Wk 13 - A Self Reflection in Sustainability

After a series of blog entries about issues related to urban sustainability, I would take this opportunity to do a blog entry that is related to myself. My exposure towards 'what is sustainability' throughout my career as an architectural student and how it has influenced me in both, directly as well as indirectly. A self-reflection on my take as a building designer. 

Evidently, our work reflects our maturity as time progress. Our thinking in how the building is responding not only towards its surrounding context, as well as towards the sustainability development of the context in the long run. As Norman Foster described " As an architect, you design for the present, with an awareness of the past, for a future which is essentially unknown." 

With modern digital technology advancement, architecture joins the hyperbole of advertising techniques serve ti supplant our consciousness and diffuse our reflective capacity. (Holl, 2012) Evidently, I as a student often struggled and relied on digital imaging throughout the design process and forgo the importance of one's experience of the site. As noted by Pallasmaa, "Computer imaging tends to flatten our magnificent, multi-sensory, simultaneous and synchronic capacities of imagination by turning the design process into a passive visual manipulation, a retinal journey"; in which creates a distance between the maker and the object. 

Due to convenience and negligence, we often forgo the impact of the objects we create on the environment. I think partially due to the fact as students, we are not exposed to the bigger picture, the seriousness of the issue globally and we often assumed everything are separated from one another, in fact, everything is interrelated. Believing that the environment, the cities  can continue as they are, fueling a system and process of unsustainability. 

Artist Impression of the proposed building on site. Source: Author 

During my graduation project in final year, our studio was integrated with an environmental subject related to the "Environmental & Technical" side of a building. Apart from the aesthetic side of a building, we had to approach from the environmental point of view. A balance and integration of "sustainability & built aesthetic". Although there was no shift in values and ideology, I honestly profess that I had no conception of waste water management, rainwater harvest system, structural integration or anything related towards an integrated sustainable design. Of course, all the techniques and proposed sustainable features were tested via software such as ecotect as well as calculations. 

The orientation of Built Form to minimise Thermal Heat Gain. Source: Author 

 Autodesk Flowdesign Wind Analysis to take advantage of the natural breeze . Source: Author

Shadow Analysis from Ecotect to determine Shading device Placement . Source: Author

Interior Lighting Analysis to take advantage of natural daylighting. Source: Author

The most important lesson to me was the mindset of "sustainability should be a part of the process the moment the first stroke is drawn on the drawing board"; which is not something we 'install' later in the process.  Arguably, the 'depth of our being' stands on thin ice as technological advancement within the architectural profession. Sustainability should be exposed and integrated in the earlier years of education in order to fully understand that it is a never ending process as buildings tend to stay up for many years to come. 

Resource 

Pallasmaa. (2012) "The Eyes of The Skin", Architecture and the Sense. John Wiley & Sons Ltd. 

Wk 13 - Controversy between green & highrise

Earlier in the blog entry. I looked at Sydney's One Central that redefines green architecture of the current society. the relationship between architecture, sustainability, and society was integrated seamlessly from my humble opinion.

One Central Park, Sydney.
 Image Source : http://www.jakob.com/download/attachments/7406864/G6-13_2_Central-Park_Sydney.jpg?version=1&modificationDate=1421829828689&api=v2 

However, today, there was an article regarding the controversy between tree-covered-skyscrapers as global architecture trend shifts towards "sustainability". In the reading, it questioned the role and feasibility of trees and ecologically sustainable principles being on or above buildings. Being said that, Vegetated designs come about for myriad reasons- the appearance of sustainability but it never leaves the realm of paper or virtual architecture.(Kohlstedt, n.d) In fact, without proper management, and innovation these "virtual" green concept would only cause daunting construction hurdles such as extra material costs, complex irrigation system as well as trees themselves would have trouble adapting to their new environment. To be honest, the situation revealed might be the actual reality of the developing world, "if you wanted to make something look trendier, put a bird on it" in this case, Tim De Chant pointed out that the same situation in the construction field, "want to make a skyscraper look trendy and sustainable ? Put a tree or better yet dozens."

Image Source : http://www.archdaily.com/788584/are-tree-covered-skyscrapers-really-all-they-set-out-to-be/574dc70be58ece083e000016-are-tree-covered-skyscrapers-really-all-they-set-out-to-be-image

Times like this, when the architects would virtually conceive the idea of green from inception to conception while developers companies would take the opportunity to marketing purposes without engaging respective parties to further improvise the feasibility of the vegetation on skyscrapers. Hence, the phenomenon of yellow- brown vegetation instead of green over a period of time after practical completion which then lead to a number of resources required to place and maintain the trees. Even though, the intentions are clear and noble when the architects and developers wanting to contribute to wider urbanity as well as the environment, however, it is also questionable at the same time whereby resources that are used to maintain the building is outweighing their ecological merits. So where do the problem sets and resonates, I questioned myself  ? Might as well turn to conventional building that aims to provide better thermal comfort through the clever use of materials from construction to complete, which in return, reduces the impact of environmental resource exploitation. 

In conclusion, there are many reasons NOT to put vegetation above skyscrapers as listed and explained in the article by Tim De Chant, however, I would not go through it listing and explaining, instead my thinking and opinion on it. Built upon the aforementioned points, I partially disagree with his opinion of not put greens on building due to climatic and technical issues, in fact, with technological advancement, the increasing pressure on sustainability, globalisation; we are in need of innovative ideas to not worsen but to maintain or improve the ecological balance between built and natural environment. 

Resources: 

http://www.archdaily.com/788584/are-tree-covered-skyscrapers-really-all-they-set-out-to-be

http://www.archdaily.com/346374/can-we-please-stop-drawing-trees-on-top-of-skyscrapers

Wk12 - Sustainable Development in Construction Materials

This is a journal blog entry that is somewhat strongly relatable towards my career development as an architecture student. Often, from my personal opinion, sustainable architecture is the holistic view on the sustainable principles of (1) Conserving Energy (2) Working with Climate (3) Minimising New Resources (4) Respecting the Users (5) Respect to Site (6) Holism as mention in the Green Architecture :Design for a Sustainable Future by Vale and Vale. So instead of being inspired to write a blog about sustainable by an article or news, I did some research independently about a construction material that is used in almost every building in the urban context, or somewhat globally. 

That is Cement ! 

According to World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), " Concrete is the most widely used material on earth after water, with nearly 3 tonnes used annually for each individual living being on earth. 

Cement VS Concrete 

Further investigation leads me to understand the different terms between "cement" and concrete". In which, after 4 years of architectural education, I finally understood the proper definition that most students assumed are the same; which they are not. Cement is, however, a binding agent for sand, gravel and water to form concrete. 

Image Source : Author 

So, the environmental impact of concrete is evidently becoming significant since the industry requires environmentally sustainable design, where CO2 emission are often used as a rating tool justifying the impact of the project. Mind-boggling figures indicate that a typical 74% - 81% of the total CO2 emission by raw cement while the remaining 13-20% is from the production of aggregates  such as electricity and transportation.  

Therefore, by the exposure and understanding of the environmental impact, we as future designers should think twice before specifying new materials for the proposed building adequately; without imposing additional impact for unnecessary  wastage. In fact, the consequences would be devastating as (Rubenstein, 2012) argues that cement production will continue to grow 2.5% annually from 2.55 billion tonnes in 2006 to 4.4 billion tonnes by 2050 due to high demand. 

                                        

However, further reading indicates that the highest environmental impact is from the production instead of construction, the use of natural gas and electricity to heat, cool and operate the factory. Where carbon emissions are from the calcination of cement during manufacturing which is responsible for almost 50% of the overall emission !  

In summary, although, we as architectural designers are somewhat responsible for the emissions and environmental impact of the production of cement, well , partially responsible. The information gather for this particular blog entry serves as an important reminder that, we could play a significant role in mitigating environmental risk produced by cement by being more environmentally conscious during schematic design and construction. For example, adaptively reusing old structures to minimise the use of new materials, selecting environmentally produced cement that uses less carbon-intensive fuel for the product to lower the overall environmental impact base on Life-cycle Analysis as well as initiative such as carbon capture and storage during the production stage.

Resources : 

·    David, J, Flower,M , Jay, G. Sanjayan. 2007, 'Green House Gas Emissions', The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, July 2007, Vol 12, Issue 5, pp282-288. 

·     Rubenstein, M. 2012,  Emission from the Cement Industry, State of the Planet, Columbia University. Viewed 2 June 2015, < http://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/2012/05/09/emissions-from-the-cement-industry/> 

·     Santero, N, Loijios, A, Ochsendorf, J. 2013, ' Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Opportunities for Concrete Pavements', Journal of Industrial Ecology.

·      Anonymous. 2012,' Concrete CO2 Fact Sheet', NRMCA Publication, February 2012.

Wk 12 - Architecture & Sustainability

Over a year ago, the American Institute of Architects declared the "voice of the architecture profession," announced that AIA members will no longer need to complete the sustainable design requirement to fulfill their AIA continuing education." (Hosey, 2016) 

The reason justifying the action was that the topic sustainability design practices have become a mainstream design intention, and the knowledge about it is no longer necessary to maintain competency as well as to improve the profession. According to the AIA, the profession must have met its environmental goals and there is nothing left to improve. However, I would strongly disagree with their statement upon justifying the action whereby sustainability is a complex development issue that requires constant adaptation and refining in order to build a better society. As the alternative solution towards the unsustainable consumption of the society is beyond unthinkable and the solution to build a "perfect" sustainable environment is unimaginable. ( Steffen, 2005) The only constant factor in our current society is it "always changing", the trend of sustainability may be superseded at a flash, by then how sure are they that architect of that generation would still uphold the obligation towards the sustainable environment ? 

Polls in 2009 revealed that a third of the architects are skeptical about climate change, and 13% believe it is a myth. As Hosey suggested, the possibility of inadequate education and common criticism of green buildings. Furthermore, the lack of leadership of green architecture in the profession, for example, Peter Eisenman and Frank Gehry once called green building standards "bogus". (Hosey, 2016) Respectable as it may seem from the architecture field to me, star-hitects should portray a sense of responsibility not only towards the community but to the environment that the building he/she created is going to be built on. Evidently, James Wines, author of Green Architecture called Gehry's work "mind-boggling waste." Probably the unconventional use of cladding that some might say a waste of materials in the name of aesthetic in the iconic work of Frank Gehry. 

Image Source : http://www.archdaily.com/782905/when-it-comes-to-sustainable-design-architects-still-dont-get-it/56d455cce58ece3a6c000003-when-it-comes-to-sustainable-design-architects-still-dont-get-it-photo

At the same time, it is sadly true that even within my own education over the years in architecture, the theme of sustainability if often not prioritise by the tutors and professors, instead are more often concerned about the intangible concepts of form and space. Well, this is arguable that to me sustainability should be an integration into the design process that starts to inform innovatively. By following the principles of sustainability such as orientation, ventilation etc, everything changes about architecture , including its purpose, process and products. "Design isn't separate from sustainability - it's the key to it. ( Hosey, 2016) 

Resource : 

http://www.archdaily.com/782905/when-it-comes-to-sustainable-design-architects-still-dont-get-it

Wk 11 - Biomass - an alternative ?

As a subsequent topic of my previous blog entry regarding the paradox of renewable energy. Technically, biomass, as defined by the BIOMASS Energy Centre, is the biological material derived from living, or recently living organism. However, it defers from traditional fossil fuels by the time factor, at the same time takes out carbon while it is growing and returns as it is burned, therefore creating as well as maintains a closed loop of carbon cycle. 

An interesting project I stumble upon by Thomas Heatherwick Studio, where he questioned the role of a post industrial area be given a second chance to regenerate instead of a mere sculpture of the past.  

Image Source : Author.

Image Source https://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2009/12/BEI-Teesside-power-plant-by-Heatherwick-Studio-3.jpg

The Teesside Power Station. The main objective of the project was to be the 2nd power station in Britain to generate renewable energy that works as an interactional landmark that had a more intimate connection to the ground. To get away ffrom the idea of traditional power station that is isolated from society and instead creating a public space of civic and recreational value. (Heatherwick, n.d) Similar to the BIG's Clean Energy Plant in Copenhegan. My take of the ideology of a building in architecture is not merely a multidisciplinary process but it should also take into consideration a socio-environmental and socio-political aspects that gives back to the community or the environment. However, conceptually the idea of Teesside in mediating the boundaries seem plaussible but I would question the idea of bring the landscape vertically as the facade, in terms of functionality it seems redundant without community interaction as compared to BIG's Clean Energy Plant. 

However, despite all the advantages and hype revolving biomass energy. Reports suggested otherwise, that renewable energy produced from biomass has multiple challenges and barriers thar requires further research and development is need in order to pursue the idea of additional biomass energy. As compared to other renewable energy systems, its first priority is to sustain the living organisms that will then used to power the system when cost of living is already problematic. This may be damaging the environment more than it is trying to sustain it, in fact, biowaste produces another type of GHG called Methane which is 25% more harmful than Carbon Dioxide. In fact, Greenpeace opposing voice arguing that "the bioenergy sector is damaging its future acceptance by not acknowledging the upfront 'carbon' debt' by consumping resource for energy as well as its significant environmental effects such as pollution of the Methane gas. 

With the benefit of doubt the question of biomass energy is truly green remains open for debate. However, through my career reflections as well as sustainable development blog entries: "As architects, it is crucial to work together with organisation can achive better results for sustaimable development in order to have the almagamation between sustainable functionality and architectural expression. 

Resource: 
http://www.biomassenergycentre.org.uk/portal/page?_pageid=76,15049&_dad=portal 

http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/Advantages_Disadvantages_BiomassEnergy.php

http://arena.gov.au/files/2013/08/Chapter-12-Bioenergy.pdf

http://www.greenpeace.org/australia/en/?ref=2016-tax-appeal-coal-free-future-TO

Wk 11- Are Smart Cities Smarter ?

" Smart cities use information and communication technologies (ICT) to be more intelligent and efficient in the use of resources, resulting in cost and energy savings, improved service delivery and quality of life, and reduce environmental footprint- all supporting innovation and the low-carbon economy." (Cohen, 2013) 

Today I came across an article regarding "smart cities" @ The Conversation of Australia. The publication was addressing or perhaps celebrating at the same time about the 100th anniversary of the birth of Jane Jacobs, an American-Canadian author and activist's spirited defence of inner-city neighbourhoods inspired a generation of urban place-makers. ( Barns, 2016) 

Source : http://www.streetline.com/smart-cities/

Arguably the biggest topic in urbanism right now is the "Smart City".

What these smart cities that we often hear about in the current society ? How smart should it be in order to sustain the global movement into sustainable development ? With little to none knowledge about smart cities, I profess that this serves an opportunity to expose and widen my understanding of the topic. As the global population continues to grow exponentially over the years, people would start moving into urban areas. In order to handle this large scale urbanisation, cities need to get smarter to manage such complexity, increase efficiency, reduce expenses, and improve the quality of life. 

The juxtaposition within the article is that they argued that the theory or ideology she proposed back in the 20th-century is that "the city's structure consists of a mixture of uses instead of radical urban plans through appeals to natural or scientific principle" might not be relevant or useful. Coming from an architectural point of view, I do find myself stuck in between a dilemma between the ideology of smart cities as well as the underlying principle of space making for the community.


Evidently as the effects of climate change, smart cities are presented as an answer to managing as well as mitigate through a sensor-based solution.This, however, may be plausible but to what extend ? By mitigating and managing, it saves millions, no matter how negligible the problem, simply because of the scale of the system that will be monitored. (Koolhaas, 2014) By relying on the confluence of "smart city", creative and innovation are being suppressed by the idea of urban consolidation. By imposing such monitoring system, does it mean that to save the city, we may have to destroy it ? Rather than discarding the urban intelligence accumulated over the centuries of research and development, we must explore how and to what extent is today's smart city with previous knowledge in an innovative way.

A Smart City Control Room by IBM in Rio de Janeiro. 

It really fascinates me that a control room is able to monitor the entire city. But to what extent is being monitored by the people in this room ? The dilution between public and private of the community is being compromised. Every movement, every element in a space will be automated with sensors that track the inhabitant. Probably, soon the ironic situation where people would prefer living outside of an urban setting, a retreat from digital sensing and pre-emption.

Although the transfer of authority has been achieved in a clever way by calling city smart - and by calling it smart, our city is condemned to be stupid. (Koolhaas, 2014) Without a doubt, for the sake of the sustainability, it is clear that those in the digital realm and architects have to work together for a better future for the community.

Resource :

http://theconversation.com/what-might-jane-jacobs-say-about-smart-cities-58278

http://www.archdaily.com/353281/without-architects-smart-cities-just-aren-t-smart

https://cities.dpmc.gov.au/smart-cities-plan

http://www.streetline.com/smart-cities/

Wk 10 - Sustainability in Animation Movies

The role of "Pixar" in the world of cinema, storytelling, and digital rendering is already well documented, however, its link with architecture have yet to be fully explored. Among the greatest advantages and perhaps overlooked, is the talent to create convincing architectural worlds adjacent to and within the human world, we inhabit every day. Which then lead to my question of its role as an entertainment industry as a new tool to encourage  as well as provoke critical thinking about sustainability

I profess that, I grew up with Pixar's animation during my early days, however, I actually did not know the message of sustainability before their animations till I came across this article. Remembering being exposed to the ocean life of the great barrier reef in the movie, the importance of the natural ecosystem created towards the environment as well as living organism in the ocean. Today, as my maturity and understanding of urban sustainable development grow, it was evident that there was a sustainable message before every animation they created, a story within a story, how human interventions and greed are destroying the natural habitat of the ecosystem. 

Install the role of sustainability from an early age. an ideal learning tool. (Sekalias & Anthony, 2015) Imparting universal lessons through storytelling, creating empathy through anthropomorphism of its main characters.

Source : ( Pixar cite by Sekalias & Anthony, 2015)

Accessibility as well as ecology that portrays a wide range of scale, shape, and physical ability within their individual environment. Personally, as a designer, a sustainable city, has to be carefully thought out equally that caters to accommodate users' different height, exemplifying a sensitivity to accessibility and universal design. Of course without denying that fact, we are sharing the environment with other biological systems, so that it allows all inhabitants to coexist happily and comfortably. 

Source : ( Pixar cite by Sekalias & Anthony, 2015)

The reality that is imagined in the movie Wall-E if we continue to consume and waste scared resources mindlessly 

 The above screenshot was from the movie "Wall-E" that has a definitive stance on our patterns of consumption, showing the world that we must abandon because it no longer can sustain any form of life. As designers, we often encourage the  integration of sustainable technology as well as consider biodegradable options in order to minimalise the impact of the proposed building on the environment. 

Source : ( Pixar cite by Sekalias & Anthony, 2015)

Personally, it is a self-reflection that goes beyond the mere practical and the reflections of the inhabitants.

The Joy in Sustainability 

To the extent, this proofs that "when there's a will, there's a way". What is to be taken away from the article is that the responsibility of sustainability doesn't necessarily fall on the shoulders of governments, policy makers, urban planners or architects, it is the responsibility of all humanity to preserve what is important for future generations to meet heir daily needs. Of course, apart from producing exciting and beautiful animations for the community, the hidden meaning or reality of a current society that objectively exposed to younger generations to develop their sense of sustainability, however, studies shows that parent or guardian influence is the key towards their development,  "the influence of Pixar on generations of children and their parents around the world has been enormous" quoted by arch daily. Therefore, parents as a role model should work hand in hand with government, community or the environmental governing bodies to help prepare the society of tomorrow in combating the issue of global sustainability development. 

On the side note, while preparing this particular journal entry, curiosity struck me. Which type of cinematic genre is more sustainable compared to others ? A fully computer animated rendering that requires long extended hours of computer renderings ? OR a live action movie that requires heaps of materials, time and labor throughout the preparation process of the set and destroying it in the process ?  

Resource:
http://www.archdaily.com/771987/4-lessons-pixar-films-can-teach-us-about-architecture