What does that term mean when talking about architectural designs, especially in a university setting?
Architects have known about sustainability or “green buildings” for decades, but it’s an idea that’s been gaining momentum in the last five to 10 years, specifically for architects and engineering who are working on designs for colleges and universities. There’s a realization that these buildings will be a part of their campuses for a long time and that the designs are really an investment in the future. After all, that’s what sustainability is—an investment in the future and for future generations. As colleges and universities continue to consider the role of energy efficiency and renewable resources in building construction, many have concluded that sustainability just makes sense. There’s also the other component that facilities should be part of a school’s educational mission. If we can do something in a building that tells a story, raises some questions, students will say, ‘Oh, that’s interesting.’ And they’ll start to ask their own questions. As an architect, what design elements
