Ecological Design: Some Questions and Answers
Paul Downton & Michelle Breton. Urban Ecology Australia. 2003.7
Dr Paul Downton, principal architect and urban ecologist for Ecopolis Architects
Pty Ltd, and Director of Research for Urban Ecology Australia Inc, responds
to some questions on ecological design from Michelle Breton, a Year 12 student
at Salisbury East High School.
1. How important is it to use environmental considerations when building
a new development, and what might these considerations consist of? What effects
on the environment might there be if these are not considered?
Extremely important! We are used to the idea that we cannot negotiate with gravity when we put up buildings - now we have to get used to the idea that we cannot negotiate with ecology. If we do not succeed in getting the processes of developing our built environments to fit the cycles and processes of nature then, ultimately, we will so damage the ecology that supports us that our civilisation will fail.
2. What varieties of materials would you recommend to use for ecologically conscious homes, and how would you use these materials to get the greatest benefit of reducing the environmental impact?
Low energy consumption in their manufacture, non-toxic, created from renewable resources. These are goals, not always achievable - so, if you have to use steel you should plant trees to compensate for the carbon dioxide emitted during the steel's manufacture. For more info on materials like rammed earth, straw bale, adobe (mud brick), and aerated concrete, see the fact sheets I authored for the Your Home website (see the 'Links' page).
3. With reference to the new 'Eco City' on Halifax Street, what type of people are interested in living in this medium density environment?
There is no ecocity on Halifax Street, but there is a small piece of ecocity called Christie Walk on Sturt Street. Who's interested? Great people! All types of people from many backgrounds and a fair spread of ages. Many have tertiary education, but certainly not all. The type of people interested really cannot be easily categorised, and community issues are at least as important as environmental issues to most of them.
4. List in order of priority the strategies required for reducing energy consumption in a building (1 being most important).
Recycled materials - 5
Glass Windows (? - presume you mean double glazing) - 6
Ventilation - 2
Solar energy panels - 4
Natural construction materials i.e. timber, straw, earth - 3
Insulation -1
Other - hmmmm
Strictly speaking, what you have listed are 'techniques' rather than strategies. Your next question deals with strategy.
5. What design methods do you use to produce an ecological project? Only brief summary needed.
Challenging! I start by trying to understand site and circumstances as much as possible from an ecological and social perspective. Then I try and work out what the key issues are for any given place and its proposed inhabitants/users; eg. it might be that an ecological corridor is needed to protect the movement of birds through an urban area, or a community needs a meeting space, or a house needs particular orientation to work in a difficult local climatic environment...
Whatever it is sets out the main framework in which a design can then proceed. I think the key for me is to get an understanding of essential PATTERNS of the life of people and place and then try to fit that and reflect that in design. Underlying everything is the need to make a project fit financial constraints too, of course. Good design has always had to fit constraints, the difference with ecological design is that it seeks to respectfully fit the constraints of living systems. You can find some more material on my philosophy of architectural design in the 'Theory' section of my website.
6. Is ecological design cheaper to apply to a new housing project?
No. It can be cost-competitive but it is never cheaper.
7. Will ecological design ever take over the traditional popular designs in Adelaide and what type of impact on the future will this have on the lifestyles of Adelaide citizens?
Yes! Ecological design will become the new tradition and it will happen because it is popular! The impact on lifestyle will be profound, but there's a two-way process here - the changes in design will come about because of changes in people's perceptions and aspirations that are then reflected back in their built environments – that then affect how they live... I think it will make life much better in the long run, more fun, healthier, more challenging, imaginative, exciting, fulfilling. I look forward to the changes!
2007.7.27