PROJECT BRIEF

The history of vernacular architecture shows how climate and light have a fundamental role in the formation of buildings. However in the 20th century we saw, amongst many other rapid changes, a decline in the commitment to climatic factors and daylighting as principle design criteria. This was principally a consequence of the innovations, inventions, and advancements in the use of gas, electricity, and oil; and compounded by the introduction and availability (thanks to modern logistics and transport) of new building materials and construction techniques. The pervasive attitude was that these energy sources were abundant and everlasting; the environmental problems we understand now were not widely acknowledged.

 

In the 21st century, designers have many responsibilities and among these realising a sustainable built environment is now at the centre of the discourse.