Uffelen

Do you find Uffelen’s historical examples and attention to materials and use convincing?

Uffelen’s many examples of building technique both historic and new suggests a convincing argument towards and ecological base architecture.  He uses large scale projects like Norman Foster’s Commerzbank building which utilized double glazed facade acting as a climate buffer to smaller scale projects like Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin West home in Arizona. The differences in building scale showcases that ecological minded architecture can be applied on the individual level to community level of design.  This introduction to Uffelen book makes me curious how he uses all these building examples and provides a narrative to how these sustainable practices can be infused into system such as LEED.

Is sustainability put as a priority above style or structural function in the United States?

It is reported that 38 billion tons of carbon were released into the atmosphere last year.  There are three to four more server storms hitting the USA per year than in 1980.  The polar ice caps are showing rapid signs of melting.  And yet a major political force won’t acknowledge climate change.  There is definitely a growing demand for sustainability but until there are significant market changes that force a shift in demand, sustainability will not become the priority.  Sustainability on a design level should be mandatory but the principles of sustainable do not pay on the cost benefit analysis.  A developer can make more money increasing square footage than increasing energy efficiency.  Until the perception of value is change the same unsustainable buildings will continue to be built.