The Importance of Architectural Aesthetics in Green Design

The most important factors in creating a green building are the architectural aesthetics used in the design of the structure. The use of building materials that possess large amounts of embodied energy results in a significant footprint on the earth. A building can act as a financial vacuum that continuously inhales natural and monetary resources. Conversely, a building can provide its own supply of clean, renewable energy if an architect uses green building principles. These considerations are important in the design process of a green structure. Ultimately, green building concepts must be paired with smart design to achieve optimal, long-term sustainability. However, the true sustainability of a building is shaped by its relationship with both its users and the natural surroundings. The combination of these building concepts and the ways in which they relate to humans and the surrounding environment is explored in a film by Ted Owens called Building with Awareness: The Construction of a Hybrid Home. The film documents the processes involved in the design and construction of green home. Let’s take a closer look at these processes and then look at the relationship between them and the humans and environment which they affect.

The home in Owens’ film contains many of the attributes necessary to reduce its footprint on the earth. The house is oriented to capture the solar energy of the low winter sun and built to keep out the intense rays of the summer. A structure may not be situated to achieve optimal solar gain without careful site planning. The use of local materials is paramount in the construction of the building. This reduces the amount of energy involved in the transportation of materials to the site. Owens minimizes the use of concrete by substituting materials with far less embodied energy. (The production of concrete accounts for 7% of all greenhouse gases.) High-end windows and hi-tech solar panels are combined with low-tech materials such as straw and clay to create a hybrid home that is truly energy-efficient. The layout of the home incorporates the ideas of thermal mass, renewable energy, efficient heating systems, and water collection. Unless a structure is built to capture and use rainwater, the possibility of pollution, erosion, and runoff become big concerns. This thoughtful design minimizes the amount of resources needed to keep the structure operating as a functional unit. While Owens pays careful attention to green design and construction, he insists that "aesthetics equal longevity". In summation, the true sustainability of a home is found in its relationship to the surrounding environment and to the people that inhabit it.

The aesthetics of Owens’ home promote sustainability by integrating aspects of the natural surroundings into the building. The house blends into the New Mexico landscape through the use of local materials. The ways in which the home and environment coalesce are enriched by incorporating the architectural history of the area into the design. In turn, the natural setting is enhanced rather than diminished by the building. Owens is able to extend the life of the home, increase functionality, as well as reduce construction costs by thinking about the purpose of the structure and the needs of the individuals living within its walls. An example of this is designing the house to operate in harmony with the natural course of the sun as well as in response to the climate of the area. Sunlight flows into the east-facing kitchen in the morning which provides warmth and light for the early riser making breakfast. Depending on the time of year, sunlight can be harvested or reflected to cool or warm the house. The house is built with “green” in mind by using straw bales and clay for the exterior walls. These materials are inexpensive, locally harvested, and very efficient when used properly. The impact on the environment is lessened and the homeowner will save thousands of dollars in energy costs over the life of the home. However, it is the aesthetic value of both smart design and proper material selection that will provide the longevity and sustainability of this home.

Architectural aesthetics are integral to the longevity and sustainability of a building. However, the reality of a sustainable society requires us to consider the bigger picture. The watercolor of truly, green buildings can only be painted by taking a broad look at the expansive canvas that is our planet earth. The artists that create this image must dip their brushes in the many different colors of sustainable design and green building. They need to understand how each pigment will react with another. They should appreciate how these different shades will affect the subjects of the painting. Most importantly, these artists are obliged to respect the influence that their strokes can have on the landscape. Only by focusing on these intimate and engaging relationships can a designer truly achieve a sustainable building.