What The Word 'Green' Means In Architecture Today Definition of Green Architecture - Term Paper Example

Environmental living is a coined term in today’s society, specifically because of the need to begin changing the environment and hazards which are created. To continue with becoming eco – friendly, many architectural designs have begun to change the structure to match these needs. While there is a specific association with the environmental living, there is also a question of the relevance to the architecture and whether it is truly eco-friendly. The systems and the aesthetics have both been altered to represent the idea of being environmentally conscious. However, many are also associating this with the trends in society, politics and in terms of the economic needs which need to be met. The result is a variety of innovative looks and materials which are being used with the statement of one living in an eco – friendly way. However, many of the structures and developments are only slightly altering the true changes that are a part of the environment and which are associated with the living that is a part of the eco – friendly associations currently in demand both politically and socially. This research paper will examine the essence of the Green Movement and the effects on architecture as well as whether this is a coined term or is being pieced into action through the new buildings and structures created. Introduction The concept of green architecture is one which is now beginning to rise with different approaches to how buildings should match with the social priority of creating environmentally friendly buildings. The ideologies which are associated with this are inclusive of changing the internal and external structures so they match with the demands of the environmental changes for eco-friendly solutions to living. The structures and changes which are being created in response to this have built and established a variety of points that are associated with how one is able to create the right terms and approaches in response to both ecology and the social movement for green living. Examining the key term of green architecture and understanding the approaches which are associated with this have then developed a different approach to how architecture is being developed and what the associations are in terms of building the correct options for green living. Definition of Green Architecture The concept of green architecture has begun because of the push to take more responsibility toward the environment and the associations which have been created in terms of the Green Movement. The Green Movement is one which has taken place both socially and politically with the belief that ecological sustainability needs to be integrated into homes, lifestyles and public places. The concept of politics is one which is stating that the environment needs to be protected. However, there is also a vested interest in the economics of the green movement and the ability to buy green and live green that both politicians and individuals in society are looking toward. The concept is now one which is associated with the need and desire to live green and to state that one is in an ecofriendly area. This changes the attitudes of those in society with many that are associated with the beliefs of needing to save the environment and make an individual contribution to the associations which are in society (Soper, 1995). The political concepts associated with the green movement began in the 1970s with President Nixon stating that there were detrimental problems with the environment. However, the current changes began to accelerate in the 1990s when Al Green began to make statements associated with the ozone layer and how each citizen was responsible for changing the environment. This particular concept is one which was directly associated with the changes in society and the sociobiological approach associated with how one was developing within the green movement. The concept is one which is based on building a signifying system that would be able to help with those in society going green and having a better understanding of the associations with the green movement. The change is one which developed in architecture by creating a surface level set of symbols and ideas which stated that the architecture was green. This followed by creating a sense of language of vision or communication in which one could believe they were a part of the green movement. The concept of architecture becoming a part of the green movement through the exterior sometimes followed with smaller changes in the interior; however, to match the social movement, it was expected that the visible form was as important in terms of building relationships and creating changes with the architecture (Martin, 2004). The political and social movements that are associated with the Green Movement are furthered with the different policies and applications which are a part of the main structure. The designs and approaches which are being used are being strategically implemented to ensure that there is a sense of being eco – friendly with the main developments. The policies which are associated with architecture are now created with the Green Building Practice Survey. This is used among landscape architects as well as those who are placing buildings to determine if there is a specific ecological design that is being used. This is associated with strategies that are used with the procedures of building the design, characteristics which are used and the delivery of the main structure. It is expected that the delivery shows a type of system or structure that is associated directly with the concept of being eco-friendly and which is able to develop a stronger understanding of meeting the challenges and concepts with the strategies that are a part of the ecological design. Even if the systems and other components are not green friendly, meeting the standards and showing an aspect of being eco-friendly creates a different impression of the architecture or landscape developed (Calkins, 2005). Exterior Symbols of Green Architecture The question which has developed with the green movement and the architecture is one which is now creating differences in what it means to have green architecture. The political and social movements surrounding the idea of being green are making it essential for those who are buying a house to believe that it is green and environmentally friendly, specifically with the ideology of being proactive in going green. The production, consumption and distribution of architecture is the main concept which is being associated with the green architecture and which is developing a different sense of modernization within the environment. Identifying green is one which has become a standard with the architecture and which is building and developing a different association with the environment and what is occurring among those in society. The social realization is then combining with the architectural developments through symbols of what it means to be green and how this is presented in terms of materials that are related to becoming environmentally friendly (Jameson, Miyoshi, 1998). The exterior cultural context which is related to going green is one that is then being developed in how one is able to relate to the environment. The landscape which is developed in the exterior is based on concepts such as zero point landscaping, which takes little to no water and is able to hold a specific space that is environmentally friendly. The exterior of the buildings follows this with signs and symbols that are able to relate to the earth and make a statement of being green. The innovations are based on easier concepts such as larger windows for more sunlight, having designs and paintings that are connected to environmental concepts and creating a different sense of being environmentally friendly through colors and overall looks of the home. By creating these smaller exterior changes, there is also a development in the understanding of green architecture while most are associated with the approaches that are a part of the green movement. This is furthered with the beliefs and development that show that a home is green, specifically to hold the social status of those who are buying a new home (Wines, 2007). Interior of Green Systems From the concepts of the exterior are also general principles that are causing social developments to look at the concept of green and to recognize the architecture as environmentally friendly. Concepts such as renewable ways to use energy, using techniques to save on electricity, recycling greenery and waste and creating systems that are known to save on the environment are all being added into the overall looks and developments of buildings. The concept is one which is based on becoming environmentally sensitive with the buildings, such as being aware of the materials used for building, using high – end technological systems to save on the electricity and developing the right light, air and construction techniques to continue with the development of being green. These are being noted by the levels of technology which are incorporated into buildings as well as the aesthetic differences which are developed with different pieces of architecture. The shape and look of the home, materials which are used and way in which the home or structure is built are some of the defining aspects that are associated with the green system and which are creating a defining point in the development of the home. The movements with energy and waste are combined with this, specifically with the aesthetics of the architectural structure that is being built and the association which it has to the building (Gissen, 2003). The different uses of spaces for the general structure and systems which are developed are also moving into redefining the landscape and space of different areas. Many that are within society are looking at the components that are associated with the landscape and the way in which individuals are associating with the use of different spaces. Skyscrapers, new developments of city buildings, businesses, corporate structures and space that are used in between buildings are all developed. The landscape that is associated with this is now creating a concept of changing the wasteland components into a different landscape design that is able to provide a specific ideology with the landscape. The industrial landscape is one which is now incorporating parks, green areas, trees and other environmentally friendly structures that look environmentally friendly. This is combined with a different association with the methods and approaches with landscape design that are communicating symbols and messages based on the natural environment within the city structures and different areas. The ability to create the landscape in a way that looks like the natural environment is still flourishing is one which is helping to build and approach a post – industrial area that is now moving from areas that look like a wasteland into ones which are filled with greenery. The social development is then able to relate to this by stating that the area is environmentally friendly and is working toward a greener area (Xiang, Yan, 2003). Architecture and the Green Movement While there are initiatives taking place aesthetically and with the systematic structures of the architecture, there are also questions pertaining to the political and social interest of the Green Movement and how this is changing architecture. From one perspective, sustainable architecture and aesthetically pleasing components are being developed with the buildings to create a stronger association with specific needs. However, the designs and developments are based on philosophies of environmentally friendly areas that are pleasing to the eye and attractive to those who are knowledgeable about the movement. Green design and sustainable living have become keywords are then being highlighted with the new architectural buildings and cityscapes to present the idea of green living and eco-friendly living. The idea of having a green building and living to the systematic standards required both politically and socially are changing the initiatives of architectural buildings for sustainability. The idea of green architecture is then noted to be as much of a philosophy as one which is able to apply practical methods to those who are looking at the developments and initiatives of green architecture and what this means within society. This is based on the lack of common understanding of what it means to have an environmentally friendly architectural structure. This is also based on the contemporary pressures of the movement that have not been developed and which are based on innovation and experimentation, as opposed to the different movement concepts which are associated with the movement (McLennan, 2004). The philosophies which are associated with the Green Movement and the demand for architectural structures to build systems to interchange with this have then developed into meeting the demands politically and socially. To do this, the architectural structures are using innovations, systems and aesthetics to create the appearance of being environmentally friendly. It is noted that there are a variety of structures which do not contain the proper materials or structure to be environmentally friendly. However, the architects may change one component, alter a technical system or upgrade into new aesthetics that are available. This creates a different delivery of the architecture which is more accepted in society. The result is that those interested in the concepts with the Green Movement are able to have the needs and desires met of being socially responsible. This is combined with the capacity of one being able to develop and build an alternative approach with the humaneness of meeting the needs while the architects are able to claim environmentally friendly development within the home. The idea of delivering the design to the social and political structure then becomes more important in the development of the buildings as opposed to having a sustainable and completely developed building that matches the concept of being eco – friendly (Kibert, 2007). The eco-friendly concepts that are now being associated with the political and social demands are also forwarded with the innovations which are being used. There are a variety of materials and systems which are now being developed, specifically to meet the needs of being environmentally friendly and pleasing to those who are interested in the architectural structure. However, this is not necessarily developed with the testing and belief of whether it is environmentally friendly. There is also a direct association with the eco-friendly concepts based on experimentation and innovation that is patented and pushed into the economic structure for sale. For instance, the development of windows that are known to retain more energy and heat to cut back on electricity is an innovation which is currently being used. Showing this innovation and having the aesthetics to homes which reflect this have become the most important components of this structure. However, the aesthetics are the main attribute while there is no experimentation or understanding of whether the materials are able to provide the necessary approach to the architecture which is developed. The materials and the idea of being eco – friendly then become a stigma based on the development of the new materials and structure. However, there is not an association with whether this is eco-friendly and offers sustainable living more than other materials which are provided within architectural structures (Stang, Hawthorne, 2005). It is expected that the main structure which has developed from eco – friendly standards, specifically with policies and trends, is one which is becoming a model based on the demands. The model of having an architectural structure that is a part of the Green Movement not only makes a statement about the structure which is used. For businesses and those living in specific residences, there is the ability to hold a specific social stigma about the environment. This makes a statement that one is socially responsible and is taking the initiative to be environmentally friendly. For architectural structures to meet this, the only requirement is to show through symbolism or a model that there is a sense of eco – friendly living that is a part of the home. This is not based on the technical specifications or systems first, but instead is based on the aesthetically pleasing initiatives which are taken. If one can show that they are associated with the Green Movement and are taking responsibility, then it can help to develop the consciousness and awareness of others while continuing with the trend and stigma of the environmental movement. It is this main component that is continuing to develop and create changes with those in society while building a different type of architecture within the community (Franck, 2007). Conclusion The concept of green living is one which is continuing to build the main needs within the environment while creating an association with those who are interested in becoming eco – friendly. To respond to political, economic and social demands, architectural designs have begun to develop changes with the buildings created. This is based on new systems and materials that have been created to ensure that there is a sense of being environmentally friendly. However, it is noted that the materials, structure and systems are more symbolic in the nature of being eco – friendly. This is first associated with the understanding that innovations and experimentation is a part of the trend to meet the policies, as opposed to understanding whether it is truly eco – friendly. This is followed by structures which are more aesthetically pleasing in the way in which they look, as opposed to having the right components in terms of having the perfect sustainability for green living. The result is one which is developing in terms of eco – friendly architecture that are aesthetically pleasing and innovative while meeting specific standards, as opposed to having proof that the homes are making a difference within the environment. References Calkins, Meg. (2005). “Strategy Use and Challenges of Ecological Design in Landscape Architecture.” Landscape and Urban Planning 73 (1). Franck, KA. (2007). “Architecture from the Inside Out: The Senses, Site and the Community.” Journal of Architectural Design31 (2). Gissen, David. (2003). Big and Green New York: Durst Organization. Jameson, Frederick, Masao Miyoshi. (1998). The Cultures of Globalization. London: Duke University Press. Kibert, Charles. (2007). Sustainable Construction: Green Building Design and Delivery UK: Wiley and Sons. Martin, Reinold. (2004). “Grey Room.” The MIT Press 14 (Winter). McLennan, Jason. (2003). The Philosophy of Sustainable Design: The Future of Architecture. Missouri: Ecotone. Soper, Kate. (1995). Ecology, Nature, and Responsibility: What is Nature? Culture, Politics, and the Non – Human. Cambridge, Blackwell. Stang, Alanna, Christopher Hawthorne. (2005). The Green House: New Directions in Sustainable Architecture. UK: Princeton Architectural Press. Wines, James. (2007). Green Architecture. London: Taschen. Xiang, Wang, Jing Yen. (2003). “From Industrial Wasteland to Green Park.” Journal of Chinese Landscape Architecture. (3). Read More