Today, buildings emit 40% of the world’s carbon. And by 2035, China alone will construct five million more buildings, equivalent to 10 New York Cities. Here, we define some presumptions about this huge sustainable building opportunity, and how architects can encourage more and better sustainable designs to be built in China.
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Shouldn't we also consider opportunities on projects in the United States where clients are not taking advantage of more sustainable strategies? I am all for China projects, but in the US we should be able to have more of an impact (just by comparing number of projects we work on).
ReplyDeleteMing - I thought your two suggetions were spot on but your paranthetical statemment was key. I have found travel to be the most powerful learning tool. Seeing really is believing and it creates the feeling that you can be a change agent. I've witnessed skeptical city officals and even more skeptical developers have a complete change of heart with regard to sustainable issus when they've seen what has been accomplished in another city.
ReplyDeleteYes, Anonymous, we should and of course are considering sustainable design opportunities both in the U.S. and abroad. (Examples of domestic sustainable successes: MulvannyG2's LEED Gold-certified Bellevue Towers is the first LEED Gold residential tower in Bellevue, Wash.; Olive 8 is the first Silver LEED-certified condo/hotel in Seattle). Thing is, China's incredible growth is not only a huge market for us, other architects, and developers, but a huge global opportunity for architects to help China develop more sustainably, which is crucial for all of us in regard to climate change.
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