Sustainable Architecture Questions and Answers

1. Read some information about Kelly Hart – a green building professional. Then think of some questions you would like to ask him.

K elly Hart has been involved with sustainable building concepts for much of his life. Kelly spent many years as a professional remodeler, during which time he became acquainted with many of the pitfalls of conventional construction. One of the more recent video programs that he produced is A Sampler of Alternative Homes: Approaching Sustainable Architecture, which explores a whole range of building concepts that are earth friendly. Kelly is knowledgeable about both simple design concepts and more complex technological aspects of home building that enhance sustainable living. Kelly, and his wife Rosana, live in the earthbag home. He is available, at a modest fee, for consulting about sustainable building design, either for remodeling existing structures to more fully embrace these concepts, or for new architectural designs.

2. Now read the interview itself. Have any of your questions been answered in it?

Q: What does the term "green architecture" mean?

A: Green architecture might mean different things to different people. I use the term to include all aspects of architectural design and construction that enhance sustainable, healthy living. This might simply relate to choosing materials that do not offgas toxic chemicals, or it might relate to significant building designs that capture and reuse all of the water and energy that is required for comfortable living within.

Q: I want to do my masters in architecture, and before starting I just want to know what sustainability means to architecture? What areas does it include and how?

A: Sustainable architecture means designing buildings that enhance our environment over a long period of time rather than detract through energy consumption or resource depletion. It includes the creation of structures that are non-toxic, that contribute to a healthy life-style, and that perform their functions well.

Q: I'm trying to trace the evolution of sustainable building from the 1970s. How difficult was it to procure sustainable building materials in the '70s? And were green building projects normally limited to such things as solar collectors and water recycling systems?

A: The main thing that has changed since the 1970s is a focus on, or awareness of, sustainable issues. Sustainable buildings were certainly being built, but people weren't thinking of them as "sustainable;" they were just traditional adobe or stone buildings. So most of the natural building blocks were available then, but perhaps some of the modern "green" industrial products were not. The concepts of passive solar design have evolved over a very long time.

Q: What are the benefits of using natural materials and where does technology fit in?

A: From an ecological standpoint, natural materials have the advantage that they generally don't require much energy to manufacture or even transport them. This savings in energy will likely diminish the amount of greenhouse gas (CO2) that is emitted and also the amount of fossil fuel consumed. From an aesthetic or emotional standpoint, natural materials feel much more, well, natural. Technology is always behind the scenes in our modern world, and I am not one to spurn its use when appropriate. I just feel that one should look to the simpler, natural solutions first, before employing more technological ones.

Q: In your opinion is the public aware of the benefits of natural building, and is there a demand on this type of architecture?

A: I would say that there is greater awareness of the issues and the solutions all the time. I have noticed that many more architects are offering sustainable design options, the media is more likely to report on this trend.

Q: I would like to build a natural, environmentally-friendly and beautiful home. How should I go about choosing what to build with? When should I go with cob, adobe, strawbale, earthbags, rammed earth?

A: There are several criteria that can help you make these choices. The first thing to focus on is actually not the material, but the design and function and that will be guiding you. Once you know what and where you want to build then you can look at how and with what materials. Often people will say that they want to build a cob house, for instance, when in fact cob would not be a wise choice for a house in their particular climate.

Q: How long, if at all, do you think it will take for sustainable ideas to become the norm in construction?

A: With the pressures on society from global warming and peak oil we will inevitably be moving in this direction...probably sooner than most would expect.

Q: I found there are many people that believe building according to the principles of sustainability is too expensive and too complex. What is the cost difference in building a sustainable house versus a traditional house?

A: There are so many different ways of sustainable building that no generalizations should be made. Some are simpler and less expensive, while some are more complex and more expensive than conventional construction. Anyway, once the house is built, it will save energy and money for the owner through its efficiency.

Q: What do you think about modern architecture, i.e. the façade and the employment of synthetic material in it?

A: Modern architecture generally leaves me feeling rather cold. The stark rectangular forms made from industrial materials do not relate to the natural world, and in this departure it attempts to isolate man from our Mother Earth. I am much more interested in being a part of the natural world.

Q: Have you considered employing traditional architecture since it is based on the use of natural materials?

A: I am a strong supporter of the use of vernacular architecture, and promote it at my website. The older ways of building usually employ the use of natural materials in appropriate ways. The wisdom of the past should be utilized today.