WINES & UFFELEN

WINES

Are you able to design an ecologically inspired art of building in the Age of Ecology in your present studio?

I think to “construct a human habit in harmony with nature” is a subjective topic.  What is the definition of “harmony” – or “nature” for that matter.  Although my studio has not emphasized an “eco-centric” way about looking at architectural design, our professors have asked us to give a lot of thought towards context.  In this way, I believe if the context is addressed in an appropriate manner, nature would also be addressed in consequence because it is always the largest context surrounding design.  This does not always include sustainability however.

UFFELEN

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

Although some of Uffelen’s examples are outdated, they still get his point across.  It is interesting to note that history has in a way come full circle.  We started by constructing buildings such as cathedrals with large thermal masses; but after WWII, we became less concerned with energy efficient structures.  Today, we are slowly working our way back to building sustainable structures – structures that were inherently energy efficient simply because of the lack of modern technology.  It is this technology that has shaped the way we looked at buildings post WWII in neglecting sustainable values; and the technology we are currently utilizing to come up with new and innovative solutions to practice sustainable values.  All in all, I think Uffelen’s thoughts on “ecological technologies” are convincing; and that society, and especially those of us who are designers, have a responsibility to take advantage of modern technology to conquer the ever increases need to build sustainably.

Do you think this has happened in the United States?

I do believe this has happened in the United States.  It is clear that sustainability has become a trend in the architecture realm.  I don’t believe so much that it has been set as a priority above style and structural function, but instead that it has become a new form of style and structural function.

-Sam Sudy