It is obvious that most everything we do, architectural or otherwise, is a reflection of our attitudes toward nature. Often, I think, most of us do not consider consciously that our actions and choices are reflective of this attitude. Nor do we consider that we are, in reality, inseparable from nature. We are nature, though we strive to individuate ourselves from it, control it, surpass it, ignore it. Why is this an issue, what is wrong with it, am I suggesting we return to nature, subject ourselves to thermal discomfort, put aside our gadgets and our entertainments and commune with the trees and the critters? No. I am asking if there is a way to structure urban living that facilitates a less abusive relationship with nature, perhaps even a healthy one.
How do we do this? To start with, I think, we need to consider that architecture is an organism. A breathing, metabolizing, evolving organism. Also, being created by man, an imperfect organism. In addition, this organism is inclusive of the entire built environment, not just buildings, but landscapes, streetscapes, infrastructure. In an ideal world, all elements of the architectural organism and the relationship between these elements would be healthy and mutually supportive. If this is true, then we must identify a way for the disparate disciplines of environmental design to move forward that operates in constant consideration of one another. And perhaps more importantly, we must consider what direction new design evolutions will take in light of a more illuminated relationship between the disciplines.
The crux of the situation: we are constantly designing new buildings, landscapes, and streetscapes as appendages to the existing organism. An organism that we know to be unhealthy. An organism that perpetuates a delusional urban dystopia. What about sustainable design? Sustainable buildings and sustainable landscapes? Sustainable appendages. Well, we must do things incrementally, but if there no overarching vision that addresses a total transformation of the health of the organism then all these sustainable appendages may prove to be of little value in the long haul.
