Drew Powers - Assignment 2B

Turning to nature andits processes to solve issues in architecture

Question: Can natural processesof symbiosis and cyclical energy consumption be brought into architecturalthinking?

David-Artman, Anat. 2008. Mathematics as the Vital Force of Architecture.Nexus Network Journal 10 (2)(Autumn): 323-30.

Pawlyn, Michael. 2010. Michael Pawlyn: Using Nature's Genius in Architecture,ed. Michael Pawlyn. London, England: TED, http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/michael_pawlyn_using_nature_s_genius_in_architecture.html(accessed September 6, 2011).

Shearcroft, Geoff. 2009. Architecture for a Changing Planet: Withits Radical Nature Exhibition, The Barbican Art Gallery in London Considers 40Years of Ecological Art and Architecture. Architects' Journal 230 (4) (07): 41-2. 

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Separatedby feet, but worlds apart

Question: How does something assimple as a railroad track or highway work to divide communities and create differentsocioeconomic worlds?

Bernard, Michael M. 1970. Urban Transportation Systems : Problems,Policies and Planning. Urban LawAnnual: 1-84.

Giovannini, Joseph. 2009. Highway High: A Progressive PublicSchool Repairs an Architecturally Fragmented Neighborhood. I.D 56 (2) (2009): 79-80.

Mann, Roy B. 1991. Boston's Southwest Corridor: From UrbanBattleground to Paths of Peace. Places7 (3) (Spring): 46-61. 

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Preventing Urban Sprawl

Question: What strategies can beemployed to prevent urban sprawl and conserve the land we have left?

Knaap, Gerrit J., and Lewis D. Hopkins. 2001. The inventoryapproach to urban growth boundaries. Journalof the American Planning Association 67 (3) (Summer): 314-26.

Reith, Charles. 2006. A more protective urban landscape: As theworld warms and becomes more populous and urban, more is expected fromcityscapes. Urban Land 65 (10)(10): 134-6. 

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Reflection:

Afterreflecting on my questions and the research that followed I have found manyparallels and sparked many ideas for further exploration. Two of my questionshave a lot to do with sustainable design and looking to the future ofarchitecture. My interest in natural processes and architecture is thestrongest after doing the initial research. Nature is beautiful in many ways,and many of its processes can and should be replicated in future architectureto help with sustainability in both architecture and 8urban design. That beingsaid, I also have a great interest in scars in the urban fabric that can causeextremely different socioeconomic communities to grow side by side. I believe Ican use some of the thoughts on preventing urban sprawl to help link the ideasof socioeconomics and sustainability.