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CHALLENGES TO SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE

Challenges to Sustainable Architecture CCT Discussion Paper Workshop


ARCHITECTURE & INNOVATION…

“The very freedom of pursuing an


ideal like sustainable
development is that prototypes of
the finished product do not exist.”
– Holden et al.

Challenges to Sustainable Architecture CCT Discussion Paper Workshop


LACK OF INNOVATION..?

• Risk averse client-body


• Burden of guarantee – tends to be carried by Engineer, innovation
not lead by architectural design.
• Validity of guarantees by contractors…
• Shoddy workmanship/ unskilled labour
 Tendency to categorize and use existing technology

• Architects as innovation adopters?

Challenges to Sustainable Architecture CCT Discussion Paper Workshop


“Slow Society is inspired by all philosophies that maintain that wise
decision-making presupposes time and space for reflection. If we do
not devote ourselves to the important issues every day, every month,
every year, how can we then change the world in a more sustainable
direction?” – Slow Society s.a.

Challenges to Sustainable Architecture CCT Discussion Paper Workshop


Sustainable Projects Require…

• Innovation & problem solving


• Pay-off analysis
• Modeling for determining most effective solutions.
• Full team commitment, communication (and convincing)
• Solution research & engagement with contractors.

 All of which take time additional to that of a normal contract which


defaults to existing norms & standards.

Challenges to Sustainable Architecture CCT Discussion Paper Workshop


Split Budget Cost Controls…

• Short term construction costs divorced from long-term


operational costs.
 Need for Q.S. to take cognizance of whole life cost.

Challenges to Sustainable Architecture CCT Discussion Paper Workshop


Taking the Long Term Perspective…
• The Case for Good Design…
– Durability
– Legacy: heritage buildings of the future (building life-cycle 50 yrs
or 400yrs?)
– Psychological Well-being & Spirit of place
– Cost of design typically less than 1% of the cost of the building
over it’s lifecycle, but well-designed buildings will in the long-
term save money.
– Nation-building, sense of identity & pride.

• Therefore: Creative Leadership needs to take precedent.

Challenges to Sustainable Architecture CCT Discussion Paper Workshop


The (un)sustaiable process… • Sustainable Idea
+
• Q.S – short term financial
goals
+
• Engineering -conservative
modeling
+
• Unskilled labour
+
• Client risk aversion
+
• Fast-tracked projects
=
• Green-washing,
unsustainable

Challenges to Sustainable Architecture CCT Discussion Paper Workshop


Case Study 1 – Public Transport Shared Services Centre

Challenges to Sustainable Architecture CCT Discussion Paper Workshop


Case Study 2 – Oude Molen Eco-village

Challenges to Sustainable Architecture CCT Discussion Paper Workshop


Photograph by Arndt Husar

Challenges to Sustainable Architecture CCT Discussion Paper Workshop

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