The Artdog Images of Interest
I have a thing for "green" architecture. I'm fascinated by how it works, and the potential to build things that actually improve the environment, rather than contribute to blighting or destroying it. All over the world, I'm seeing a sustainability ethos--a sense that we have a moral obligation to do better--begin to rise up.
All over the world, but not so much in the USA. I think most of my readers can figure out why, but it's a shame. That's not to say we have nothing of the sort here. Several local projects in the Kansas City metro have included a sustainability ethos in their planning. But the cutting edge projects too often are being built elsewhere.
I recently became aware of three different sustainable projects that could be part of a solution to our climate crisis. I've shared information about them on social media, but I also want to collect some thoughts about them here. Each demonstrates an admirable sustainability ethos.
Humanscapes of Auroville, India
This sustainable housing complex (in Auroville, which has a rather extraordinary visionary origin altogether) has already been built (from locally-sourced materials). It is a net-positive energy project, which generates more energy than it uses.
It's also part of a long-term study of how built spaces can foster community among those who live or work there. Designed for young adults, students and faculty, it features common areas that are beautiful and flexible, among its array of innovations.
The complex was designed by the local-to-that-area firm of Auroville Design Consultants. Read more about it on Inhabitat and Arch Daily.
The sustainability element in the economic and social picture is far too often overlooked by planners and designers I've encountered or read about. But when you fail to evaluate the complete "footprint" of a project, you can get into trouble fast.
Burwood Brickworks Shopping Centre of Melbourne, Australia
Trumpeted as the "World's most sustainable Shopping Centre," according to The Sydney Herald the Burwood Brickworks shopping center won't quite be a net-positive energy project like the Humanscapes. but it will "produce a large chunk of its energy needs."
However, according to Broadsheet Media of Melbourne, it will achieve the Living Building Challenge (LBC) certification standards. "LBC-certified buildings have zero carbon footprint; zero waste; produce more electricity and water than they use; grow agriculture on 20 per cent of the site; and are built using non-toxic and recycled materials," they said.
That sounds net-positive to me, but I'll let them sort it out. Considerably more eco-friendly than conventional shopping centers is a good bet, either way. And definitely informed by a sustainability ethos.
Smart Forest City of Cancun, Mexico
The architectural firm behind the Smart Forest City is familiar to anyone who follows the most interesting developments in the ongoing struggle to innovate sustainable structures. Stefano Boeri Architetti is based in Milan, Italy, where one of its earlier projects, the groundbreaking Bosco Verticale, looks a whole lot like the "White Space Tree" I blogged about last May (note that Bosco Verticale was built first).
Stefano Boeri's latest project, the still-in-the-process Smart Forest City, is intended to be "a model for resilient and sustainable urban planning." To that end, it will be "completely food and energy self-sufficient." In other words, not only net-positive (or at least net-neutral) energy but able to produce its own food.
I'm flashing on my fictional Rana Station again. Because Rana is an island in space that is 23 hours away from the nearest planet, its very survival depends on its self-sufficiency. Every available space is used for agriculture.
That creates parallels with Smart Forest City. Between green roofs, vertical gardens, and an agricultural belt that surrounds its perimeter, the plan is to make the Mexican project capable of feeding all 130,000 projected residents from its own agriculture. Talk about building with a sustainability ethos!
IMAGE CREDITS: Many thanks to TES and Sualci Quotes for the "Light of Mine" illustrated quote, to Inhabitat for the photos of Humanscapes in Auroville, India, and Smart Forest City in Cancun, Mexico, to QuoteFancy for the illustrated quotes from Phil Harding and William McDonough, and to Broadsheet Melbourne for the photo of the Burwood Brickworks Shopping Centre renovation project.
I have a thing for "green" architecture. I'm fascinated by how it works, and the potential to build things that actually improve the environment, rather than contribute to blighting or destroying it. All over the world, I'm seeing a sustainability ethos--a sense that we have a moral obligation to do better--begin to rise up.
All over the world, but not so much in the USA. I think most of my readers can figure out why, but it's a shame. That's not to say we have nothing of the sort here. Several local projects in the Kansas City metro have included a sustainability ethos in their planning. But the cutting edge projects too often are being built elsewhere.
I recently became aware of three different sustainable projects that could be part of a solution to our climate crisis. I've shared information about them on social media, but I also want to collect some thoughts about them here. Each demonstrates an admirable sustainability ethos.
Humanscapes of Auroville, India
This sustainable housing complex (in Auroville, which has a rather extraordinary visionary origin altogether) has already been built (from locally-sourced materials). It is a net-positive energy project, which generates more energy than it uses.
It's also part of a long-term study of how built spaces can foster community among those who live or work there. Designed for young adults, students and faculty, it features common areas that are beautiful and flexible, among its array of innovations.
The complex was designed by the local-to-that-area firm of Auroville Design Consultants. Read more about it on Inhabitat and Arch Daily.
 |
| Humanscapes of Auroville, India, is part of an experiment in sustainable living and community-building. (Akshay Arora/Auroville Design Consultants) |
The sustainability element in the economic and social picture is far too often overlooked by planners and designers I've encountered or read about. But when you fail to evaluate the complete "footprint" of a project, you can get into trouble fast.
Burwood Brickworks Shopping Centre of Melbourne, Australia
Trumpeted as the "World's most sustainable Shopping Centre," according to The Sydney Herald the Burwood Brickworks shopping center won't quite be a net-positive energy project like the Humanscapes. but it will "produce a large chunk of its energy needs."
However, according to Broadsheet Media of Melbourne, it will achieve the Living Building Challenge (LBC) certification standards. "LBC-certified buildings have zero carbon footprint; zero waste; produce more electricity and water than they use; grow agriculture on 20 per cent of the site; and are built using non-toxic and recycled materials," they said.
That sounds net-positive to me, but I'll let them sort it out. Considerably more eco-friendly than conventional shopping centers is a good bet, either way. And definitely informed by a sustainability ethos.
 |
| The Burwood Brickworks Shopping Centre in Melbourne, Australia is designed and built with a "rooftop farm" that calls to my mind the ubiquitous rooftop farming I extrapolate for the habitat wheels of my fictional Rana Station. |
The architectural firm behind the Smart Forest City is familiar to anyone who follows the most interesting developments in the ongoing struggle to innovate sustainable structures. Stefano Boeri Architetti is based in Milan, Italy, where one of its earlier projects, the groundbreaking Bosco Verticale, looks a whole lot like the "White Space Tree" I blogged about last May (note that Bosco Verticale was built first).
 |
| Canals will run through much of Smart Forest City, primarily to provide water for the agriculture that is designed to make it food-self-sufficient. This visualization reminds me of a Solarpunk city design like those of Tyler Edlin or MissOliviaLouise. |
Stefano Boeri's latest project, the still-in-the-process Smart Forest City, is intended to be "a model for resilient and sustainable urban planning." To that end, it will be "completely food and energy self-sufficient." In other words, not only net-positive (or at least net-neutral) energy but able to produce its own food.
I'm flashing on my fictional Rana Station again. Because Rana is an island in space that is 23 hours away from the nearest planet, its very survival depends on its self-sufficiency. Every available space is used for agriculture.
That creates parallels with Smart Forest City. Between green roofs, vertical gardens, and an agricultural belt that surrounds its perimeter, the plan is to make the Mexican project capable of feeding all 130,000 projected residents from its own agriculture. Talk about building with a sustainability ethos!
IMAGE CREDITS: Many thanks to TES and Sualci Quotes for the "Light of Mine" illustrated quote, to Inhabitat for the photos of Humanscapes in Auroville, India, and Smart Forest City in Cancun, Mexico, to QuoteFancy for the illustrated quotes from Phil Harding and William McDonough, and to Broadsheet Melbourne for the photo of the Burwood Brickworks Shopping Centre renovation project.
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