How Architects Can Be More Environmentally Aware

 by Habina Seo

Neri_Oxman_(image: Noah_Kalina (Wiki)

With the immense impact that the world of architecture and design has on the environment and general sustainable development, some may wonder why the world needs more architects.

A growing population and changing jobs supplies a constant demand for new buildings or renovations. With a construction industry that depends heavily on fossil fuels, there is mounting pressure on the industry to seek greener practices. Current architects must learn to consider new sustainable methods of design, to test and establish sustainable techniques for future generations to learn and utilise. If we are to fight climate change and reduce negative environmental impacts, it is not possible to continue building in the same way as previous methods. Included in the current changes needed in the architecture and design industry may be to consider the longevity and quality of products, so that it is better in the long term. We can already see similar examples in the fashion industry, where buying from fast fashion retailers are discouraged, and vintage, high quality, sustainable and more ethical alternatives (though usually more expensive) are being promoted more than ever. Applying this to architecture would mean that buildings have less costs of maintenance or rebuilding due to poor quality or faults. This would encourage more extensive testing and analysis to ensure buildings do not fail, perhaps meaning a better communication between the architectural team; a greater fusion of the arts and sciences in a team which may slightly favour scientists and engineers over the decisions of creative directors. Companies such as Fosters and Partners show examples of how current technology is being used to measure a building’s impact and usage in advance of construction (thermal modelling, air flow analysis, solar studies), which guides decisions that influence a project’s footprint. This leads to quicker alterations and more objective solutions which reduces waste and energy consumption. However, this approach in getting the outcome perfect the first time may discourage risk-taking in design, due to the pressures of considering so many elements in great detail as well as the intimidation of failure, which no doubt will raise more constraints for the designer than usual.

Concrete is the most widely used building material. Its useful properties, ease of transport, ability to be moulded into any shape, as well as its popular aesthetic of showing craftsmanship and having a narrative quality, make this a common material both as structural and decorative elements in buildings. It can be reinforced with steel to improve tensile strength and reduce cracking, has good durability and resistance to chemical and physical damage, and is a thermal and acoustic insulator. However, concrete is responsible for approximately 8% of global carbon dioxide emissions, and is energy and water intensive to make, which strains supplies for drinking and irrigation. It is difficult to dispose of or recycle, since its main ingredient is stone, which is difficult to burn. When it is recycled, demolishing and crushing up old concrete exponents can take lots of energy, requires purification, and is often remixed with new concrete with the recycled parts in order to maintain its properties (however, recycling conserves natural resources, water, and reduces carbon dioxide emissions and pollution from transportation to landfill sites). It seems the only way to make concrete significantly greener is to avoid using it altogether. However, alternatives have been used to create concrete mixtures to reduce the environmental impact of gravel and sand extraction traditionally used to create concrete. An example would be waste or by-products from other processes, such as Fly Ash (from coal-burning power stations), Silica Fume (from processing quartz into silicon, it significantly increases strength and durability of concrete), and Limestone Fines (from limestone processing, it is less reactive than Silica fume and fly ash). In order to reduce the very use of concrete, alternative materials can replace cement altogether in many cases, such as transitioning to timber for concrete frames, which is a much more sustainable and less energy intensive option.

Other sustainable considerations, such as biodegradable, locally sourced and recycled/reused materials should be considered by architects to inform and guide design choices. Neri Oxman, who studied medicine before studying architecture at the AA, specialises in the crossover between biology and design. Her work focuses on being inspired by, and working with, nature rather than consuming it, which in turn produces innovative ideas and processes which are both environmentally friendly and realistic with current technologies. It is anticipated that the value of biodegradable and environmentally-friendly materials in architecture will be more convincing to clients with increasing breakthroughs and options in this field.

The physical form and the building’s interaction with its location can also be a method in making architecture more environmentally friendly. Passive design maximises the use of natural sources of heating, cooling and ventilation to create comfortable conditions inside buildings, avoiding mechanical or electric systems, which uses additional energy and could emit polluting gases. It utilises and manipulates environmental conditions such as climate, sunlight, air flow and thermal energy to heat, cool or light up buildings. A commonly used technique is the increased use of windows to provide aesthetically pleasing solutions to lighting, warmth and external views. Hybrid systems may use active systems to aid the passive ones, as a realistic way of reducing the energy consumption of the building, such as heat recovery ventilation and solar thermal systems. Many considerations of passive design relate to the physical form and layout of the building, which architects already consider based on basic environmental factors such as how the orientation of the sun changes throughout the day, and how to organise space so that natural light flows through as efficiently as possible. However, to consider more passive techniques early in the design process requires close working across the entire design team. An overly chronological, separated design process (i.e the historic model, where the architect designs a building, then a structural engineer makes it stand up, then finally a services engineer makes it comfortable) is unlikely to achieve a satisfactory outcome.

Despite the huge environmental impact that the construction of buildings have, it is still important to have more architects. Without the designers of the built environment, there would be no way of realising abstracted concepts into structures that shape cities, create cultures and influence societies as they change through time. The major concern as of now is environmental awareness and the drive towards a carbon neutral world, in which architects have a major responsibility.