Sustainable Design

Sustainable Architecture and Design:

I was very interested in the videos we watched on sustainable architecture and design and community development plans. It looks to be such an amazing field that blends sustainability principles with actual design and transforming the way people live. It also transforms that they know. Where we live is something that can help shape how we live. When we are exposed on an everyday basis to environmentally conscious design, building in harmony with nature and conservation principles, it profoundly affects what we know and what we see as possible. It expands our norms, it transforms the way we live and how we think about our role in the environment.

I think this is especially true with the idea of greening our schools and designing them in ways that make them less environmentally damaging. In building schools this way, they become part of the curriculum themselves and can be a tool to educate students about the environment consciousness, design and stewardship. Global Green USA is one organization that endorses environmentally sustainable buildings for education facilities. They also work for sustainable low income housing and other worthy milestones.

The Rocky Mountain Institute also has programs on sustainable design which is very science based, as well as Cal-Earth, the California Institute of Earth Art and Architecture which focuses on art and practical design.

I think that as it stands, it is hard to get information on these ideas because it is hard to get exposed to these concepts. I feel that this is why primary education needs to be inundated with environmental studies and the campus itself should be build in a way that familiarizes not just students, but teachers, parents and the community with sustainable design and environmental awareness.

Here a link on how to bring sustainable design to your school!: http://www.sustainableschools.dgs.ca.gov/sustainableschools/

I think we need more hands on learning in our schools, even our colleges. We need courses that take us to see these new technologies and allow us to build with them on our own. UCI should have experimental rooftop gardens on its buildings and more courses should utilize our arboretum and places were even BA students can get hand on practical experience!

A roof garden can double the life of the roof, provide insulation against winter cold and summer heat and reduce runoff by at least 50%. It reduces air pollution and dust and creates an ecological oasis for nature.