A View of Sustainability Within Design Professions James Anderson | Chalmers University
“The Earth has enough for everyone’s need, but not for some people’s greed” -Ghandi
A Vision of Sustainability Sustainability delves deep and touches all aspects of our society, thus it is an extremely broad concept to define. Perhaps sustainability can be seen as the intransient link between environment and humanistic responsibility. An idea that we as a species should leaving no trace, that what we generate in the way of energy, material and waste can be assimilated and dissimilated in natural cycles and processes. Not only living in equilibrium with the planet but to be the custodians to it, to be a positive force. On a humanistic standpoint our civilisation currently has great disparity between the wealthiest and poorest nations1, for sustainability to have a fighting chance, there must be global equality, justice and the right to decent living conditions for all. “What a future generation leaves behind must be higher or better than our own by leaving enough resources behind”. (Stiglitz, 2008) This planet’s population is growing exponentially2 and many born into developing countries look towards the west with great aspirations. The trouble is Earth is a finite resource and ours is a culture of consumption, our drive to gain economic and material wealth is wholly detrimental to the planet3 we cannot continue on our current trajectory and must learn to live within our means, this is complicated with the model of capitalism that is fuelled by consumerism, it has been engrained within each of us that we ‘need things’ making it difficult to just let go. Large business and multi-national corporations powerful enough to sway politicians are able to exploit developing countries by importing their resources, adding toxins and chemicals in the production process and deporting harmful waste back so that we in the developed world can continue to remain blissfully ignorant. It is important that we think globally while acting locally, governments cannot remain insular because the butterfly’s wings do beat and what happens in India today will effect Sweden tomorrow; perhaps not directly but long-term and subtly. Global population have grown far past the threshold to which we could step back to a simpler time; thus we are reliant on our technology and innovations. Unfortunately we must continue to rely on the primitive process of burning of dead organic material as our primary energy source, but this will fuel a transitional period where research into renewable energy must play catch-up, become efficient, economically viable and finally widespread. Modern history reveals a common trend that as our technologies develop, as we release new compounds and chemicals4 into the biosphere, as we transform and shape the planet on an unprecedented scale5 we continually fail to fully comprehending the true ramifications of such actions. This is often down to the rapid pace of industry and technology but also our lack of understanding of the complex cycles and intricate relationships found in nature. It is hard to stand in the way of progress and even harder to determine whether a new substance is ‘safe’, but if we make steps to use natural products whenever possible we will at least alleviate the situation. It is clear that for a truly viable sustainable future all ‘circles of sustainability’ (James, 2011) must be working in unison towards the same goal: technology, society, environment and politics. These cogs of sustainability have been and will be slow in gaining momentum but as they begin to turn one circle may directly effect and catalysis another; for example evolving social and cultural opinions will invariably alter the political realm. But first we must wake up to the realities we face. Change or die.
Currently the richest 20 percent consume 83 percent of Earth’s resources, the poorest 20 percent consume just 1.3 percent of resources. 1 in 7 people don’t have enough to eat. 2 The global population is growing at a rate of 74 million people per year and by current UN estimates global population will reach 9.2 billion around 2050. Out of the current 6.87 billion people on Earth today 900 million have no access to modern health services of any kind. 3 The figures are startling, in the USA alone 99 percent of products are disposed of within 6 months of purchase 4 PVC plastics for example are commonly used in windows, doors etc. contain cadmium, a know carcinogen and lead a neurotoxin. 5 Overall, 83 percent of the total land surface and 98 percent of the areas where it is possible to grow the world's three main crops (rice, wheat, and maize) is directly influenced by human activities 1
An Architect’s Responsibility The architect or designer is unable to change the world alone, sustainability is a complex and multifaceted beast, too much for one profession to steer alone. However if we focus on one specific area, awareness, we can do a great deal of good. Unlike the activist or the scientist our work by its very nature falls into the public realm and cannot so easily be ignored or dismiss. As such it is our moral responsibility to influence the social consciousness, helping to make the transition to a sustainable lifestyle through experiential learning6 and osmosis. We have the opportunity to develop future designs and manage the built environment with sustainability deeply seeded as a fundamental principle, express renewable technology and sustainable systems in the very fabric of the building. In learning to adapt to an environment as opposed to trying to dominate it we need only find inspiration in nature who’s inventions are the product of 3.8 billion years of research and development and by studying how nature solves problems we can overcome our own. (Pawlyn, 2010) Biomimicry has been applied on all levels for example; the structure of mammalian bones has led to breakthroughs in lightweight building skeletons, termite mounds give insight into natural ventilation and solar gain, even the humble single-celled slime mould has been used as a tool for the engineer in developing ultra efficient underground systems7 (this is all great but as we continue to commit ecocide the ocean of biodiversity continues to dry up and many of natures secrets are lost forever). Biomimicry requires collaborations within different fields such as microbiology, it requires a lot of research and experimentation that all add costs, thus it is paramount that we are not selfish with our ideas and by spreading them we are able to develop a global knowledge. Just like nature evolves and adapts to specific milieus our urban planning must do the same, we need to stop erecting airconditioned, glass-clad greenhouses in the middle of the deserts just because we can. Instead gain intimate knowledge of climate, geography, culture and design accordingly in this way we can also tap into the planets free energy in the form of solar8, geothermal, wind, wave, hydroelectric etc. It is there to be harnessed; it is only our own lack of ingenuity or drive that is stopping us. Our current linear model of extraction, production, distribution and disposal is directly relatable to the built environment and also deeply flawed even at the most fundamental level. Recycling is only a halfway measure; de-materialising and down-cycling materials so they eventually lose their value, it merely serves to mitigate the issue of waste and fails to get to the root of the problem. (Haggar, 2007) Eco-aware material selection, biofuels are again all good short-term solutions but only to be used in this transitional predicament we currently find ourselves in. For a long-term more robust solution we look to nature and close loop systems where “waste = food” (William McDonough, 2003) taking the ideas of Earths bio-metabolism and extrapolating it a technical-metabolism in which nutrients can continue to flow within a cycle, all materials can be broken down, there is zero waste as materials that have passed their natural usability can be dismantled and re-materialised. It also makes long-term financial with ‘intelligent material-spooling’ where companies can re-use materials from a pool after a product has completed it’s useful lifecycle. The problem with cradle to cradle is that it is still in it’s infancy, companies will not pursue it due to the initial high cost others maybe reliant on old technological artefacts or tempted by wonder compounds that promise so much. Cradle to cradle also throws into question the longevity and durability of a material, however this may be solved with the coupling of innovation with material selection and also a change in mind-set to remember that all we create is and should only be temporary and just like nature, design-in a death for all we create.
Experiential learning is "the process whereby knowledge is created through the transformation of experience. Knowledge results from the combinations of grasping and transforming experience." 7 When presented with oat flakes arranged in the pattern of Japanese cities around Tokyo, brainless slime molds construct networks of nutrient-channeling tubes that are strikingly similar to the layout of the Japanese rail system that were painstakingly developed by talented engineers. 8 “Consider that we receive 10,000 times as much energy from the sun every as we use in all forms – 10,000 times. So our energy problems are not intractable” – Michael Pawlyn 6
Linear System
Closed Loop
Extraction
Disassembly
finite resources destruction of habitat exploitation of LEDC’s
roof has come to end of useful life. all parts designed to be simply removed
Production
Useful Material Recovery
add chemicals add toxins
valuable materials will be recovered by manufactures and re-used making savings in production costs
Distribution
Decomposition
products shipped globally exploit workers to get lowest price
any low value material decomposed in anaerobic digester broken down naturally generating heat energy
Growth
What the Consumer Sees
Disposal harmful toxins enter environment made worse by combustion shipped to LEDC’s
material becomes compost, minerials used by future mushroom, and bamboo plants
Product Mushroom Farm growth of structural materials; bamboo and cardboard
Construction Material Production Existing System Proposed System
Sustainable Design Mission Statement
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Influence social change towards a sustainable future through experiential learning and osmosis.
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Demonstrate that people can live comfortably with a smaller footprint.
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Accept that there is no ‘one size fits all design’ each design must be tailor made to individual environment context.
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Engage with and understand the local community, crucial in formulating successful designs.
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Push towards closed loop ‘cradle to cradle’ design.
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Continue to look towards biomimicry for solution to problems and become less reliant on man-made materials and chemicals as ‘quick-fixes’.
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Collaborate with people from other fields spreading ideas and research towards a common goal.
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Design for communities to be self-sufficient as much as possible.
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Once a project is completed it is the architects responsibility to revisit it, listen to the failures and successes. In this way architecture can evolve.
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Integrate sustainable systems and technology (photovoltaic panels, grey-water collection etc.) into future designs.
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Use locally sourced material and where viable local building techniques.
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The understanding that everything is temporary and design accordingly, design for destruction.
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Don’t be greedy.
Technology
Environment
Politics 1. all cogs must be working towards sustainability
Society
Humanity currently consuming an equivalent of 1.5 Earths. This is unsustainable
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Self Sufficient Societies Engineering robust societies that can harness renewable energy for power, collect and produce local food and water, becoming an ecosystem as found in nature. Adapting to the environment as opposed to trying to dominate it
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2. society can power a sustainable future but there is not enough drive
3. the responsibility of the architect
Closed Loop System Taking the ideas of Earth’s bio-metabolism and extrapolating it a technical-metabolism in which nutrients can continue to flow within a cycle, materials can be broken down, there is zero waste as materials that have passed their natural usability can be dismantled and re-used. Biomimicry Nature’s inventions are the product of 3.8 billion years of research and development, by studying how nature solves problems we can overcome our own without compromising a sustainable future. Experiential Learning and Osmosis In develop future designs and managing the built environment with sustainability deeply seeded as a fundamental principle, we can express renewable technology and sustainable systems in the very fabric of the building. Exposing to society the needs and benefits of a sustainable lifestyle.
Influencing Social Consciousness through Osmosis For a truly viable sustainable future all ‘cogs’ of sustainability must be working in unison towards the same goal: technology, society, environment and politics. The cogs vary in size and have been slow in gaining momentum but as they begin to turn one may directly effect and catalysis another; for example as social and cultural opinions begin to evolve they will invariably alter the political realm. The architect or designer is unable to change the world alone, however unlike activists, and scientists, our work by its very nature falls into the public realm and cannot so easily be ignored or dismiss. As such it is our moral responsibility to influence the social consciousness, focusing on awareness and helping to make the transition to a sustainable lifestyle through experiential learning and osmosis.
4. by being in the public realm the architect has an opportunity to influence society
6. avalanche effect, humans being become a positive force on earth
5. awareness spreads and gains momentum globally
The Eden Project The Eden Project is part research facility, part environmentally educational attraction. The striking artificial biomes act as greenhouses and contain thousands of plant species from all corners of the globe. The domes consist of hundreds of hexagonal and pentagonal, inflated, ETFE cells supported by steel frames. Eden makes use of an otherwise scarred land and is nestled within a reclaimed Kaolinite pit, but this proved to be a major obstacle for architects as it meant throughout the design process site levels were irregular and continually changing, they looked to biology for clues, drawing initial inspiration from soap bubbles, by studying pollen grains and radiolaria and carbon molecules they were able to devise the most efficient structural solution using hexagons and pentagons. (Pawlyn, 2010) For the dome material a high strength polymer ETFE ‘ethyl tetra fluoro ethylene’ was selected because of its strong, transparent and lightweight properties1. Moreover it is a superior insulator than glass, and far more resistant to the weathering effects of sunlight. The Eden Project designers formed this ETFE foil into extremely sturdy and adjustable pillows. On a colder day, they can be pumped up with more air to provide better insulation; on a hotter day, they can be partially deflated to allow more cooling. (Eden Project, 2013) Eden is not a true closed loop system but it does uses natural and low-carbon materials whenever possible, It makes use of newspaper as insulation the green tiles in the floor were originally Heineken bottles, the entrance mats are made from recycled truck tyres, and the cafe floor reclaimed wood, these modest additions serves to expose visitors to simple ideas such as re-using waste materials. The only feasible way to create the vast dome structures was to use ETFE but there is an inherent danger with all compound material that can never fully be tested. ETFE for example although recyclable under the right conditions, still has the potential to release harmful hydrofluoric acid if combusted. But in using this material provided many benefits and significantly reduced construction materials and waste. So the question of material selection becomes tricky, some man-made materials are more suited to a purpose than our current knowledge of natural ones, so then does this become a question of justification; using potential harmful materials when the positive benefit outweigh the negatives, or do we simply accept that some feats of engineering (although well within our grasp) are better left on the drawing board?
A piece of ETFE weighs less than 1 percent of a piece of glass with the same volume, a factor 100 saving. This can be extrapolated in that the weight of the superstructure is actually less than the weight of air within the building. 1
Eden’s creators have been careful to avoid installing too much 'eco-bling’ that is either inefficient or inappropriate for the site. They instead investigated site specific options such as harnessing the energy from an ancient watercourse from the tin mining era, which runs through Eden and down to the coast. Whilst not wholly self-sufficient Eden does priorities energy efficiency and harnesses the sun energy through the greenhouse biomes in the form of both light and thermal energy. Photovoltaic panels are installed on the core roof and water to flush the loos and water the plants is harvested on-site. Eden also makes use of wind energy and uses a biomass boiler during winter months. Plans have also been drawn up to tap into geothermal energy in the future. The building is constantly monitored through smart systems that allow temperature regulation ensuring that the building is never using more energy than it needs. On a simpler level Eden’s unique collection of thousands of plants capture carbon every day and the kitchens and cafés only use locally sourced and seasonal produce. Eden aims to educate the public about the natural world. Specifically, Eden's creators want to expose visitors to the issue of sustainable development, using natural resources conscientiously so they will continue to be available for human use in the future. The facility allows for further environmental research whilst also functioning as an entertaining and education attraction. Despite Eden wholesome ambitions it has come under scrutiny, accused of ‘greenwashing’. Due to it’s cost and scale Eden was funded, in part by large corporations and there remain close ties. It has been argued that Eden provides a green sheen for some of the world's most persistent environmental offenders. (Barker, 2009) Perhaps this is an example of how all the cogs for sustainability are not driving towards the same goal, politics distorts the vision. The Eden project also very much a ‘one off’ project costing 86.5 million pounds to construct, so it is questionable how relatable the innovations in design, material choice and energy consumption are to the general population, indeed Eden can be seen as a experiment, but experiments in architecture are costly in all senses of the word and therefore rare, however many of the ideas have potential to be filtered and made mainstream with time. Eden shows what is possible with the right investment, inspiration and ambition.
The Eden Project | Bodelva, Cornwall, England | Nick Grimshaw Architects | 2003 The Eden Project is part research facility, part environmentally educational attraction. It is nestled in a reclaimed Kaolinite pit, this proved to be a challenge for architects as it meant site levels were irregular and continually changing, they looked to biology for solutions. The artificial biomes act as greenhouses and contain thousands of plant species from all corners of the globe. The domes consist of hundreds of hexagonal and pentagonal, inflated, plastic cells supported by steel frames. Eden’s creators have been careful to avoid installing too much 'eco-bling’ that is either inefficient or inappropriate for the site. They investigated specific options such as harnessing the energy from an ancient watercourse from the tin mining era, which runs through Eden and down to the coast. Despite its sustainable and educational credentials Eden has come under controversy, accused of ‘greenwashing’. Due to it’s cost and scale Eden was funded, in part by large corporations and there remain close ties. It has been argued that Eden provides a green sheen for some of the world's most persistent environmental offenders.
Self-Sufficiency Eden prioritises lowering energy consumption but is not fully self-sufficient. However it harnesses sun energy through the greenhouse biomes in the form of both light and thermal energy. Photovoltaic panels are installed on the core roof and water to flush the loos and water the plants is harvested on-site. Eden also makes use of wind energy and uses a biomass boiler during winter months. There are also plans to tap into geothermal energy in the future.
Close Loop System Although the not a true closed loop system Eden uses natural and low-carbon materials whenever possible. The only feasible way to create the vast dome structures was to use ETFE but there is an inherent danger with all compound material that can never fully be tested. ETFE for example although recyclable under the right conditions, still has the potential to release harmful hydrofluoric acid if combusted. But this material provide many benefits and significantly reduced construction materials and waste, so perhaps its use is justified?
Biomimicry The unique and complicated site location led designers to look to biology for clues. They drew inspiration from soap bubbles to overcome uneven ground levels. By studying pollen grains and radiolaria and carbon molecules they were able to devise the most efficient structural solution using hexagons and pentagons.
Experiential Learning Eden aims to educate the public about the natural world. Specifically, Eden's creators want to expose visitors to the issue of sustainable development, using natural resources conscientiously so they will continue to be available for human use in the future. The facility allows researches further environmental research whilst also functioning as
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