Sustainable Architecture for Future High Density Cities: An Applied Design Approach

Abstract

This paper presents a series of speculative, research-driven architectural design proposals addressing sustainability in the high-density urban contexts of Shanghai and Hong Kong. The projects each address specific urban problems arising from the site contexts while also developing and utilising innovative ideas generated from architectural and technological considerations. Design results include speculative mid-rise buildings that employ innovative sustainable design approaches ranging from the social to the material dimension. While findings confirm the general notion that an integrated architectural approach must address social, ecological and economic issues to ensure sustainability and viability, this paper further informs researchers as well as practitioners in the creative disciplines with regards to the short- and long-term priorities we have established amongst these issues through the discussed investigation.