Eco-architecture
Apr. 23rd, 2008 01:58 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
chelidonNifty stuff, but the real sticking point to new architecture that is "low-footprint," "green," "carbon-neutral," etc, is making it affordable. The problem is that new building in general is hardly affordable these days, and asking people to change their expectations, to do what appears to be paying *more* for *less*, will not appeal to anyone but the small percentage of us who see conservation as a moral/ethical thing. For the belly of the bell-curve to do it, it has to be cheaper, or at least no more expensive, and offer "practical" benefits, not just ethical or moral ones. And that's getting easier, but still, true "low-footprint" requires both changes in economics, and changes in lifestyle.
That said, in a relatively few years, the "practical" considerations will likely be significantly different than they are now, as energy costs, possibly along with climate change-related impacts, skew the calculations. By that time, unfortunately, it will be even more expensive than it is now to build anything, due to increased cost of materials, energy, dollar devaluation, and cost of transport for manufactured goods from overseas, like...well, all those Chinese-made solar panels. There will have to be much more local solutions, home-grown, close at hand. Small, locally-produced, and efficient (using the least amount of resources possible, both short and long-term) will be more than trendy, it will be essential.
Full article here: Interview With Eco-Architect Mike Reynolds
For the past 35 years, Mike Reynolds has developed a unique and innovative approach to the field of architectural design. Firmly rejecting what he views as the waste and inefficiency of conventional power-grid-dependent homes, Reynolds has revolutionized many people's conception of sustainable housing by fusing an elegant aesthetic with a practical, environmentally-conscious base.
Not only has Reynolds defined an alternative to the modern architectural paradigm, he has also vigorously sought to bring his innovations to third world countries and disaster-ravaged regions in a career centered around humanitarian aid.
After graduating from the University of Cincinnati in 1969, Mike Reynolds pursued a radically sustainable method of building homes. He continually evolved his ideas and crafted a movement he calls biotecture - the embracing of a carbon neutral foundation, while providing fundamental human needs of shelter, food, water and energy under one roof with no external support other than the environment.
On Monday morning, I had the opportunity to speak with Mike Reynolds about his work.
That said, in a relatively few years, the "practical" considerations will likely be significantly different than they are now, as energy costs, possibly along with climate change-related impacts, skew the calculations. By that time, unfortunately, it will be even more expensive than it is now to build anything, due to increased cost of materials, energy, dollar devaluation, and cost of transport for manufactured goods from overseas, like...well, all those Chinese-made solar panels. There will have to be much more local solutions, home-grown, close at hand. Small, locally-produced, and efficient (using the least amount of resources possible, both short and long-term) will be more than trendy, it will be essential.
Full article here: Interview With Eco-Architect Mike Reynolds
For the past 35 years, Mike Reynolds has developed a unique and innovative approach to the field of architectural design. Firmly rejecting what he views as the waste and inefficiency of conventional power-grid-dependent homes, Reynolds has revolutionized many people's conception of sustainable housing by fusing an elegant aesthetic with a practical, environmentally-conscious base.
Not only has Reynolds defined an alternative to the modern architectural paradigm, he has also vigorously sought to bring his innovations to third world countries and disaster-ravaged regions in a career centered around humanitarian aid.
After graduating from the University of Cincinnati in 1969, Mike Reynolds pursued a radically sustainable method of building homes. He continually evolved his ideas and crafted a movement he calls biotecture - the embracing of a carbon neutral foundation, while providing fundamental human needs of shelter, food, water and energy under one roof with no external support other than the environment.
On Monday morning, I had the opportunity to speak with Mike Reynolds about his work.
