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News Articles
- PERSPECTIVES ON SUSTAINABLE DESIGN
Environmental Design + Construction 12-01-2006
HELPING TO TIP THE WORLD BACK INTO BALANCE
BY MICHAEL C. CORBY, AIA, LEED AP
I recently read an article that said most Americans now
believe in global warming but don't believe they can do anything
about it. While it's easy to feel overwhelmed, architects,
designers, and engineers are in the unique position to take
action that can help tip the world back into balance.
When we founded Integrated Architecture in 1988 we embraced
George Bernard Shaw's vision: "You see things as they are
and ask, 'Why'? I dream things as they never were and ask,
'Why not?'" Practicing 'Why not?' architecture, we wrote a
mission statement that focused on stimulating and positively
affecting the community and the built environment.
Back before green was vogue, we shared our passion for sustainability
with architects, realtors, students, business clubs, and anybody
who would listen through presentations, lectures and case
studies. We also practiced sustainable design, (then and now)
whether the client asked for it or not. Our mindset is not
to treat sustainability as a capability we can apply if you
want, but more importantly an obligation and a responsibility
that we integrate into our practice.
While not every project we create will achieve LEED certification,
we do educate every client (and potential client) about the
benefits of sustainable design, lifecycle cost and the positive
influence of abundant natural light and fresh air. . . .
For full-text documents see ProQuest's eLibrary
- Using Design to Advance Environmental Stewardship
Winter, Metta
Human Ecology 12-01-2003
In his research, writing, teaching, and artwork, Jack Elliott
is one of a small number of design professionals in the country
focused on realigning aesthetics and ethical values. This
architect and assistant professor in the Department of Design
and Environmental Analysis encourages designers to create
innovative, sustainable solutions for environmental and social
issues.
Last summer, Elliott presented a paper at the Association
of Collegiate Schools of Architecture's international symposium
in Helsinki, Finland. Titled "Reflecting Eco-Ethics, Architectural
Aesthetics Reconsidered," it ended with this message to his
colleagues: "Through its manifest aesthetic devices, architecture
communicates its sympathies, based on values and feelings,
and its rationalizations, based on knowledge and understanding.
It is the realignment of this hybrid that offers hope. It
makes the aesthetic experience capable of incorporating a
new ethical sensitivity, an expanded sympathy to things non-human
in order to effect real environmental change."
Elliott believes that design has the ability to provide
ethical leadership for the environment through its aesthetic
expression, and that designers have the responsibility to
innovate within this eco-ethic, thus helping assure a sustainable
future. . . .
For full-text documents see ProQuest's eLibrary
- Natural designs
Environment 03-01-2002
Biomimicry-looking to nature for engineering inspiration-is
gaining new momentum as manufacturers search for more environmentally
responsible and inexpensive ways to make products with fewer
materials. For example, the concept behind a selfcleaning
leaf has been applied to a house paint made in Germany that
is guaranteed to stay clean for five years without the use
of detergents or sandblasters. After studying the composition
of thousands of plant surfaces with a scanning electron microscope,
German botanist Wilhelm Barthlott discovered that the leaves
of the white lotus flower have tiny points on them, much like
a bed of nails. . . .
For full-text documents see ProQuest's eLibrary
- Nature's Solutions
Hall, Leslie
National Geographic Explorer 01-01-2009
People like to make things work better, faster, and cleaner.
Luckily, they can turn to nature for some great ideas.
We can learn a lot from nature. Just think about it. Nature
always seems to work well. Plants and animals don't waste
energy, and they usually don't harm the environment. So engineers
are turning to nature for some solutions to everyday problems.
Problem: How can we help athletes swim even faster?
Solution: Look closely at a shark's skin. . . .
For full-text documents see ProQuest's eLibrary
- THE FUTURE OF WASTE
Spiegelman, Helen; Sheehan, Bill
BioCycle 01-01-2004
MUNICIPAL recyclers and solid waste managers often see composting
as the feeble step child of resource management. In fact,
recycling biodegradable organics was the big recycling success
story in the United States during the 1990s.
Understanding the fundamental difference between community-generated
organics and manufactured products and packaging is a key
to achieving sustainable production and consumption systems.
In the future, recycling of community-generated organics will
increasingly become the centerpiece of municipal waste management.
This is because community-generated organics will be the only
material left. Products and packaging will have found their
way back to the marketplace without ever becoming part of
the municipal waste management system.
The world envisioned by Bill McDonough, Michael Braungart
and a growing number of Zero Waste advocates distinguishes
between two basic types of resources. "Technical nutrients"
are recyclable and reusable products that should be designed
to remain in the industrial cycle perpetually. "Biological
nutrients" are materials that can be safely cycled back into
the biosphere via composting. The keys to economic nutrition
are keeping biological and technical nutrients separate, so
that each can be fully "up-cycled" to remain in the economic
food chain, and phasing out unsafe and mixed products.
Interestingly, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) got it right decades ago when they started tracking
what we call "municipal solid waste" (MSW). . . .
For full-text documents see ProQuest's eLibrary
Historical Newspapers
- CITY PLANS STUDY ON USE OF SPACES; Architect Is Hired to Assist in Environmental Design
By CHARLES G. BENNETT. New York Times. New York, N.Y.: Aug 12, 1967. pg. 27, 1 pgs
Abstract (Summary)
A $55,000 study to improve the quality of environmental design and the use of open space in the city's housing and renewal program was announced yesterday at City Hall.
Original Newspaper Image (PDF)
- Environmental Design for 1970's Theme of National Engineers' Week
WILLIAM URBAN. The Hartford Courant. Feb 22, 1970. pg. 69A, 1 pgs
Abstract (Summary)
The National Society of Professional Engineers last fall declared Feb. 22-28, 1970 as National Engineers' Week, with the theme "Environmental Design for the 1970's." By coincidence February issues of several magazines carried feature. . .
Original Newspaper Image (PDF)
- Environmental design 'positively tackled'
Henry Mangan. The Irish Times. Dublin, Ireland: Dec 2, 1986. p. II (1 page)
Original Newspaper Image (PDF)
Taken from ProQuest's Historical
Newspapers.
Dissertations
- A case study examination: Developing a retail store renovation design according to the LEED rating system
by McKinley, Heather, M.S., Oklahoma State University, 2008, 62 pages Abstract (Summary)
Scope and Method of Study. Developing a retail environment that is sustainable can be challenging. Interior designers must educate businesses on the importance of sustainability. Sustainable practices have been shown to improve employee productivity, increase customer perception and spending, and reduce the operating costs . The purpose of this study was to evaluate an existing retail store and production site and to propose a design solution that followed a sustainable framework. This study illustrates how 17B was renovated using LEED's framework.
Findings and Conclusions. The methodology was divided into four phases: Analysis of Existing Conditions, Programming, Assessment of LEED Criteria and Design Development. The results determined the goals and objectives for the project and design concept. Research was conducted in three LEED performance areas to find the most effective methods for meeting the project goals. The methods accomplished sustainable design of the project.
For full-text documents see ProQuest's
Dissertations & Theses Database
- Adaptive reuse in Martinsburg: The Interwoven School of Crafts
by McIntyre, Kristina Marie, M.Arch., University of Maryland, College Park, 2008, 181 pages Abstract (Summary)
This thesis explores critical regionalism and sustainable design through the adaptive reuse of the former Interwoven Stocking Company mill in Martinsburg, West Virginia. New programming establishes the manufacturing complex as the Interwoven School of Crafts, a learning institution dedicated to the production of functional, handcrafted arts and thereby also to the continuance of local culture.
Regionalistic ideas are further explored through the development of a visitor center and gallery building that showcases the work of the artists. Nestled within the historic complex, this contemporary building is the interface between spaces, materials, and time periods. By building a contemporary structure the character of the existing buildings is enhanced by the contrast rather than trivialized by imitation or replication. By designing with sustainable principles and building craft in mind the newer components will contribute to both the character and the long lifespan of what is already on site. For full-text documents see ProQuest's
Dissertations & Theses Database
- Applying community design principles to amenity area development in Ontario's Blue Mountains
by Wilmink, Corinne, M.L.A., University of Guelph (Canada), 2008, 106 pages Abstract (Summary)
Amenity migration is the settlement of people on a permanent or intermittent basis in places that are perceived to be rich in environmental and cultural amenities. The resulting community often has negative social, economic and environmental impacts, which will be addressed using established community design approaches that demonstrate significant contributions to sustainable design. A set of community design principles will be synthesized from these approaches and applied to the design of Castle Glen Development, near the amenities of Ontario's Blue Mountains. The design is evaluated using the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Neighbourhood Developments (LEED-ND) rating tool to assess the sustainability of the design. Results indicate that the design does not meet the sustainable neighbourhood development standards accepted by LEED-ND due primarily to the remoteness of the proposed site within the amenity area. Nonetheless, application of the principles did contribute to reducing the negative impacts of the development and meeting the potential needs of amenity migrants. For full-text documents see ProQuest's
Dissertations & Theses Database
- Design2sustain---A web based resource suite for sustainability designed for undergraduate architecture programs
by Marathe, Shraddha R., M.B.S., University of Southern California, 2008, 153 pages Abstract (Summary)
Committed to the 2010 Imperative, the University of Southern California (USC), School of Architecture, now aims at a carbon neutral environment and eco-literacy in all its courses. Every design studio is now mandated to work towards sustainable design philosophy. The 2010 imperative goals challenge the existing curriculum structure and teaching methods. It demands accommodation for updated and newer design philosophies and processes. This study analyzes and outlines possible insertions in the current curriculum for attaining the sustainability target. The purpose of this study is to establish a supplementary tool that assists in developing a sustainable approach towards architectural design. A web-based, quick reference guide on sustainability and energy efficiency is proposed for students to assist in the design studios. The website offers categorized data on the basis of scope, design process and the ability of students to assimilate the information. Important definitions, concepts, tools and methods for sustainable design development are compiled in a concise format. Tutorials on sustainability and building performance tools are developed. A detailed database for one studio is developed as a prototype. This thesis analyzes the viability of introducing a good website in the design studios as a regularly updated resource for sustainable architectural design.
For full-text documents see ProQuest's
Dissertations & Theses Database
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