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How can Architecture be implemented into the environment in a way that keeps it healthy?
I believe that architects should find a way to build around nature instead of building through it, that way our environment remains healthy, but how can we strive to do so? How can we build cities without harming our ecosystems? Without relocating our animals?
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Robin’s Answer
Take a look at LEED which is an environmental certification for building design. That is as progressive as where we are at now.
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John’s Answer
LEED is a great tool for getting environmental certification and learning about building design. To make your project more eco-friendly, gather information about the local ecosystem. Different habitats have unique needs, so attend local community meetings to learn more. Choose materials that support local biodiversity. It's wonderful to see your passion for this career!
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Josh’s Answer
In general, Architects can only control so much when working on a design. For instance, your primary goal is to provide services for your client, who is usually a developer. This means taking their needs into consideration like the primary function of a building, who the users will be, and providing the design intent. To be honest, if you propose saving every tree on a site, then you won't get many projects. However, there are things we can do to ensure our buildings are sustainable, like paying attention to the thermal and air barriers (envelope) of a building and working closely with our Mechanical engineers to design efficient heating and cooling systems. We can also work on specifying products that are sustainable and sometimes use recycled content. LEED and Greenglobes are great ways to document sustainable features of a building. There are certainly architecture firms that specialize in sustainability, but they are relatively rare, and difficult to break into. Not because it is difficult to design this way, but the market really only has room for so many sustainability focused architecture firms.
If you are interested in having a broader impact I suggest looking at New Urbanism and Urban Design and Planning. This is kind of sustainability on a larger scale that applies to whole communities, not just one building site. For example, planners in different cities and towns write development standards which impact many natural features for land. In my opinion, the planning community needs more creative people who can convey big ideas and give architects and landscape architects good parameters to achieve really great environments.
If you are interested in having a broader impact I suggest looking at New Urbanism and Urban Design and Planning. This is kind of sustainability on a larger scale that applies to whole communities, not just one building site. For example, planners in different cities and towns write development standards which impact many natural features for land. In my opinion, the planning community needs more creative people who can convey big ideas and give architects and landscape architects good parameters to achieve really great environments.