Uffelen

Do you find his historical examples and attention to material and use convincing?

I feel that Uffelen’s use of historical examples is simple serving the purpose to make the point that sustainability has not been a matter of necessity but instead a matter of commodity. In this sense I think that the use of historical examples is convincing. What I think that the analysis lacks is to note that the time frames are completely different and as Bob Dylan says “times they are a-changin’” There is no need to relate to Roman or Greek architecture as we no longer build or design as Romans and Greeks did. It is important nevertheless to at least think about and compare the time frames. Can we today go back to design sustainable because it is convenient instead of because it is necessary? South facing facades for daylight and use of local material should be always part of the design. Is it really sustainable to have high performing glazing if it has to be imported from miles and miles away? I also feel that sustainability has become sort of a trend lately. I feel that many architects are calling themselves green architects just as a merchandising technique. Is this really where we are going?

Since global warming has been recognized and accepted, “a change in paradigm took place in architecture, setting sustainability as a priority above style or structural function.” Do you think this has happened in the USA?

I don’t think that sustainability is necessarily primordial anywhere in the world. Many countries have been awarding grants and economic aid to green architecture but it is definitely not sufficient. I still think most buildings are first designed as “pretty,” leaving sustainability as an afterthought. In the United States at least there is some kind of organization, LEED, which tries to regulate building construction and design. Again, I feel it is insufficient. I truly think that buildings should be forced to be sustainable by political forces, not only as a choice. But I truly think also that this is far from happening.  Back in my home country of Ecuador, there is no advantage to design a sustainable building whatsoever. The government is not interested, no corporations are interested, and individuals are not interested. And we are talking about the most diverse country in the world relative to its size. People need to understand that sustainability is not a choice but a must. Nevertheless, I still think this is not going to happen any time soon.