Today, the term "sustainability" is thrown around carelessly in many different sectors, and this presents a challenge since we lack a comprehensive definition that would help us understand and advance in this particular area. In order to give you a better knowledge of sustainability, I spoke with Céline Nedelcoux of Naai Archi and expanded on her video about sustainable architecture. I strongly suggest to everyone who wants to learn more about sustainability and renewable development to watch Céline's video, the link to which I will provide at the end of the article.
1) People often misunderstand the term ‘sustainable', give a brief overview of what sustainability means in your own words.
Céline:
“Sustainable” = something that can stand the test of time in a given context.
For example, churches are great examples of sustainable buildings: some of them are still here after many centuries.
Response:
We typically associate sustainable design with lush landscaping and natural materials like wood and stone. Gothic architecture, which was common in several parts of Europe from the late 12th through the 16th century, is generally found in old churches and we can see their prominence if we travel through Europe. This is true for several other ancient buildings, including the Greek temples on the Acropolis. Also, remember that architects back then relied more on mathematics and mechanics. These historical structures were able to withstand time and so we should often retreat and meditate on the origins of architecture.
2) In your video you described that the images of sustainable buildings shown on the internet are misleading, why do you think sustainable architecture is misunderstood today?
Céline:
I think a lot of people don’t have easy access to the most valuable information about sustainable architecture and about architecture in general. And to be honest it is our fault as architects because we don’t make the effort to simplify and share the information with them. So, at the end, they prefer to believe that sustainable architecture means adding solar panels on a roof or building a wooden house.
Response:
We need to debunk the common myth that solar panels, trees, and other forms of vegetation are essential to sustainable development. As indicated in the previous question, historical structures provide clear examples of sustainable architecture, thus we shouldn't be sharing unrealistic designs with the world. The Line by Neom was the subject of one of my earlier blog posts, where they set unrealistic goals for a renewable city. By using stereotypes in their promotional video, they were able to demonstrate how "renewable" their city will be.
3) Do you think historical architecture such as Kath Kuni should be preserved for historical importance or should it be destroyed/ renovated for future development, if so why?
Céline:
It is unfortunate to destroy an architectural heritage especially if we have not learnt from it.
As architects, the real aim of preserving historical buildings should not be admiring them but being able to design buildings as efficient as them in our time.
Response:
For each aspiring architect, as well as those who already work as architects, site visits are an essential component. Examining historical structures should play a significant role in your research on sustainable architecture because its design, materials, and environmental factors all had a role in their preservation. Although historical architecture is naturally breathtaking, modern society’s focus should be on comprehending these structures, which is why history and philosophy should be a major part of your architectural studies.
4) Why do you think sustainable architecture isn’t prominent in cities even when climate change is at its peak?
Céline:
First, I feel like climate change is not seen as an immediate problem for most people. As human beings, we can get too absorbed in our own lives to think about the future of our city, country, or planet. We often need an “electric shock” to change and act.
Then, architects are just secondary stakeholders in the construction of cities. Cities were and are firstly built for political and financial interests. So, if architects and activists are not able to communicate efficiently the value (financial and political) of sustainable architecture it will take a lot of time before really seeing it in cities.
Response:
In the 2021 film "Don't look up," it was the political and economic viewpoints that prevented the human race from being saved. Our current idea of development prohibits us from creating an ecosystem that is truly sustainable. Therefore, communicating the economic and political advantages of sustainable construction should be our primary goal as architects. Because the world perceives through a certain set of eyes, we should communicate our knowledge and data via those same sets of eyes.
Conclusion from Céline:
In conclusion I would say that sustainable architecture is not just a trend, it is a real challenge for all of us starting from now.
But to be developed we, architects and ecological activists, have the important mission to inform, educate and share our knowledge and passion with investors, politicians and the general public. Because until they can understand what sustainable architecture really is, they can’t help us build it.
Céline’s video:
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