In Search of Responsible Architecture

PhD STAGES:

EVALUATION STAGES:

Presentation / discussion and Selection

MATERIALS:

Abstract and Poster

DISCIPLINES:

Architecture
Sustainable Building Practices for Behavior Change
Ricelli Laplace Resende

Files: abstract, poster, full paper (= updated abstract)

Fragments from proceedings (‘abstract submission’)’:

Abstract.

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The way architecture is being practice today has enormous environmental, societal and economic costs. Green Building rating systems like LEED are not enough to address these issues. Responding to these challenges, some architects are trying to search for new ways of practicing architecture that are more responsible and accountable, for example: Regenerative sustainability, the Barefoot Architect approach, the Vernacular Knowledge for Sustainable Architecture, permaculture design, Earthship design principles, socially responsible architecture and others. In 2014 Architect’s council of Europe they stressed that the architectural profession has a role in delivering responsible design. But what is responsible design? Although different solutions have been discussed, there are two main challenges we are facing: 1) a lack of common ground of architectural responsibilities and 2) how to practice these responsibilities for long term changes. As an architect and educator, I saw the need for a tool that stablished this common ground for our architectural education and practice that replies this question.

Therefore, my PhD thesis introduces the concept of Responsible Architecture (RA). RA is a design paradigm that has the goal of: 1. to stablish a common ground for architectural responsibilities based in sustainable principles (economy, society,environment) 2. bridge the gap between discourse and practice by implementing behaviour change strategies that raise long-term awarenessand sustainable behaviour Why behaviour change strategies? As architects, we are constantly defining the way people use spaces, communicate, live, feel and behave. Recent researchers have started to consider how design can influence people’s environmental behavior in order to adopt a more sustainable-lifestyle, by including clients in the design process, in a chance to experience sustainable construction or incorporating behavior change activities into the project. Therefore, behavior change strategies are an important element that should be included in holistic methodologies to design, evaluate and practice architecture.

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