Senga's Blog
Eco-chic Outdoor Living & Exterior Design
Where's The Green?
Over the last few years I have been watching with fascination the evolution of ‘sustainabilty.’ It is interesting that what Landscape Architects, and related vocations - environmentalists, horticulturalists, arbourists have always integrated as part of their professional practice – is now a fashionable icon. It was not until I was recently interviewed for the upcoming Canadian Documentary ‘Working Green’ (green careers) that I really gave it much thought. The question posed to me was ‘ What sustainable or green things do you do in your work?’ I was at a loss for words because as most Landscape Architects will agree. I never had ‘compartmentalized’ what Landscape Architecture was in terms of sustainability.
The irony in all this is that ‘green’ and ‘sustainablity’ has morphed into the ‘brand’ of this decade – offering up a whole industry of products and services and a rationale for the way we develop or do business. Hey! With the right ‘spin’ even a Hummer can be made to appear eco-friendly.
Lost in Translation
Understandably – the building industry has taken ‘green’ to heart but I find it disconcerting that in the process, the fundamentals of ‘green’ and ‘sustainablity’ are being lost in the translation.
While I applaud the efforts of many publications and magazines to bring information to the profession and the masses, the byline under the logo often reads something like ‘Sustainable Architecture and Building Magazine.’ My question is ‘Where has the green gone? ‘ Remember those actual living ‘green things’ called plants that provide the air we breathe, provide food we eat, filter the water we drink and is an integral part of a planetary ecosystem. The same one we are all endeavouring to save through the ‘sustainable’ movement.
It may sound simplistic (it actually is) but at a fundamental living, we don’t breathe….we don’t live, we don’t eat….we don’t live, we don’t have clean water….. well you get the point. And this is just one aspect of what needs to an integrated approach to sustainability. But that is discussion for another time…. The bottom line is the interface and synergies between the built and natural systems are not being widely discussed or utilized in a holistic manner which is the foundation of ‘sustainability.’
Is it simply a case of not enough Landscape Architects and related professions and industries stepping up to the plate and joining the movement or there is just not enough money to be made from this side of the industry in the form of marketing, product development and high tech solutions? Or is it a combination of both? But, actions speak louder than words and below are typical ‘case in points.’ which illustrate these points.
Case #1 – Green Roofs
We are often asked to design green roofs. But more often than not the design focuses around roof membranes, insurance issues, the latest and greatest green roof technologies – with an afterthought to what actual plants are going to be put on the roof.. Often times I watch eyes glaze over as it is explained that green roofs can be mini – ecosystems, urban food producing machines, or a green respite for human habitation.
Case #2 – Buildings as Monuments to Sustainability
My favourite story is one where a notable botanical garden in the Pacific Northwest is being redesigned. The goal is to become the botanical garden for the 21rst century – showcasing the new ‘eco-aesthetic which will also perform a variety of bio-functions. While the intentions are noble the translation is somewhat diluted with the proposed high budget building being the monument to sustainability and the gardens as a stage set.
Case #3 – Using ‘Green’ to ‘Fix It’
At a larger scale often site plans have already been designed – sans input from those vocations which can add value and insight into weaving natural systems into the design. After the plan has been optimized, value engineered and every bit of efficiency squeaked out – the left over spaces are ‘green’ spaces that must optimally perform to 1) Provide human Recreation and amusement of all forms 2) Protect the environment 3) Manage storm water 4) Clean the dirty water from our buildings 5) Cool and shade buildings 6) Provide additional biodiversity and ecosystems – have I left anything out?
Parting Thoughts
While we can all appreciate that baby steps necessary and we all had to start somewhere in this process – aren’t we past all this now? Isn’t it time to start ‘walking the talk.’ And get past the adolescent stage. And this begins at the planning and consultant level – working together from the onset. As a collective we need to drive the industry with collective brain power and like the fundamentals of sustainability ‘ work together as a synergist whole.’ We are still a fractured bunch and this is reflective on what message is being put forth in the ‘sustainable’ industry. I am sure it will come but I look forward to the day when one of the first discussions with my colleagues and clients regarding a green roof will actually be about the ‘green.’
