Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
US expert to speak at green building conference
PEOPLE who design sustainably are central to a more resilient future.
This is the belief of Vivian Loftness, a key member of Pittsburgh’s Carnegie Mellon University’s leadership in sustainability research and education and contributor to the development of the “Intelligent Workplace”.
He says: “This is moving far beyond protection against natural and man-made disasters, to passive survivability in the face of unreliable infrastructures and new environmental challenges.”
Loftness, who will address the Green Building Council SA’s Green Building Convention in Cape Town next week, says the statistics for energy are sobering and the need for resiliency design is clear: nearly 70% of all electricity in the US goes towards building operations – heating and cooling systems; lighting; ventilation and plug loads.
This is why the Intelligent Workplace was born – a living lab and showcase of the office of the future, which continuously tests innovations.
From lessons learned on her 30-year journey in the architec- tural and engineering sciences, Loftness has identified a need to design integrated “intelligent” systems that merge the natural, minimum- resource conditioning solutions of the past with the innovative technologies of the future.
“Intelligent systems design engages and merges both lowtech and hi-tech solutions for comfort, water, energy, food and mobility. For example, designing a community for walkability and bike- ability, while supporting smart infra- structures for transit and driving, is the mark of ‘intelligent mobility design’.
“Learning from and embracing the richness of each location’s natural systems is critical. The potential of biophilia – the recognition of man’s inherent need to connect to living systems – infuses nature and community into our designs.
“The research behind human and ecological health, and the shift to more integrated natural systems, ensures resiliency and is generative for the future of our projects.”
Loftness believes applying sustainable design in the African context is about recognising Africa is a continent of diverse climates and rich natural and cultural systems that must be the foundation of unique sustainable solutions.
“Understanding the unique qualities of each climate and context is the foundation for sustainability – studying climates and natural systems, indigenous building and community design solutions for each, and embracing materials, assemblies and land use patterns that are unique and best suited to the place.
“The sustainable architecture of hot, dry Africa will be – and should be – different than that of hot, humid Africa and that of mild, year-round-comfortable Africa, with material and craft and quality of life patterns designed to support the longest stretches of natural comfort and resiliency.”
The 10th annual Green Building Convention takes place at the new Century City Conference Centre and Hotel from Monday to Wednesday. – Property Writer