironment.asbrownobserves,thisisanattainablegoal: Oneway toachievemoreefficientandbetteruseofnaturalresourcesisbybetter understandingandutilizingmicroclimatesandecologicalniches, (90).This involvesunderstandingandacknowledginghowthelocalecosystemworks,both fromnaturalandartificialresources.vallerostates: Fromanintegrated,green viewpoint,adesignmustincorporateanappreciationfortheinterrelationshipsof theabiotic(nonliving)andbiotic(living)environments, (168).Forexample,theuse 8

13 oftreesforshadingrepresentsarelationshipwiththebiotic,whereastheallowance forpassiveenergyflowviawindisabiotic.astructurecandrawattentiontothese essentialnaturaltraitsbyusingthemtosurvivesustainably,andinsodoingprovide ameansforitsuserstofeelasortofconnectiontotheenvironment.this understandingofthenaturalfeaturesofthesiteonwhichthebuildingsitsincludes givingspecialattentiontohowabuildingisorientedonasite. Understandingtheenvironmentaroundabuildingmeansknowingexactly howtoconstructandpositionthestructureonalotinordertooptimizethe utilizationofnaturalprocessessuchaswind,sunlight,rain,snow,andtemperature ranges.accordingtovallero, Many+of+the+key+components+of+green+design+involve+inJdepth+knowledge+about+ a+place.+green+buildings+must+account+for+sun+intensities,+temperature+ variation,+precipitation+and+many+other+environmentally+driven+aspects.+ Without+knowledge+of+local+environments,+green+buildings+cannot+plan+for+ variations+and+they+will+not+be+as+energy+efficient.+(168)++ + Essentially,Valleroassertsthatattainingsustainabilityisnotassimpleasplacing solarpanelsonaroof;properorientationandanglearerequiredtomaximize efficiency.inordertoensurethishappens,onemustunderstandthespecificsolar intensitiesandanglesthatimpacttheparticularsite.thesamebasicenvironmental understandingisrequiredofothersustainabletechniquessuchaswindpowerand geothermalenergy.sustainability,asameansofdrawingvisualaswellasecological 9

14 attentiontoessentialnaturalfeatures,certainlyrequiresanunderstandingofthe localenvironment,andthroughtheutilizationofthesecharacteristics,thebuilding canthenteachthoseinteractingwithitabouttheplaceinwhichtheylive. Whenabuildingutilizestheavailablenaturalenergywithoutexploitingit(i.e. usingnaturalenergyefficientlyratherthanwastefully),anappreciationfornatureis developed,asitnolongerseemslikemerescenery;itbecomesasourceofelectricity andameansofattainingefficiency.however,contrarytocontemporarythought, thisconceptofdesigningabuildingsuchthatitusesnaturallyoccurring environmentalconditionstoitsadvantageisnota modern one.brownstates: The+importance+of+siting+houses+to+take+advantage+of+the+sun,+prevailing+ breezes,+and+natural+drainage+was+obvious+to+experienced+buildings+all+over+ the+world+until+mechanized+heating,+cooling,+and+infrastructure+systems+ began+to+offer+what+seemed+to+be+a+free+ride.+(103) Peopleinthepast,inlackingthetechnologycontemporarysocietiespossess,were forcedtolearnhowtotakeadvantageoftheirenvironmentsinawaythatweare attemptingtoremembernow.althoughwearedefining sustainability ina contemporarysense,itisimportanttonotethatpresenttechniquesarenot necessarilynewasmuchasrediscovered. 10

15 SECTIONTWO Material'Selection'and'Construction'Methods' ' Thesiteisnottheonlyimportantfeaturethatrequirescarefulselection;a buildingwillnotachievesustainabilityifthepropermaterialsarenotchosenand thepurposeofrenewabilityisnotappliedtothedesign.forinstance,abuilding designedsuchthatitservesmultipleuseswillhavefargreatervaluetoacommunity thanonethatsimplyhousesoffices.thisconceptofallowingasitetosupport multipleusesiskeytosustainability.amultitusecomplex(suchasabuildingwith housingandretail)allowsformorecommunityinteractionandbenefit,butalsohas atendencytoallowforfutureadaptability.regardingthisdesignconcept,brown suggests: + Allowing+each+element+to+perform+several+functions,+and+each+function+to+be+ supported+by+several+elements,+is+a+fundamental+design+principle+applicable+to+ everything:+interior+design,+architecture,+town+planning,+agriculture,+and+ ecosystem+management.+(93)+ Multipleusesintermsofbuildingdesignanddevelopmentisthesamebasicconcept asreuseandrecycling;themoreusesasinglebuildinghasthemorelikelyitistobe maintainedandreused.mixedtusebuildingsalsoallowformoreefficientuseof resourcesandreducedsiteimpact.forexample,pavedparkingspacescanbe utilizedbyabusinessduringthedayandresidentialtenantsatnight,drastically reducingtheamountofpavingandlandrequiredthaniftheuseswereseparated. 11

16 Materialselectionisundeniablyimportanttocontributingtowhatitisthat makesabuildingmoreefficientinenergyconsumption,wastemanagement,impact onresources,andexposuretotoxicity.associetiesstandtoday,building constructionanddeconstructionisamajorsourceofwaste,aswellas environmentaldestruction.brownobserves: Building+construction+consumes+approximately+40+percent+of+all+the+raw+ materials+produced+globally.+not+only+does+the+production+and+transportation+ of+these+materials+consume+vast+quantities+of+water+and+energy,+but+we+have+ given+little+thought+to+what+happens+to+the+materials+after+buildings+are+ demolished.+(97)+ Constructionanddeconstructionofabuildingbothhaveharmful,destructive,and wasteproducingtraitsthatareincreasedwhentoxicandunsustainablematerials areused.inaddition,theycanleadtoenvironmentaldegradationanddestruction bothbythewastetheyproduceandthesiteonwhichtheyarebuiltifthoughtisnot giventohowthebuildingcanworkwiththeenvironment.materialsarekeytothis, astheyaffecthowastructurewillbeconstructedanddeconstructed,aswellas determiningthequalityoftheenvironmentwithinabuilding.thereareanumberof waysmaterialscancontributetothesustainabilityofabuilding,andmostofthese positiveattributesaredependentonthemanufactureandtransportationofthe material. 12

17 Artificialandmanmadematerialscanharmtheenvironmentbyproducing wastethatdoesnotdecompose,buttheycanalsobeharmfultotheoccupantsofa structure.withinrecenthistorytherehavebeenanumberofcasesinwhichtoxic materialswerewidelyusedbeforetheirdetrimentalorharmfulaffectswereknown, makingitentirelypossiblethatmaterialsstillusedtodaymayonedayrevealtheir toxictraits.accordingtopachecottorgal,authorof ToxicityofBuildingMaterials: AKeyIssueinSustainableConstruction, buildingstoday,especiallyresidential ones,oftenutilizemanytoxicmaterialsthatstillremainlegaldespitetheir detrimentalcharacteristicstobothhumansandtheenvironment(pachecottorgal 2012).Onesuchexampleisasbestos,whichwasoncewidelyusedinconstruction becauseitsdangerousaffectswereunknown.althoughnowithascometobeillegal intheunitedstatesduetoitstoxicity,inmanycountriessuchascanadathe incorporationofasbestosincommonbuildingmaterialsremainsalegalpractice.in additiontotheharmfuleffectsonpeopleandtheenvironmentthatthesetoxic materialshavewithinabuilding,determiningwhattodowiththempostt deconstructionisequallyconcerning.toxicmaterialsprovideanotherissue regardingwastereductionandmanagement,astheycannotbereusedorrecycled. Ontheotherhand,theuseofnaturallyoccurringmaterialsisonewayinwhich wastereductionforbothtoxicandnontoxicmaterialscanbeachieved.carefully chosennontoxicnaturalmaterialsmaintainthepotentialtoimprovetheissueof waste,astheyaretypicallyrenewable.thischaracteristicmeanstheycanbequickly replaced,presumablyaspartofanaturalprocess.theycanalsobebeneficialto peopleastheyoftenavoidthepotentiallydangerouscharacteristicsthatartificially 13

18 producedmaterialssometimespossess.inaddition,becausehumanshaveused themforcenturiestobuildtheirhomes,anydangeroustraitsnaturalmaterialsmay haveareusuallyalreadyknown(vallero180).anotherimportantfeatureofusing naturalmaterialsisthattheycanoftenbereusedasopposedtosimplybeing thrownaway.thisconceptofreusabilityisanidealforsustainability,asitreduces wasteefficiently.infact,brownstatesthat,intermsofsustainability, The+goal+is+to+ensure+that+all+materials+used+in+a+building+can+be+repeatedly+ reused+or+recycled,+thereby+reducing+the+amount+of+energy+and+raw+material+ production+necessary+to+support+new+building+activity.+this+entails+designing+ structures+that+can+be+easily+dismantled.+(97)+ + Abuildingthatisconstructedofmaterialsthatdonotincreasethetoxicburdenon theenvironmentandhumans,andthatcanbedismantledandreused,isanideal exampleofsustainability.yetthishasproventobemoredifficultthanitsounds withintoday scultures. Manycontemporarysocietiesarestrugglingtoaccepttheconceptofreuseand recyclingintermsofbasicgoods,makingitdifficulttoapplythestrategyofreuse whenitcomestosomethingaslargeasabuilding.frequently,simplytearinga structuredownandbuildinganewoneismuchcheaper.peoplearenotalways reliablewhenitcomestosustainablepracticesfollowingthecreationofabuilding ormaterial(suchasrecycling).therefore,insteadofrelyingontheposttconsumer wastereductionprocessesitismoresustainabletoincorporatetheenvironmentally 14

19 friendlyqualitiesofaproductintotheproductionprocessitself.relyingonthefact thatamaterialwillberecycledorreusedis,unfortunately,notanecessarily dependablemethod.accordingtobrown: The+challenge+is+to+replace+the+throwaway+economy+with+a+reduceJreuseJ recycle+economy.+officials+should+worry+less+about+what+to+do+with+garbage+and+ think+more+about+how+to+avoid+producing+it+in+the+first+place.+(104) Thisconceptisareturntothedifferencebetween green and sustainable, asit presentstheideathatwecanutilizethesamepracticesandsimplychangeourpostt consumerwaystoreducewaste.however,asbrownobserves,althoughthismaybe agoodfirststep,anidealsolutionwouldbetochangeourwastefulwaysfromthe start;inotherwords,changethewaymaterialsaremade. ThisconceptofpreTsustainabilityasopposedtopostTsustainabilityisnot limitedtobottlesandcans;buildingsarealsofacedwithapre/postsustainable issue.inhisexplorationofmaterialselectionbasedonhowthingsaremade,vallero discussestheimportantissueofrenewableversusnonrenewableresources.many contemporarycivilizationsareexperiencingthenegativeconsequencesofnot respectingthenaturalprocessesofrenewalwithintheenvironment(vallero180). However,byunderstandingtheseprocesses,astructurecanbebuiltofmaterials thataremoresustainablebothatconstructionandovertime.brownproposes: We shoulddevelopbuildingmaterialandconstructionsystemsthathaveeasyreuse designedin.peoplewillwanttodothisonlyifthebuildingelementsareextremely 15

20 practical,extremelybeautiful,orboth, (97).Inaddition,Makisuggeststhata building slongevityisdependantonitabilitytobecomfortabletoitsusers,theease withwhichitcanbemaintained,anditsabilitytobeadaptedandreused(33). People sviewsandopinionsofabuildingare,thus,anotheressentialfeatureinits sustainability.materialsmaintainanincrediblyimportantroleinthesustainability ofabuildinginhowitinteractswiththeenvironmentaswellaswiththepeoplethat useit. Wood,forexample,isaverycommonlyusedmaterialinbuildingconstruction, yetnotallwoodisequallyrenewable,andthus,sustainable.vallerosuggests, The treeisacentralfeatureofgreendesign thechoiceofwoodasamaterialaffectsthe sustainabilityofastructure, (292).Theparticularchoiceofwoodcanaffect sustainabilityforavarietyofreasons.shippingcostsandfueluseintransportcan changehowsustainableaparticularwoodisbasedonsitelocationanddistance fromthesource.inaddition,theregenerationrateofatreespeciesiskeyto determiningitsrenewabilityrating.atreethatregeneratesfasterwillbeless harshlyaffectedbyloggingandwillreplaceitselfmorerapidly.withthisconceptin mind,thereareavarietyofloggingtechniquesthatseektobelessenvironmentally destructive,oneofwhichisknownasselectivelogging,duringwhichaforestisnot cleartcutbutinsteadtreesarechosenbasedonageandrelativeabundance.inhis studyaboutforestfragmentationandselectivelogging,usterdanaobserves:...forest+fragmentation+affects+ecosystem+processes+indirectly+by+changes+in+ biodiversity,+whereas+selective+logging+influences+processes+directly+by+ 16

21 modifying+local+environmental+conditions+and+resource+distributions.+the+ positive+to+neutral+effects+of+selective+logging+on+ecosystem+processes+show+that+ the+functionality+of+tropical+forests+can+be+maintained+in+moderately+disturbed+ forest+fragments.+(dana+2012)+ Althoughselectiveloggingisnotaperfectmethod,itminimizesdisturbancestoan ecosystem,unlikesuchdetrimentalloggingpracticesasslashandburnandcleart cutting. AnothermethodistopTharvesting,where,asthenamesuggests,onlythetopof atreeisharvested.however,regenerationratesandtreespeciesalsoaffectsthis formoflogging,asdifferentspecieswillgrowatcontrastingrates.forinstance: Manyconiferoustrees(e.g.,pines)cannotsurviveiftheyarecuttoofardownthe trunk,whereasmanydeciduoustreeswillgrowbackreadily, (Vallero292).Besides theregenerationofthetreethatisharvested,itisimportanttoconsiderhowthe particularspeciesactswithinthenaturalflowofatmosphericgases.instudying climatechange,scientistshavefoundthat,besidescreatingadditionalgases,human harvestingoftreeshasreducedtheabsorptionofthesegasesbynaturalprocesses. Becauseofthis, Decisionsabouttreesmustalsoconsidergreenhousegas balances, (Vallero292). Inthebigpicture,materialselectionforsustainabledesignmusttakeinto accountthesourceandrenewabilityofamaterialaswellasitscontributionto essentialnaturalprocessesandifsaidsystemswillsufferifitisremoved.material 17

22 selectionisthusanimportantconsiderationincreatingapieceofarchitecturethat claimsthetitleof sustainable. Tosummarizethesefeatures: Mendler+et+al.+identify+global+goals+that+must+be+part+of+green+design:+waste+ nothing+(a+ less+is+more +approach;+reuse,+avoiding+specification+of+scarce+ materials);+use+ free +resources+(renewable+energy,+renewable+materials,+ locally+abundant+resources);+optimize+rather+than+maximize+(synergies,+less+ reliance+on+active,+mechanical+systems);+create+a+livable+environment+(protect+ sensitive+ecosystems,+actively+restore+damaged+habitats,+look+for+pedestrianj friendly+and+mixedjuse+design+options;+avoid+toxic+materials.+(vallero+9j10)+ Sustainabilityreliesheavilyonefficiency,andforthistheselectionofbothsiteand materialsareessentialandmustbeconsideredcarefully. SECTIONTHREE: A'Building s'longevity Whilesiteandmaterialselectioncontributetothestructure ssustainability, thesetraitsarerenderedirrelevantifthebuildingfailstosurvivelongenoughforit tojustifytheenvironmentalcostsofitsconstruction.althoughthismayseemonthe surfacetobeasimpleenoughtask,thetruthofthematteristhathumanscrave novelty,anditisoftenwitnessedthatabuilding,whichisconsidered beautiful one decade,mayfinditself obsolete thenext.unfortunately,ifabuildingfailsto maintainits usefulness andisdemolished,itpresentsanunfortunateseriesof 18

23 destructivefactors.thedemolition(destruction)andevendeconstruction (disassembling)ofabuildingproducesasurplusofenvironmentallydamaging elements,suchasacidification,summersmog,nitrification,andothercomponents thatcontributetoclimatechange(coelho551).inastudyconductedbyandrew CoelhoandJorgedeBrito,fivedifferentdeconstructionanddemolitionmethods wereanalyzedfortheirimpactsontheenvironment.thefirstoptiontheyexplored wascompletedemolition,whereinalltheresultingmaterialwouldbetransported toalandfill.thismethodnotonlyincludesenvironmentaldestructionfromthe growinglandfill,butalsotheenergyusedintransportingsuchalargeamountof material.thesecondmethodtheystudiedwasoneknownas softtstripping, for whichthenontstructuralcomponentsareselectivelydemolished,andthentherest iscompletelydemolished(coelho545).however,coelhostates: SoftJstripping,+or+the+removal+of+nonJstructural+elements+for+recycling,+ followed+by+traditional+demolition+of+all+other+materials+and+their+removal+to+a+ landfill,+will+generally+not+imply+any+environmental+impact+reduction +(552)+ EvenifnonTstructuralelementsarerecycled,theamountofmaterialremainingto bedealtwith(thestructuralmaterial)istypicallygreatenoughthatthequantityof wasteisnotsignificantlyreduced;therefore,areductioninenvironmentalimpactis notguaranteed(coelho552). ThethirdmethodwastodeconstructthenonTstructuralcomponentsfollowed onceagainbycompletelydemolishingtheremainingelements.again,thismethod 19

24 doesnotensuremuchreductioninnegativeenvironmentalimpacts.fourth,they studiedthestrategyofcompletelydeconstructingthebuildingandthensendingall thematerialstoberecycled.thefinalmethodwastofullydeconstructthebuilding onceagain,butthistimeonlythematerialsthatcouldnotbereusedweresentaway forrecycling(coelho545).despitethesemethodsofwastereduction,coelhoandde Britofoundthat,evenincaseswhenrecyclingispracticed,thenegative environmentalimpactsarenotnecessarilyreducedduetotheenergycostsfromthe transportationprocess.thisunfortunaterealityisrelatedtothefactthat,inmany cases,localrecyclingplantsarenotavailable,andthusthematerialsmustbe transportedadistancefartherthanthelandfillmighthavebeen.thisisonlyan issuebecausetheprimarymethodoftransportationinthesesituationsisdiesel truck(coelho552).inaddition,theyfoundthat thefinalimpactoftheconsidered lifecyclestagesincludingrecyclingwillbe17%and39%higherforaggregateand steelmassrespectively, (Coelho550).Asaresultofthisstudy,itisclearthat demolitionanddeconstruction,evenwhenmethodsofwastereductionare practiced,aremajorfactorswhenconsideringthesustainabilityofabuilding. CoelhoanddeBrito sstudyillustratesthatrelyingonthesustainabilityofthe deconstructionprocessasopposedtodemolitiondoesnotalwaysensurethatthe negativeenvironmentalimpactsofabuildingwillbereducedeveniftheowneris willingtospendtheextramoneytorecycleandreusematerials.thisisthesame conceptmentionedearlier,wherethebestmethodofsustainabilityisnottorelyon posttconsumerconditions,buttoinsteadincorporateenvironmentalfeaturesinto theconstructionitself.inotherwords,thesustainabilityofabuildingdepends 20

25 almostentirelyonitsconstructionand,consequently,howlongitcanavoidthe environmentallydamagingdemolitionanddeconstructionprocesses.thequestion is,then,howisthisaccomplished?althoughbothfeaturesareimportant,theanswer maynotliesomuchintheaestheticsofabuildingasitdoesinthewayastructure makespeoplefeel,thecomfortofabuilding. Manyoftoday ssocietiestendtobebasedonshortttermresults;thedifficulty withthismyopicperspectiveisthat,althoughpeopletendtowantandlikenew things,theytypicallylovewhatisconsideredold.stewardbrand,authorofhow+ Buildings+Learn:+What+Happens+After+They're+Built,claims: Loved+buildings+are+the+ones+that+work+well,+that+suit+the+people+in+them,+and+ that+show+their+age+and+history.+all+it+takes+is+keeping+most+everything+that+ works,+most+everything+that+is+enjoyed,+much+of+what+doesn t+get+in+the+way,+ and+helping+the+rest+evolve.+(209)+ + Thisideapresentsadifficultparadox;asthereisanunfortunategapbetweenthe timeatwhichabuildingis novel andwhenitbecomesoldenoughtobe considered beautiful. People ssenseofbeautyisevertchangingandevolving;itis becauseofthisthatbuildingastructurethatcansurvivetoachievebeautythrough ageisadifficulttask,especiallywhenconsideringthatnotalloldbuildingsare consideredbeautiful.thisiswhysustainablestructuresmustbeaesthetically pleasingfortheirtimebutalsoensurethatthesequalitiesremain beautiful inthe distantfuture,whichtypicallyinvolvesthatbuildingsmaintaintheabilitytobe 21

26 alteredandreused.buildingsmustbeflexibleinordertosurviveforalongperiodof time. However,evenifabuildingisconsideredbeautifulinitsowntime,thisdoes notensurethatagewillrestoreitsaestheticqualities;certainfadsneverreturnto style.yettherearecertainaspectsofbuildingsthatwillalwaysbedesirabletothe peoplethatusethem,suchastheavailabilityofnaturallightandviews;inother words,aconnectiontonature.perhapsitisforthisreasonthatarchitectjames Winesobserved: People+will never+want+to+keep+an+aesthetically+inferior+building+around+no+ matter+how+well+stocked with+cutting+edge+thermal+glass,+photovoltaic+cells,+ recycled+materials,+and+zero+emissions+carpeting.+the+mission+[of+sustainable+ design] is+[also]+to+recover+those+fragile+threads+of+connectedness+with+ nature. +(Quoted+in+Kellert+94)+ Arguably,natureissomethingthathasremained beautiful throughouttimewithin mostculturesandsocieties,andwillcontinuetobeconsideredaesthetically pleasing.thisiswhyacknowledgingthataestheticscancomefromreconnectinga buildingtonatureisonewaytoimproveitschancesofsurvivingforalongtime;the aestheticsofnaturearenota fad anddonotfadewithtime. Yet,beautyandaestheticsarenottheonlycontributorstothelongevityofa structure,asthepeoplewhousethebuildingsmustenjoybeinginthem.assimon Unwin,authorofAnalysing+Architecture,observes: 22

27 architecture+is+operated+by+and+for+people,+who+have+needs+and+desires,+ beliefs+and+aspirations;+who+have+aesthetic+sensibilities+which+are+affected+by+ warmth,+touch,+odour,+sound,+as+well+as+by+visual+stimuli;+who+do+things+and+ whose+activities+have+practical+requirements;+who+see+meaning+and+ significance+in+the+world+around+them.+(16)+ + Inotherwords,abuildingisanobjectofhumancreation,madeforthemandby themtoreachaparticularend.becauseofthisconcept,howpeopleinteractwitha structure,andsubsequentlyhowtheyenjoythespace,isessentialtoitslongevity. Sustainablearchitecturestrivestocreateaspacepeoplelovebyreconnectingthem tonature.aspreviouslymentioned,oneoftheessentialfeaturesofsustainable architectureisreconnectingpeoplewiththenaturearoundthem,andinsodoing teachingthemaboutthebeautyofthenaturalenvironment.sustainable architecture,then,isanidealwaytocreateaspacethatusesareconnectionto natureasameansofcreatingacomfortablebuildingforpeoplewho,byenjoyingthe structure,continuetouseitforanextendedperiodoftime. However,ascountlesscountrieshaveadvancedtechnologically,manypeople haveperceivedthattheyhavecometolosetouchwiththeenvironmentandwhyit isimportanttorespectnature.inhisstudyofsustainability,rachmawatistates: There+are+two+major+problems+associated+with+nature+problems+in+the+21st+ century,+i.e.+how+to+create+architectural+harmony+with+the+environment,+and+ 23

28 the+maintaining+of+natural+resources;+and+how+to+improve+the+quality+of+ human+life+in+sustainability.+(rachmawati+2012) Abuildingmaintainsthepotentialtoseparateitsuserfromtheenvironmentin whichitstands,oritcanreconnectthemtoitbyexistingwithnature. However,oftenthisimportantpotentialforbuildingsisoverlookedinthe design,andtheresultisthattheusersfeeldisconnectedfromtheenvironmentand uncomfortable.stephenkellert,authorofbuilding+for+life,suggestspartofthe reasonbehindourdetachmentfromtheenvironmentstemsfromourcurrentand pastarchitecture.heclaims: One+major+cause+of+alienation+from+nature+has+been+how+we+design+and+develop+ our+built+environment Many+contemporary+influences+have+diminished+ positive+contact+between+people+and+the+natural+environment,+including+forces+ of+destruction+and+alienation...these+and+other+factors+of+an+increasingly+urban+ culture,+at+least+as+conventionally+designed+and+developed,+have+increased+ human+separation+ +and+even+alienation+ +from+the+natural+world.+(kellert+90) Thisalienationfromnaturehascausedadetachmentfromtheenvironmentthatis contrastedtotheintimateconnection pretmodern humansoncehad.as mentionedearlier,beforetechnologicaladvancement,humanslivedaspartofthe environmentandthiswasreflectedintheirarchitecture.however,asaspecies, humansseemtohaveforgottentheimportanceofbeingconnectedtonature,both 24

29 forthesakeoftheenvironmentandforourownhealth;andsubsequentlybuildings havebecomedisconnected. Yet,ithasbeenacknowledgedthatreestablishingthislostconnectionwould actuallyimprovethementalandphysicalhealthofpeople.forexample,aroomwith naturallightandaviewcanresultinabetterworkenvironmentandproductivity thanadark,fluorescentlylitroom.kellertstates: It+has+long+been+stuff+of+legend+and+anecdote+that+parks+and+gardens+exert+a+ beneficial+and+even+restorative+and+healing+impact+on+people.+the+many+ purported+benefits+of+contact+with+gardens,+open+space,+and+parkjlike+settings+ include+rest,+relaxation,+contemplation,+restoration+from+illness,+and+spiritual+ renewal.+(13)+ + Recently,thisconcepthasbeenthesubjectofmanystudiesintothepsychologyof humansandhowinteractionswithandtheaccessibilityofnaturecanbeextremely beneficialtothementalhealthofpeopleintheworkplace,schools,andevenintheir ownhomes.rachelandstephenkaplan,environmentalpsychologists,suggest: thephysicalandmentalbenefitsofparks,gardens,andopenspacesstemfrom fourobservedcharacteristicsofthesesettings: coherence,complexity,mystery,and legibility, (QuotedinKellert15).Inotherwords,theseplacesthatembracenature reconnectpeopletotheenvironmentbycreatingaplacethatdemonstratesawayof livingwithnature;thisisaccompaniedbyanunderstandingofthecomplexityofthe environment. 25

30 Parksandoutdoorspacesaremoreobviouslyconnectedtonatureasthey provideaplaceoutsideforpeopletogather,however,sustainablearchitecturecan alsodrawbothfunctionalandaestheticinspirationfromthenaturalelements. Natureisthetruestexampleofasystemthatworks;itusesenergyefficiently, recyclingandreusingwhennecessary.withinthenaturalsystem,thereare organismsthatoccupyspecificnichesinordertoensurethatallnutrientsand energyarepassedthroughoutthesystemrepeatedly.asvalleroobserves, Human subtletywillneverdeviseaninventionmorebeautiful,moresimple,ormoredirect thandoesnature,becauseinherinventions,nothingislackingandnothingis wasted, (25).Similarly,inherbookBiomimicry,JanineBenyusargues: nature presentsaworkablemodelforinnovationworthyofimitation.thebiomimicry modellookstonatureasalearningresourceratherthanmerelyasanatural resourcecommoditytobeextractedfromtheearth, (Vallero25).Tolearnfrom howtheenvironmentworkssustainablyandincorporatethesefeaturesinto architecturehelpstoreconnectabuildingtoandallowittoexistwithin+nature.in addition,thisconnectionandavailabilityofnaturetothepeopleworkingwithina buildingcreatesinthemasenseofcomfortandpeace;whenpeoplelikeabuilding, itismorelikelytosurvive. Howabuildingfallsintothespectrumofhumanemotionsis,thus,asignificant partofwhatallowsittosurviveforalongtime.ifbeautyandaestheticsaresuch ficklethings,theanswertolongevitymayactuallylieinhowabuildingisconnected toitsenvironmentand,subsequently,howthepeoplewhouseitfeel(inother words,anemotionalaesthetic).however,astructure spotentiallongevitycanalso 26

31 beanalyzedbasedonneedsandaesthetics;inotherwords,howflexiblethespaceis inevolvingtofitfutureneeds.asdiscussedearlier,evenintermsofwaste reduction,abuilding saesthetic,spatialandindoorenvironmentalqualitiesare significanttoitssustainability,forabeautifulandcomfortablebuildingismore likelytosurvive.sustainabilitymeansabuildingsurvivesandadaptstochanging needsandaesthetics.inordertomatchtheshiftinglifestyles,itmustbeflexibleand, moreimportantly,itmustcreateaspacethatiscomfortableforthepeopleusingit, whilestillbeingconnectedtothenaturalenvironment. SECTIONFOUR Long=Term'Performance' ' Howbuildingsmakepeoplefeelmaybeamorereliablewayofensuringa structure ssustainabilitythanaestheticsalone;butitisstillimportantto acknowledgethat beautiful buildingsalsoaffectastructure sfeel.thus,itis essentialtoalsoconsiderabuilding saesthetics.however,asmentionedpreviously, designinganaestheticallypleasingbuildingisnotassimpleandstraightforwarda taskasonemightbelieve;itisactuallyquitedifficult,aspeople sperceptionsof whatis beautiful isinastateofnearconstantfluctuation.becauseofthis ambiguity,creatingabuildingthatlastsisoneofthemostsignificanthurdlesto sustainablearchitecture.inordertoavoidthisobstacle,itisimportanttoexamine wherepaststyleshavefailed.accordingtoaugusteberque,theauthorofjapan s+ Endemism,ModernismandPostTModernismaretwotextbookexamplesof fads thathavecomeandgoneintheworldofarchitecturalaesthetics(30).thecoreidea 27

32 betweenthetwostyleswasthesame;theplaceandenvironmentastructurewasin wasirrelevanttothedesignandappearanceofthebuilding.althoughmanypeople believedthat,unlikemodernism,theversatilityofposttmodernismwouldallowitto continueforagestocome,therealitywasthatitsdesignsweremerelya fad, and assuch,thepopularityofthemovementdissipatedwithtime.boththehistoric preservationmovementandnewurbanismgrewoutofthesamerejectionof ModernismthatgeneratedPostTModernism;andbothmovementsmaintain componentsthatarecompatiblewithsustainabledesign.despitewhatthe advocatesofthemovementbelieved,thelackofprevalenceofthemtodayshows thattheydidnotsucceedinmovingbeyondtherealmofmodernism,becausein realityspaceisdifferent,asarehumanculturesandecologicalsettings;andthe senseofspacediffersdependingonlocation(berque30t31).althoughthese movementsmaintainedpopularityandthetitleof beauty foraperiodoftime,they haveevolvedintoalessrigidstylethatallowsformoreexpressionandversatility. ThisevolutionwaskeytoitssurvivalasthepreviousstyleofModernismdidnot accountforevolvinghumanopinions,andsomethingthatreliesonnoveltyfor beautywillinevitablybecomeobsoleteovertime. Althoughincontemporarysocietiesonetendstobeabletofindawidevariety ofsustainabilitycertificationprogramsforbuildings,suchastheunitedstates LEEDprogram,theytypicallydonotanalyzebuildingsforaesthetics.InhisbookThe+ Shape+of+Green,LanceHoseyarguesthatincreatingsustainablearchitecture, aestheticsareoftensacrificed(3).hecomparestheimportanceofaestheticstothe theoryofnaturalselection,wherethekeyis survivalofthefittest. Hestates: 28

33 formaffectsperformance,imageinfluencesendurance Ifit snotbeautiful,it s notsustainable, (Hosey6T7).Thisideaisthesameastheconceptthatabuilding canachieve beauty againwithage;ifitisfitenough,itwillsurvivetoachieve aged beauty. Likeanimalsandnaturalselection,anindividualbuildingisnottheonly decidingfactorofitsfitnesslevel;thisismoreorlessdependentonthebuildings thatsurrounditanditsusers.unwinsuggests: Architecture+always+depends+on+things+that+are+already+there;+it+involves+ recognizing+their+potential+or+the+problems+they+present;+it+involves,+maybe,+ remembering+their+associations+and+significances;+it+involves+choice+of+site+and+ sharing+with+others.+(44)++ Abuildingmust,inordertosurvive(orbefit)workwiththeenvironmentinwhich itsits,whichinvolvesbeingaestheticallypleasingandrecognizingthehistoryofa site.inotherwords,sustainablearchitectureneedstobeconnectedtonaturein morethanjustitssite,materials,andenergyefficiency;atitscoreitmustalso withstandpassingfadsandpersevere.likeorganisms,theperceptionof beauty evolves,andthusarchitecturemustbedesignedsuchastoremainpleasingdespite theflowofaesthetics.thedesignsofsustainablearchitecture,iftheyareto withstandtheevertchangingperceptionofbeauty(andinsodoingbeconsidered trulysustainable),theymustbemorethanmereaesthetics;itisashoseyobserves: Sustainabilityshouldhavestylebutnotbecomeastyle, (28). 29

34 However,thequestionremainsofhowthisisaccomplished.Inordertotruly understand,onemustknowwhatarchitectureisinitsverybasicdefinition,asthe practiceofdesigningbuildingsisnotmerelyascienceofengineering.todesigna pieceofarchitectureistocreateaspaceinwhichpeoplewillliveandinteract,work andinvent;abuildingisaplacethatholdsthepotentialtomakepeoplecomfortable andhappy.yet,todefinewhatisarchitectureisnotassimpleataskasonemight originallythink;muchaswestrivetodefine sustainability, architecturecontinues toholdnewmeanings.infact,unwinobserves: Itisprobablyfairtosaythatthe mattersofthedefinitionandthepurposeofarchitecturehaveneverbeensettled, (13).AtalecturehegaveattheInternationalDesignConferenceinAspen,Colorado in1962,thefamousarchitectlouiskahnclaimed: Architecturalspaceisaspace withinwhichyoureadhowthespaceismade (Kahn152).Inotherwords,inits veryessence,architectureismeanttohelpyouunderstandwhataspaceisfor,not tosimplyhouseaspecificpurpose.intermsofsustainabledesign,thisconceptalso meansthatarchitecturalspaceisoneinwhichpeoplecometounderstandthe environmentaswell.rybczynski,authorofthe+look+of+architecture(writtenin 2001),presentsthedefinitionprovidedfromtheItalianarchitectureenthusiastSir HenryWotton(whowasinspiredbyVitruvius): InArchitecture,asinallother OperativeArts,theendmustdirecttheOperation Theendistobuildwell.WellT buildinghaththreeconditions:commoditie,firmeness,anddelight, (Rybczynski 4).ThisisthesamebasicconceptpresentedbyKahn,thatarchitectureisawayto illustrateastructure spurpose. 30

35 Ontheotherhand,Unwinbelieves: identification+of+placeliesatthe generativecoreofarchitecture Place+is+to+architecture,itmaybesaid,as+meaning+is+ to+language, (14T15).Architectureismeanttorepresentitssite;itmustunderstand theenvironmentinwhichitstandsandexistwithinit,notnexttoit.astructurein andofitselfmustbothprotectitsusersfromtheirenvironment(asistheessential meaningbehindashelter),whileatthesametimeconnectingthemtonature.in manyways,architectureisaseparatesphereofanenvironment,onethatexists withinitbutasanobserver;itisbothsubjecttoelementsofnatureandprotected fromthem.thisisacomplicatedsituation,assustainablearchitectureismeantto reconnectpeopletotheenvironment,yetitmustcontinuetoprotectthemfromitat thesametime.inthisway, Architecturecreatesafeelingofaworldwithinaworld, (Kahn227).Thisconceptistypicallywhatallowspeopletofallinlovewith particularbuildings;ifthespacecreatesafeelingofbeingonewithnatureina comfortableway,itoftenresultsinpeaceofmind. Inaddition,architecturerequiresyouto reconsidertherequirementsforthe natureoftheenvironmentwhichinspirestheactivityofthatinstitutionofman, (Kahn172).Simplyput,apieceofarchitecturemustreflectitspurpose,connectto thenaturalenvironment,andprotectitsusers.thus,architectureis,essentially,the creationofanexistencethatdefinesaspaceotherwiseundefined;andassuchit mustbeloyaltoallitspurposes,bothtonatureandtopeople.inordertobeloyalto thepurpose,hoseyclaims: 31

36 What+designers+need+isn t+an+ecological+aesthetic+ +it s+an+aesthetic+of+ecology,+ a+set+of+principles+and+mechanics+for+making+design+more+responsive+and+ responsible,+environmentally,+socially,+and+economically [there+are]+three+ principles+that+drive+the+aesthetics+of+ecology:+shape+for+efficiency,+shape+for+ pleasure,+and+shape+for+place.+these+three+values+ +conservation,+attraction,+ and+connection+ +can+guide+designers+to+make+things+more+environmentally+ intelligent,+humane,+and+elegant+all+at+once.+(28)+ + Naturemaintainsthepotentialtoteach,allpeoplehavetodoislisten;thepurpose ofsustainablearchitectureis,inaway,ademonstrationofwhatislearnedwhen listeninghasbeenaccomplished. SECTIONFIVE Hindsight' ' Asdiscussedearlier,natureprovidestheperfecttemplateforasystemof survivabilityandreuse.justaswithorganisms,buildingsaremorelikelytosurvive iftheyworkwithintheirparticularenvironment.likeunwin,brandalsopresentsa connectiontonaturalprocessesinaconcepthecalls evolutionarydesign. He states: There+is+no+ climax +in+ecological+communities;+irregular+oscillation+drives+the+ continued+selfjtuning+of+the+system The+Darwinian+mechanism+of+varyJandJ select,+varyjandjselect+has+one+enormous+difference+from+the+process+of+design.+ 32

37 It+operates+by+hindsight+rather+than+foresight.+Evolution+is+always+away+from+ known+problems+rather+than+toward+imagined+goals.+it+doesn t+seek+to+ maximize+theoretical+fitness;+it+minimizes+experienced+unfitness.+hindsight+is+ better+than+foresight.+that s+why+evolutionary+forms+such+as+vernacular+ building+types+always+work+better+than+visionary+design+such+as+geodesic+ domes.+they+grow+from+experience+rather+than+from+somebody s+foresight.+ (Brand+188)+ + Vernaculararchitectureisanidealforunderstandinghowsustainabilitycanbe accomplishedasitoftendemonstratesintimateconnectionsbetweennatureand buildings,anditalsorepresentsthebestsolutionstopastfailures.unwinsuggests: Socalled traditional architectureisfullofplaceswhich,throughfamiliarityand use,accordwellwithusers perceptionsandexpectations, (15).Traditional architecturalworkscanbemodelsforcontemporarysustainabledesignsiftheright onesareexamined,astheymaintainthepotentialtoprovidehindsightintofuture designs.asbrandobserved,hindsightisbetterthanforesight,makingitessentialto acknowledgeandunderstandthemistakesandsuccessesofthepast(188). Inessence,traditionalarchitecturaldesignsarefullTscalemodelsthat demonstrateideasthatworkedandthosethatdidnot;thereforewhynotutilizethis pastknowledge.indescribingimportantfeaturesoftheirfamoussustainable designs,thearchitectsofthejapanesefirmnikkensekkei(afirmwhichembraces vernaculardesign)observethatsustainablearchitectureinthecontemporaryworld hasbeguntoshiftintodesigningabuildingsuchthatitbringsnaturein;adesign 33

38 techniquethatisalsofoundinthetraditionalstructuresofjapanesearchitecture (Maki10).AlthoughitmayseemthatthisfirmlookstotraditionalJapanese architecturespecificallybecausetheitisbasedinjapan,inactuality,vernacular designsofjapanareexcellentcasestudiesofsustainability.allvernaculardesigns arespecifictotheenvironmentsinwhichtheydevelopedbecauseancestralhumans wereinfarlesscontroloftheelementsthanwearetoday.however,injapanese traditionalarchitectureinparticulartherearenumerousexamplesofsustainable featuresandconstructionmethodsthatcouldbeadaptedandusedincontemporary designs.traditionaljapanesedesigns,therefore,providevaluableinsightinto vernacularsustainabletechniquesandaresubsequentlyworthacknowledgingand exploring. IntraditionalJapanesearchitecture,aconnectiontotheenvironmentwas demonstratedthroughthedesigns,whichwerealsoloyaltotheirpurpose(inother words,thedesignandspacerevealtotheuserthebuilding spurpose).withregards totheirresidentialarchitecture,authorkevinnutestates: WhethertheJapanese houseisrightorwronginitsplanandconstruction,itanswersadmirablytothe purposeforwhichitwasintended thejapanesedwellingisineveryboneandfibre ofitsstructurehonest, (37).Inotherwords,thereislittleornamentationforthe sakeofornamentation;thehouserepresentsitspurpose,whichistobesomeone s homeandshelter.traditionaljapanesebuildingshavecertaindesirablequalitiesin commonthatcanhelpusevolveamodernsustainableapproachtoarchitecture. Makistates: 34

39 Traditional+Japanese+buildings+offer+superb+examples+of+what+we+are+trying+to+ achieve+in+our+buildings+for+the+new+century+and+the+future.+their+underlying+ principle+is+amity+with+the+environment.+they+are+close+to+nature+and+tailored+ to+local+conditions+in+ways+that+provide+comfort+with+minimal+energy+ consumption.+(22)+ Asacountryoflimitedresourcesandonethatwas,atpointsduringitshistory, closedtooutsideinfluences,japanesecraftsmenwereabletoproduceadesign templatethatworkedsustainably.althoughinmanycontemporarycivilizationswe relymostlyontechnologicalfeaturestoprovidecomfortindoors,traditionaldesigns accomplishedsimilareffectsthroughnaturalmeans.inaccordancewiththeview thathindsightisessentialtosuccessfulsustainabledesigns,itmakessensethat exploringthedesignmethodsoftraditionaldesignssuchasthosefoundinjapan offersthepotentialtoimprovecontemporaryarchitecture. CONCLUSION Sustainabilityisnotmerelydefinedbyawordorasentence;itencompassesa processofthoughtandconstruction,aconsiderationofsite,environmentalfeatures, humaninteraction,andhowthisallaffectsthelongevityofthebuilding.a sustainable buildingis,then,onethatutilizesthenaturalfeaturesofasitewithout exploitingthem,aswellasincorporatingmaterialsthatarehealthyforboththelocal ecosystemsandhumans.thebuildingmustalsodemonstratearespectforthe 35