Cambiando los paradigmas: El reto de la sostenibilidad en la arquitectura

Abstract

How will architecture have to change to meet the sustainability challenge? Following the definition of the concept of sustainability, the factors that determine our way of thinking about architecture will be discussed. Placed in a larger context, architecture's historical role in the ever increasing independence of civilization from environmental conditions will be illuminated to give a concrete example of civilization's teleological process of autonomization. Analogously, looking at the building types of the villa and the skyscraper, the complementary notion to the ecological footprint is the cultural footprint. Its deep-rooted and long-lasting effect is discussed. In summary, a number of steps that need to be taken by architects, educators and society in general with regard to the notion of quality in architecture are outlined. A key demand will be the ubiquitous institution of design review boards to ensure transparent, public processes for the discussion of architectural quality ahead of the realization of any building: better to review over and over again than to build badly once.