OPEN ACCESS
This paper critically analyses the unsustainable industrial pattern pervasive in modern architecture. From an environmental perspective, the aesthetic features of modern architecture range from environmentally de-contextual to environmentally irresponsible. In response to the imperatives of sustainable design in the built environment, the author explores a new paradigm via a model of open systems evolution, which is offered as a new paradigm for sustainable architecture. It reflects the worldview of post-modernism whereby the creativity and complexity of the universe is self-organised achieving the emergence of order out of chaos. Underpinned by evolutionary thermodynamics and complex systems science, a model of open systems evolution consists of mechanisms such as open systems adapting to a host environment via natural gradients to optimize resource distribution and minimize entropy production in the host environment. Following this model, the author proposes a conceptual framework for sustainable architecture that describes the ecological interactions of buildings with their natural environment in open thermodynamic terms, with active involvement of end-users in micro-climate control. These multiple communications between buildings, nature and end-users obey the laws of open systems evolution, in order to optimize the environmental performance of buildings while meeting the functional needs of end users, resulting in a sustainable symbiosis of architecture and nature.
ecological architecture, evolution, the industrial pattern, intelligent design, open systems model, order, the post-industrial pattern, self-organisation, sustainable design
[1] Oppenheimer, S., The Origins of the British: A Genetic Detective Story, Constable and Robinson: London, 2006.
[2] McDonough, W. & Braungart, M., Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We make Things, North Point Press: New York, 2002.
[3] Steele, J., Sustainable Architecture: Principles, Paradigms, and Case Studies, McGraw-Hill: New York, 1997.
[4] Dobson, A., Green Political Thought, Unwin Hyman: London, 1990.
[5] Stasinopoulos, P., Smith, M.H. et al., Whole System Design: an Integrated Approach to Sustainable Engineering, Earthscan Ltd.: London, UK, 2008.
[6] Hagan, S., Taking Shape: A New Contract between Architecture and Nature, Architectural Press: Oxford, 2001.
[7] Gauzin-Müller, D. & Favet, N., Sustainable Architecture and Urbanism: Concepts, Technologies, Examples, Birkhauser: Basel; Boston, 2002.
[8] Salat, S., The Sustainable Design Handbook China: High Environmental Quality Cities and Buildings, Hermann Editeurs des Sciences et des Arts (CSTB), 2006.
[9] Bisch, J., Natural metabolism as the basis for intelligent architecture. Construction Ecology: Nature as the Basis for Green Buildings, eds C.J. Kibert, J. Sendzimir & G.B. Guy, Taylor & Francis: New York, 2001.
[10] Wines, J., Green Architecture, Taschen: Köln; London, 2000.
[11] Moore, S., Architecture, Esthetics, and Public Health. The Hand and the Soul: Ethics and Aesthetics in Architecture and Art. S. Illescu. University of Virginia Press: Charlottesville, VA, 2006.
[12] Birkeland, J. (ed.), Design for Sustainability: A Sourcebook of Integrated, Eco-logical Solutions, Earthscan Publications Ltd.: London, Sterling, VA, 2002.
[13] Ray-Jones, A. (ed.), Sustainable Architecture in Japan: the Green Buildings of Nikken Sekkei, Wiley-Academy: Chichester, 2000.
[14] Daly, H.E., Ecological Economics and the Ecology of Economics: Essays in Criticism, E. Elgar: Cheltenham, UK; Northampton, MA, USA, 1999.
[15] Hawken, P., Lovins, A. & Humter Lovins, L. et al., Natural Capitalism: Creating the Next Industrial Revolution, Earthscan: London, 1999.
[16] Rees, W.E. & Wackernagel, M., Our Ecological Footprint: Reducing Human Impact on the Earth, New Society Publishers: Gabriola Island, BC, 1996.
[17] Commoner, The Environmental Cost of Economic Growth, 1972.
[18] Durning, A.T., How Much is Enough? The Consumer Society and the Future of the Earth, Earthscan: London, 1992.
[19] Steele, J., Ecological Architecture: a Critical History 1900-today, Thames & Hudson: London, 2005.
[20] Walker, S., Sustainable by Design: Explorations in Theory and Practice, Earthscan: London; Sterling, VA, 2006.
[21] Brundtland, G.H., Our Common Future: The World Commission on Environment and Development, The Assessment of the Brundtland Commission, Oxford University Press: Oxford; New York, 1987.
[22] Docalavich, H., The UN and the Global Marketplace: Economic Developments, Mason Crest Publishers: Philadelphia, 2007.
[23] Jaynes, E.T., Probability Theory: the Logic of Science, Cambridge University Press: New York, 2003.
[24] Singleton, D., Sustainability, a Risk Management Perspective, Arup: London, UK, 2004.
[25] Allenby, B.R. & Graedel, T.E., Defi ning the environmentally responsible facility. Measures of Environmental Performance and Ecosystem Condition, ed. P.C. Schulze, National Academy Press, National Academy of Engineering: Washington, DC, 1999.
[26] International Earth Science Information Network, 2005.
[27] Bellut, C., “Arh, Luise, lass…das ist ein zu weites feld,” or: the Gordian knot of complexity. Complexity: Design Strategy and World View (Context Architecture), eds A. Gleiniger & G. Vrachliotis, Birkhäuser: Basel, 2008.
[28] Prigogine, I. & Stengers, I. Order Out of Chaos: Man’s New Dialogue with Nature, Fontana Paperbacks: London, 1984.
[29] Jencks, C., The Architecture of the Jumping Universe: a Polemic: How Complexity Science is Changing Architecture and Culture, Academy Editions: London, 1997.
[30] Vrachliotis, G., Popper’s mosquito swarm: architecture, cybernetics, and the operationalization of complexity. Complexity: Design Strategy and World View (Context Architecture), eds A. Gleiniger & G. Vrachliotis, Birkhäuser: Basel, 2008.
[31] Erve van de, W.S., Le Corbusier, Idealistisch Architect, Oosthoek: Utrecht, 1951.
[32] Gleiniger, A., The diffi cult whole or the rediscovery of complexity in architecture. Complexity: Design Strategy and World View (Context Architecture), eds A. Gleiniger & G. Vrachliotis, Birkhäuser: Basel, 2008.
[33] Nicolis, G. & Prigogine, I., Exploring Complexity: an Introduction, W.H. Freeman: New York, 1989.
[34] Ryn, S.V.D. & Cowan, S., Ecological Design, Island Press: Washington, DC, 1996.
[35] Wines, J., The Art of Architecture in the Age of Ecology, Sustainable Architecture White Papers,
Earth Pledge Foundation: New York, 2000B.
[36] Portoghesi, P., Nature and Architecture, Skira Editore S.P.A.: Milano, Italy, 2000.
[37] Venturi, R., Context in architectural composition, excerpts from M.F.A thesis, Princeton University (1950). Complexity-design Strategy and World View (Context Architecture), eds A. Gleiniger & G. Vrachliotis, Birkhäuser: Basel, 2008.
[38] Knowles, R.L., Ritual House: Drawing on Nature’s Rhythms for Architecture and Urban Design, Island Press: Washington, DC, 2006.
[39] Venturi, R., Complexity and Contradiction in Architecture, Butterworth Architecture: London; Sydney, 1988.
[40] Gleiniger, A. & Vrachliotis, G. (eds), Complexity: Design Strategy and World View (Context Architecture), Birkhäuser: Basel, 2008.
[41] Castrigiano, D.P.L. & Hayes, S.A., Catastrophe Theory, Addison-Wesley Pub. Co., Advanced Book Program: Reading, MA, 1993.
[42] Lovelock, J., The Revenge of Gaia: Why the Earth is Fighting Back – and How We Can Still Save Humanity, Allen Lane: London, New York, 2006.
[43] Von Neumann, J., Theory of Self-reproducing Automata, University of Illinois Press: Urbana, 1966.
[44] Mclennan, J.F., Living Buildings, Sustainable Architecture White Papers, Earth Pledge Foundation: New York, 2000.
[45] Gu, Y. & Evans, R., An open system model of ecological architecture. Eco-Architecture III, Harmonisation between Architecture and Nature, eds S. Hernandez, C.A. Brebbia & W.P. de Wilde, Wessex Institute of Technology Press: UK, ISBN: 9781845644307, ISSN 1746448X (print), 17433541 (online), April 2010.
[46] Huber, P. & Mills, M.P., The Bottomless Well: the Twilight of Fuel, the Virtue of Waste, and Why We Will never Run Out of Energy, BasicBooks: New York, 2006.
[47] Rogers, E.M., Physics for the Inquiring Mind; the Methods, Nature, and Philosophy of Physical Science, Princeton University Press: Princeton, NJ, 1960.