Sustainable Design Essay

Environmentally sustainable design has directly influenced multiple aspects of contemporary architecture. Contemporary societies need for solutions to greater environmental issues has led to a paradigm shift in the industry. Sustainability primarily came into recognition in a post industrial revolution period. Designs of the industrial time period had been highly ineffective and the ramifications of these designs began to become apparent in the late 20th century. The recognition of a need for change has seen contemporary architecture embrace sustainability. Sustainability has subsequently become more of a necessity rather than an option. The relevance of contemporary buildings relies heavily on its ecological footprint rather than its aesthetic qualities. This change in requirements has subsequently seen a change in the architectural education that is available. Students understanding of the needs of commercial architecture has lead to the push of sustainability in the education process. This in turn can cause more informed design that are greatly conscious of their ecological impact.

Discuss instances where environmental thinking, broadly conceived, has impacted on contemporary architecture theory, education and practice. Try to identify recent debates that articulate the ethical context for such instances. Is the embrace of ESD [environmentally sustainable design] principles the panacea that many put forward?

I will discuss the impact environmental concerns have had on multiple aspects of contemporary architecture and the way in which ethics have influenced the greater public perception on sustainability. I will also show how sustainable design principles may possibly alleviate social concerns on climate change. Environmenta...

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... design methods first or risk losing relevance, as unsustainable constructions are seen as ignorant structures not serving a greater function. The greater push for sustainable design may have seen creativity diminish in that the functionality has now again taken precedent over from. Sustainable design principles however, have proven to successfully engage and solve global environmental issues by using tools such as bio mimicry, efficiency, renewability and durable design methods. Environmental fears and ethics have resulted in sustainable design impacting contemporary architecture resulting in a theory revolving around sustainability. The scope as to which sustainable design principles can grow appears large, however it would be interesting to note if any new technological advances would impact aspects of architecture as greatly as the beginning of sustainability.