China
Africa
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Circular tectonics, users, and local culture
Published in Paulo J.S. Cruz, Structures and Architecture: Bridging the Gap and Crossing Borders, 2019
Ecology as a principal goes back to the beginning of the 1970s, where the grassroots environmental groups tried to transform a sustainable way of thinking into an architectural mode of expression. The grassroots groups’ structural answer has been based on environmental sustainability with an ecological basis. The ecological construction attached importance to the incorporation of “natural” building materials, reusable materials, and alternative building forms. The architects chose to build according to traditional building methods, with the use of so-called “clean” building materials based on simple production (Beim et al. 2002). This approach to sustainable architecture is defined as the “ecocentric logic”, which originates from the belief that the solution to the environment question is founded in a radical rethinking of values. It is a metaphysical, holistic discourse with a view of “getting back to nature” generated through the natural science paradigm (Guy & Farmer 2001).
Green Careers and Ecotourism
Published in Julie Kerr, Introduction to Energy and Climate, 2017
Another regenerative concept is natural building, which, like permaculture, seeks to use natural materials and relies more on human labor than industry to produce living spaces that are ecologically and aesthetically harmonious. Natural building emphasizes sustainability and minimal environmental impact without sacrificing the health or comfort of the human inhabitants. It too makes use of the site’s climate and conditions to reduce the amount of energy required for ventilation and temperature control. For example, native shade trees are planted next to buildings to cool the interior; windows are placed to take advantage of breezes. Simple wind turbines can provide the building’s energy, and rainwater is collected for drinking and washing.
Nature connectedness and biophilic design
Published in Building Research & Information, 2022
Miles Richardson, Carly W. Butler
Review articles (e.g. Gillis & Gatersleben, 2015; Hung & Chang, 2021; Peters & D'Penna, 2020; Ryan et al., 2014) have presented evidence of the well-being benefits of applying biophilic design. The reviews show that elements of biophilic design benefit humans in workplaces, homes, learning institutions, healthcare settings and retail spaces. Features such as higher levels of daylight, views of nature, indoor plants and natural building materials have been found to bring physiological and psychological benefits, with improvements in mental health, well-being, stress recovery, creativity, productivity, memory and cognition.