Re: [GBlist] monster houses : dunderings. rants.

["Simon Hon" <stmhon@yahoo.ca>]

Forgive me for any dunderhead remarks I express.  :-)

Either way, the pollution will cause an inhability for the "infinite"
resource base to continue.  In turn we destroy other spieces for our
building habits and survival.  Either way, we lose, and if WE don't lose,
all the other species that inhabit this planet will lose since we are
causeing the imbalance.

Based upon "ecological" footpring principles which are as scientific as a
big complex fuzzball world will get, we can NOT all have houses that are
2200 sq ft.

As for who's at fault or to blame (Not that it's going to help, but I'll do
it anyways.)

I BLAME SOME ARCHITECTS:  For not truely understanding
green/natural/alternative/wholistic design systems.  For not having a motive
other than to make a living or make money.  ( Maybe a seventh generation
ethic should be instilled in people like the good old days. )   For not
being able to convince a "client" that it is unwise to build so large, even
with technology.  For not rejecting proposals of such dilusional luxary.
(Someone else might do it, but that doesn't mean it's right.)  For not
questioning what they learned in school leading to .....

I BLAME SOME ARCHITECTURAL EDUCATORS AND SOME ARCHITECTURAL ASSOCIATIONS,
for educatiing are future designers to emphasize artistic, egocentric,
granduoso, technological saviorism,  rather than whole systems (which are
inherently artistic and beautiful), passive design, energy efficiecy,
interatice, human scale, etc.  I know this since I am an architecture
student.  MANY times have I gotten sick when at studio "crits" some design
student comes up with something that wont stand up, inefficiently uses space
and energy, is more of a solar oven or natural fridge for humans, habitat
destroying, resource consuming monster, YET it has the most flowing
metamorphicasizical tectonically moving threshold (Leading people into the
solar cooker for humans.) which encapsulates all traditions of the human
condition as well as the aliens and the cows with the birds and bees,
recieve stupendeous praise!  Meanwhile, a student who researchs,  and
designs a humble, energy efficient,  human scale building which is feasible
in reality recieves a smile and a nod.  If only education encouraged all
students to think wholistically/environmentaly, something that is
metamorphicasical will naturally come up as well as being "green" since we
would work together and think with a directed motive,  instead of competing
for granduer on our own immature motive.

Consumers are too many to blame while architects are some.  Comsumers come
to architects expecting that they know how to design and build a  "good"
building.  Architects are educated to think that a good building is their
ego or their users ego expressed.  So, an architect may or may not design a
good building on "green" terms. (Most likely not since, they are educated
not to be really concerned with environmental/future issues.)  The building
is built and architects, glossy people and magazines are happy.  Everyone is
happy except possibly future generations and other species.  Architects are
supposed to know, that's why we go to school, that's why there is a
profession, that's why we have consumers.  If what architects know may be
wrong for our future generations, can we not blame them?
I can not blame the consumer also because they also have no choices.  How
may builders out there build small scale energy efficient homes?  How many
builders study alternatives energy systems?  How many engineers are out
there researching empirical evidence on natural materials and implementing
them?  Even if the consumer demands it, the number of trained people out
there are few and far apart.  Convienience is going to take over and someone
will design them a 144000 sq foot house.

Sorry, starting to think to myself aloud so I will stop with this:

I think the alternatives are out there.  Education is the key, and that the
system must be revamped (Which I see happing all around us slowly; solar
conferences, greenbuilding contests, natural building schools. )  I think
"greenbuilders" and "natural builders" need to stand bold on their ethics
and education consumers about the alternatives.  They must accept some sort
of truth that what their doing is right and stand by it with hope and faith
that they will find their next meal.  I think traditional architects must
not forget that life is about learning new things, thinking about them, and
seriously doing it.

" We're all in it together!" - Brazil. ?????????


----- Original Message -----
From: Gilbert Midonnet
To: 'Jim and Mindy Phypers' ; Greenbuilding List
Sent: Thursday, January 03, 2002 11:07 AM
Subject: RE: [GBlist] monster houses


With all due respect -- the issue is not whether or not energy to heat and
cool exists, or can be tapped, but the pollution created while generating
said energy.  The same holds true with building materials. We have the
resources to create the building material -- at issue is the pollution in
its creation and distribution.

-- gilbert midonnet




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