Green Initiatives: Too Much, Too Fast

In unison with every other global industry, the architectural community has not managed to escape the tribulations accompanying the global financial status. The Architectural Billing Index reached an all-time low in January, 2009 and has only risen to a still discouraging score of 35.3 for the month of February. McGraw-Hill Construction reported that the value of new construction starts fell 15 percent for 2008, to $547 billion. Given the bleak economic expectations for 2009, experts are already predicting total development starts to slip another 11 percent, with double-digit declines for multifamily housing and commercial building throughout the year. Foster Architects, one of the industry's signature architectural corporations, famous for buildings such as the Reichstag in Berlin and the newly finished Beijing International Airport just announced that they would be laying off more than 300 employees. While one might look at these statistics and assume that the entire state of the architectural business is grim, this is not the case. One component of the industry that is enduring is the field of green design. Architectural firms are busy with inquiries regarding energy efficient upgrades, technology teams are continuously developing more advanced forms of green architectural products, and LEED certification is an almost necessity for a new building proposal. Green initiatives are actually being seen as a key mechanism in lifting up the United States' economy. Within President Barack Obama’s stimulus package, there are approximately $120 billion being allocated to "construction-related spending". Under that umbrella lies a substantial amount of assets specifically intended for technological upgrades. With that being said, I decided to focus this week on controversial trends within the world of green architecture. While green design is gaining steem and contributing to our economy and global initiative, there are many problems associated with such rapid growth of the movement. In order to preserve the social and economic relevance of the idea, we as a society need to be certain that we don't bite off more than we can chew, burning ourselves out before the philosophy has an opportunity to fully mature.

Rich in culture and history, San Francisco is known as one of the most liberal and forward thinking cities in the world. In recent years, San Francisco has also been an extremely ecologically conscious community. As seen in the trendsetting, Morphosis designed Caltrans and San Francisco Federal buildings, city officials have been on the forefront of requiring government structures to be LEED certified. In 2007, San Francisco went as far as to ban styrofoam cups and other utensils from sale in restaurants and stores due to their non-recyclable qualities. While the Golden Gate City has continuously been praised throughout the environmental community, the city’s Board of Supervisors have not long ago come under criticism for their vote to halt the progress of a new ten-story building that is already being dubbed “The greenest building in the west”. Construction on what would be a LEED Platinum building letup due to public outcry claiming that the new project would be imposing upon the historical significance of the site. Critics claim that the structure, located at 110 Embarcadero Street is the former location of the headquarters of the International Longshoreman’s Association and the site of a 1934 police slaying of two ILA workers. The Board of Supervisors have chosen to put the construction on hold in order to investigate the validity of these statements and to then decide whether or not it would be appropriate to erect the building. Currently, the only structure that resides at the site is a battered, dilapidated building that regardless of potential historical significance does not suit the economic importance of the location.

I find it surprising that local residents of San Francisco would protest the creation of a one of a kind environmentally cognizant structure that would double as a neighborhood landmark and an international innovator. While I can recognize the importance of a historical landmark, the site has been nothing more than a decayed mound of concrete for years, serving as no monument to the event. Project developer Paul Paradis describes the site, "This building doesn’t have anything left. It’s been renovated so many times it doesn’t look anything like the building of 1934. There is no physical tie anymore". Whether it is done intentionally or not, a world-renowned architectural gem would be a historical marker that is dissimilar to any other historical event. But the blame cannot be placed exclusively on the citizens. Every architect knows that the first job associated with a new design project is thorough site analysis. This includes any historical incident that might impact a design move. Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects should have had the foresight to know what they were getting themselves into and how they could integrate a historical event into their creation. But this affair also poses a different question that has to do with the limits of green architecture. At what point do people deem sustainability impractical? All it took for San Francisco natives to turn on efficient design was a forgotten longshoreman’s dispute. This event could be seen as an indicator that while this generation is certainly environmentally aware, we may not be ready to practice what we preach. It is more important than ever for the environmental movement to begin to sway from awareness to action.

Another green breakthrough that is causing some debate within the design community is a new applied science that has been developed by Konarka that incorporates solar powering into clothing. Researchers have developed an uber-efficient photovoltaic that could be applied liberally and discretely to clothing, shop awnings, bags, and even umbrella linings. The light would then be used to generate renewable electricity in the form of LED lighting, battery chargers, and heaters. The technology has the potential to revolutionize the clothing industry and create the most widespread form of environmentally conscious activity in history. However, Konarka is not the first company to attempt to apply renewable energy to clothing. The trend began to pop up in the fashion world as early as 1996 with the Lapidus designed solar parka that was displayed in New York for the illustrious Fashion Week. Ever since, high fashion designers such as Ermenegildo Zegna, Willy Bogner, and Andrew Schneider have continually tried to integrate viable power into couture with no avail. The problem with eco-clothing is that it is too small scale and inefficient to move into a mainstream social circuit such as couture. Also, the clothing market is too vulnerable to public norms and popular train of thought for the green movement to have a significant impact. Another legitimate concern is the message being displayed by wearing a heat lamp jacket or an LED infused I-pod charging pair of pants might be too bold of a public statement. I do not think there are many people that are so dedicated to the movement as to be a walking billboard for renewable energy. If we as a society cannot get a self-sustaining building get developed without public protest, how can we expect people to purchase and wear solar panels around their necks? Since the fashion industry has already proven itself unprepared and too fragile for the green movement, Konarka needs to invest in market research to determine which market to inject their fabric into. Another problem plaguing the eco-garment industry is the overhwhelming costs associated with the manufacturing of goods classifyable as enviornmentally neutral. Olsen Haus, the designer of Pure Vegan Shoes notes, "The cost of organic, eco, raw materials is more expensive, so designers are spending more money to make a product that is better for the environment, humans and animals". With the price of these clothes being significantly higher than standard brands, evolution of the potentially revolutionary industry is stymied. In order for the trend to gain significant momentum, a grassroots industry approach would be a way to investigate high material costs while also gradually introducing the product to consumers.

As environmental awareness continues to dictate trends in the creative community, architects and engineers need to be cognizant of their role in conserving the longevity of the trend. Actions ranging from engaging local citizens in the design process to carefully planning the application of modern technology are critical in establishing new eco-systems as realistic means of power. For ddeas are only as effective as their applications, and when factoring in the avant-garde nature of clean energy careful planning is necessary for success.

Subterranean Developments: Outdated Technology Yields Revolutionary Thought

Architecture has always been an evolutionary field operating within multiple dimensions and growing symbiotically with technology and the rapid pace of human evolution. The most primitive urbanist thinking began as two-dimensional reactionary expansion to geological terrain. Dwelling within the realm of verticality was only presented at times of crevices and ditches already existing within the earth’s natural form. With the passing of time, minor technological advancements began to pave the way for human occupation along the z-axis. Today, our opportunities for urban evolution in the third dimension are virtually limitless. Hundred story buildings such as the Nakheel Tower and the Burj Dubai have demolished once existing spatial barriers and reinvented the way humans can occupy earth. While most contemporary architectural trends have been primarily focused in vertical expansion, I am choosing to focus my blog entry this week on the possibilities for urban advancements within the subterranean realm. In my search for precedents offering innovative concepts for underground dwelling, I found that the most intriguing and inventive ideas were coming from some of the most ancient and outdated forms of architecture. I examined a post by Bryan Finoki entitled "Snake Tunnels in Taliban Territory" in which the organization’s intricate system of cave dwellings have been examples of urban-engineering marvels existing within one of the most treacherous mountain landscapes on earth. Furthermore, the U.S. Army’s failure to eradicate the tunnel systems is a reminder that indigenous knowledge is often times superior to technological advancements. I also examined a post by John from A Daily Dose of Architecture entitled "New Wave Bunkers" which analyzes three new architectural projects that rethink the way ideological principles of underground military bunkers are being adapted today. My reactions to these posts can be found below as well as on their respective blogs.

“Snake Tunnels in Taliban Territory”
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My initial response to this post comes in the form of the irony associated with the world's most technologically advanced military force struggling to cope with the alliance that has formed between a primitive guerrilla military troop and landscape. I do not know which is a more crowning achievement, America developing the technology to create bunker-busting missiles that can be fired and controlled with pinpoint precision, or the Taliban rendering the technology useless through inhabiting their landscape? I find it intriguing how the international fight between capitalism and terrorism has, in Afghanistan, been reduced to a duel between technology and sustainability. It was not tear gas, bombs, armed assault, or food deprivation that forced John Walker Lindh and others to flee from an underground stronghold. Thousands of gallons of water had to be pumped into the caves to have the men flooded out. Nevertheless, the parts of this post that I would like to dig deeper into are the architectural implications affiliated with underground tunnels combating modern technology. What were the basic architectural principles that Attila the Hun followed in his early establishment of mountain caves? More importantly, why were these principles of environmental habitat lost or misunderstood in Western societies’ advancements? In regards to architectural evolution, the caves offer insight on the complex meaning of interior dwelling. Architects have always dealt with spatial projects in terms of interior versus exterior. But what can we architects make of a community existing purely at an interior level? Not only are the Taliban fighters challenging Western democratic thought, but apparently they are now angry at Western architectural principles as well. In the upcoming quest for sustainable development strategies, it is essential for innovative thinkers to consider the obvious advantages to subterranean climates that have been found in Afghanistan.

“New Wave Bunkers”
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I find this post especially pertinent in regards to the dynamic characteristics of each type of bunker you describe. The first question I have considers which architectural elements of the original Federal Reserve Communications and Records Center were preserved in the customization that exists today. While I applaud the architect’s willingness to revise an outdated architectural form, I have to scrutinize whether or not this design is technically classified as a full refurbishing rather than an adaptive reuse. The recyclable qualities that are inherently associated with adaptive re-use are not commonly affiliated with recondition. I imagine that the construction elements that make a “nuke proof” bunker actually nuke proof would be extremely large in size and not easily capable of resuscitation. Also, what qualities of the Reserve bunker’s structural pieces are in any way applicable to the programmatic needs of a library? At first glance, the Svalbard Global Seed Vault (see image at right) looks like an unbelievable project. Its simple diagrammatic form is clearly correlated to the function of the system. As the design of the structure is clearly magnificent, I have to scrutinize the practical relevance of a building like this. As you mention yourself, in the even of a global meltdown or catastrophic geothermal collapse, what good is a giant population of plant seedlings going to do? In other words, while the architecture of the vault is effective in its protective qualities, beautiful design, and responsiveness to its surroundings, it is important to question whether the building needs to exist in the first place. An architect is obviously not going to pass up a job opportunity, but it is part of the architect’s role to question the intentions of a job and bring the most out of an assignment. Encompassed in that mindset is the rudimentary architectural understanding that the most critical aspect of any design problem is function. Le Corbusier famously noted, "To create architecture is to put in order. Put what in order? Function of objects".

Regarding the Capital Visitor’s Center, I have to wonder whether the underlying reason for subterranean construction is safety related. After looking at the images, I can not imagine the addition providing too much protection from terrorist attack. I see the design choice having more to do with appropriating programmatic elements in relevant spaces without disrupting the function of the adjacent Capital Building. As stated in your post, the reason to construct below ground might have to do with the architect not wanting his building to compete with the primary structure. This is obviously the case. The visitor’s center to the Capital Building is just that, the visitor’s center. Any attempt to contend architecturally, spatially, or figuratively was never an option.

New Urban Strategies: Changes for the Future

As I have a lightly touched upon in previous blog entries, the urban growth of global cities is a contemporary issue that is affecting the lives of every world citizen. The dense metropolitan city of Delhi is similar to a quiet suburb in Iowa in regards to its urban landscape impacting the lives of its inhabitants on a daily basis. Whether it is a subway route dictating a residents’ daily commute time, or city officials regulating residential building heights, the inhabitant of a city is the powerless victim of municipal circumstances. Here in Los Angeles, we know all too well the pitfalls of living in a city with such lack of consideration given to successful urban strategy. In 1967, Le Corbusier (arguably the most famous of all modern architects and urban strategists) mocked American cities when saying, “I shall live 30 miles from my office in one direction, under a pine tree; my secretary will live 30 miles away from it too, in the other direction, under another pine tree. We shall both have our own car. We shall use up tires, wear out road surfaces and gears, consume oil and gasoline. All of which will necessitate a great deal of work ... enough for all”. While Le Corbusier was able to diagnose the problem with American cities back in 1967, it took the rest of us a slightly longer time to question the illogical nature our cities. Due to the fragility of the world economic state coupled with increased environmental awareness, emphasis is finally beginning to be placed on efficient and responsible urban development. With that in mind, I decided to focus this week on current issues regarding three of the most important areas to consider when aspiring for successful urban growth: management of impoverished communities, public transportation, and green living.

Currently in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, scrutiny is finally beginning to arise regarding the country’s decade long strategy towards impoverished communities. Compared to the likes of infamously indigent cities such as Johannesburg, Buenos Aires, and Mexico City, Rio’s stance towards management of poor communities is comparable to an urban-apartheid. Lacking an agenda revolving around social enrichment, the government’s hyper-disintegrated strategy towards urban rehabilitation has consisted of mass segregation and quarantining of poor communities. Existing within Rio is the slum of Dona Marta. Regarded as the most poverty stricken, and crime ridden neighborhoods in all of Brazil, the government has taken an even more drastic policy towards containment of this 7,500 person community. The project (which is already undergoing construction) involves the erection of a 650-meter long by 1-meter tall concrete wall encircling the entire neighborhood. This impoverished island prison will then be under constant supervision of the Brazilian military. State officials say that there are two main goals that will be reached through the implementation of this plan. One being that construction of the wall will prevent squatters from occupying an eco-preserve on the outskirts of the neighborhood. The second purpose is that a constant military watch will supposedly deter drug trafficking in and around the neighborhood. If people are squatting on hillsides because they have no place to live, why not implement a public work project to help construct affordable housing? If there is too much allure to pursue a career in drug trafficking, why not create a legitimate program that could create realistic job opportunities? In constructing a massive barrier around an insolvent community, the Brazilian government is simply digging itself into a deeper socio-economic hole. Their action is not ensuring Dona Marta (or any neighboring community) any long-term good and it is merely another act of abandonment that will lead to no civic revival.

Another example of a fatally flawed strategy for urban strategy can be found in Beijing, China. Avoiding Beijing’s obvious industrial waste and community housing issues, the biggest problem that Beijing faces today is its lack of sufficient public transportation. The urban layout of the city was originally established in a manner that is not suitable for the size of city that Beijing has become. The center of the problem can be linked back to Beijing’s execution of a ring road street system. The ring road system for urban planning involves the implementation of main street systems traveling in a circle around the center of the city. Smaller sub-streets branch off from the main circular roads in a traditional grid form. The idea behind the system is that as the city expands, more and more ring roads will be constructed outwards. There are currently six ring roads existing in China with plans for at least two more being constructed within the next ten years. The problem with the ring road system is that as a city expands, a true center of a city begins to disappear and natural fragmentation occurs. So while the street system was originally aligned with the notion that there is a true centralized point of the city, the reality of the matter is that there is no center anymore. The very existence of the ring roads themselves contradicts the very idea of efficient public transportation. While most forms of public transportation are operating around the inefficient ring road routes, most people opt for private vehicles or taxi cabs that are able to operate on minor streets. This causes a ridiculous amount of traffic, as well as an overwhelming amount of excess air, noise, and visual pollution. So far in 2009, there have been a recorded 1466 new private car registrations every day in Beijing. While the Chinese government is already in the process of constructing an expansive underground subway line to counter the ring roads, more action needs to be taken to implement multiple strategies. Projects that are effective at multiple scales and that can impact the nearly 17-million people that inhabit the city are essential to urban success. There needs to be projects that complement Beijing’s massive subway plan. Plans like rerouting already inefficient bus lines to necessary areas. Or public policy changes such as city expansion restrictions. Without integrating multiple public transportation projects to Beijing, the city will never be able to effectively support it’s ever increasing population.

In regards to the pursuit for efficient green dwelling, I will take a more creative approach through the analysis of a recent art sculpture created by Dutch artist Pim Palsgraaf. In his recent sculpture entitled “multiscape”, Palsgraaf proposes the theoretical idea of a sustainable city that is resting upon the back of a chicken. The artist’s idea of a transportable, famine avoiding city that has constant access to food (eggs) is a playful look at the idea of a self-sustaining city. When contemplating a city resting on a chicken what immediately crosses my mind is not the absurdity of practical application of this idea, but rather the debate that would arise if the chicken-city were to be real. The question that I pose that links the multiscape to our urban discussion is how long is it going to take for the inhabitants of the city to become tired of eating eggs and kill their home to eat its meat? Only when pondering this question does the realization that the city on the chicken already exists, and we have been slowly eating away at its breasts and thighs for years.