Sustainable Architecture

Is sustainable design bringing the world of architecture back around full circle?

Historically, buildings were built with natural materials, local to the site. Sun orientation and wind were taken in to account. There were no hazardous materials or energy-intensive manufactured products used in construction - they hadn't been invented yet. All the products and man-made materials that brought onto this earth for one reason or another are now destroying it. So what do we do? One answer: Go back to basics of materials - using rammed earth or straw bale. The more natural material we incorporate into the cities the healthier they become. Another approach is going back to the basics of communal design - Creating the spaces similar to those of old European cities - narrow streets, allowing only bicycle or walking traffic, reduce pollution from cars or mixing of commercial and residential spaces. High-density areas allow the bicycle/pedestrian traffic to easily maneuver one's way around the city. A different approach to green architecture has also surfaced - newly manufactured products - the ideas that have not been done before, such as the structural insulated panels, or concrete foam, or waterproof breathable vapor barriers. New products that incorporate technology, modern architecture and energy conservation are integral to the world of architecture.

So what is the best approach, unfortunately we are not going to be able to take away the car and narrow all the streets in America. We are not going to be able to build everything out of straw bale because our resources are somewhat limited. And restrictions of straw bale and similar materials do not always work well in the industrial and commercial sectors. We will never get the United States 'back to basics' - walking to work, living in caves, or collecting rain water to wash their dishes. But we can bring new products into our modern lives that accommodate nature and us. The key to green architecture is combining what we know already about existing materials and the modern techniques that are being invented.