Climatic Context in Architecture: The Evolution towards Sustainability

Climatic Context in Architecture: The Evolution towards Sustainability

Varying geographical regions present diverse circumstances with climatic variations that constantly alter the demands for architectural design. These shifts require modifications in structural needs for shelter, warmth, cooling, water conservation systems, and the relationship of indoor and outdoor living spaces.

One of the architectural pillars relies upon acknowledging the context in the intricate weaving of design. The current climatic conditions that an area faces, as well as those predicted to occur throughout the structure's lifespan, should be indispensable factors in a design's creation. Ignoring this crucial aspect risks undermining a structure's functional viability and sustainability potential.

Michael Sandberg of Sandberg Schoffel Architects highlights that environmental considerations and sustainability issues remain profoundly significant for architects and landscape designers worldwide. His belief that climate has always been a significant factor in architectural design resonates throughout the industry. The increasing frequencies of climate extremities, such as those recently faced in Australia, have nudged these climate considerations into becoming a topic of substantial public conversation.

This sentiment is shared by architect James Russell, who stresses upon the necessity to intricately interweave design with its environment. He mentions a growing trend of awareness among clients, driven by an escalating societal shift towards constructing buildings with minimal environmental impact.

The extent and pace of progress in architecturally accommodating climate factors significantly differ worldwide. Countries with extreme climates tend to showcase more advanced strides in environmentally friendly architecture. Scandinavia, for instance, is noted by Mr. Sandberg as a region that has heavily invested in environmental and climate-responsive architecture due to their limited natural resources.

Historically, Australia, due to its warm climate and abundant natural resources, had less emphasis on climate-responding architecture. Design considerations regarding insulation, warmth conservation, and waterproofing were notably less necessary.

However, the Australian climate situation has been shifting towards more extreme conditions - a transformation that has forged a sense of urgency within both design and broader communities towards climate-responsive design. The long-term rainfall deficiencies across southern and eastern Australia have triggered a spotlight on water-saving design features in the residential and commercial building sectors.

Government policy adjustments, such as stricter water usage restrictions and energy efficiency incentives, have fuelled public awareness of environmental sustainability. These evolving regulations push homeowners and commercial organizations to reconsider their daily environmental footprints. Mr. Sandberg points out the subsequent modifications in building design, with an escalated attention on water retention, energy efficiency, and the utilization of recyclable and natural materials. Expanding trends in Australia's architectural design have been the increased application of grey water systems and the incorporation of water tanks and catchment areas.

The award-winning Szencorp Building located in Albert Rd, South Melbourne, serves as an exemplary model in presenting innovative environmental solutions in building development. Transformed from its outdated 1980s shell, the building underwent a makeover in 2005, transforming it to become the greenest office building in Australia, boasting a six-star green rating from the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA). Designed with climate change and weather cycles in focus, the building boasts a grey water and rain harvesting system, solar hot water system, lighting control sensors, along with numerous other sustainable design features.

Peter Szental, principal of The Szencorp Group, keenly advocates for an increased global focus on energy efficiency in climate-responsive designs. In his view, energy efficiency serves as the most straightforward and cost-effective strategy in significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and concurrently deflating energy costs.

While the incentivization for new architectures is predicated on being greener, Mr. Szental also underscores the necessity to target existing structures. He points out that a majority of Australia's commercial buildings exhibit inefficiencies, consuming resources beyond necessity. Australia's delay in adjusting for a sustainable future is hindering the transition towards cleaner energy sources, creating a growing greenhouse liability that future generations may struggle to resolve, especially in potentially less prosperous times.

Mr. Szental insists that local designers hold a vital role in shaping our living and working spaces to be more environmentally sensitive. One of the ways to achieve this includes accommodating for a diverse blend of energy solutions within their work, ranging from cleaner coal to biomass, solar, wind, and hydro. Coupled with this, he looks to the government to provide more incentives to improve energy efficiency in the architectural landscape.

The global design community is synchronizing their response to climate change. In a notable event on 18 June 2007, during the International Presidents Forum at the American Institute of Architects (AIA) 2007 National Convention in San Antonio, 16 presidents of national and international architectural associations united with a common purpose. They addressed the role of design in reacting to global climate change, and all attendees, leading architects internationally, resolved to adopt global goals and benchmarks for sustainability in architectural building design.

This international unity amongst architects signifies a shared vision for a global shift towards environmentally considerate architectural design, demonstrating an industry-wide commitment to climate-responsive architecture and the sustained growth of the green building movement.